Fire Departments Respond To Hog Barn Fire
(Merrill) — Firefighters from Merrill, Hinton, and Le Mars responded to the scene of a hog confinement barn fire located at 24182 Impala Avenue, or about one and a half miles south of county road C-44 on Impala, and approximately four miles southwest of Merrill. The fire was reported at about 7:30 a.m. this morning. Upon arrival, smoke could be seen coming from the structure. Merrill Fire Chief Jacob Conley explains the scene and tactics.
Conley says the fire originated in the southeast corner of the facility from a propane burner. The Merrill Fire Chief says the barn was full of smaller feeder pigs, that perhaps weigh between 30 and 40 pounds, but, fortunately, there were
no pigs that died as a result of the fire.
While visiting with Conley, livestock trucks were lined up at the barn to move the pigs to a different building. Fire crews used axes and power saws to open up the metal roof to ventilate the fire, and to get better access. They also needed to pull down some of the exterior metal siding. Conley says there was
considerable damage done to the building, but he believes it will be able to be renovated and be used again.
Firefighters were on the scene of that hog barn fire for more than three hours.
Republicans Select Carlin For State Senate Candidate
(Sioux City) — State Representative James Carlin of Sioux City is the choice of Republicans in Woodbury and Plymouth counties to run for the District 3 seat vacated by Bill Anderson.
Delegates chose Carlin, who is in the middle of his first term in the Iowa house, over Akron City Councilman Alex Pick by a 58 to 42 percent margin at the special convention Monday night in Sioux City.
Carlin plans to start campaigning today (Tuesday) for the special election to finish Anderson’s term that will take place December 12th:
Carlin says he will campaign on the same issues that he feels helped get him elected to the Iowa house in 2016:
Each candidate gave a five minute speech to delegates before the vote Monday.
Akron City Councilman Alex Pick tried to appeal to undecided delegates
with a best of both worlds statement:
But the majority of the 47 delegates representing 22 precincts chose Carlin to face Democratic candidate Todd Wendt of Le Mars in December. Democrat Todd Wendt, the former school superintendent for Le Mars Community admits he faces an uphill battle since the Senate District has Republicans outnumber the Democrats by a three to one margin.
Still, Wendt says Iowans need to come together and focus on our priorities.
The special election for the State Senate 3 seat is scheduled for December 12th.
County Supervisors To Meet Tuesday Morning
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will convene this morning at 9:30 a.m. for their regular weekly meeting at the County Courthouse Board room.
The county governing board will canvass and certify the municipal elections from last Tuesday. The supervisors are also expected to approve and sign the 2017 Family Farm Tax credit applications. The county board of supervisors will hold
a public hearing regarding a budget amendment for fiscal year 2017-2018.
Plymouth County Conservation Board Director, Nick Beeck, is scheduled to appear before the county board to review the Plymouth County Conservation annual report. County engineer, Tom Rohe, will also appear before the supervisors to
seek approval of a permit from Premier Communications for work in Westfield Township at 200th Street and county road K-18. The supervisors will decide upon a proposed resolution involving the removal of parking signs on county road K-64 at Oyens next to the church. Rohe will also submit the final plan review and
approval for road construction projects slated for next construction season.
Orange City Tulip Festival Selects Its New Queen
ORANGE CITY, IA. – Juliana Tien was crowned the 2018 Tulip Festival Queen on Monday, Nov. 13. Juliana will reign over the 78th annual Tulip Festival, set for May 17, 18 and 19, 2018.
A senior at Unity Christian High School in Orange City, Juliana is the daughter of Gale and Cathie Tien.
Juliana is joined on the 2018 Tulip Court by court members Alexa Arends, daughter of Troy and Darla Arends; Josie Maasdam, daughter of Kirk and Becky Maasdam; Haley Smit, daughter of Jason and Kara Smit; Corinne Wiese, daughter of
Robert and Tricia Wiese.
Juliana and her court members spent Monday afternoon interviewing with judges Cassie Baker, Catherine Bloom and Jeff Wagner.
A pageant was held for the public in the evening. Each of the candidates answered questions on various topics and gave an individual presentation.
Juliana was crowned queen as a conclusion to the evening.
Juliana and her court will serve as ambassadors for the Orange City Tulip Festival as they travel in the spring, making several media and public appearances.
Farmers Nearly Finished With 2017 Harvest
(Des Moines) — The U-S-D-A issued its weekly crop condition report yesterday afternoon. That report shows many of Iowa farmers are wrapping up with this year’s harvest.
Eighty-five percent of the corn for grain crop has been harvested, one week behind last year and the 5-year average. Moisture content of corn being harvested for grain averaged 17 percent. Only northwest and north central Iowa
have 90 percent or more of their corn for grain crop harvested. Ninety-seven percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, equal to last year but 5 days behind average. Iowa farmers are still applying anhydrous ammonia and spreading
manure, as well as baling corn stalks.
Reynolds Trying To Distance Her Campaign From Power Couple
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds’ campaign is taking steps to distance itself from a couple of Iowa executive branch officials who worked as foreign agents for Saudi Arabia. Reynolds campaign manager Phil Valenziano said Monday that Kim and
Connie Schmett have been removed as volunteer co-chairs for Polk County. He says the campaign has donated the couple’s $100 contribution to Tunnel to Towers, a charity that supports victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Reynolds has called for an ethics board to review whether the Schmetts
broke any laws with their work opposing a new law allowing victims of the attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for allegedly sponsoring terrorism. Their consulting firm received $101,500 as part of the Saudi-funded campaign. Kim Schmett is chairman of the Employment Appeal Board. Connie Schmett is on the Health Facilities Council.
Facebook To Help Des Moines Small Businesses
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Facebook has chosen Des Moines as one of 30 cities for a program that helps equip small businesses with digital skills. The Des Moines Register reports that the program will help businesses build their digital presence on the social media giant. Facebook officials say the company has invested $1 billion into supporting small businesses since 2011. In 2016, it offered similar training for small businesses in Iowa City and Altoona, where it operates a $1.5 billion data
center. Aneesh Raman, who works on Facebook’s policy team, says the company’s goal is to have a lasting impact on the businesses that receive guidance. Raman says most of the 70 million businesses with a Facebook presence are small and
medium firms. —
Assistant Attorney General To Run For State Auditor
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former Iowa assistant attorney general plans to challenge the Republican state auditor in next year’s midterm elections. Rob Sand, a Democrat who served with Attorney General Tom Miller between 2010 and earlier this year, announced his candidacy for state auditor Monday against incumbent Mary Mosiman. Sand gained attention in the AG’s office for prosecuting a jackpot scandal that involved a former lottery programmer admitting to rigging computers
that enabled him to pick winning numbers in several lottery games. Sand also prosecuted fraud related to the state’s filmmaking tax credit program. Mosiman was appointed state auditor in 2013 following the resignation of former State Auditor David Vaudt. She was elected to a full four-year term the
following year.
