Authorities Identify Victims From Roll-over Accident
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County authorities have released the names of the victims involved with the Friday evening roll-over accident that happened at about 11:00 p.m. at Highway 3 and County Road K-18. You will recall that three of
the four victims were transported to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. The vehicle, a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was heading northbound on K-18 when it failed to stop for a stop sign at Highway 3. It was determined the vehicle was
traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control and
consequently, the vehicle went to the ditch and rolled several times, knocking down a utility pole and ending on its top. The four victims are all from Hawarden, and they have been identified as Alexis Topete, Ramon Topete, Luis Topete, and Gladis Topete. No ages were given of the victims from the news
release.
Supervisors To Award Construction Contracts
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are expected to approve contracts with bridge and culvert repairs slated for this summer, during today’s meeting. The county board of supervisors will also hear from Richard
Vander Kooi as he seeks a request for abandonment of county easement.
City Council To Discuss Library’s Renovation Package #2
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council is expected to award the second package contract for the library’s renovation project, and they will discuss the renovation project bid package #3 during today’s council meeting. The council will set a hearing date for the Bid Package #3 which includes furniture,
fixtures, and equipment. In other business, the city council will hear a comprehensive annual financial report from a representative of the Williams and Company regarding the city’s financial audit. The city council will also discuss a sewer revenue refunding loan agreement, and possibly set a date for a
public hearing.
Library Now Open In Eagles Club
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Public Library is once again open, but in a new location. Monday was the first day of business for the library inside its temporary home of the Eagles Club. Director of Library Services, Shirley Taylor explains where within the Eagles Club you can find specific references
and books.
The third floor of the Eagles Club has a stage area, which Taylor says will be perfect for performers and the summer children’s reading programs.
Taylor says their stay at the Eagles Club may now be extended longer than first imagined.
Taylor says construction on the library renovation project will begin almost immediately. Many of the volumes of books have been transferred across the street to the temporary location. However, Taylor says if a specific reference book is needed, and if that book is currently held in storage, then the library
staff will see if they can acquire the book from other sources.
The Le Mars Library Director says the hours at the Eagles Club will be the same as they were at the library building.
Le Mars Fire Department Has A Busy April
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a total of 13 fire calls during the month of April, that according to the monthly report.
All total, the fire and rescue department responded to 44 calls in April. The breakdown includes five rescue calls, nine investigations, twice the Le Mars Fire Department responded to Mutual aid calls, and the fire department had 15 requests for services.
Applications Now Being Accepted For Steven Musson Emergency Services Scholarship
(Le Mars) — The Floyd Valley Foundation, along with the Musson family, have announced that they will once again be accepting applications for the Steven H. Musson Memorial Emergency Services Grant until May 31, 2017 with awards to be
given in June. To be eligible, the applicant(s) must reside and actively engage in emergency care in Plymouth County. This can include: paramedic, first responder, or emergency care technician (EMT). The $500 grant must be used for direct expenses related to pursuing an emergency care training
including books tuition, classes, transportation, squad trainings and certifications.
Amber Krause was most recently awarded the 2016 Steven H. Musson Memorial Emergency Services Education Scholarship. Amber is with the Kingsley Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad.
Escaped Inmate Kills Deputy
COUNCIL BLUFF, Iowa (AP) – The inmate who escaped from a western Iowa jail Monday managed to steal a sheriff’s deputy’s gun as he was returning from a court appearance and shot two deputies. One deputy died later.
Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says 23-year-old Wesley Williams Correa-Carmenaty attacked and shot the two deputies who were driving inmates back from court Monday.
Correa-Carmenaty then stole the jail transport van and drove it out through a garage door.
Danker says Correa-Carmenaty tried unsuccessfully to steal a pickup truck just outside the jail and shot the driver. Then he continued on in the van several blocks before crashing the van and carjacking a car.
Then he drove to Omaha where he was arrested after a short pursuit. Before the escape, Correa-Carmenaty was sentenced Monday to 45 years in prison for his role in a botched robbery in March 2016. He had pleaded guilty in January to voluntary manslaughter, attempted murder and two counts of
robbery in connection with the slaying of 22-year-old Anthony Walker.
Milford Man Dies After Shootout
MILFORD, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a northwest Iowa man has died after exchanging gunfire with police officers.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety on Monday says Milford police officers were called Sunday night to a problem at a home. As officers approached the home, a man inside fired several shots and a Milford officer returned fire while retreating to safety.
Officers tried for several hours to make contact with the person inside and finally entered the home about midnight.
Officers found 52-year-old Robert Brunner dead in the home. An autopsy is planned.
The officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, as is the department’s policy in such shootings. The officer’s name wasn’t released.
Attorney General Miller Says Reynolds Cannot Name A Lt. Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s attorney general has concluded that Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will not have the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor when she replaces Gov. Terry Branstad.
Reynolds is preparing to become governor when Branstad resigns to become U.S. ambassador to China in coming weeks.
Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller said in a legal opinion Monday that Reynolds will assume the duties of an elected governor through January 2019 but won’t have the power to appoint a new lieutenant.
Miller’s office had said in December that it agreed with Reynolds and Branstad that she would have the power to choose a new no. 2.
The reversal is likely to infuriate Republicans and could have
significant consequences for the 2018 election in which Reynolds is expected to seek a four-year term.
