Rescue Crews Respond To One-Vehicle Accident On Highway 75
(Le Mars) — A one vehicle accident occurred late Saturday evening into Sunday morning on Highway 75 about two miles north of Merrill. The accident was reported at about 2:15 a.m. As a result of the accident, the driver was transported by helicopter to a Sioux City hospital. The accident is currently under investigation by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. No
information was given in the news release as to what may have caused the accident, or the name of the injured victim.
(photo contributed.)
County Fire Departments Respond To Several Grass/Field Fires
(Le Mars) — Several grass fires were reported over the weekend as winds picked up embers from controlled brush pile burns, and ignited nearby harvested corn fields. Many of the county fire departments responded to field/grass fires to battle the blaze.
Sheriff’s Office Reminds Residents ATV’s And UTV’s Are Not Allowed On County Roads
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind county residents that operation of an ATV or UTV for recreational purpose on a highway is not authorized as stated in Iowa Code 321I.10 and 321.234A. The definition of a highway includes paved, gravel and dirt roads.
Furthermore, a highway is defined as the entire width between property lines or fence line to fence line. Therefore operation of an ATV or UTV in the ditch is also not authorized.
Serval town in Plymouth County have adopted local ordinances allowing the operation of an ATV or UTV with in their city limits. None of these ordinances extend past the city limits of any town.
Operating on a highway is a schedule violation under Iowa Code and can result in a $132.50 citation.
Gehlen Catholic Has Successful On-line Fund Raising Event
(Le Mars) — The 33rd Annual Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball online format proved to be a huge success as the school took in $234,600.33. The funds will go directly toward the Gehlen Catholic general budget and help the everyday operation of the school.
Chris and Jay Sitzmann, General Chairs of the Ball, says
“A community’s colors show true in tough times. Amid this isolation, fear and doubt, the Gehlen Ball showed the generosity, ingenuity and faith of the Gehlen community. When we look back on this moment decades from now, we hope people never forget how brightly our true color shined.”
Before COVID-19 hit and Gehlen Catholic School closed its doors, many businesses and supporters had already donated or purchased their Ball ticket to attend the event that would have included dinner from the Iowa BBQ Company and entertainment by the Patrick Lentz KC Flo Band.
Amy Jungers, Gehlen Catholic Development Director, says, “It speaks volumes about our local businesses and the Gehlen Catholic family that almost all of those who had donated or purchased a ticket, kept their money with the school. This goes to show people are not donating to go to a fun event, they
are donating to Gehlen Catholic School and the strong Catholic education it brings our children and young adults.”
With the online transition, the event kicked off earlier than normal when the silent auction started at noon on Monday, April 13 with bids rolling in right away and didn’t show any signs of slowing down until the auction closed Saturday, April 18 at 9 pm. The silent auction brought in a total of $36,430 for the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball.
“We were thrilled with the positive response we got with the online auction from our supporters. We could tell bidders got competitive the last hour of the auction because items just continued to increase steadily and didn’t stop until the auction closed,” said Jungers.
In addition to the online auction, there was a program posted Saturday evening for Gehlen Catholic families, alumni and supporters to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. The program included a message from Father Bruce Lawler, President of Gehlen Catholic School and videos that featured students
and staff.
“One theme of the program was, “United We Stand as Gehlen Catholic School,” said Jungers. “During these months of empty halls at school, it is important for our students, teachers and supporters to know we will continue to remain strong and be there for one another.”
Also, during the program, Father Lawler drew and announced the Spring Raffle prize winners. Joe Arens received $5,000; Leo & Bev Jochum won $3,000 and Stan Kessenich took home the $2,000 prize.
The proceeds from the annual Ball go directly toward the Gehlen Catholic general budget and help the everyday operation of the school. This means, it helps fund art & teaching supplies, technology, educational field trips, PE equipment and much more.
“A few weeks ago, as we worried about how we were going to continue the success of the Ball, God answered our prayers with the support of the Gehlen Catholic family,” said Gary & Elaine Tillman, General Chairs of the Ball. “We are truly thankful to be part of the Ball and see everyone come together for a successful fundraiser.”
To view auction item winners, personal and business donors, along with the online program, you can visit gehlencatholic.org.
Highest Number Of COVID-19 Cases Reported On Sunday
(Des Moines) — Sunday proved to be one of the highest days of statistics for positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa. the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 389 additional positive cases for a total of 2,902 positive cases. There have been an additional 1,214 negative tests for a total of 21,648 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by
the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.
According to IDPH, an additional 1 death was also reported (an older adult, 61-80 years in Muscatine County), 198 are currently hospitalized, and 1,171 Iowans have recovered.
261 or 67% of Sunday’s 389 additional positive cases can be attributed to surveillance testing of meat processing facilities. That includes over 500 completed surveillance tests of Tyson employees and over 500 completed surveillance tests of National Beef employees, for a total of 84 positive and 177 positive respectively. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports
Plymouth County now has eight positive cases of COVID-19 coronavirus.
Le Mars Community School To Continue Offering Voluntary Education Program Through The End Of The School Year
(Des Moines) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Friday that Iowa schools will remain closed through the end of the school year. The governor strongly recommended schools close their doors back in mid-March as a way to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Le Mars Community School District superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner says since school will not resume this spring, he says efforts will continue for the voluntary educational program.
Webner says he believes a good majority of the students are participating in the voluntary education program offered through the school.
Webner says most school districts across the state are participating in the voluntary education program as one of the options required by the Iowa Department of Education.
The school superintendent says it would have been nearly impossible to impose a required mandatory educational program while closed during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Webner says another challenge for the school in why they chose the voluntary education program is because of the high number of non-English speaking students.
During upcoming news updates, we will feature additional comments from the Le Mars Community School superintendent.
COVID-19 Virus Now Detected In Iowa’s Correctional System As Inmates Tests Positive
(Coralville, IA) — The Iowa Department of Corrections says an inmate who arrived at the state prison intake center last Thursday is the first prisoner to have a confirmed case of coronavirus. The department says the man was transferred into the state prison system from Henry County on a drug
conviction. All inmates are being placed in quarantine when they arrive at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center. This inmate showed COVID-19 symptoms and was tested. Contact tracing is underway to determine which staff and other prisoners may have been around the inmate, who is now in isolation and monitored by staff around the clock.
Woman’s Death Investigated In Grimes Following Shooting
(Grimes, IA) — Authorities in Polk County are investigating the death of a 35-year-old woman in Grimes. Deputies were called to the location Sunday at 7:44 a-m. They say they found a 35-year-old woman’s body in the home when they arrived. The victim’s 46-year-old fiancé made the 9-1-1 call. No names
have been released and no charges announced. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is joining the sheriff’s office in handling the case.
Deputy Suffers Serious Injuries When His Squad Car Is Slammed By Hit-And-Run Suspect
(Hazelton, IA) — Authorities in Buchanan County say a deputy suffered serious injuries Saturday afternoon when his squad car was slammed by a hit-and-run suspect trying to get away. A state conservation officer reported saw a 29-year-old driver hit and pedestrian, then speed from the scene shortly after 2:30 p-m. The pursuit passed through two counties before the pickup driven by Kevin Kraphl hit Deputy Dan Walter’s patrol vehicle. Walters was flown by air ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is reported to be in serious condition but was alert and aware as of Sunday morning.
