Emergency Rescuers Respond To Saturday Morning Accident
(Le Mars) — Emergency rescue crews were summoned Saturday morning at about 11:10 a.m. to county road C-12 and Highway 75, north of Le Mars about five miles for a two-vehicle accident. A pick-up truck and a Buick car collided at the
intersection. Le Mars Ambulance Services and the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department carried two people from the Buick car on backboards and stretchers to the ambulance where they were transported to the hospital. The 2013 Ford pick-up truck, was driven by 31 year old Brandon Krueger of Holmes City, Minnesota, who was heading eastbound on county road C-12. Krueger failed to stop for the stop sign at Highway 75 and collided with a northbound 2008 Buick Enclave driven
by 82 year old John Nobel of Le Mars. Krueger’s pick-up truck spun around from the collision and came to rest in the intersection facing northwest. Nobel’s vehicle entered the northeast ditch, staying on its wheels where it came to a
rest. Nobel, and his passenger, Marilyn Nobel were the two individuals transported to the hospital. Marilyn Nobel was later transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. The injuries are not believed to be life threatening at this time. Krueger was uninjured. The pick-up truck sustained front end damage with the front wheel being knocked off as a result of the
collision. The Buick Enclave also sustained extensive damage. Krueger was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation on the accident.
Fire and Rescue Members Conducts Extensive Training In Preparation For Emergency Situations
(Le Mars) — Nearly every Wednesday evening, members of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department gather for approximately two and a half hours of concentrated training. Whether it is ripping open abandoned wrecked vehicles, or performing
a rescue from a top of a building or another structure, performing a simulated rescue scenario involving hazardous materials, or training for a grain bin suffocation or a trench collapse, the 32 members do more than fight fires.
Chief Dave Schipper says the state requires the fire and rescue members to perform a certain amount of hours of training. But, Schipper says Le Mars is a growing community, and the people need to know their fire and rescue department not only be prepared for an unknown emergency, but that they can handle the emergency situation.
Schipper says the fire and rescue department practices, not to do it right, but to make certain, they don’t do it wrong.
The members of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department knows to volunteer, means a great time commitment away from families and careers. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Chief says the amount of training necessary dictates that the members
meet more than once a month.
Schipper says each of the members have their special niche for different types of rescues and emergency scenarios.
Volunteering for the fire and rescue department can be stressful. So how does the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department deal with the stress associated with the position? Schipper says many times, the members will discuss the situation, and
simply talk things out, as a way of dealing with the stress.
Eagle Sculpture Flying Over Former Westmar Grounds
(Le Mars) — A new sculpture is located on the grounds of the former Westmar College, near Veterans Memorial Park. It is a flying eagle in honor of the college that once educated thousands of students. The eagle was the brainchild of Barb Wernli-Collins, who is a direct descendant of Jacob Wernli, the founder
of Western-Union and later Westmar College. The sculpture was created by Terry Utesch of Le Mars, and it weighs more than 1,400 pounds. The eagle’s dimensions
include a wing-span of 14 feet, with measures five feet tall from talon to wingtip. A majority of funds were raised from past Westmar alumni. Next to the eagle is a small park with benches. There is a “W” within the bricks beneath the eagle sculpture to indicate the connection to Westmar College. A dedication
ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th at 4:00 p.m. Check back as KLEM news will have more information regarding the new sculpture.
Beef Products, Incorporated versus ABC News Trial To Begin Today
(Elk Point) — The trial of Beef Products, Incorporated versus ABC news is scheduled to get started today at the Union County Courthouse in Elk Point, South Dakota. BPI, Incorporated and its owners Eldon and Regina Roth, are suing the television news network for $1.9 billion dollars. BPI, Incorporated say ABC
News comments referring to the finely textured beef as “pink slime” hurt their business, resulting in the closure of four plants and the lay-offs of hundreds of employees. Beef Products, Incorporated say the constant reference using the
negative name made the public believe the ground beef was unsafe to consume. It is expected the trial could last at least a couple of months.
Weaver Drops Out Of Congressional Race
(Sheldon) — The Democratic candidate that was seeking to unseat Republican Steve King from his congressional position has instead decided to abandon her campaign. Kim Weaver of Sheldon says she is no longer a candidate for Iowa’s
4th Congressional District. According to the Sioux City Journal, Weaver says she has received acts of intimidation, including death threats. She has also decided to move to Des Moines, which would be outside the district area. Weaver says she wants to be closer to her ailing mother. Weaver ran against King in
2016, and then in March decided to announce her intentions of running again against King, an eighth-term Congressman.
Sioux City Police Investigating Fatal Stabbing
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man in central Sioux City.
Sgt. Jeremy McClure says the man was killed Saturday night after a fight started over a disputed theft. The man’s name and other details have not been released.
No arrests have been reported.
Trial To Begin For Nebraska Man Accused Of Killing His Wife
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday for the trial of a Nebraska man accused of killing his estranged wife in northwestern Iowa.
Court records say 29-year-old Rogelio Morales, of Hubbard, Nebraska, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder. Prosecutors say he killed 21-year-old Margarita Morales on April 19, 2015, in his car near a Sioux City residence. The case has been delayed several times as defense attorneys have
repeatedly withdrawn from representing Morales.
Court documents say Morales told investigators a fight broke out when his wife told him she no longer wanted to be in a relationship and that she was seeing another man.
