Henrich To Oversee Last Board of Supervisor Meeting
(Le Mars) — When Jim Henrichs pounds the gavel for the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meeting, it will be his last as the Akron resident is retiring from
his duties as a Plymouth County supervisor. Henrich decided not to seek re-
election this past year, allowing Gary Horton to assume the supervisor role and
representing the citizens of district 5 along the western edge of Plymouth
County. The Board of Supervisors will hear from Larry Petersen and John Koley
of the County Compensation Board as they offer the salary recommendations for
elected officials. It is expected the Compensation Board will suggest a four
percent increase in salaries for all county elected officials, and their
respective deputies. As for the supervisors, the compensation board is
suggesting a two-and-a half percent raise in salaries. The county board of
supervisors do have the final word on county employee salaries. They can either
accept the salary recommendations as suggested by the county compensation board, reject the amount, or determine another amount more suitable to the county’s budget and expected revenue. The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will hear a budget request from Judy Bowman as she represents the Plymouth County Historical Museum. County engineer Tom Rohe will appear before the supervisors to seek a pipe crossing permit in Preston township. Rohe will also submit to the supervisors a federal aid agreement for a paving project for Highway 60, and he will ask for approval for a bridge repair project.
The supervisors will also hold a public hearing at 10:30 regarding approval of
resolution for Bishop Heelan bonds. At 11:00 a.m. the supervisors will hold a
retirement coffee for outgoing supervisor Jim Henrich.
City Council To Hold Public Hearing On Abandoned Property
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will convene at the council chambers at
noon today. The city council will hold a public hearing regarding the property
located at 31 3rd Avenue northwest. The city has received one offer for
demolition of the property and three bids to renovate the property. The city
council is scheduled to discuss the revised paving project for Cresent Ridge.
The estimate for the project is $335,000. The city council plans to hold a
public hearing on the project on January 3rd, with bid opening beginning on
January 19th, and consideration of bids scheduled for February 7th. Completion
for the paving project is scheduled for mid-May. Last year when the city
council wanted to receive contractor bids for the overlaying of business highway
75, there was not one contractor that placed a bid on the $1.6 million dollar
project. This time around, the council has increased the daily incentive with
hopes that will attract contractors. They also believe one reason for not
receiving any interested bids last time was because it was too late in the
construction season. The city council will also discuss the plans to expand the
current public library facilities. The firm, F-E-H has completed the planning
and study of the current library. The Friends of the Library board approves the
plan, and is encouraging the city council to approve the expansion plans.
Ebert Pleads Guilty To Causing Serious Injury By Motor Vehicle
(Le Mars) — The Cherokee woman that was originally accused of attempted murder and willful injury by causing an auto accident and purposely hitting an oncoming vehicle appeared in Plymouth County District court Monday. 30 year old Melissa Ebert took the Alford plea to lesser charges. Ebert did plead guilty to
serious injury by motor vehicle and to a second offense of OWI. The incident
stems back to September 9th of 2015. Court documents say Ebert threaten 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 were seriously
injured in the accident. Ebert’s attorney, Montgomery Brown asked for clarification of the charges.
Sentencing has been set for January 23rd at 2:00 p.m.
Ebert may face up to a maximum of 12 years in prison along with fines of
$15,000. Ebert was seen wiping tears from her eyes when Judge Jeff Neary agreed
to accept the Alford pleas causing serious injuries by motor vehicle.
Afterwards, family members of Ebert were at her side consoling her. Ebert has
been free after posting a cash bond. Judge Neary agreed to reduce the bond from
$50,000 to $15,000.
Kass Votes For Trump As An Iowa Elector
(Des Moines) — Donald Trump has now officially been elected to be the next
president of the United States. Electors that make up the electoral college
convened at their respective state capitals on Monday to certify their votes.
Here in Iowa, Remsen’s own Don Kass was selected to be one of six electors.
Kass, like his fellow electors within the state and across the nation voted for
the Republican businessman Donald Trump. Kass says there were several people
trying to encourage him to vote for Hillary Clinton or another republican
candidate. He says his mail leading up to Monday’s electoral vote was over-
whelming.
Kass says he hopes the nation can now unite, and support the next president.
President Obama Reduces Sentences For Two Iowans
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two Iowa men will serve shorter prison terms after
President Barack Obama commuted their sentences.
The names of Anthony Dodd, of Davenport, and Aaron Rees, of Pleasantville,
were on a list of those who received the commutations Monday. Both men’s life
sentences were shortened to 20 years.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2hDhrac ) that Rees was
sentenced in 2005 following his convictions on conspiracy to manufacture
methamphetamine and using a minor to manufacture meth. Dodd was convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and received his sentence in 2006.
White House officials say Obama has shortened the sentences of 1,176 people
during his presidency, including 395 serving life sentences.
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Man Found To Be Incompetent To Stand Trial After Accused Of Killing Mother and Grandmother
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A man charged with killing his mother and
grandmother in Council Bluffs will be sent to a mental health facility after
being found mentally incompetent to stand trial.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2h3TCaG ) District Judge
Susan Christensen signed an order Friday that will send Michael Dieckmann to
treatment at a state prison mental health facility in Oakdale.
The order followed the determination that the 31-year-old Dieckmann wasn’t
mentally competent.
Staff at the Oakdale facility will try to restore Dieckmann’s mental health
to the point where he can understand the charges against him and participate in
his defense.
He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the March deaths
of his mother, 63-year-old Jacqueline Dieckmann, and his grandmother, 91-year-
old Illa Pfeiffer.
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Insurance Practices Being Questioned
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The insurance industry and its regulators are asking a
judge to allow documents detailing “shadow insurance” subsidiaries created by
life insurers to remain secret.
The Iowa Insurance Division and the Federation of Iowa Insurers are
opposing a lawsuit filed by Indiana University professor emeritus Joseph Belth,
who’s seeking the documents under Iowa’s open records law.
Belth believes that the “shadow insurance” instruments threaten the
solvency of insurers, and the public has a right to know.
Companies such as TransAmerica have transferred hundreds of millions of
dollars in liabilities to subsidiaries to loosen the amount of capital they need
in reserves.
An assistant attorney general argued last week that regulators properly
denied Belth’s request and the documents should be kept confidential.
The insurance federation says the practice is well-regulated and
justified.
