Supervisors Inspect Pickup Truck Now Used For Grass Fires
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors saw what once was a pickup truck that was previously owned by the county and used for the Emergency Management Services, now has been converted to be used as a grass wildfire rig. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper appeared before the county supervisors to thank the county for allowing the city of Le Mars, and specifically, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department to purchase the used pickup truck. Schipper informed the county governing board how the pickup truck will be used to fight grass and field fires. Schipper says the grass rig will be used for rural services, as well as during the Plymouth County Fair, and will be available for mutual aid to several other communities. Schipper reminded the county supervisors that the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department is responsible for fire protection in Struble, Seney, Brunsville, and during the day hours provides assistance to both Merrill and Oyens. Schipper told the county supervisors that the pickup truck, and all of its equipment, were purchased through private donations. He says the pickup truck was purchased from Plymouth County through a $15,000 donation from Wells Enterprises. In other action, the Supervisors approved construction contracts involving four culvert installation projects.
Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper (right) tells Plymouth County Supervisors Craig Anderson (far left), Jim Henrich (near left) and John Meis (center) about how the pickup truck that was previously owned by Plymouth County will now be used to fight grass wildfires.
Plymouth County Supervisors got a chance to inspect a pickup truck that was once owned by the county. It has been converted to be a fire truck capable of fighting grass and field wildfires. Standing in front of the pickup truck is (left to right) Plymouth County Emergency Management Services Director, Duane Walhof, Supervisor Craig Anderson, Supervisor John Meis, Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper, Supervisor Jim Henrich, and Supervisor Mark Loutsch.
Hawarden Man Sentenced For Theft, Burglary, And Drug Possession
(Orange City) — Sioux County Attorney Thomas Kunstle announced that Jeremy Langley, age 30, of Hawarden, Iowa, was sentenced on Monday for the crimes of Burglary in the Third Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, and Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine. Sioux County Attorney Kunstle prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Iowa and on behalf of Sioux County. Langley was simultaneously sentenced on Plymouth County Theft and Drug charges. This case arose on October 19, 2015, when police responded to a Hawarden 911 hang-up call. Police learned Langley fled into a field and noticed something 100 yards into a nearby field of tall grass. They approached to find Langley laying in the grass wearing a backpack. He tried to flee and police used force to detain him. The backpack contained drug paraphernalia, marijuana, and methamphetamine. It also contained $5,600 in cash inside a bank bag that police later learned was burglarized on October 16 from a Sioux Falls Casino. While these charges were pending Langley was arrested again for a Hawarden burglary occurring January 31, 2016, where Langley was found in Le Mars with the property stolen from Hawarden. Langley was sentenced to an 10 year prison term on the Possession with Intent to Deliver. He must serve 1⁄3 of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Langley was given two 5-year prison sentences, respectively, on the Theft and Burglary convictions. All sentences will run concurrently. Langley was also ordered to pay $2,300 in restitution for the burglary.
Des Moines Water Works Lawsuit Trial Against Northwest Iowa Counties To Be Delayed
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The lawsuit filed by the Des Moines Water Works against several upstream agriculture drainage districts will not go to trial in August.
A three-week federal court trial was initially set to begin Aug. 8 but on Monday Judge Leonard Strand issued an order continuing it due to scheduling conflicts. A new date will be set when he meets with attorneys on May 11.
The water utility for about 500,000 central Iowa customers blames farmland runoff for high levels of nitrate that has caused it to spend millions of dollars to remove the contaminant to comply with federal water quality regulations.
Water Works officials want farm drainage districts to have to get pollution discharge permits under the federal Clean Water Act to help control farm contaminants leeching into rivers and streams.
Council Bluffs To Get New Police Station
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Council Bluffs City Council has unanimously supported construction of a new police headquarters. All five City Council members announced their support of the new facility on Monday. The council also encouraged residents to head to the polls on May 3 to vote for a request for $20 million in general obligation bonds for the new headquarters. At least 60 percent of voters must choose in favor of the bond issue in order for it to pass. The location and design of the potential new headquarters has not been decided, but Councilwoman Melissa Head says several sites are under consideration. The current 19,000-square-foot facility was built in 1977. Police Chief Tim Carmody says at least 58,000 square feet is needed for current and future needs.
