Union Pacific Train Derailment Happens Near Sibley
(Sibley) — A Union Pacific train derailed in northwest Iowa near Sibley, along Highway 60 Sunday afternoon, causing an explosion, and the evacuation of hundreds of people. Union Pacific spokesperson Robynn Tysver says the train derailed at around 2:00 p.m. when a bridge collapsed. Approximately 47 rail cars went off the tracks. There were no injuries to the crew members, and Union Pacific is working with local first responders at the the scene.
Sibley Fire Chief Ken Huls says the train was hauling the highly explosive fertilizer ammonium nitrate. Osceola County Emergency Management issued an evacuation order for residents and businesses in Sibley located to the west of Old Highway 60. Sibley residents who stayed in their homes were advised
to open windows and shelter in the middle of the house in case one of the rail cars exploded.
Multiple fire departments from surrounding communities responded to the scene. Thick black smoke along with flames shooting up several feet in the air could be seen for miles, as officials believe at least two tankers filled with diesel fuel ignited as a result of the train accident.
Officials made the decision to allow the tankers to burn themselves out, and to re-evaluate the situation on Monday. The cause of the derailment is under investigation. The Le Mars Fire Department was asked to respond to the derailment with its “foam trailer” which is used to pump foam as a fire
extinguishing agent on large-scale fires.
(photo courtesy of the Le Mars Fire Department.)
For aerial video of the train derailment go to this link:
https://www.facebook.com/216001073/posts/995347545541/
Floyd Valley Healthcare Now Offering The Pfizer COVID Vaccine
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare is now offering patients the Pfizer vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. Previously, Floyd Valley Healthcare had only offered the Moderna vaccine. But now, patients can choose to have either vaccine. Tara Geddes, the Plymouth County Community Health Director says the Pfizer vaccine has recently been approved by the CDC to use on children from 12 years of age and above.
Geddes says if you have received the first round of either the Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine, you need to stick with your initial vaccine for the second round of vaccinations.
Geddes says Plymouth County has seen a reduction of vaccine demand, but there still remains plenty of COVID vaccine available.
The county health services director says COVID case count numbers in Plymouth County have been on the decline for the last few weeks.
Many people may be confused as to whether or not they need to continue to wear a face covering or mask, if they have completed their vaccination process. Geddes offers some advice according to the latest C-D-C recommendations.
The County Health Services Director says some people have reported having side affects that include a small fever, or headaches, or even general soreness, but Geddes says don’t let the side affects deter you from getting fully vaccinated.
Iowa Has Had Few Tornadoes So Far This Season
(Des Moines) — Not that anyone’s complaining, but tornadoes have been very scarce in Iowa so far in 2021. This weekend marks the half-way point of our severe weather season, as April, May and June are the prime months for thunderstorms and twisters. Meteorologist Craig Cogil (CO-gil), at the National Weather Service, says we’ve only had two tornadoes so far this year, both in eastern Iowa.
Rain is back in the forecast and while Cogil says thunderstorms are possible this week in Iowa, the threat of severe weather remains small.
With the arrival of warmer temperatures in the coming weeks, he says we’ll need to remain vigilant for storm development.
Iowa saw a total of 28 tornadoes touch down last year, which is well below the average number of around 50.
Iowa City Police Investigate Shooting Death Of Man Early Sunday
(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa City police are investigating the shooting death of a man found in the driver’s seat of a vehicle early Sunday. The man was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where he died. The Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy today (Monday). The victim’s name hasn’t been released. Responding officers say he had been shot multiple times and his car had collided with a tree at about 1:20 a-m.
Man Accused Of Killing Iowa State Trooper Appears In Court
(Grundy Center, IA) — The man accused of killing Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith has a court hearing set for this morning (Monday) at 9:00 a-m in Grundy County Circuit Court. Michael Lang actually has two hearings on the docket for this week. Lang barricaded himself in a Grundy Center home last month and fired shots at police, killing Smith. Even though Lang has been charged with multiple offenses since 1999, he won the Democratic primary for the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office last year. He lost to his Republican opponent in November. The incident started with an attempted traffic stop when Lang was speeding.
Iowa Supreme Court Rules Against Man Who Wanted His $465 Ticket Refunded
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled against a driver who wanted his 465-dollar speeding ticket refunded. Rickie Rilea was stopped in 2016, later pleaded guilty, and paid the fine. He later challenged the authority of Motor Vehicle Enforcement officers employed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Although the court agreed with him, the fine was allowed to stand. The state’s high court ruled Friday the underlying conviction hasn’t been overturned. The ruling means the State of Iowa will apparently avoid refunding millions of dollars in tickets wrong issued by the enforcement officers.
