No Winner In Record-Setting Powerball Jackpot
(Le Mars) — The big news from the weekend was that no one had won the record setting $900 million dollar Powerball jackpot, which means that for Wednesday’s game, the estimated jackpot will have surpassed $1 Billion (that’s with a “B”) dollars. There was a ticket that was sold from the Hy Vee store located on Gordon Drive in Sioux City that did match the first five numbers, but failed to get the Powerball. That lottery ticket is worth more than a million dollars.
Le Mars Fire And Rescue Called To Plymouth County Historical Museum
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to an overnight alarm at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Fire personnel responded to the automatic alarm at about 2:00 a.m. Apparently, a furnace motor located on the second floor near the Westmar Room had burnt up.
Legislature To Begin New Session Today
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Legislature returns to Des Moines today to begin a new session, and there will be a new lawmaker to take the oath of office. State Representative Chuck Holz, a former veterinarian, will be sitting at the desk that was formerly occupied by Chuck Soderberg. Soderberg resigned from the state legislature when he accepted a position as the executive director with the Iowa Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. Holz will serve on the House Agriculture Committee, as well as the Commerce, Economic Development, and Transportation Committees.
Water Quality And School Funding The Focus For Legislature
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Legislature is expected to tackle K through 12 education and water quality initiatives in the session that convenes Monday.
The Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-led House have long been at odds over how much money to spend on K through 12 education, and the 2016 session will likely continue that pattern. Legislative leaders differ on how much new state revenue is available, and that will impact how much they’re willing to increase base funding to school districts.
Governor Terry Branstad will also seek support for his proposal to fund water quality initiatives with the help of an existing 1-cent sales tax for school infrastructure improvements. Lawmakers may question whether to touch the money.
Lawmakers are also expected to review Medicaid privatization, an expanded sales tax exemption for manufacturers and Planned Parenthood funding.
Le Mars Planning and Zoning Commission To Hold Special Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 12 beginning at 4:15 p.m. at the city council chambers. The Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss a request from Nor-Am Cold Storage to convert the zoning area from Residential (R-1) to General Business (B-2) and recommend the city council to conduct a public hearing on the re-zoning proposal. The area in question is at the former Harker’s meat facility located at 411 9th Avenue southwest.
School Board To Meet This Evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will meet this evening, and on their agenda, the school board will hear from architect Courtney Koch representing the Cannon, Moss, Brygger firm. Koch will discuss with the board a final cost estimate for the high school science rooms renovation project. The school board will also have updated reports given by the building principals. The school board will take a few minutes to discuss a webinar hosted by the Iowa Association of School Boards. The title of that webinar was “The Board’s Role in Budget Discussions.” The school board will also discuss the upcoming Board Administrator Retreat scheduled for January 25th.
Carson To Appear In Le Mars This Evening
(Le Mars) —Republican presidential candidate, Dr. Ben Carson will make an appearance in Le Mars. Carson, a retired surgeon, is scheduled to be at the Blue Bunny ice cream parlor on Monday evening, January 11th. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with Carson speaking at 7:45 p.m.
Trump To Appear At Dordt College
(Le Mars) — Dordt College in Sioux Center will again host another Republican presidential candidate. Businessman Donald Trump is scheduled to appear at the B.J. Haan Auditorium on Saturday, January 23. Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. with Trump scheduled to speak at 11:00 a.m. The campaign has not said whether there will be an opportunity for members of the audience to ask questions, or for members of the media to have access to the candidate.
Farmers Should Not Cut Back On Crop Insurance To Reduce Input Costs
(Vermillion, SD) — Farmers are looking at ways to reduce their costs as they plan for the next crop year, as farm income has dropped due to lower commodity prices. However, one official says crop insurance should not be the area where farmers reduce their input costs. John Leonard with Whiskey Creek Crop Insurance Company of Sioux City was an exhibitor at last week’s Dakota Farm Show held in Vermillion. He says farmers should keep the higher rates of protection as provided by crop insurance for their next crop.
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Leonard says many farmers are deeply concerned about the current farm economic situation.
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The crop insurance agent says farmers only advantage this year is that fuel prices are lower.
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A few weeks ago, Congress has proposed reducing the amount of money devoted to federal crop insurance as they were working on the spending bill. Leonard says, fortunately, farmers eventually won that battle.
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Des Moines Fire Fighter Is Injured
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a firefighter was injured while battling a house fire in West Des Moines.
The fire broke out early Sunday morning, when no one was in the residence. The home is considered a total loss.
Des Moines television station KCCI (https://bit.ly/1ZfVysE ) reports that the firefighter was hurt when an exterior wall fell on him. He was taken to a hospital and released later Sunday.
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