Supervisors To Hear Several Budget Requests
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors have a full agenda for today’s meeting to be held at the Supervisors Board Room. The county governing board is expected to approve the firm Dorsey and Whitney for bond refinancing.
They will also approve a resolution to set the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed General Obligation Refunding Loan Agreement. The supervisors will give their approval for the 2017 Weed Commissioner Report to be delivered to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The
supervisors will hear the salary increase recommendations for the county elected officials, as established by the County Compensation Board. Larry Petersen, the chairman of the Compensation Board, will appear before the county supervisors
and will present the report to the county board. The Plymouth County Supervisors will hold a public hearing for the first reading of amended zoning ordinances. Plymouth County Historical Museum administrator, Judy Bowman is scheduled to appear before the board to request funds for the museum for the
next fiscal year budget. Surveyor Dave Wilberding will appear before the board to get approval for two minor subdivisions…one in Grant township, and the other in Plymouth township. Mid-Sioux Opportunity C-E-O Dick Sievers is scheduled to appear before the county supervisors for a budget funding request.
Jeff Gebauer will also see the supervisors to seek approval of the the Verde Hills Addition located in Hancock Township. Bill Rosacker, representing the County Emergency Medical Staff, will offer an informational update on the 2017 EMS and he will also present a budget request for the fiscal year 2018-2019.
County engineer, Tom Rohe, will also appear before the county board to submit a permit request. Rohe will give a report regarding the Iowa Department of Transportation Pre-construction agreement for county road C-70 and Highway 75
intersection.
City Council To Discuss New Police Station Project
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will hold a meeting beginning at 12:00 noon from the City Council Chambers. The city council will start with a public hearing regarding the transfer and sale of real estate located within Lot 13 of the Le Mars Development Corporation Subdivision. Among the consent items, the city council is expected to approve former Police chief Stu Dekkenga to be named to the city’s historical commission. The city council has only one action item on its agenda, and it involves the Police Station Project. Representatives from
Cannon, Moss, and Brygger and Associates will be on hand to discuss the proposed project and to offer an overview. The city council hopes to establish January 2nd, 2018 as the date for a public hearing regarding the plans, specifications
and form of contract along with the estimate of costs for the new Police Station Project. The council is hoping for January 30th as the date to receive and open bids, with the bids to be considered during the February 6th meeting.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Schedules Crop Advantage Meetings For Northwest Iowa
(Le Mars) — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has scheduled several Crop Advantage meetings for various locations within northwest Iowa. The Crop Advantage Meetings are to assist farmers and landowners with the information
they need to look at the next crop year’s outlook. According to Joel DeJong, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach crop specialist, meetings are scheduled for January 3rd at Sheldon, January 4th at Okoboji, and January 23rd at Le Mars. Other meetings are scheduled for Storm Lake on January 9th and
Denison on January 25th. DeJong says each session will be different, based upon the needs of the hosting location. DeJong says they will all examine the farming outlook for 2018. He says the Sheldon and the Le Mars meetings will look at weather conditions, as well as weed management.
DeJong says during the afternoon sessions, farmers will have the opportunity to pick and choose which workshops would best fit their farming operation. He reviews the speakers slated to appear at Sheldon’s Crop Advantage Meeting.
DeJong, himself, will also present a workshop at the Sheldon location.
The Iowa State University Extension crop specialist says pre-registration fee is $50, and $60 if you register at the door.
Fatal Work Accident Happens At Superior
SUPERIOR, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a man died after being pinned by a machine he’d been working with in northwest Iowa.
The accident occurred around 12:40 p.m. Friday at a farm in rural Superior. The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office says the man was pinned by a backhoe attached to a tractor.
The Sheriff’s Office says the man was pronounced dead at the scene. He’s been identified as 72-year-old Thomas Mart.
Des Moines School Superintendent Serves As Guardian For Immigrant Girl
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district and his wife are opening their home to a 17-year-old Guatemalan immigrant after her parents were forced to leave the U.S. because they weren’t in the country legally.
The Des Moines Register reports that Jennifer Galdames applied for legal residency before her stepfather and mother were forced to return in October to their home countries of Mexico and Guatemala, respectively. Jennifer’s mother took her 8-year-old sister to Guatemala.
Jennifer is a year and a half from graduating and didn’t want to move to New Jersey to live with a relative she had never met, so Des Moines Schools Superintendent Tom Ahart and Jami Bassman Ahart offered to take her in and serve as her temporary legal guardians so she can get her high school degree in Iowa.
Des Moines Fire Injures Two People
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two people have been injured in a fire on the north side of Des Moines.
Firetrucks were dispatched to the blaze around 6 a.m. Monday. The Des Moines Register reports that firefighters and police officers heard voices in the building and broke through plywood to rescue them.
Two people were treated at Mercy Medical Center and then released. The fire cause is being investigated.
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Fire Destroys Popular Bowling Alley
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Fire has destroyed a popular Des Moines bowling alley that dates to the 1950s.
A fire department spokesman says firefighters were called to Plaza Lanes just after 5 a.m. Monday after a passerby reported smoke and small flames.
Firefighters opened up the roof in an effort to douse the flames but the fire moved quickly through the structure, with the roof collapsing about a half hour later.
Fire crews remained at the building for hours.
In a message on the business website, the owners promised to rebuild the bowling alley.
Plaza Lanes opened in November 1957.
Branstad’s Brother Dies
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The funeral for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s brother has been held in northern Iowa.
Monroe “Monte” Branstad, who was 67, died Wednesday at a Mason City hospital after a recent illness.
The younger brother of Iowa’s former governor, who is now the U.S. ambassador to China, remained on the family’s century farm at Forest City to operate it while Terry Branstad pursued a political career.
Pastor Doug Snyder of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Leland says Ambassador Branstad returned to Iowa on Monday to attend his brother’s service.
Under Monty Branstad’s management, Branstad Farms expanded. In 2015 he lost an Iowa Supreme Court appeal in a case in which he challenged legal fees related to a 2008 fish kill caused by a pollutant discharge into the Winnebago River.
