Dairy Industry Leader, Fred D. Wells Passes
(Sioux City) — Dairy industry pioneer and former Wells President and Chief Operating Officer, Fred D. Wells, has died. Fred was the son of Harry C. Wells, and nephew of Fred H. Wells, original founders of Wells’ Dairy in 1913.
Wells began working at Wells Dairy as a young man after school, loading trucks and working as a relief driver. He began his long career with the family business in 1946.
Over his 55-year career with Wells, Fred served in a variety of roles and was named President and Chief Operating Officer in 1977, holding that position until his retirement in 2001. He served as Co-Chairman of the Wells Board of Directors from 2001-2007.
Fred and his cousin Fay were at the helm during a time of tremendous growth for Wells and its signature brand Blue Bunny®. During his tenure, the company became the largest family owned and managed manufacturer of ice cream and
dairy products in the United States, achieving product sales and expanding distribution to all 50 states. Fred Wells was 93 years old at the time of his death.
Former Kingsley Police Chief Pleas Guilty To Domestic Abuse Assault
(Le Mars) — The former Kingsley police chief has pleaded guilty to domestic abuse. 52-year old Joseph Hoover filed his written plea Friday in Plymouth County District Court. Hoover has pleaded guilty to one count of domestic abuse assault, a serious misdemeanor. Hoover was arrested on July 19th after
the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of a possible case of domestic abuse in a Kingsley home at about 6:30 a.m. After arriving at the residence, deputies found a female victim with several injuries to her face and neck. According to court documents, the woman told deputies that Hoover had struck her with his forearm and shoulder. Hoover was suspended with pay shortly after his arrest and later resigned. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22nd.
Fireworks Show To Be Held On Sunday, July 5th
(Le Mars) — Independence Day holiday is fast approaching, and many people are wondering how the COVID-19 virus will affect their traditional gatherings, including picnics, parades, and ultimately fireworks displays.
Notice has been given that the annual Le Mars 4th of July parade and luncheon that follows at the Plymouth County Historical Museum has been called off for this year. As for the fireworks display held at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds grandstand area, Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the city will still hold the fireworks sky show, however with a few changes. Instead
of featuring the fireworks on the evening of July 4th, which this year falls on Saturday, Schipper says the fireworks will be held at dusk on Sunday evening, July 5th. Schipper says the reason is because there are fewer people licensed for pyrotechnics, and those that are licensed, are committed to another event for the evening of July 4th. He says the situation happens
every few years. Schipper says the pyrotechnicians earn more money at other shows than what they can earn at Le Mars. By going on Sunday, Schipper says we will get a pyrotechnician and since it is Sunday, this will allow taxpayers from Le Mars, who pay for the show, a chance to see if the show when they get
back if they are out of town over the holiday weekend. Schipper says the only way to fix the situation is to have a bigger show and spend more money, so that the shooters are interested. The Le Mars fire chief says he does not believe the city needs to do this. Schipper says the last time the issue of the 4th falling on a Saturday, Le Mars did the show on Sunday the 5th and had the largest crowd ever come to watch.
More Prisoners From Woodbury County Test Positive For COVID-19
(Sioux City, IA) — Eleven prisoners in the Woodbury County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19. The sheriff said last week that ten inmates who were supposed to be moved into Iowa’s prison system were tested. Three inmates tested positive but were a-symp-tomatic. The sheriff’s office then got enough
testing kits for the whole jail population. The sheriff said the test
results found the total prisoners with COVID-19 are ten men and one woman.
They’ve been isolated from the rest of the jail population.
Iowa Poll Shows Senator Ernst Trailing Narrowly
(Undated) — Democratic U-S Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield has a narrow lead over incumbent Republican Joni Ernst in the latest Iowa Poll.
The survey shows 46 percent of likely voters who support Greenfield if the election was held today. That compares to 43 percent for Ernst. The difference is well within the poll’s margin of error of three-point-eight percent.
Grassley Answers Questions From News Media During Weekly Conference
(Washington) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican from Iowa, answered questions from news media during his weekly news conference. KLEM news director Dennis Morrice was one of the two invited reporters to participate in the news conference.
