Wells Enterprises Purchases Nevada Ice Cream Facility
(Le Mars) — Wells Enterprises of Le Mars, makers of Blue Bunny Ice Cream have announced a purchase agreement with a Nevada Unilever ice cream manufacturing facility located at Henderson, Nevada. The purchase will expand Well’s current manufacturing capacity and diversify its ability to support customers geographically to help meet future demand and adds an
important footprint in the western United States. The sale is expected to be completed in September. 250 employees of the Henderson facility will join Wells. Wells Enterprises is the #2 ice cream manufacturer in the US with a strong house of brands including signature brand, Blue Bunny®, along with private label and co-pack business. The company is headquartered with two manufacturing plants in Le Mars, Iowa, a manufacturing plant in Dunkirk, New York and a manufacturing plant in Lakewood, New Jersey.
Le Mars Police Department Hires New Officer
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has hired a new officer. JayCee Vander Berg of Sioux Center took the oath of office Tuesday during a badge-pinning ceremony held at the city council chambers. Vander Berg will begin her patrol duties with the Le Mars Police Department on Monday, September 9th. She has previously worked as a corrections officer and communications dispatcher with the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office since December of 2018. Mayor Dick Kirchoff administered the swearing of oath prior to the start of the city council meeting. Vander Berg holds a Criminal Justice Degree from Northwestern College at Orange City. Several members of the Le Mars Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies were on
hand to witness the badge pinning ceremony. Vander Berg’s father pinned her badge to her uniform.
City Council Approves Second Reading Of Proposed Fireworks Ordinance
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council approved the second reading of the city’s proposed fireworks ordinance. Although nobody appeared at the city council meeting to voice an opinion one way or another on the issue, Mayor Dick Kirchoff informed the council members that he had received a second letter from Kyle Plath asking the council to consider having an entire week
for the discharge of fireworks, instead of the proposed three-day window.
Plath also included a petition with 73 signatures asking the city approve a fireworks ordinance from July 1st through July 7th. Plath, in his letter, indicated the three days allowed to discharge fireworks as proposed by the city’s public safety committee, may not always fall on a weekend. Plath suggests the city council consider allowing the fireworks to be discharged to include a weekend. Plath suggested that people will continue to
discharge fireworks beyond the window of opportunity, and he stated they more than likely will not follow the provisions as outlined by the proposed city ordinance. Plath further stated in his letter that law enforcement agencies will not be able to properly enforce the fireworks ordinance. Le Mars Police Chief, Kevin Vander Vegte responded to the letter by addressing
council members, and informing them that he favors the three-day window to discharge fireworks, and he assured council members the officers of the Le Mars Police Department “will do their best to enforce the rules.”
The city council will hold a third and final reading with regards to the proposed fireworks ordinance during the next council meeting, scheduled for September 17th.
Le Mars Man Pleads Not Guilty To Vehicular Homicide
(Sioux City) — A Le Mars man charged with vehicular homicide for having his cousin killed during an auto accident has pleaded not guilty. The Sioux City Journal is reporting Darrick Toel entered his written plea Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court. Besides the vehicular homicide charge, Toel was also charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. According to
court documents, Toel was driving approximately 90 mph at about 7:50 p.m. on July 1st in the 7200 block of Old Lakeport Road when he lost control of his Saturn Ion, left the road, partially rolled and struck a tree. His passenger, Ryan Toel, 37, of Struble, Iowa was seriously injured and died two days later.
Trometer Found Safe In Vermont
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Department of Public Safety has confirmed Nicole Trometer of Remsen has been located in Vermont and is safe. A Missing Person report was filed when family members and others didn’t know the whereabouts of the 27 year old female. The Remsen Police Department had
issued a news release on Sunday, September 2nd indicating that Trometer and two vehicles were reported as missing. At or about 12:30 PM on September 3, 2019, Nicole Trometer contacted Iowa Law Enforcement Officials and advised she was in Vermont. Law Enforcement requested she go to the nearest Law
Enforcement Agency and positively identify herself. As of 1:20 p.m., The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Vermont confirmed that they spoke with Nicole Trometer and positively identified her by her Iowa Driver’s License.
Franklin County authorities advised Nicole was in good health, Nicole told Vermont authorities she traveled with Daniel Kitteredge willingly to Vermont. At this time the missing person’s investigation will be closed.
Knights of Columbus Phone-a-thon Scheduled For Today
(Le Mars) — The Knights of Columbus will hold its annual phone-a-thon today, benefiting Life Skills Training Center and the Iowa Special Olympics. Shelly Thomson with Life Skills says they have set a goal to reach $55,000.
Thomson says the raised funds will go to help the Life Skills clients with employment opportunities.
KLEM radio will hold remotes throughout the day updating the progress of the Knights of Columbus phone-a-thon. Knights of Columbus from Kingsley, Akron, Remsen and here in Le Mars will be participating in the day-long event to raise money for Life Skills Training Center. Donations can be dropped off at
the Le Mars Knights of Columbus hall, or Thomson says contributions can be made at local banks.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Speaks At Plymouth County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
(Le Mars) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig was the guest speaker at last evening’s Plymouth County Farm Bureau annual meeting. Naig spoke about the things we can control in farming, and those things that are beyond our control. He says two events held at the recent Iowa State Fair offer hope that farmers are doing the right things. Naig recalled the
presentations of the Century and Heritage Farm Awards, those farms that have remained in the same family for 100 or 150 years. Naig asked if there were any Century or Heritage Farms present at last evening’s event during the Plymouth
County Farm Bureau annual meeting, and several people had raised their hands.
The other event and award ceremony that occurred at the recent Iowa State Fair, which Naig shows farmers are doing the right thing, was the presentation of the Iowa Farmer Environmental Leadership Honors.
The Iowa Agriculture Secretary also mentioned that Iowa will be the recipient of three of seven national grants from the Environmental Protection Agency to help with maintaining clean water quality initiatives.
Naig informed the gathering of Farm Bureau members that “God made Iowa for Agriculture” and he says we, in agriculture, have the responsibility to maintain our land for several generations. Also during last evening’s Plymouth County Farm Bureau annual meeting, Curtis Sitzmann was awarded the “Service to Agriculture” award.
