Krause Awarded Steven Mosson Scholarship
(Le Mars) — Amber Krause has been awarded the 2016 Steven H. Musson Memorial Emergency Services Education Scholarship. The Musson family established the Steven H. Musson Emergency Services Education Endowment in 2003 to recognize and
honor Steve for his passion for emergency care. This year, the committee was able to award a $500 scholarship.
Krause is currently working on receiving her EMT-B certificate and has most recently joined Kingsley Ambulance and Rescue Services. After successfully completing her EMT-B this spring, she will be officially answering calls as an EMT for Kingsley Ambulance and Rescue.
She stated in her application, “My 2 year old began to have seizures and I called for the ambulance. When the ambulance crew arrived, I was so impressed by how empathetic, and knowledgeable they all were. I decided then that I wanted to become an EMT. I am doing this for myself and my community by becoming and EMT. I understand how important this service is.”
The Steven H. Musson Memorial Emergency Services Education
Scholarship application outline is available annually through Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars, IA. Scholarship funds may be used for either the fall or spring semester to cover direct expenses related to pursuing an education in emergency care including tuition, book, transportation costs, etc. All
applicants must reside in Plymouth County and actively engage in or pursue emergency care in Plymouth County. This can include persons interested in paramedic, first responder, or emergency medical technician (EMT) training.
Le Mars Police Department Issues Quarterly Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has issued its quarterly report.
Police Chief Stuart Dekkenga reports the police department acted and/or investigated a total of 444 complaints. The police responded to 1609 calls for service. The Le Mars Police Department made 141 arrests, issued 149 citations,
and gave out 298 warnings. Police officers responded to 71 accidents. Chief Dekkenga says the police participated in a table top exercise of a hypothetical bus accident with an Iowa DOT truck. Several other agencies were also involved with the training exercise. The police conducted an active shooter and mass
casualty training with Wells Enterprises, and also conducted an A.L.I.C.E training update at Gehlen. The police also held a bank security and simulated robbery training with Northwest Bank. The police provided traffic control for the recent Lighted Christmas parade, and helped as a traffic escort with the
moving of a building from Total Motors to the Le Mars Little League.
Four People Rescued From Sioux City Home Fire
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say Sioux City firefighters have rescued a woman and three children who were trapped by flames in their second-floor home.
The fire was reported a little after 7:10 p.m. Wednesday at the duplex across a street from the Morningside College campus. Firefighters say flames in a stairwell kept the occupants from escaping the danger. The firefighters set up a ladder against a balcony, and the four were helped to safety on the ground.
No injuries have been reported. The fire cause is being investigated.
Fake Money Found In Mason City And Sioux City
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Fake American money marked with Chinese symbols has been showing up in Mason City.
The Mason City Police Department said Wednesday that bills were found at a business and in a bank deposit.
Officials say the bills are not valid currency and are typically used to train bank tellers in China.
The fake bills also have been reported in the Sioux City area.
Ernst Assigned Senate Committees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst announced her four Senate committee assignments for the 115th Congress. The Iowa Senator will serve on the following Senate committees: Armed Services; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Small
Business and Entrepreneurship; and Environment and Public Works.
Senator Ernst said she is thrilled to continue working on the issues that impact Iowans in these respective committees,” said Ernst. “Throughout my time on the Senate Armed Services; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and Small Business
and Entrepreneurship committees, I have worked to ensure Iowans’ voices and priorities are heard. I look forward to continuing to advocate on our state’s behalf to find ways to grow our agricultural economy, cut burdensome regulations, and ensure our nation remains safe and secure.
Prairie Meadows Casino Battles With Internal Revenue Service
ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) – Officials at Prairie Meadows casino say the Internal Revenue Service has withdrawn its challenge of the Altoona center’s tax exempt status.
Prairie Meadows CEO Gary Palmer announced the IRS decision Wednesday at a board meeting. The decision was a dramatic change from an IRS report released in the spring that argued the casino was operating as a business with little oversite from Polk County.
A final determination that the casino in the Des Moines suburb wasn’t tax exempt could have cost Prairie Meadows roughly $60 million in back taxes and penalties.
The casino still could owe around $1 million to the IRS involving revenue from sources such as ATMs and gift shops, but those charges also are being appealed.
Harrison County Board Of Supervisors Violated Open Meetings Rule
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Court of Appeals says three members of the Harrison County Board of Supervisors must pay thousands of dollars in court costs and a fine for failure to hold meetings open to the public.
The case centers on two November 2013 meetings the supervisors held after they had been sued by local farmers upset that a failed levee hadn’t been repaired.
In the ruling Wednesday, the court says supervisors Robert Smith, Walter Utman and Gaylord Pitt had no legal basis to close the meetings and therefore must be responsible for paying $200 in fines and attorney fees of about $25,000.
Only Utman remains on the board. Pitt died in May and Smith lost in the 2014 primary election.
Utman and the board’s attorney did not immediately respond to messages.
Filmmaker Trial Overturned, Again
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – For a second time, an appeals court has overturned the fraud conviction of a Nebraska filmmaker caught up in Iowa’s film tax credits scandal.
The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a judge erred in allowing jurors to hear that Dennis Brouse received $1 million in tax credits legally.
The court says that amount was irrelevant and may have improperly influenced jurors because Brouse was only charged in connection with fraudulently inflating the amount received by $6,000. The court ordered a third trial for Brouse, who was sentenced to two years probation after last year’s
verdict.
Brouse, who made public television programs about horse training that aired in Nebraska, moved his company to Iowa to take advantage of generous tax credits that were approved in 2007 and terminated amid reports of abuse two years later.
Prosecutors accused Brouse of buying a trailer for $10,500, but claiming it cost twice that much to inflate his credits.
The court overturned Brouse’s first conviction in 2014, citing flawed jury instructions.
