Home News Monday News, November 16th

Monday News, November 16th

Fire Department Responds To Vehicle Fire Sunday Evening

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a vehicle fire Sunday evening at about 8:24 p.m. that had similar circumstances as last week’s vehicle fire. The fire department was called to 35341 120th Street where a Jeep was in a ditch ravine and fully engulfed. Fire Chief Dave Schipper explains what had happened.

(photo contributed.)

Schipper says the family was using the skid loader to try to extinguish the fire and retrieve the Jeep that was on fire.

Firefighters were on the scene for approximately 45 minutes.

 

 

 

Floyd Valley Healthcare Asking For Donations Of Masks And Other Personal Protection

(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare is sending out a plea for help. With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Plymouth County, the hospital is in need of additional personal protection equipment, and it is urgently accepting donations of cloth face masks, bouffants, and shoe coverings. Patterns can be found on the Floyd Valley website which is floydvalley.org.

 

 

 

 

Le Mars Civil Service Commission To Hold Hearing Regarding Le Mars Police Officer Termination

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Civil Service Commission will meet on Monday morning at 9:00 at the city council chambers. The three-person panel will hold an appeal hearing for former Le Mars Police Officer, Jeremy Singer. Singer was terminated from his position from the police department, after he was accused of posting negative posts on social media that were determined to be a determent to the Le Mars Police Department.

 

 

 

Iowa Public Health Association Urges Governor To Issue Statewide Mask Mandate

(Des Moines, IA) — Calling the coronavirus pandemic a “disaster,” the head of the Iowa Public Health Association has urged the governor to issue a statewide mask mandate. Lina Tucker Reinders says the surging number of hospitalizations should concern every Iowan. Almost 13-hundred people are being treated in hospitals statewide right now. The non-partisan association lists its mission as strengthening public health in Iowa. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation that requires Iowans to wear masks at public outdoor and indoor gatherings last Tuesday. State health officials reported another four-thousand-432 positive test results Sunday.

 

 

 

Coralville Lawmaker Chosen To Serve As Senate Minority Leader

(Des Moines, IA) — The new Iowa Senate Minority Leader says Democrats want to focus on improving the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats in the Senate have elected Zach Wahls to serve in the position. Wahls was first elected to the Legislature in 2018. He replaces Janet Petersen, who stepped down. Republicans hold 32 seats in the Iowa Senate while Democrats have 18. Wahls says his party has some rebuilding to do. He says his message will be consistent, making sure that every Iowan is supported, not just the wealthiest.

 

 

 

New Trial Date Issued For Accused Triple-Murderer

(Des Moines, IA) — A man accused of killing a mother and her two children will go to trial next March. Marvin Esquivel-Lopez faces three counts of first-degree murder. Investigators say he shot 29-year-old Rossibeth Flores-Rodriguez, her 11-year-old daughter, Grecia Daniela Alvarado-Flores, and her five-year-old son, Ever Jose Mejia-Flores. The woman and her two children had been living in Esquivel-Lopez’s basement. He is being held on a bail of three-million dollars at the Polk County Jail.

 

 

 

Burlington Police Investigate Fatal Shooting Of 24-Year-Old Woman

(Burlington, IA) — Burlington police say they are investigating the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old woman. She and a 26-year-old man were found wounded last Wednesday night. No names have been released. The woman died before she could be taken to a hospital. The man is being treated at Great River Medical Center, although his condition hasn’t been reported. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is working with Burlington police on the case.