Home News Friday News, January 15

Friday News, January 15

Judge Rules Neunaber is Competent To Stand Trial

(Le Mars) — A judge has ruled an Akron man is competent to stand trial for the murder of his mother.  In a ruling issued Friday morning, Judge Steven Andreasen says that based on the findings of a licensed psychologists and psychiatrist that both evaluated Jonathon Neunaber, they say that Neunaber understands and appreciates the charges and fully understands the possible consequences from those charges.  Neunaber has been charged with the killing of his mother, Esther Neunaber in July of 2014.  Both Esther and her husband, Donald, were found dead at their rural Akron home.  A medical examiner determined that Donald had died of natural causes, where as Esther’s death was the result of blunt force trauma.  A trial date has not been scheduled.

Jonathon Nuenaber being escorted to a waiting car by Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo and Chief Deputy Craig Bartolozzi in this file photo.

 

 

 

Four Le Mars Students Compete At National Cycle Cross Championships

 

(Le Mars) — A week ago, four students from Le Mars competed in the National Cycle Cross Championships held at Ashville, North Carolina.  Overall, the four bicycle competitors did a good job of representing Le Mars.  KLEM news recently visited with the four teenagers about their cycle cross championship experience.  Luke Skov, was the oldest competitor from Le Mars.  The 14 year old, and first year racer, says he struggled at the beginning of the race, but soon recovered.

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12 year old Luke Feurerhelm (Fire-helm) and 12 year old Dakota Olsen had to compete against each other in the same age-group category.  Feurerhelm reflects on his bicycle race performance.

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Olsen says he was able to start ahead of cycle colleague Feurerhelm, and he says he was not bothered much by having to compete against his friend.  Olsen says he first got interested in bicycle racing after his father participated on RAGBRAI rides.  Olsen did share his comments about the national race track conditions.

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Lillie Ferguson, at age 11, is ranked fourth in the nation following her nationals performance.  She says riding her bike with the Plymouth County Cycle Club on Tuesday evenings was what peaked her interest in bicycle racing.

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Each of the bicycle competitors have set a goal to practice more, improve on their status, and return to the national cycle cross competition.

National Cycle Cross Competitors. From Left To Right, Dakota Olsen, Luke Feuerhelm, Lillie Ferguson, and Luke Skov.

 

 

 

 

Greater Des Moines Partnership Recommends Grants And Low Interest Loans To Improve Water Quality

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership water quality task force has recommended that Iowa offer low-interest loans or grants tied to conservation efforts to improve the state’s water quality.
The recommendation is one of several to be released Friday.
The group recommends creating watershed management authorities to develop plans across the state to improve the water and soil, and a 2030 deadline to meet the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which is designed to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorous levels that contribute to the Gulf of Mexico dead zone. 
The dead zone is an area of low to no oxygen that can kill marine life.
Des Moines Water Works CEO Bill Stowe said the task force’s recommendations fall short of the changes needed to make real improvements in water quality.

 

 

 

 

Iowa State Extension To Host Crop Advantage Meeting In Le Mars

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Convention Center will be the site of the next “Crop Advantage” seminar scheduled for January 26th, beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the day-long seminar and Joel DeJong, ISU extension crop specialist says the focus will be on managing margins during this period of low commodity prices.

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Farmers have the opportunity to visit any of three programs during the break-out sessions.  DeJong discusses the topics to be covered during the morning break-out session.

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DeJong says following lunch, farmers will have three additional sessions to attend.

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DeJong says farm management specialist Shane Ellis will lead the final breakout session.

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The crops specialist advises farmers to register early to take advantage of the cheaper registration fee.

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DeJong says everyone’s situation is unique and different as to how much the lower prices are affecting a farmer’s bottom line.

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Sioux City Airport To Add Direct Flights To Dallas/Ft. Worth

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – City leaders say Sioux City will add a direct flight to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
The Sioux City Journal reports that beginning May 5, American Airlines will provide flights from the Sioux Gateway Airport to Dallas/Fort Worth.
City officials announced the new, non-stop flights during a Friday news conference.
One daily flight will be offered that include departures from Dallas/Fort Worth at 12:20 p.m. and return trips from Sioux City leaving at 3:12 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Saturday.
American is the only carrier at the Sioux Gateway and currently offers two daily flights to the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Sioux City has not had a direct flight to a western hub since October 2014.

 

 

Onawa Man Claims $2Million Powerball Prize

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Lottery officials say an Onawa man has claimed his $2 million Powerball prize.
Bryon Stewart validated his ticket at lottery headquarters in Clive Thursday afternoon.
The ticket was sold at a Casey’s convenience store in the western Iowa city of Onawa. It matched the first five numbers but missed the Powerball to win a $1 million prize in Wednesday’s drawing. Stewart also added the Power Play to the purchase, which multiplied the prize to $2 million.
The buyers of tickets sold in California, Florida and Tennessee will share the estimated $1.6 billion jackpot or the $983.5 million cash option.
Lottery officials say people bought more than $12 million in Powerball tickets in Iowa for Wednesday’s drawing. The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292.2 million.

 

 

 

 

Small Business Administration To Host Small Business Workshop

(Undated) — The Small Business Administration has scheduled to hold a small business workshop on Monday, and it will be at the Western Iowa Technology Community College, in room 210.  The program begins at noon, and will focus on funding, counseling, and contracting programs available through the Small Business Administration and the Iowa Center for Economic Success.  The program will assist minorities be they female business owners, disabled or service disabled veterans who own, or want to own a small business. 

 

 

 

Inmate Placed On Work Release Has Escaped

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A man placed on work release in Council Bluffs has escaped.
The Department of Corrections says that 32-year-old Roger Eugene Madsen was placed on escape status Thursday after failing to return to the Council Bluffs Work Release Facility, a minimum security setting.
Madsen has been serving a 20-year prison sentence with multiple offenses including prohibited acts with controlled substance, two counts of first-degree theft, two counts of voluntary absence, assault with the intent of injury on a peace officer and assault with a weapon on a peace officer.
Madsen was transferred to work release on Jan. 5 and his sentence began in October 2009.
Anyone with information about Madsen’s whereabouts should report to the Council Bluffs Police Department of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department.