City Crews Clean Up Tree Debris Left By Storm
(Le Mars) — Strong winds swept through Le Mars last evening leaving in its path
downed power lines and trees that were toppled throughout the central portion of
the town. There was so much destruction, and so many trees that were knocked down
that city officials declared a state of emergency for the city of Le Mars. Le Mars
Police reported “nearly every street” had trees in the street. After the storm
passed through Le Mars, Mid-American Energy indicated a total of 1683 homes and
businesses were without power. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to
multiple calls during the time of the storm, most of which were reports of downed
power lines. City officials gathered at the Le Mars Fire Station last evening and
implemented its disaster program and devised a plan to try to clear as many of the
city streets as possible before daybreak in hopes to still hold the Ice Cream Days
celebration. Every city department was contacted and requested the employees report
to the fire station. The city also contacted private contractors with pay loader
tractors to help clear the streets. City crews used chain saws through the night
hours to cut up the trees. Some of the major damage reported included a tree that
was uprooted from the lawn of the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Another tree
fell on the tent that was to be used for the Art in the Park at Foster Park. A
large tree measuring at least six feet in diameter and that stood more than 50 feet
high came tumbling down. That tree stood on the corner of 2nd Street Southeast and
3rd Avenue Southeast on the lawn of the Plymouth County Courthouse. A small metal
utility garden shed was blown from its foundation and ended in the middle of 12th
Street Southeast near 4th Avenue Southeast. That same location had a large utility
pole snapped and power lines were down. Mid-American Energy crews worked through
the night trying to restore power not only to Le Mars residents, but throughout the
entire northwest Iowa. The Le Mars police communications radio tower that stood on
the roof of Kleckholn Elementary school was brought down because of the strong
storms. City leaders hope to clear the streets as best they can to insure a
successful Ice Cream Days celebration can continue with little interruption. The Le
Mars Police ask people to stay away from any downed power lines, and to report it
to the Mid-American Energy Company, but to also notify the Le Mars Fire and Rescue
Department of any downed power lines. Stay tune to KLEM radio for additional
updates, and keep checking the KLEM website for additional updates.
Langel Comments About Friday Night’s Storm
(Le Mars) — KLEM news visited with City Administrator Scott Langel about the
damage left from last evening’s storm. Langel says the city implemented it
disaster plan because there was so much destruction associated with the storm.
The Le Mars Police Department lost their radio communications tower that was
situated on the roof of Kleckholn Elementary school, but other than that, Langel
says city owned property suffered few damage reports.
Langel explains what he saw in terms of damages, following last evening’s storm.
Ice Cream Days To Continue Following Storm
(Le Mars) — Following last evening’s storm, perhaps the one question on everyone’s
mind is: “Will the Ice Cream Days parade still go on as planned? The answer is,
Yes. As you heard from city administrator Scott Langel, city crews worked through
the night and were able to push the trees into the gutter areas, or parking areas.
City crews also used large industrial brushes to clean the debris. So, the parade
is still on, and it will begin at 9:00 a.m. There was considerable damage at the
Foster Park, however, city crews and members of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue
Department helped clear the debris, so that Art in the Park will continue.
Ice Cream Days Parade To Feature More Than 75 Entries
(Le Mars) — Speaking about the Ice Cream Days parade, committee chair Teresa Petty
says this year the parade has more than 75 entries.
Parade entries and floats will gather at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds, and Petty
ask that parade entries approach from the south on 4th Avenue northeast and use the
south gate of the fair grounds.
(Le Mars) — No doubt the big event for today’s schedule of events for Ice Cream
Days is the parade, however, Peggy Sitzmann who serves as the chairperson of the
Chamber’s event and marketing committee says there are plenty of other events
scheduled for Saturday, including the Art In The Park held at Foster Park.
Other events happening today include the Town and Country Toy Show and Auction
which will take place at the Century Hall at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. The
Kiwanis Incredible Kow Splash has been postponed until a later date this summer due
to too much debris in the water, along with the depth and speed of the water.
Sitzmann says the Art Center will also be hosting an event.
Out at the airport between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. will be the remote control airplane
and helicopter exhibition.
Museum To Hold Log Cabin Day
(Le Mars) — If you enjoy pioneer history, you may want to visit the Plymouth
County Historical Museum this afternoon as the museum hosts its second annual Log
Cabin Day. Margaret Henrich is overseeing the activities scheduled to begin this
afternoon. Both the Joy Hollow log cabin and the Weber log cabin will be open to
the public. It was just a year ago when the former Girl Scout cabin was moved from
the Plymouth County Fair grounds to its present home on the lawn of the museum.
Henrich says several volunteers have helped with the restoration of the cabin and
it is now ready for the public’s viewing.
Henrich reviews today’s schedule for log cabin day.
Henrich says in addition to the tribute to the late Cherry Cliff by having cherry
pie on the porch. In keeping with the pioneer theme, some Native American Indians
from the Ponca tribe will perform a traditional dance celebration. The Ponca tribe
will perform their dance at 2:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Indian
Mission of Sioux City will be serving some fry bread. At 4:00 p.m. old-time music
will be performed from the porch of the Joy Hollow cabin. Henrich says many people
are responsible for the preservation of the log cabin.
Henrich says the public has the former Le Mars Daily Sentinel newspaper editor, the
late Glada Korselman to thank for motivating people to help preserve the historical
building.
