County Board of Supervisors To Convene Today
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will again convene in the Courthouse Annex basement for today’s meeting. The county supervisors will take action on an approval of a resolution for an extension to file a minor subdivision plat for Staab Addition. They will also hear from Wayne Schlotfeldt and decide on approving Muth Addition subdivision in Preston
township and discuss a property split in Hungerford township. County Engineer Tom Rohe will appear before the county governing board with several tile crossing permits. Rohe will also discuss construction utility permits from Frontier Communications and Premier Communications.
Driver’s License Office To Take Only Essential Appointments
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Driver’s License office will be taking appointments for essential Driver’s License services for Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays starting next week, Tuesday May 5th.
Only essential appointments will be taken.
Essential includes:
· CDL renewals
· January, February & March expirations on your Driver’s License. April & May expirations will be scheduled later.
· Those scheduled for Drivers Ed who have passed the online test and need a permit
The deadline for REAL ID’s has been pushed back until 2021, so anyone wanting to update their license for REAL ID we ask to wait.
Renewing your ID or license online may be an option for you. Also available online, you can change your address, or get a duplicate if your license is lost or stolen.
Check out IowaDOT.gov to renew online or to get more information.
Appointments can be made by calling 546-1663 on Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday.
Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Orange City Man
(Des Moines) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has sued an Orange City man, accusing him of charging excessive prices on hundreds of items including toilet paper, paper towels, and sanitizing products. It is the first price-gouging petition filed in Iowa during the coronavirus pandemic. State officials say since the public health emergency began, they have received 470
reports of price gouging, including 285 formal complaints. Michael Evan Noteboom is named in the new lawsuit and identified as the eBay seller “mn65”. The lawsuit asks a judge to order him to stop selling household merchandise on any platform. A hearing via video conference is scheduled for
May 6th. The lawsuit says complaints against Noteboom allege he was selling a 12-ounce can of Lysol for $65.99, Angel Soft toilet paper (12 count) for $86, and Bounty paper towels (6 count) for $49.99. Noteboom was sent a written warning on March 24th. State Attorney General Miller says, “Our
office has warned the defendant repeatedly to stop his activity. Through news reports, public service announcements and other notices, our office has informed sellers and the public that we will not hesitate to protect consumers from price gouging.” Governor Reynolds issued a disaster declaration in March, which triggered a price-gouging rule that forbids excessive prices for goods or services needed by victims of disasters. The
lawsuit accuses Noteboom of selling more than 250 items to COVID-19 disaster victims in several states. The highest price item was a 12-count package of Bounty paper towels for $119.99.
Le Mars To Conduct Hydrant Flushing
(Le Mars) — The city of Le Mars Water Department will start flushing water mains in the northeast part of town on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28th and April 29th, starting at 8:00 a.m. This will take approximately two days. On Thursday, April 30th, and Friday, May 1st, the city will start flushing hydrants in the northwest sector. Next week on Monday, May 4th, the city
will start in the southwest corner of town. Businesses and residences may experience discolored water and should refrain from washing clothes during the flushing times in your area. If you need to do laundry, you can monitor your cold hard water faucet or outside hose bib to check the incoming water
for clarity. If you do experience discolored water, limit your use on running hot water. If you have a hard water faucet or hose bib, this would be the best place to check and flush water.
Reynolds To Allow Some Businesses In 77 Counties To Open
(Des Moines) — Governor Reynolds lifted some of the restrictions for businesses to open in 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties. However, she says there are still some parameters and guidelines that businesses will need to follow.
The governor says she is lifting some of the mitigation efforts in counties where there are few to no cases, or where cases have been managed, and leveling.
The governor listed those businesses that can open should they choose to do so.
Reynolds says the businesses allow to conduct commerce, must still abide by some standards. She also advises those Iowans with pre-existing health conditions, along with the elderly to remain in their homes.
Most of all northwest Iowa counties, including Plymouth County, are allowed to begin opening for business. However, Woodbury County is among the 22 counties that will still need to abide by the strict mitigation orders, until at least May 15th. The remaining 21 counties are situated in eastern and central Iowa.
Grassley Concerned For Farmers
(Le Mars) — U-S Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa admits he is concerned for farmers, because of the fall-out from the COVID-19 coronavirus, and especially those that raise livestock. Speaking Monday during his weekly news conference with reporters, Grassley says some farmers and agricultural
entities may qualify for the $19 billion allocation through the CARES Act.
Grassley says what little financial relief may be available through the U-S Department of Agriculture for pork producers could be only pennies on the dollar. With several meat processing facilities being shuttered because of the virus outbreak among workers, and corn selling for about $2.70 cents a bushel, Grassley was asked if Iowa farmers will be able to survive during this economic downturn due to the COVID-19 virus?
The senior senator from Iowa says farmers may be able to get some help through crop insurance, by forward contracting their crop for a set bid price.
Grassley says he doesn’t like to think about farmers being forced out of business, adding the major difference between today and the 1980’s during the agriculture recession is farmers may not be as financially leveraged at least with their land. However, the Iowa senator says there isn’t much protection for livestock producers for the lost income that they will sustain.
Farmers Able To Get A Good Start On Planting
(Des Moines) — According to the latest weekly crop conditions report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, farmers took advantage of the nice warm weather of this past week and were able to plant 39 percent of the state’s corn crop and nine percent of the state’s soybeans
have been planted. Farmers are ten days ahead of last year’s pace and one week ahead of the five-year average.
Legislative Leaders Say Session Suspension Will Continue Into May
(Des Moines, IA) — The suspension of the Iowa Legislative Session has been extended through May 15th. Republican leaders of the Iowa House and Senate released a statement to that effect Monday. The Legislative Council plans to
meet by a teleconference this week. Democrats haven’t released an official statement about the plans. Republicans say the decision is based on the health and safety of all Iowa residents. They say they are eager to return to the Capitol to complete their work as soon as they can.
Calhoun County Sheriff Resigns After Domestic Abuse Arrest
(Rockwell City, IA) — A domestic abuse arrest earlier this month has led to the resignation of Calhoun County Sheriff Scott Anderson. The county board of supervisors voted to accept Anderson’s resignation Monday. He had been accused of pinning his wife to a bed and holding her by her neck.
Authorities say Anderson head-butted an officer who was trying to take him into custody.
Story County Sheriff: Deaths Of 3 People Likely Caused By Carbon Monoxide
(Collins, IA) –– The Story County Sheriff’s Office says the deaths of three people last week were likely caused by carbon monoxide. The victims were identified Monday as 62-year-old Connie Dilliner, 41-year-old Elizabeth Ennenga and 20-year-old Trevor Brommel. All three people lived in the small
trailer in Collins. Deputies made the discovery April 21st when they were asked to perform a welfare check. The initial investigation found no indication of foul play.
Des Moines Construction Worker Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle
(Des Moines, IA) — Des Moines police say a 72-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle Monday, driving over a curb and hitting a construction worker.
The 41-year-old victim died of his injuries. Police haven’t released either man’s name. The accident happened shortly after 11:30 a-m on the city’s north side at a construction site. Police say it is too early to know if charges will be filed against the driver.
