Plymouth County Supervisors To Hear Report On Centers On Abuse and Sexual Assault
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will hear a report from Erin Schroeder from the Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault as she discusses the services offered by the agency. County engineer Tom Rohe will appear before the county board to discuss road construction projects, as well
as to award a contract. The county board of supervisors have scheduled bid letting for three different culvert projects within the county.
City Council To Discuss City Attorney Position
(Le Mars) — Le Mars City Council will hold its bi-monthly meeting at noon today at the council chambers. Mike Donlin, the chairman for the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation will offer an update to the council regarding the fund raising activity of the community betterment project. The city council is expected to approve Kent Pauling to the city’s Board of Zoning Adjustment to
complete the term of John Leonard. One item for discussion will be the search for a new city attorney, as current city attorney Joe Flanery has announced he intends to retire on June 30th. Interviews were conducted with three candidates for the position on April 20th, and 23rd. The city is expected to approve an agreement with the Hinton city council for the development and maintenance of the proposed Ply-wood Trail. The agreement is
similar to an agreement that Le Mars City Council approved with the city of Merrill. The city council will discuss an addendum agreement with Bolton and Menk service contract with the expansion of the airport runway. The city council is prepared to discuss zoning code 167 involving the location and placement of child care, daycare, and adult care facilities.
Le Mars Chamber To Hold “Sip and Shop” Event Tonight
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a new type of event to Le Mars downtown business area. On Tuesday afternoon, beginning at 5:00 p.m. several businesses will offer patrons a chance to sample various
types of wines during the “Sip and Shop” event. Mary Reynolds with the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Main Street organization says other communities have hosted this event, and Le Mars officials thought it would be a success if the “Ice Cream Capital” would feature the program.
Reynolds says the participation fee is just $10, which will go to help the Le Mars Alley Art program. She says patrons will have the opportunity to sample various types of wines at different participating businesses.
The Le Mars Main Street official says the event will be held rain or shine.
School Children Visit Museum To Learn About Plymouth County History
(Le Mars) — More than 260 elementary school children from each school within Plymouth County had the opportunity to visit the Plymouth County Historical Museum Monday during the annual “May Day” celebration. The purpose of the program is to introduce students to Plymouth County history. Several of the
students were dressed in the pioneer-era clothing. Volunteers informed the students of how life was during the turn of the 19th century. The students were able to try their hand at milking, they explored the two cabins on the museum grounds, learned about early age agriculture, and even learned to
dance with a May Day pole. This marked the 18th year the Plymouth County Historical Museum has hosted the annual event.
Corn Stalk Bales Catch On Fire Near Hull
(Hull) — Three fire departments responded to a corn stalk bale fire Sunday afternoon about three miles northeast of Hull at 2970 Indian Avenue. The Hull, Boyden, and Rock Valley fire departments all responded to the fire that was reported at about 3:20 p.m. According to Hull Fire Chief, Greg Van Roeckel, approximately 35 to 40 big round bales of corn stalks were destroyed as a result of the fire. The fire is suspected of starting after corn shucks debris from the bales touched the exhaust muffler of an operating tractor, then blowing on to the stored bales, and igniting them. Van Roeckel says the strong gusting winds on Sunday help spread the fire to a nearby corn crib.
Fortunately, firefighters were able to save the old corn crib. Van Roeckel says firefighters were on the scene for nearly two hours. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and the Hull Ambulance also assisted at the scene.
Governor Reynolds Says She Never Witnessed Any Sexual Harassment Activity By Former Finance Authority Director
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she never knew of or witnessed inappropriate behavior during her two-decade friendship with a former state agency director whom she abruptly fired after learning of sexual harassment allegations.
The Republican governor said “absolutely not,” when asked Monday if she knew of any alleged inappropriate conduct over the years by Dave Jamison, the ex-director of the Iowa Finance Authority. Reynolds fired Jamison on March 24, shortly after learning of allegations against him by two people.
Reynolds made the remarks days after ordering an independent
investigation into the workplace culture at the agency, where a female employee alleges Jamison made crude sexual comments to female subordinates over the years. Jamison hasn’t spoken publicly about the allegations.
Jamison has been a political ally of Reynolds, dating back to when the two worked together as county treasurers. Reynolds says Jamison has been a family friend.
Authorities Identify Victim From Trooper Shooting Incident
MOORLAND, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have released the name of a man killed in a gunbattle with an Iowa state trooper.
The Iowa Public Safety Department identified the man as 26-year-old Joshua Ewing, of Carroll. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Authorities say the exchange of gunfire occurred Sunday on a rural road near Moorland in Webster County. The department says the trooper found a man and woman arguing near a vehicle. The department says the man – later identified as Ewing – pointed a handgun at the trooper, and the two exchanged
gunshots.
Authorities say Ewing had fired several shots into his own vehicle
before the trooper arrived.
The trooper’s been identified as Justin Parman.
Statue Unveiled For Sheriff’s Deputy Killed During Inmate Escape
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Nearly a year after his death, a statue has been unveiled in downtown Council Bluffs to honor slain deputy Mark Burbridge.
The Daily Nonpareil reports more than 200 people gathered Saturday to see the statue of a horse without a rider. Several artists painted the statue after consulting with Burbridge’s family and friends.
The horse is covered in images important to Burbridge, including scenes with motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and a badge.
Sheriff’s office Sgt. Jason LeMaster says the statue at the historic
Squirrel Cage Jail offers a way to “see who he was through the drawings.”
The Horses of Honor project memorializes officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Burbridge died May 1, 2017, during an attempted jail escape that left two other officers injured.
Wesley Correa-Carmenaty was convicted in the shootings and is serving a life sentence.
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State Supreme Court Justice Says He Has Skin Cancer
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa Supreme Court justice is being treated for a form of skin cancer.
A court spokesman said Monday that Justice Daryl Hecht has been diagnosed with melanoma, considered the most serious type of skin cancer.
Hecht has been treated in Sioux City and Rochester, Minnesota.
The spokesman says Hecht will participate in the court’s decisions as his treatment allows.
Hecht was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2006. He had worked as a lawyer in Sioux City for 22 years before being appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals in 1999.
He grew up near Lytton, a small city west of Fort Dodge.
Cedar Rapids Woman Identified Following Fatal Fire
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have identified a woman who died after being pulled from a burning garage in Cedar Rapids, and they have ruled her death a homicide.
Police on Monday identified the woman as 38-year-old Gina Frederiksen.
The State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined her death was a homicide, but officials wouldn’t release the cause of death.
Neighbors called police and firefighters Sunday morning after hearing a loud boom and seeing a garage engulfed in flames.
Frederiksen was pulled from the burning garage but died a short time later at a hospital.
Survey Shows Business Condition Index Improving
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A report says a business conditions index for nine Midwest and Plains states has surged to its highest level in a dozen years.
The report released Tuesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index hit 64.5 in April, compared with 62.1 in March. The February figure was 59.7.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says much of the recent manufacturing sector growth has been driven by exports.
The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Last Week’s Warmer Weather Allowed Farmers To Get Started With Field Work
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. Iowa farmers made the most of the 4.7 days suitable for
fieldwork for the week ending April 29, 2018, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybeans were planted in addition to soil preparation and fertilizer application.
Iowa farmers planted 17 percent of the expected corn crop during the past week, 3 days behind last year and 4 days behind the 5-year average. Northern Iowa remains wet from melting snow which has slowed planting progress, however south central and southeast Iowa farmers already have at least 40 percent of their corn planted. Soybean planting is underway with 2 percent of the expected crop in the ground, 2 days ahead of last year but equal to the average. Sixty-two percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 8 days behind both last year and the 5-year average. Just 10 percent of the crop has emerged, almost 2 weeks behind last year.
The extended winter season has left hay in short supply for some livestock producers. Pastures in many areas need rain to spur growth.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 5 percent very short, 14 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. South central Iowa remains dry with over one-third of subsoil rated very short on moisture.
