Rohmiller Joins Le Mars Police Department
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has a new officer that has joined the ranks of the thin blue line. 29 year old Robert Rohmiller of Sioux City began his career on Monday as Le Mars mayor Dick Kirchoff administered the oath of office. Rohmiller is a Certified Iowa Reserve Officer, and had previously worked with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office in that capacity. Rohmiller will begin his duties as a Le Mars Police Officer immediately.
Sioux County Authorities Investigate Hit-And-Run Accident
(Orange City) — Sioux County authorities are investigating a hit-and-run accident that happened on Sunday afternoon at about 5:00 p.m. just a mile west of Sioux Center on 400th Street. 52 year old Lorene Vander Plaats of Sioux Center was driving a Dodge Grand Caravan eastbound on 400th Street when a red Pontiac Grand Am was going westbound. Apparently, the Pontiac Grand Am crossed over the center line and struck the Vander Plaats’ vehicle head-on. Both vehicles were severly damaged and were unable to drive. The Vander Plaats’ Dodge Caravan sustained $8,000 in damages, and the Pontiac Grand Am had more than $4,000 in damage. Although both vehicles were unable to move following the collision, the driver of the Pontiac Grand Am fled the scene on foot. Vander Plaats suffered injuries and was transported by the Sioux Center Ambulance to the Sioux Center hospital. Sioux County Sheriff’s Deputies have named 19 year old Audencio Lopez-Chilel as a person of interests in the collision. If you have information about the accident, or about the person of interest, you are asked to contact the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting at the scene were the Sioux Center Police Department, Sioux Center Fire Department, Sioux Center Ambulance and the Iowa State Patrol.
Former Remsen Teacher Given Probation Following Sexual Relations With Student
LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – A former northwestern Iowa teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student has been given probation time.
Judge Jeff Neary on Monday sentenced 25-year-old Samantha Kohls to one year of probation.
Kohls, a former Remsen-Union Community School teacher, has already lost her teaching license and must register as a sex offender. She previously pleaded guilty to lascivious conduct with a minor.
Arrest affidavits say Kohls had sex with a 17-year-old male student while she was a teacher at the school. The documents say the sexual encounters happened at her apartment in 2014.
She was initially charged with two counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee but Plymouth County Attorney Darin Raymond agreed to the reduced charge, saying jail time was not appropriate.
Melissa Ebert Trial Delayed Until June
(Le Mars) — The trial originally set to begin today, involving 29 year old Melissa Ebert, the woman charged with attempted murder by causing an vehicle accident on County road C-38 last September has been delayed. Attorneys for the defense had asked for a continuation in the case. According to court documents, Ebert is accused of threatening to kill herself and her passenger, Damian Johnson, before veering her car into the path of an on-coming car driven by Dustin Boll of Le Mars. All three people were seriously injured in that accident. Apparently Ebert and Johnson had been arguing prior to the collision. On Monday, Judge Jeff Neary approved of the delay until June 21st.
Supervisors To Meet Today
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet this morning at the County Courthouse Board Room. Auditor Stacey Feldman will present the results of the special bond issue election for the Akron-Westfield school district. It is expected the county supervisors will canvass the election results. Plymouth County Recorder JoLynn Goodchild will present her quarterly report to the supervisors, and County Engineer, Tom Rohe, will ask for a final approval of the budget regarding construction programs. Rohe will also seek final plan approval for a May 3rd letting on three culvert replacements and two bridge repair projects.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Board Of Trustees To Hold Public Hearing On E-R Renovations
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare Board of Trustees will convene this evening to conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed renovation of the emergency department. That public hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will occur at the board room located in the lower level of Floyd Valley Healthcare. Following the public hearing, the board of trustees will hold their regular monthly meeting.
Soil Conditions Nearly Ready For Planting
(Le Mars) — The calendar says it is time to be doing field work. However, the soil conditions remain a little cool. So, should farmers be concerned? Iowa State University Extension Crops Specialist for Northwest Iowa Joel DeJong says despite the cooler temperatures, soil conditions are showing signs of being ready.
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Ideally, soil temperatures should be at least 50 degrees before planting takes place. DeJong says the four-inch soil temperatures are currently in the low 40’s, but he says the ten-day weather forecast is favorable.
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Many farmers are still applying anhydrous ammonia for their fertilizer needs, and DeJong says conditions are still favorable, if farmers make certain they are applying that anhydrous ammonia at deep enough levels.
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DeJong says southern Iowa farmers have already started with their planting, but he says northern Iowa farmers may want to wait a few more days, even though research studies indicate better yields are obtained with early planted seed.
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The extension crops specialist says farmers still have plenty of time to plant their seed, and there is no reason to rush.
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