Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department Issues May Monthly Report
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a total of 38 calls during the month of May. In its monthly report, the fire department says they had 14 fire calls, eight rescues, ten investigations, three mutual aid calls to Sibley, Orange City, and Oyens. The local fire department responded to three requests for services during the month of May.
Le Mars Chamber of Commerce To Hold “Cash Mob” Event
(Le Mars) — You may have heard of a “Flash Mob” when a group of people gather at a designated location and then offer a performance such as a choreographed dance or music selection. The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce is hosting what is
known as a “Cash Mob”. Mary Reynolds with the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street organization says “cash mobs” were popular a few years ago, and the chamber wants to bring back the fun. Reynolds says the chamber of commerce will hold a “cash mob” during the lunch hour on Friday, June 11th.
A few years ago, the former Rust’s Western Wear was the first business that was drawn from a list of downtown businesses. Reynolds says at that time, several people went to the store and made purchases.
Reynolds says the program helps stimulate the local economy.
The chamber official says a member of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce will be selected, but that business will not have any previous notification they have been selected as the fortunate business for the “cash mob.”
Reynolds says there isn’t any registration, just show up at the chamber office on Friday afternoon, June 11th, during the lunch hour with money in hand.
Naig Writes Letter To Attorney General Regarding Cattle Prices
(Des Moines) — Last week, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig sent a letter to U-S Attorney General Merrick Garland to ask for an investigation by the Justice Department to examine the cattle marketing. Naig says independent cattle producers are being hurt by the actions of the large commercial size
cattle operations that are often owned by meat packing companies.
Naig says he has asked U-S Attorney General Merrick Garland to complete the investigation and report the findings.
The issue is gaining support as Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has again introduced legislation relating to the matter, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has joined other governors from prominent cattle producing states in a letter campaign to the Attorney General’s office. Naig says several of his
colleagues from across the nation from state departments of agriculture have also joined in writing letters to the Attorney General.
Iowa Secretary Of Agriculture Comments On Cyber Attacks Against J-B-S Meat Packing Company
(Des Moines) — Cyber attacks interrupted the meat processing at many of the nation’s J-B-S meat packing plants, which halted production and cancelled the employee shifts. The J-B-S plants in Marshalltown and Ottumwa were both affected by the cyber attacks. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says
he is concerned anytime there is an interruption in the meat processing industry. Naig says the potential for such shutdowns can adversely affect the industry, including hurting the local livestock producer.
The Iowa Agriculture Secretary says after similar cyber attacks on our energy industry, as well as now with the food chain, it may be time for the U-S to examine our computer infrastructure and to make corrections to hopefully prevent any other cyber attacks.
Iowa Farmers Nearing Completion Of Planting Crops
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Department of Agriculture has released its latest weekly crop conditions report. The state’s farmers are done with corn planting and nearly done with the planting of soybeans. The report indicates 100 percent of the
state’s corn crop has been planted, while soybeans are listed as 93 percent complete.
The emergence is five days ahead of the five-year average. The report shows 81 percent of corn is in good to excellent condition. Just seven percent of the bean crop remains to be planted and the pace is 12 days ahead of normal. Southeast Iowa still has one-quarter of its projected bean crop to be planted. Nearly three-quarters of the soybeans have poked out of the ground and the first condition rating finds 76 percent in good to excellent condition.
Significant Milestone For COVID Hospitalization in Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The number of COVID-19 patients in Iowa hospitals has dipped below 100 for three straight days. The last time Iowa had fewer than 100 hospital patients being treated for the virus was in early April of 2020.
Iowa Department of Public Health director Kelly Garcia said in a statement, “having fewer that 100 Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19 is a significant milestone.” The pace of vaccinations in Iowa has been lagging for several weeks. Garcia said her agency will continue to work with local partners to educate and answer any questions Iowans may have “so they can feel confident
about getting vaccinated.” About 58 percent of eligible Iowans have had at least one shot. Infectious disease specialists warn if Iowa’s vaccination rate doesn’t rise, more contagious variants of Covid may take hold here as is the case in Britain.
Iowa State Patrol Investigates 2 Fatal Crashes in Marshall County
(Marshalltown, IA) — The Iowa State Patrol is investigating two fatal crashes that happened Tuesday in Marshall County. State troopers say a motorcycle driven by 72-year-old Terry Stubbs of Marshalltown passed several vehicles on Highway 30 and went onto the gravel shoulder and crashed. Stubbs
later died in the hospital. Officers say 59-year-old John St. Clair lost control of his pickup on a curve and rolled several times into a farm field near Marshalltown. St. Clair was wearing a seat belt but died at the scene.
Accidental Death Investigation in Clive
(Clive, IA) — Police in Clive say they are investigating an accidental death. Officers doing a welfare check Tuesday found a man dead in a home.
They initially called it a “suspicious” death due to the condition of the man and items inside the residence. Detectives interviewed witnesses and worked with the Polk County Attorney’s Office and the Iowa D-C-I and later said it appears to be accidental and there’s no threat to the public. An autopsy is being done. The man hasn’t been identified.
Plea Hearing For Suspect in Deadly New Year’s Shooting in Sioux City
(Sioux City, IA) — There’s a plea hearing in Sioux City today (Wednesday) for one of the suspects charged in a deadly New Year’s Day shooting.
Anthony Bauer has reportedly reached an agreement with prosecutors in the death of 18-year-old Mia Kritis. Bauer was initially charged with first-degree murder after 27 shots were fired into a home January 1st, killing Kritis and wounding three others. Christopher and Carlos Morales are also charged in her death. The alleged getaway car driver, 20-year-old Lilliana
Gutierrez, is scheduled to stand trial in August.
