(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office say they have solved the mystery
surrounding the case involving used tires that were dumped along the roadside.
With the assistance and information of two Plymouth county citizens, the Sheriff’s
office was able to identify the suspect responsible for the tire dumping incident
as Justice Limoges, age 23, of Sioux City. Limoges faces three counts of illegal
dumping which is a scheduled fine of $154.50 for each incident location. He will
also be responsible for the cost of cleanup and disposal of the tires. The
Sheriff’s office say they received numerous tips in the case and would like to
thank all those who came forward with information.
(Le Mars) — Le Mars City water officials have informed KLEM news that the water is
safe to drink in the Armel Acres residential neighborhood. The water was shut off
on Wednesday to accomodate Nor-Am with the installation of a water main. The Iowa
Department of Natural Resources requires municipalities to test the water for
possible bacteria for a period of 48 hours following the duration when the water
was originally shut off. Residents in the Armel Acres were asked to use
alternative water, or to boil their water during the testing period. Armel Acres
residents can go back to using tap water for their drinking and cooking purposes.
(Le Mars) — State Senator Rob Hogg (Houg) of Cedar Rapids visited Le Mars last
evening and spoke before nearly a dozen people. Hogg is a candidate for the
Democratic party seeking the position of U-S Senator. Hogg is one of four
Democratic candidates trying to unseat Republican U-S Senator Chuck Grassley. Hogg
spells out the differences between himself and the other three Democratic
candidates.
Hogg says another major difference between himself and the three other Democrats is
that he remains positive and delivers a positive message with his campaign.
Hogg says Senator Grassley’s decision not to hold a hearing on President Obama’s
choice for the U-S Supreme Court is unprecedented.
The Cedar Rapids democrat says the Supreme Court nominee is not the only issue he
has problems with regards to Senator Grassley.
Hogg says he is a strong advocate of the environment, as well as with
infrastructure issues. He says he is proud of his vote to increase the fuel tax to
help repair Iowa’s roads and bridges.
The Democratic Senate candidate says he wants to see all young people have the
opportunity to pursue higher education or trade training, and that all young people
should be employed.
(Sioux City) — Later this evening will be the only debate between Iowa 4th
District Congressman Steve King and Sioux City State Senator Rick Bertrand.
Bertand is challenging King to be the Republican candidate representing Iowa’s 4th
District in the U-S House of Representatives. King, the incumbent, has represented
northwest Iowa for the past 14 years. The debate is scheduled to begin at 7:00
p.m. from the Epply Auditorium at Morningside College. The debate is being
sponsored by KTIV-Channel 4, the Sioux City Journal, and KSCJ radio with Powell
Broadcasting, the parent company of KLEM radio. The debate will be broadcasts on
our sister station KSCJ, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
(Le Mars) — Nearly 300 years of combined educational experience will be leaving
the Le Mars Community School District. Following the last day of school, which was
yesterday, the school district held an employee recognition reception at the High
School’s cafeteria. Superintendent of schools Dr. Todd Wendt extended his
appreciation to all the faculty and staff members who either have chosen to pursue
other interests outside the Le Mars Community, or who have made the decision to
retire from teaching and education. Teachers, staff, and administrators were given
a certificate of appreciation, a plaque, along with a crystal apple.
(Le Mars) — Now that school has been dismissed for the summer, the Iowa Highway Patrol, and other local law enforcement agencies want motorists to remember that several bicycles will be sharing the road. Trooper Vince Kurtz of the Iowa Highway Patrol says bicycle safety goes both for the motorist, as well as for the bicyclist.
Kurtz suggests parents visit with thier children to remind them to ride their bikes safely.
Kurtz says unfortunately, bicycle and vehicle accidents become an all too familiar occurrence during the summer months. Kurtz says it is not just young children riding their bikes in town, but motorists should also be aware of possible accidents with bicycles on the county and state roads.
SPENCER, Iowa (AP) – A company that makes hydraulic pumps and motors says it will
lay off 70 workers in Spencer over the next year.
The Eaton Corporation says 23 employees will be laid off within the next
couple of months and the remainder will be let go within the next year. The
employees were notified Thursday. Eaton’s Spencer facility currently employs about
180 people who make pumps and motors for mobile and industrial use.
Officials say the cuts are a result of a full year of declining markets in
2015 for the company and the industry in general. They see the trend continuing
this year.
The Dublin, Ireland-based company has about 97,000 employees worldwide and
sells products in over 175 countries.
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials say they’re closing a 15-bed psychiatric
unit for children at a state mental health facility in Independence and 10
employees have received layoff notices.
The Iowa Department of Human Services said Friday no patients were being
treated at the Psychiatric Medical Institution for Children unit. There haven’t
been any patients in the unit at the Independence Mental Health Institute since
July 2015.
Spokeswoman Amy Lorentzen McCoy says it’s “the appropriate time” to dedicate
resources to other programs.
McCoy says 10 state staffers were given “reduction in force” notices Thursday.
She adds some employees may transfer to other positions at Independence, one of two
state mental health institutes in Iowa.
Two state mental health facilities closed last year after Gov. Terry Branstad
declined to recommend more funding for them.
AMES, Iowa (AP) – The former treasurer of an Iowa State University sorority
alumni association has pleaded guilty in a scheme to defraud the group out of
nearly $1 million over 14 years.
U.S. Attorney Kevin VanderSchel says Thursday that 50-year-old Andrea Baker
pleaded guilty to mail fraud. Baker admitted she received and attempted to receive
about $950,000 from the Chi Omega Alumnae Association between 2000 and 2014.
Baker admitted she mailed checks from the group’s account to pay for her
personal credit card statements. She also deposited the association’s funds into
her personal bank account and obtained its cash for personal use.
VanderSchel says she also made false entries in the group’s financial records
to cover up the scheme.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 6.
