Two Elected Officials Are Sworn In With Oath Of Office
(Le Mars) — Two newly elected officials were given the oath of office and participated in a swearing ceremonies held this morning (Tuesday) at the Plymouth County courthouse. A capacity crowd consisting of family members, friends, law enforcement officials, and county officials gathered inside the
courtroom as outgoing and long-time Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo took the oath of office for his new position of County Supervisor. District Judge Jeff Neary administered the oath.
Following Van Otterloo, Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff TeBrink then stepped up to raise his right hand and repeated the oath of office. TeBrink was elected as the new Plymouth County Sheriff during the last election. He will assume the duties and responsibilities of being the Sheriff for Plymouth County
beginning January 1st. Again, District Judge, Jeff Neary administered the oath.
Following both individuals being sworn with the oath of office. Incoming Sheriff Jeff TeBrink asked the crowd to stand, in which the gathering joined TeBrink and gave Mike Van Otterloo a standing ovation for his more than 40 years in local law
enforcement service.
Orange City Man Sentenced To 29 Years For Multiple Charges
(Orange City) — Sioux County Attorney Thomas G. Kunstle announced that Arturo Tapia, age 28, of Orange City, Iowa, was sentenced in Sioux County District Court for the crimes of Assault while Participating in a Felony, Willful Injury Resulting in Serious Injury, Going Armed with Intent, Child Endangerment, Operating without Owner’s Consent, and Operating While
Intoxicated, for a total indeterminate term of incarceration of 29 years.
Tapia must serve at least 10 years before parole eligibility for using a dangerous weapon, though the mandatory minimum is subject to reduction.
The case originated on April 28, 2020, after which Tapia was originally charged with Attempted Murder after stabbing a female 12 times with a knife in front of her children. Tapia himself was separately stabbed once which stopped his assault. Tapia then fled police driving north from Orange City eventually losing control in a single-vehicle accident. The female suffered
life-threatening injuries, having been stabbed 12 times in her head, chest, back, and arms, and was airlifted to a Sioux City hospital. Tapia himself was also airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital for medical treatment. After release from the hospital, Tapia was taken into custody after which he contacted the female victim in violation of a no contact order.
Iowa Delegation Supports $908 Billion COVID Relief Package
(Washington, DC) — Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation are praising passage of the 908-billion-dollar COVID relief package. Senator Joni Ernst says this bipartisan bill will bring much-needed aid to Iowans on the front lines of this pandemic, those who are facing unemployment, and families
fighting to stay afloat. Senator Chuck Grassley says it’s past time Congress acted to provide relief to the families, communities and small businesses suffering because of the pandemic. Grassley said “the pandemic is still far from over, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. This legislation will help us reach that end.” Congresswoman Cindy Axne said while it is not perfect, the agreement includes a new round relief for Iowa’s families and
communities, provisions to help crack down on surprise medical billing, and full funding for government programs through the end of fiscal year 2021.
Iowa Restaurants Can Apply For PPP Loans in $908 Billion Stimulus
(West Des Moines, IA) — The 908-billion-dollar stimulus package includes additional relief to help restaurants make it through the next stage of the coronavirus pandemic. It allows small businesses to apply for a second forgivable loan through the Paycheck Protection Program. Most can apply for
an amount equal to two-and-a-half months of payroll – but Jessica Dunker of the Iowa Restaurant Association says restaurants can ask for more. She says “since they’ve had such a big hit they’ll be able to have three-and-a-half months of payroll that they’ll be able to borrow and have forgiven as long as
we use it in appropriate ways.” Dunker estimates that even with the relief money about one thousand restaurants and bars across the state will close because of the pandemic. She says it will help a number of restaurants get over that hump and into the spring when the vaccine is more widely available and we’re able to open patios back up.
3 Dead in Wrong Way Crash on Interstate 380 in Eastern Iowa
(West Branch, IA) — The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a crash on Interstate 380 near West Branch Monday that left three people dead. State troopers say 20-year-old Eric Nunez of Plano, Illinois was going east on westbound I-80 when he collided head-on with a van driven by 70-year-old Robert Larson from West Liberty. Both drivers and 68-year-old passenger Teresa Larson of West Liberty were killed. The accident report shows the
Larsons were both wearing seat belts while Nunez was not buckled up.
UNI Will Allow 15 % Fan Capacity For Panthers Basketball Opening Games
(Cedar Falls, IA) — The University of Northern Iowa is allowing some fans into McCleod Center for the men’s and women’s Missouri Valley basketball openers. U-N-I Athletics says capacity will be limited to 15 percent or just over 11-hundred fans. One-hundred-25 tickets will be allotted to students. The Panther men open conference play Sunday against Missouri State University and the U-N-I women welcome the M-S-U Bears on New Year’s Day. COVID-19 protocols require eight feet of separation between fan groups and face coverings.
