Sioux City Man Sentenced To Prison For Distributing Meth
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County attorney, Darin Raymond has announced that 29-year old former Sioux City resident, Gary Austin Dailey, was sentenced to an indeterminate term in prison not to exceed 15 years, in Plymouth County District Court. Dailey was found guilty for one count of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and one count of operating while
intoxicated, on a third offense. Both charges are felonies. Dailey was taken into custody by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office for transport to prison.
Le Mars City Council Discusses The Fate Of Plymouth Energy
(Le Mars) — Earlier this week the Le Mars city council addressed the issue involving the Plymouth Energy ethanol production facility at Merrill. The ethanol plant has loan agreements with the city of Le Mars for both a rail line and with a storage facility, which also involves the Le Mars Business and Industry Corporation. The problem is the ethanol plant has ceased its operations, at least on a temporary basis due to economic
conditions, in part due to the drop of demand for ethanol. Since the plant is no longer producing ethanol, Plymouth Energy has defaulted on their loans with the city of Le Mars. The city council discussed whether an extension to the loans should be granted to Plymouth Energy. City councilman Clark Goodchild inquired about what should the city do if the ethanol plant fails to again begin operations, and within six months, the city council is facing
the same situation involving Plymouth Energy?
Neal Adler, the executive director with the Le Mars Business and Industry Corporation informed the city council that Plymouth Energy is trying to create additional products, besides just ethanol, to be able to have operations again proceed.
Goodchild advocated for the ethanol producer to make at least a partial payment, instead of an entire waiver. Mayor Kirchoff mentioned to the council that Plymouth Energy is up to date with their tax payments to the city of Le Mars for the property within the Industrial Park located on the southern edge of town. Goodchild again asked what happens in another six
months, if conditions remain the same, and there are no improvements to the situation?
The council did approve action to extend both loans for a period of an additional six months. This was the second time the city council has extended the loan agreements. The term of the lease is for seven years. It was noted that Plymouth Energy has paid nearly $1.8 million of the $3.1 million dollar loans.
Gehlen Catholic Honors Graduating Seniors With Yard Signs
(Le Mars) — No doubt the class of 2020 seniors, whether it be high school or college, have been disappointed due to the spread of the COVID-19 that has either cancelled or postponed several prominent spring events such as proms, awards night, and graduations. For Gehlen Catholic, the faculty and staff wanted to
do something to honor its 36 graduating seniors, by displaying a series of yard signs in front of Gehlen Catholic school. Amy Jungers serves as the Development Manager for Gehlen and tells about the idea behind the yard signs featuring the names and photos of Gehlen’s graduating seniors.
Jungers says the signs will remain in place through Sunday May 17th, the original date of commencement. Gehlen’s Development manager says local community banks stepped up to help make the signs possible by financing the project.
Jungers says Gehlen Catholic officials have scheduled a June 14th date as the new date for graduation ceremonies.
Jungers says Gehlen Catholic is creating some video programs that will be featured on the school’s website and Facebook page to help honor the seniors for their achievements and awards.
Jungers says a second video will be launched on Sunday, May 17th which will feature the graduating seniors in some of their candid moments while attending Gehlen Catholic school, and that video will also be featured on the Gehlen Catholic website and their Facebook page.
Dordt University Holds Virtual Commencement Ceremonies
(Sioux Center) — Dordt University of Sioux Center held its
commencement ceremonies for its graduating seniors today (Friday). COVID-19 forced the college to hold a virtual commencement instead of the traditional program. As Faculty Chairman, Dr. Mark Christians read the names of the graduating seniors, a photo of the graduate was also displayed. Dr.
Justin Bailey presented the commencement address focusing on COVID-19 virus and the cross. Dordt had 69 graduate students, 286 Bachelor degrees, and 13 Associate Degrees.
More Than 1000 COVID-19 Cases at Waterloo Tyson Plant
(Waterloo, IA) — Black Hawk County officials say more than a thousand employees at the Tyson plant in Waterloo have tested positive for the coronavirus. That’s more than double the number released by state health officials earlier this week. Joshua Pikora with the Black Hawk County Public Health Department says the state-related total of 444 employees only included testing that was done onsite at the plant. He says the one-thousand-31
reported cases includes those positive results from the onsite testing, local health care providers,” as well as the positive serology tests that give us the complete picture of scope of illness in our county.” Pikora says those cases do not include family members or roommates who may also have tested
positive. Tyson’s pork plant in Waterloo resumed limited operations Thursday.
3 COVID-19 Testing Sites in Eastern Iowa Awarded Nearly $900K
(Washington, DC) — Three community health centers in eastern Iowa will share nearly 900-thousand dollars in federal funding for COVID-19 testing.
Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer says the Eastern Iowa Health Center in Cedar Rapids will receive a 301-thousand-dollar grant, Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque is getting 195-thousand, and Peoples Community Health Center in Waterloo has been awarded a 381-thousand-dollar grant. Finkenauer said, “expanding testing is absolutely essential to keeping our community safe and slowing the spread of this pandemic.”
One Dead, One Recovering From Carbon Monoxide Poising in Des Moines Garage
(Des Moines, IA) — The Des Moines Fire Department says one person is dead and another is recovering due to carbon monoxide poisoning. They were working on a vehicle overnight in a garage and a furnace malfunctioned. One of the victims became sick and went to the hospital and told paramedics to
check on the other person working in the garage. Firefighters discovered the other victim dead early this morning (Friday). A gas furnace that had recently been worked on was being used to heat the garage.
