Three People Transported To Hospital Following Auto Accident
(Le Mars) — Emergency crews responded to an accident that happened at about 4:00
p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon at the the intersection of county road C-38 and
K-22. An Oldsmobile sedan attempted to make an U-turn at the intersection when
it collided with a semi truck and grain trailer. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue
Department, and the Le Mars Ambulance along with Plymouth County Sheriff’s
deputies and Iowa State Patrol went to the accident scene. Three people, who were
in the car were transported to the hospital with what was described as non-life
threatening injuries. The semi truck had one of its saddle fuel tanks punctured
as a result of the collision, spilling some diesel fuel. Emergency crews along
with members of a tow company used a pump to transfer the remaining fuel from the
leaking tank to a tow truck’s saddle fuel tank. The driver of the semi truck was
not injured. The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.
Supervisors Hear Information On Proposed PlyWood Recreational Trail
(Le Mars) — As we had mentioned during yesterday’s news updates, members of the
PlyWood Trail Executive Committee, along with several other supporters of the
proposed recreational trail filled the Courthouse Board Room and appeared before
the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors. Close to 30 people were in attendance
to show their support for the recreational trail biking and hiking trail that
would connect Le Mars with Sioux City. Jeff Stanley explained to the county
governing board that the recreational trail would provide several economic
opportunities for the region.
Stanley quoted statistics to the county supervisors about the number of car versus
bicycle accidents, and indicated the new trail would make it safer for bicycle
riders. The group estimated the cost of creating the recreational trail at $10
million dollars. However, the supervisors seemed concerned about who would assume
responsibility for possible liability. Rob Bixenman, was in attendance at
yesterday’s meeting for another issue, but he addressed the question of liability.
The bicyclists were asking the county for their support of the project, which lead
Supervisor John Meis to ask what type of support is the group looking for.
Supervisor Craig Andersen says he has had several conversations with his
constituents that have asked the supervisors not to spend tax money for the
proposed bike trail. Supervisor Don Kass wanted to know where would the financing
come from to keep up the maintenance on the proposed trails.
The Le Mars Daily Sentinel asked the question if the group had visited with any of
the landowners along the proposed recreational trail.
Le Mars City Council Approves Resolution Showing Support For PlyWood Trail
(Le Mars) — During the Le Mars City Council meeting, the city council approved a
resolution that indicated support for the proposed PlyWood Recreational Trail that
would stretch from Le Mars to Sioux City and connect Plymouth County with Woodbury
County. In their resolution, the city council also encouraged other entities to
support the recreational trail.
Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation Announces Additional Contributions
(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s Le Mars City Council meeting, Mike Donlin the
president of the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation offered an update to the city
council. Donlin had mentioned that Steve Ohm with the former Motor Inn of Le Mars
contributed $10,000 to the Community Betterment Project. Also, Hy-Vee of Le Mars
made a contribution to the city’s Community Betterment Project.
Plymouth County Historical Museum To Celebrate “Cabin Appreciation Day”
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Historical Museum will celebrate “Cabin Days” on
Thursday. Tom Mullally and friends of Le Mars will play blue grass music on the
Joy Hollow Log Cabin porch on Thursday, Oct. 20, during “Cabin Appreciation Day.”
The music will start at approximately 4 p.m. Cabin day is planned from 3 to 6 p.m.
The event is open to the public at no charge.
In addition to tours of the cabin, participants will be able to view a power point
presentation showing the moving of the cabin from the Plymouth County Fairgrounds
in the summer of 2015 to the Museum grounds.
Refreshments will be provided in the Welcome Room.
Those attending also may wish to see the Harvest Quilt Show in the Study Hall.
Life Sentence Is Overturned For Charles City Man
NASHUA, Iowa (AP) – An appeals court has overturned the life sentence given to a
Charles City man suspected of killing a retired Clarksville grocer but convicted
of weapon-related charges.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports (https://bit.ly/2efa5XL ) the Eighth
District U.S. Court of Appeals ordered Friday that Randy Patrie be resentenced.
Patrie was suspected in the 2012 death of Carl “Ken” Gallmeyer, who was found
dead in a rural Nashua home.
Investigators later found guns, tools and a TV owned by Gallmeyer in Patrie’s
home.
Federal prosecutors charged Patrie with weapons crimes because his criminal
record prohibited him from handling firearms. In 2014, Judge Linda Reade sentenced
him to life because of his prior convictions.
Patrie challenged the sentence, and his argument was aided by a U.S. Supreme
Court ruling dealing with Iowa’s burglary laws.
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Inmate Dies While In Prison
FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – Corrections officials say a convicted murderer who had
been imprisoned for more than 43 years has died at the Iowa State Penitentiary in
Fort Madison.
Officials announced Tuesday that 74-year-old Elbert James Hinkle was found
Monday unresponsive on a restroom floor. Crews attempted CPR and rush Hinkle to a
Fort Madison hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say they believe Hinkle died of natural causes but that a cause of
death would need to await autopsy results.
Hinkle was serving a life sentence for 1st degree murder from Polk County.
His sentence began in February 1973.
Crime Lab Analyst Loses Job
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa crime lab analyst fired after posting a rant
against black people on Facebook has to pay back $3,800 in unemployment benefits.
An administrative law judge has ruled that former Division of Criminal
Investigation criminalist Amy Pollpeter was fired for work-related misconduct and
therefore was ineligible to collect unemployment insurance.