Cleaning A Sweet Sticky Mess
(Le Mars) — Le Mars firefighters and the Le Mars Public Works employees were called early Thursday morning to help clean up a sticky mess. Apparently a barrel of liquid cherry flavored syrup used in the making of pop-sickles had tipped over in a Wells Enterprises shag truck. The liquid then ran out from the semi trailer on to the streets stretching across town from the North Ice Cream Plant to near the South Ice Cream Plant. The incident happened at about 7:12 a.m. Fire Chief Dave Schipper tells of the spill.
Schipper says the syrup was initially slick, but would become sticky as it began to dry. Schipper says although the barrel wasn’t completely full, it none-the-less did empty the entire contents.
Schipper says the spilled substance would not pose any danger to the environment. Firefighters had flushed the streets with water, and the street department then followed and swept the streets.
Car Hits Building
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to an accident located at the 1400 block of Industrial Road located in the southwestern portion of town. A car, heading southbound, had crossed the roadway, entered a small ditch ravine, striking a building, causing some structural damage to the building. The accident occurred at about 12:52 p.m. Thursday afternoon. The building is operated by Frontier Communications as a storage warehouse. The male driver did not appear to have suffered any injuries during the mishap. The Le Mars Police Department also responded to the scene, and is conducting the investigation.
Le Mars Man Arrested On Warrant For Sexual Assault On Teen
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a Le Mars man for an active warrant for sexual abuse in the 3rd degree, which is a class C felony. 36-year old Kody Miller was placed under arrest on Wednesday evening. The warrant stems from an original complaint received by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office on January 1st of this year. During that
complaint, a report was made to the sheriff’s office indicating that Miller committed the crime of sexual abuse against a 16 year old female victim. An investigation was conducted and the arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday, April 8th.
Wrong Way Driver Is Arrested For Theft
(Le Mars) — A vehicle traveling the wrong way on Highway 75 resulted in an arrest for a felony theft in the 2nd degree. The incident happened late night on March 23rd when a Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputy noticed 29-year old Nicole Becker of Holstein, Iowa, was driving southbound on the northbound
lanes near Merrill. Becker was stopped, and then arrested, and transported to the Plymouth County Jail.
Northwestern College To Hold Commencement Ceremonies In July
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and guidelines for responsible social distancing, Northwestern College has postponed the 2020 commencement ceremony that was previously scheduled for May 9.
The event is now tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 18, with a back-up option of Sunday, Sept. 20, as part of Raider Nation Celebration (Homecoming), if the pandemic prevents a July gathering. A schedule of events will be developed as the dates draw closer.
“We surveyed graduating students about how they would like to celebrate commencement,” says President Greg Christy, “and they overwhelmingly voiced their desire to have an in-person ceremony. July was their first choice, with the September date their second preference. Their response significantly influenced our leadership team’s decision.
“Commencement is a very important rite of passage, both for those who will be graduating and for our faculty and staff,” says Christy. “We look forward to marking this occasion and milestone accomplishment with students and their families.”
Governor Reynolds Declares Thursday, April 9th, As A Day For Prayer
(Des Moines)— Governor Kim Reynolds is asking people to pray today as she has declared Thursday, April 9th as the “Day of Prayer” in Iowa.
COVID-19 Latest Statistics Released
(Des Moines) — Governor Reynolds released the updated statistics involving the state’s COVID-19 cases. As of late Wednesday evening, Iowa added 125 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 1,270 cases. There were no new counties added to the list, however, COVID-19 has been confirmed in 79 of Iowa’s 99 counties. 115 people are currently hospitalized because of the coronavirus, and Reynolds claims there has been a recovery rate of 38 percent with 476 people that have recovered. The Iowa governor says an additional
882 negative cases were reported with a total of 13,703 negative cases. The state’s hygienic lab is capable of testing 2,530 tests. Unfortunately, there were also two additional deaths, both from Linn County, an elderly adult above the age of 81, and an older adult between 61 and 80 years of age. Iowa’s death toll is now at 29 people.
Reynolds Continues To Urge Iowans To “Stay At Home”
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is urging residents to focus on what they can do individually to stop the spread of the coronavirus and less about whether she will have to order further restrictions to fight the outbreak. Reynolds told reporters that “sometimes everyone is getting so hung up on the metrics” guiding the state’s response, including whether local stay-at-home orders may become necessary. Reynolds said Iowans should focus “first and foremost” on increasing compliance with the social distancing guidelines she has emphasized, including staying home whenever possible. She said if Iowans do that, the conversation will eventually shift to “how we can start to open things back up.
Iowa Workforce Development Director Reports On Unemployment Numbers
(Des Moines) — Unemployed people and the available unemployed insurance benefits was Thursday’s topic during the daily news briefing. Governor Reynolds says the U-S Department of Labor has reported 6.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits this week. Beth Townsend, Director of
the Iowa Workforce Development says in Iowa the number of unemployed people submitting claims between Sunday, March 29th and Saturday, April 4th was 67,187 with the number of continuing claims, or those claiming unemployment for a second week or longer, was listed at 92,952. Townsend says the Iowa
Workforce Development has paid more than $27 million dollars in unemployed benefits.
Townsend reported the Coronavirus Aid and Relief and Economic Security act, or known as the CARES act took effect on Sunday. Townsend offered an update about who would qualify for financial assistance through the CARES act.
The Iowa Workforce Development Director reminded people they cannot voluntarily quit their jobs to qualify for the unemployment benefits.
Townsend says Iowa has approximately $1.13 billion dollars in the trust fund, with only approximately $180 million dollars still available before employers will be charged a fee.
Two Employees Injured During A Cedar Rapids Workplace Shooting
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Police in Cedar Rapids say two people have been injured in a workplace shooting at an exterior siding manufacturing plant.
Police say the shooting happened around 5 a.m. Thursday when a person entered Associated Materials, shot two people and fled the property. Police say the two victims appear to have suffered wounds not believed to be life-threatening. Police say investigators don’t believe the shooting was random and believe they know who the shooter is. Police say the shooter is still on
the run and has not yet been found.
Employees At ADM Corn Processing Plant At Clinton Told To Stay At Home
CLINTON, Iowa (AP) – Some workers at a large corn processing plant in eastern Iowa have been told to stay home after four of their colleagues have tested positive for coronavirus. Archer Daniels Midland spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said Wednesday that operations at the plant in Clinton are continuing but
with staffing changes. The company said that the four workers who have tested positive are in quarantine and recovering at home. In addition, ADM said that it has asked all colleagues who worked “in close proximity” to the infected individuals to self-quarantine at home. Anderson would not say how many
workers are currently at home due to their exposure.
Sioux Falls Pork Processing Plant To Shut Down For Three Days
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Health officials say a pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota operated by Smithfield Foods has seen over 80 of its employees confirmed to have the coronavirus. United Food and Commercial Workers, the union representing employees at the plant, said that the number
of people who have tested positive is higher at more than 120. Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon says her number is based on information from Tuesday. The plant, which employs about 2,800 people, has emerged as a hot spot of infections in the state, with almost one in four people who have tested positive in South Dakota working at the plant. The union representing employees at a Smithfield pork processing plant in South Dakota said workers were induced to report to work through company bonuses as a rash of coronavirus infections
broke out at the facility.
