Le Mars Police Department To Hold “Coffee With A Cop” Today
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department will hold another session of “Coffee with a Cop.” The event is scheduled for this morning (Wednesday) and will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 10:00 a.m. The “Coffee with a Cop” will be held at Bellissimo Coffee Works at 410 4th Street S.W. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vander Vegte encourages community business leaders and residents alike to visit with their local police officers. In October of 2017, the Le Mars Police Department began the “Coffee with a Cop” program and Vande Vegte says it is a nice way for the community and the officers to get to know one another.
photo from October of 2017 “Coffee With A Cop” event
Total Motors To Expand to Orange City
(Le Mars) — A Le Mars auto dealership is expanding its business to Orange City. Total Motors has announced plans to open the doors to a new facility that was once occupied by Motor Inn of Orange City. Motor Inn of Orange City had closed in 2016. Total Motors say they will bring both trained sales and service professionals back into the building that housed the
Chevrolet dealership in Orange City. Total Motors say they will have between 50 – 75 pre-owned vehicles available that will act as an extension to their Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC dealership in Le Mars. Total Motors will offer a full-service department with tire sales, vehicle alignments, and more with their trained technicians and lube techs. Total Motors plans to re-open the doors to the Orange City dealership in early spring of 2019.
Orange City mayor Deb De Haan says “We are thrilled to welcome Total Motors to Orange City. Their willingness to invest in our community is greatly appreciated. Total Motors will provide an amazing addition to our Highway 10 corridor and will be a huge asset in keeping Orange City a vibrant community.” Scott Taylor, owner of Total Motors says “we are excited to
bring a piece of our team to the great town of Orange City. We believe our values, and ethics will be a great fit with the town.
Authorities Identify Ice Fatal Accident Victim
(Storm Lake) — The Buena Vista County Sheriff’s office has released more information about the fatal accident involving a vehicle that fell through the ice at Storm Lake.
The two people who died when a car broke through the iced-over lake late Sunday afternoon are identified as 40-year old Zackary Newlon of Anthon and his 8-year old son. Two of Newlon’s other children, a 9-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl, were airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital. There’s no word on their condition. Investigators say it remains unclear why Newlon drove the vehicle onto the frozen lake.
…..
ISU Climatologist Says Western Iowa Is Receiving More Rains Which Means Higher Crop Yields
(Le Mars) — Yearly rainfall amounts in northwestern Iowa have been increasing during the past decade, which has lead to higher crop yields according to an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Climatologist.
Dr. Elwynn Taylor spoke to about 150 farmers and other agricultural officials during this morning’s Crop Advantage Meeting held at Le Mars. He says there has been a shift in the climate from the eastern cornbelt to now the western cornbelt regions.
Despite seeing higher yields in recent years, Taylor suggests there is a strong possibility that farmers will begin to see much more volatility with the crop yields. Even facing the possibility of having lower yields due to drier conditions. Taylor says history has shown a weather pattern of 17 good years, followed by 25 years of ups and downs with crop yields.
Taylor says it is likely farmers will see more extremes to the weather patterns in the coming years. He says the year 2025 could be the harshest that we have seen for some time.
The Iowa State University Extension Climatologist suggests for farmers to pay attention to the weather trends in order to capitalize on some marketing opportunities. Taylor says when the USDA gives their crop estimates, the one thing they don’t factor are the number of growing degree days.
Taylor says research has proven when the Midwest has cooler summer evenings following pollination than there is a likelihood farmers will see higher yields. He says if there are warmer summer nights, the crops then mature too quickly, giving farmers reduced yields.
Judge Rules “Fetal Heartbeat” Abortion Law As Unconstitutional
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state judge has struck down Iowa’s restrictive “fetal heartbeat” abortion law.
Judge Michael Huppert on Tuesday found the law unconstitutional. He concluded that the Iowa Supreme Court’s earlier decisions that affirm a woman’s fundamental right to an abortion would include the new law passed last year.
The law would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. That can happen as early as six weeks into pregnancy. It would have been the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the nation. But the legal challenge by abortion providers Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Emma Goldman Clinic had halted it from taking effect last July.
Supporters of the law are likely to ask the Iowa Supreme Court to hear an appeal of Huppert’s ruling.
Governor Reynolds Announces Plan For Felon’s Voting Rights
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is releasing her proposed bill that would restore voting rights for felons through an amendment to the Iowa Constitution.
The language released Tuesday would change Article 2 of the
constitution to say a felon gets voting rights back after the sentence is discharged. That means they could vote after serving their prison time and any probation or parole.
It doesn’t include complete repayment of all obligations, including restitution. That’s an issue that could be a problem for some conservative lawmakers who have viewed Reynolds’ proposal with skepticism.
Reynolds says the move would bring Iowa in line with 35 other states that either never take away rights or restore them upon discharge of a sentence.
Iowa and Kentucky are the only states with a broad permanent ban on felons’ voting.
State Legislator Says IPERS Will Not Be Touched
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The chairman of state House committee that would consider any changes to the public worker pension program says no legislation will pass this year or next that would change the system.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, chairman of the House State Government Committee, says Tuesday “simply unequivocally” there will not be any changes to the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System. The system covers state and local government workers and public school teachers. He says any groups saying
otherwise are liars.
His intention is to squelch accusations by unions and other groups that have criticized Republicans for considering a plan to force future recipients into a self-saving retirement plan, similar to a 401k. A Senate Republican proposed change failed to advance last year. Others have talked about turning the program over to private management.
Democratic legislator Mary Mascher told Kaufmann that Democrats would hold him to his promise.
The group Progress Iowa has been raising concerns the pension program could be changed. Executive Director Matt Sinovic says the group will keep encouraging Iowans to stay informed and speak out.
PMCI Has Changed Its Name To FuelIowa
(Des Moines) — Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa (PMCI) is launching a new brand, name, and logo. Effective immediately, PMCI is now FUELIowa.
The statewide association represents fuel distributors, cooperatives, convenience and grocery stores, refiners, biofuel producers and other industry firms. According to association representatives, the new branding strategy succinctly captures the important role played by independently owned local businesses which provide fuel for vehicles, equipment and heating.
“For more than 80 years, we’ve been a strong voice and resource for Iowa’s fuel industry,” said Dawn Carlson, President and CEO of FUELIowa. “Now our new brand, name, and logo truly exemplify what our members do every day to support local consumers and fuel Iowa’s economy.”
Carlson went on to say, “Our members are at the forefront of providing quality and innovative fuel choices in small towns and major cities throughout the state. As a result, Iowans have easy access to the best gasoline, diesel, propane, ethanol, biodiesel and other liquid fuels available.”
FUELIowa recently unveiled its new brand, name, and logo internally at the association’s recent 82nd Annual Meeting. More than 100 attendees were enthusiastic about the memorable and concise name. In addition, several guest speakers expressed positive feedback about the FUELIowa brand’s relevancy and the logo’s clean look.
