Hot and Dry Conditions Force Communities To Conserve On Water
(Remsen) — The dry conditions are forcing communities to look at rationing water usage. The City of Remsen has issued a water restriction. Remsen city officials are asking citizens to refrain from watering yards during the hours of
8am-7pm.
The City of Le Mars Water Department Staff is requesting that starting today, Thursday, July 20th, voluntary water restrictions be put in place until further notice. The near future forecast looks for continued hot and dry conditions.
Water Department superintendent Gayle Sitzmann says it would be helpful if the community would go to odd and even watering, this may be implemented mandatory in the near future. Also with the Plymouth County Fair about to start next week,
this alone adds to the peak water demands. Sitzmann explains the situation.
Sitzmann says the usage of our water lately has been close to double the average use.
Sitzmann offers some suggestions for residents to conserve water.
Sitzmann says in 2012 and in 2007 the city had to implement water use restrictions and rationing.
Dr. Tom Jenery Honored As Chamber’s “Boss of the Quarter”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce honored a local dentist with the “Boss of the Quarter” award. The presentation was made on Wednesday. The nomination for the “Boss of the Quarter” was submitted by the staff of Jenery
Dental. For over 30 years, Dr. Tom Jenery has been providing a dental office that excels in a high standard of dental care and a stable and enjoyable work environment. With hard work, determination and a zest for telling a good story, he grew a sleepy one doctor practice into a thriving and well-respected
business. As with any business, there were bumps along the road, but he was blessed with an excellent staff that was, and still is, exceptionally loyal in a world where loyalty is becoming more and more endangered. Without the strong team, his success could not have been fully realized. He viewed his team as not just people, but truly as cherished friends. The “team feel” made it easy for employees to come and talk to him, not only about dental related topics, but for advice and a listening ear for their life concerns. The business grew to the point where two other dentists joined the business, Dr. Greg Jenery and Dr. Adam Erdmann. Dr. Tom Jenery helped tutor and mentor these two young dentists and their growing staff to put patient needs and health as top priority. Dr. Tom Jenery is now about to retire from his dentist practice. By epitomizing the “American Dream”, Dr. Tom Jenery will leave his scratch built practice in a
position where he will be proud of its direction, and know that the people of northwest Iowa will always be well taken care of. Thanks to his task driven and extroverted personality, he created a successful business with a highly motivated and respected staff, and truly is a role model that we all can look up
to. Our congratulations go to Dr. Tom Jenery for being named the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce 2017 2nd Quarter “Boss of the Quarter.”
Dr. Tom Jenery holds the “Boss of the Quarter” plaque as presented by Kevin Eekhoff with the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce.
Cherokee County Fair Begins Today
(Cherokee) — The Cherokee County Fair begins today and will continue through the weekend. Some of the activities scheduled for today include: Team Rock Ninja Experience, Kent Family Magic Circus, the crowning of the Little Miss Cherokee County Fair, and Barrell Racing. Later this evening, the musical accaella group “Blend” will perform 50’s music at its best.
State Senator Bertrand Calls For Senate Leader’s Resignation
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Republican lawmaker in Iowa has called on one of his party’s statehouse leaders to resign following the conclusion of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former legislative aide.
Sen. Rick Bertrand of Sioux City said Wednesday that Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock should resign after a jury awarded $2.2 million to Kirsten Anderson, a former caucus communications director for Iowa Senate Republicans. The jury determined she was fired in 2013 after she reported rampant sexual harassment in the caucus office.
Republican officials argued Anderson was fired for poor job performance.
Bertrand says Dix has a “pattern of retaliation” and Anderson’s dismissal was ultimately his decision. Dix was minority leader at the time.
A spokesman for Dix says the senator has no comment.
Severe Storms Hit Northeast Iowa
MCGREGOR, Iowa (AP) – Thunderstorms have powered through northern and northeast Iowa, damaging homes, buildings and crop fields.
The National Weather Service says wind gusts to 75 mph and heavy rain were reported Wednesday evening in several locations, and a tornado was reported 2 miles (3 kilometers) west-southwest of Fort Atkinson. No injuries have been
reported.
Residents and officials report trees and power lines have been knocked down, leaving hundreds of people without electricity. Officials say the city of McGregor has been hit hard, sustaining damage to City Hall and several other structures downtown. St. Mary’s Catholic Church has been pressed into duty as a
shelter.
Authorities say a semitrailer was blown over on Interstate 35 near Hanlontown.
80 Inmates May Be Disciplined After Uprising
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Corrections tells The Associated Press that about 80 inmates at a maximum security prison could face disciplinary action in connection to a large fight this month.
That’s a far greater number of people than the state corrections department has publicly said were directly involved in the July 1 melee at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.
The estimate could add weight to claims from a union representing correctional officers that the state agency has downplayed the fight.
A corrections report about the fight obtained by AP also includes
previously unreleased details about the disturbance, including that inmates ignored orders and challenged staff to fight.
The incident in the prison yard is among the largest in Iowa since a 1981 riot that left one inmate dead.
Phone Scam Happening In Central Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Law enforcement officials in central Iowa are warning of a familiar phone scam.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office tells KCCI (https://bit.ly/2u9KUwy ) that people are receiving telephone calls claiming to be from the sheriff’s office.
The caller tells recipients there is a signed a warrant for their arrest for not showing up for jury duty. Victims are then told to retrieve a large amount of cash and follow further instructions to avoid being arrested.
Officials say deputies do not discuss or take care of valid warrants over the telephone.
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