Fatal Accident Occurred Thursday Afternoon At Highway 75 And C-38 Intersection
(Le Mars) — Emergency rescue crews were summoned to the intersection of Highway 75 and county road C-38 at about 3:50 p.m. Thursday afternoon. A northbound semi truck and trailer had collided with a vehicle heading westbound and attempting to cross the intersection. Three people were involved with the accident. One victim was a fatality, although the name of
the victim has not yet been released. The other two were listed as minor injuries. Northbound traffic on Highway 75 was backed up to Merrill while authorities were dealing with the accident scene. Officials had re-directed the traffic to head east on County Road C-38. The Le Mars Police Department is investigating the accident. Responding to the accident were the Le Mars Ambulance Services, Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Le Mars Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Enforcement, and the Iowa Department of Transportation – Road Division.
Iowa State Patrol And Total Motors Contribute Funding For Breast Cancer Research And To Breast Cancer Victims
(Sioux City) — October is known as breast cancer awareness month, and two entities have made contributions to cancer research and local cancer victims.
The Iowa Highway Patrol started a campaign this year featuring the familiar shield-shape logo in the colors of pink and black. People had the opportunity to purchase the logo patch with the proceeds to go to the Susan G. Koman Cancer Research Centers. Trooper John Farley says the money raised from the sell of the logo patches exceeded their expectations.
Farley says the Iowa State Patrol appreciates the generous support exhibited by Iowans for the breast cancer awareness patch campaign.
Total Motors also had a breast cancer awareness fund raising campaign during the month of October. This marks the fourth year Total Motors has raised money for breast cancer research. Total Motors locally donated $100 for every vehicle that they sold in the month of October.
Mitch Christoffel of Total Motors explains the program.
TotalMotors was able to raise $10,000, which brings their four year total to over $40,000. The funds help local families and individuals with their fights against breast cancer. A portion of the money raised goes to locally nominated individuals who either had or have breast cancer and could use extra assistance to help them in their fights against breast cancer.
Total Motors also donated a portion of the funds to area community hospitals.
Christoffel says proceeds were given to both Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars, and to Orange City Area Health System.
In addition, Total Motors gifted $1,250 to four local individuals living at Remsen, Sioux Center, Le Mars, and Beresford, South Dakota. Those individuals included: Amy Van Voorst, Deb Fuller, Tami Schroeder and Jamie Gravely.
(photos contributed.)
Civil Service Commission Upholds Termination Of Police Officer
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Civil Service Commission decided on a 3-0 vote to uphold the termination of former Le Mars police officer Jeremy Singer. The announcement was made Thursday morning by Civil Service Commission chair, Dennis Foulkema.
The civil service commission went into closed session to deliberate the case against Jeremy Singer, and came out of the closed session about an hour and twenty minutes later with their decision. The defendant, Jeremy Singer was
not present at this morning’s hearing, although his attorney, Justin Vondrak was at the hearing on Singer’s behalf. Singer was terminated in September from the Le Mars Police Department after it became known that negative and objectionable racist and sexists posts found on social media were attributed to former officer Jeremy Singer.
Hometown Christmas Celebration To Be Featured Online
(Le Mars) — Due to recent restrictions regarding the size of gatherings because of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, officials with the Hometown Christmas celebration have announced the planned event will undergo some changes. Cheryl Wells says “While we are extremely disappointed that we are
unable to provide the full Hometown Christmas experience, we know how important it is to still celebrate. This year has been such a challenge for all of us that we couldn’t let the pandemic stand in the way of bringing joy to the entire Siouxland community. We still intend to conduct a tree lighting ceremony that will be shared on Facebook to help spread the
Christmas spirit. We hope you’ll join us by car, or via social media, or just by sharing a message of joy with family, friends, and neighbors.” The drive-in movie, “Elf” will still be featured Friday evening at Total Motors, otherwise most of the other events, including the lighting of the 26 foot Christmas tree at the Olson Cultural Event Center will be done virtually and
featured on Facebook. We will learn more about the Hometown Christmas and what organizers are doing to hold the event during our 10:00 news update.
Central Iowa Drug Roundup Results In More Than 2 Dozen Arrests
(Des Moines, IA) — A central Iowa drug roundup has resulted in the arrest of more than two dozen suspects. Federal authorities say search warrants were executed on 45 properties Wednesday. The joint federal and state investigation looked into the trafficking of firearms and drugs like meth, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. Agents say they seized 37 firearms,
three pounds of cocaine, additional drugs and about 50-thousand dollars in cash. The roundup also snared a suspect in an October shooting in Des Moines – 30-year-old Jerron Tandre Johnson. He faces a charge of attempted murder.
Des Moines community activist Indira Sheumaker called the action involving about 500 law enforcement officers “essentially a terror play.”
Iowa DCI Investigating Death Of Prison Inmate
(Mason City, IA) — The Iowa D-C-I is investigating the death of an inmate at the Cerro Gordo County Jail. Officers at the facility in Mason City say they began seeing an inmate having a medical issue early Wednesday morning.
They began life-saving measures before emergency responders arrived and took over. The inmate was taken to a nearby hospital, but doctors weren’t able to save him. The victim’s name hasn’t been released. The Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy on the body.
Iowa Student Arrested For Bring Gun To School
(Ottumwa, IA) — A student at Ottumwa High School has been arrested for bringing a gun to school Thursday. The district says the suspect showed the weapon to two other students while sitting outside the high school building, then he left. Students immediately notified school officials and school resource officers worked with Ottumwa police to take the student into custody. His name hasn’t been released. District officials say no threats
were made to staff members or other students. The weapon was never inside the school building and it is currently being held by police. The student faces a charge of possession of a weapon.
Hockey Arena To Be Built Inside Former Younkers Store At Merle Hay Mall
(Urbandale, IA) –– A new hockey arena is going to be built inside the former Younkers store at Merle Hay Mall. The 35-hundred-seat facility will be able to host hockey tournaments and other events. It will also serve as the home ice for the Des Moines Buccaneers. Officials say some of the details of the plan are still being worked out, but the Bucs should be able to skate their home games there in the 2022 season. The project includes the construction of a 150-room hotel near the location in Urbandale.
