Floyd Valley Apartments Again Without Elevator Service
(Le Mars) — Residents living in the Floyd Valley Apartments of Le Mars are again without an elevator. Firefighters were called to the apartment complex building on Saturday evening to discover the motor that operates the elevator had burned up. Karla Bohle serves as the manager of the apartment building.
One other time when the elevator wasn’t working, the residents had to go for four months before repairs could be made. Bohle says volunteers are assisting with the residents, many of who are senior citizens.
Bohle is hopeful the repairs will be completed in a short time frame, although she says she doesn’t have an idea as to how long it will take before the only elevator is again operating.
The five-story building has 59 units, of which Bohle says each unit is occupied.
Sioux City Woman Arrested For Second OWI and Child Endangerment
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Sioux City woman Friday evening for a second offense of OWI and child endangerment. At about 7:18 p.m., a Plymouth County Deputy received a complaint about an erratic driver. The sheriff’s deputy observed the erratic driving of a vehicle that was driving at slow speeds, and weaving all over the roadway.
A traffic stop was conducted near the junction of Highway 3 and County road K-22. The vehicle was occupied by 61 year old Michaelene Kay Behrens, and a six year old child passenger. Behrens was found to be intoxicated. She was arrested and jailed at the Plymouth County Jail. The child was released to
his parents. Behrens was charged with Operating while intoxicated with a second offense which is an aggravated misdemeanor, as well as, Child Endangerment, also an aggravated misdemeanor, and an open container which is
a simple misdemeanor. Bond was set at $2,000.
Local FFA Chapters Celebrate National FFA Week
(Le Mars) — This week, February 18th through February 22nd, is National FFA Week. Laken Mullinix is a member of the Akron-Westfield FFA Chapter. She is also a state officer serving in the role of Secretary. Mullinix says she has a busy week of scheduling, and explains why National FFA Week occurs
during the same time as George Washington’s birthday.
Mullinix says Iowa has more than 15,000 members from 240 chapters. She says the organization has grown having both boys and girls involved in FFA.
Girls now comprise of more than half of the membership. She says the organization also includes urban chapters as well as rural chapters, with many members, including herself, of never having been raised on a farm. For the past ten months, Mullinix has served as a state officer as Secretary.
She talks about the selection process to become a state officer.
Mullinix, along with several other FFA state officers from across the nation, recently were able to visit South Africa.
The Akron-Westfield FFA member says she was surprised while visiting South Africa.
Mullinix credits her adviser, Randy Kroksh, for helping develop her leadership skills and assisting her grow through the FFA program. She says her highlights include attending both the state and national FFA conventions. She also says visiting the Iowa State Fair will be remembered as a FFA highlight.
Mullinix is attending Des Moines Area Community College studying liberal arts. She intends to transfer to Iowa State University and major in political science, and then on to law school at the University of Iowa. Each of the Plymouth County FFA chapters: Akron-Westfield, Hinton, Le Mars Community, MMCRU, and Kingsley-Pierson will compete in various contests during the Northwest Iowa Sub-District FFA Contest, scheduled for Tuesday, February 19th at Hinton Community School.
Nationwide Insurance Sponsors Campaign Calling Attention To Grain Bin Dangers
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Working in grain bins can be deadly, so insurers want to remind farmers of the dangers.
Nationwide insurance is helping sponsor a campaign to educate
farmers about safety procedures they can use when working in grain bins.
Farmers should wear proper safety gear when they enter grain bins and test the atmosphere for toxic gases.
Brad Liggett with Nationwide says the insurer is also working with other groups to train first responders and provide grain bin rescue tubes to fire departments.
Since 2014, 77 fire departments in 24 states have received the
rescue tubes that help protect someone stuck in the grain while responders work to rescue them.
Former Governor Candidate Injured While Riding Bicycle
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Former Iowa candidate for governor Fred Hubbell has been injured in a bicycle accident in Arizona.
Family friend David Adelman says Hubbell was struck by a car on Friday at an intersection in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Hubbell has a home.
Adelman says Hubbell, who is 67, has undergone surgeries for a
fractured pelvis but the injuries are not life-threatening.
Adelman says he’s spoken with Hubbell’s wife, Charlotte, who reported Hubbell is expected to need physical therapy to fully recover.
Hubbell was the Democratic candidate for governor and was narrowly defeated by Gov. Kim Reynolds in November.
