Scholten Says He Is Focusing Campaign On Three Main Issues
(Le Mars) — The Democratic contender seeking the 4th District U-S Congressional seat is bringing his campaign to Le Mars today. J.D. Scholten of Sioux City is scheduled to be at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds this evening at 6:00 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to remain in their vehicles if they choose and can listen to Scholten through a special radio
frequency. Scholten stopped by the KLEM offices Tuesday morning to talk about issues and the campaign. Scholten ran against Republican Steve King two years ago, and narrowly lost. This time, Scholten faces Republican Randy Feenstra from Hull, as Feenstra defeated King during the June primary election. Scholten says this time around has been different as more people recognize his name.
Scholten says having a different opponent doesn’t change his campaign strategy since he says he focuses on the items and issues he favors as opposed to who he is running against.
The Democratic candidate tells of the differences between himself and the Republican candidate Randy Feenstra.
Scholten says he will be traveling in his recreational vehicle “Sioux City Sue” with the plan to visit every community within the Congressional district.
Governor Reynolds Details Statewide Damage From Monday’s Storm
(Des Moines) — During her news conference this morning, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds talked about yesterday’s storm that swept across the state and causing wide-spread massive damage to crops, structures, homes, businesses, and utilities. So far, Reynolds has declared an emergency disaster area for 13 central and eastern Iowa counties, but added it is likely that additional
counties will be added to the list when more damage assessments are conducted and turned into the state. Reynolds talked about the damage done by Monday’s storm.
(photo contributed.)
Reynolds then told of some of the specific storm damage from across the state.
According to Reynolds, approximately 450,000 households and businesses are without power, and Reynolds says it may be days before power is able to be restored across the state. She indicated many utility companies from other states are sending crews to Iowa to assist in the efforts of restoring power.
Reynolds indicated that she and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg will be touring the state both today and tomorrow to see first hand the damage from the storm.
Power Remains Out For Thousands Following Storm
(Undated) — Several thousand utility workers are fanned out across Iowa today (Tuesday) trying to restore power to more than 400-thousand people who still don’t have it after Monday’s storm. MidAmerican Energy says 200-thousand of its customers remain without power. Spokeswoman Tina Hoffman says
there is so much tree damage that it could take days to get the power back in some areas. Hoffman says utility crews from as far away as Colorado are helping, with more on the way. She says all of MidAmerican’s crews are being called back to Iowa — including those on that have been working on the East
Coast from the storm there last week.
State Climatologist’s Home Hit By Storm
(Des Moines, IA) — State Climatologist Justin Glisan (GLISS-un) was among those in the state who saw damage to their home from Monday’s severe weather.
Glisan and his wife were working from home when the storm rolled through the Beaverdale neighborhood in Des Moines. A large maple tree blew into Glisan’s house and sheared off the gas main and pushed into the foundation. Glisan says they had to leave because of the gas leak and wait out the storm in
their car. Glisan says the storm known as a derecho is a good reason to always be aware of the weather warnings.
It Is 8-1-1 Reminder Day
(Undated) — Today’s date is eight-eleven, which coincides with the number you should call before taking a shovel to dirt in your yard. This is National Safe Digging Day and Ben Booth, spokesman for Iowa One Call, says you should always call 8-1-1 before you dig so all of the underground gas, water, sewer,
electric and communications lines can be located and marked. Booth says it can be pricey to repair damaged lines and more importantly, it could potentially be dangerous, and you are required to call. He says call at least 48 hours prior to doing any digging.
Algona Band Festival Canceled
(Algona, IA) — The annual Band Day Festival in Algona that regularly features more than one thousand high school musicians from northern Iowa has been canceled. Algona Schools Superintendent Joe Carter says about 25 bands typically participate. The event, which has been held annually for the past
71 years, features a parade during the day and a marching band competition at night on the Algona High School’s football field. The Algona Band Day Festival has a traveling trophy that goes to the band with the highest scores from the field and street competitions. It is scheduled the week before the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Festival. That event has
been cancelled as well.
