City Water Officials Say Despite Daily Record Usage, No Need To Restrict Water
(Le Mars) — While other Iowa communities are needing to place restrictions on the water usage due to the hot and dry conditions from this past week, Le Mars city officials indicate the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” has been keeping up with the high demand for water. Rich Sudtelgte, is the Superintendent of the City Water Department. He says this past Wednesday when temperatures reached 93 degrees, Le Mars set a new record for daily water usage.
Sudtelgte says if the dry conditions and heat wave returns, city officials may have to consider placing some restrictions on the water usage. The city water department official suggest residents and businesses irrigate their lawns during the evening hours.
Sudtelgte says if you should see water run down the street due to a water line break, he asks that you call the city’s water department immediately. Both Sheldon and Sioux Center have implemented some restrictions on water usage due
to the recent heat wave. Sheldon Public Works Director Todd Uhl has been monitoring water levels in his city’s wells and just issued a “water watch” in Sheldon on Thursday. He says use has skyrocketed to a point where they feel it’s time to start watching consumption. At this point in May, residents in Sheldon used about 900-thousand gallons of water per day. On Wednesday of this week, Uhl says more than one-and-a-half MILLION gallons of
water were used.
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputy Sees Vehicle On Fire
(Le Mars) — A Plymouth County Deputy traveling southbound on Hwy 75 towards Merrill, on Thursday, June 10th noticed a vehicle traveling northbound Hwy 75 to be on fire. The vehicle stopped at Hwy 75 and Kern Drive. The driver was removed from the vehicle. The driver was identified as a juvenile male, age 16 of South Sioux City, Nebraska. Le Mars and Merrill Fire Departments were dispatched to the vehicle that had full engulfed in flames. During an OWI investigation, the juvenile male was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was charged with OWI 1st offense and released to a legal guardian.
Sioux County Sheriff’s Deputy Promoted To Sergeant
(Orange City) –– Sioux County Sheriff Dan Altena has promoted a deputy to the rank of sergeant. Deputy Sheriff Caleb Haverdink was promoted to the rank of patrol sergeant on June 1, 2021.
Haverdink was appointed to the position of deputy sheriff at the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office in April of 2007 by Sheriff Dan Altena.
In addition to his regular patrol duties Haverdink has experience in specialized areas including, Critical Emergency Response Team (CERT) leader; Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and the area multi-agency Drug Task Force.
Haverdink will soon be a certified Taser instructor as well.
Captain Jamie Van Voorst said, “Haverdink has shown great leadership abilities and is well respected by his co-workers; not only here at the sheriff’s office, but also with the numerous area law enforcement agencies. Deputy Haverdink has demonstrated an attitude of, “helping others first.” We are confident he will continue to carry this out in his new position.”
Historic Race Car To Be Featured During “Ice Cream Days”
(Le Mars) — A racing legend from the 1930’s and 40’s will appear at the Ice Cream Days Tri-State Cruisers Classic Car show to be featured Wednesday evening at Bob’s Drive-Inn, and then it will be at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Bright cherry red with the number 7 describes the sprint car originally owned by the late Emory Collins of Le Mars.
Preparing the famous car for its big appearance is Steve Hansohn of Le Mars, who first met up with the Collins’ car in Cedar Rapids on Dec. 4, 2020. Keith Elson, a private collector, had the car in his show room for many years. By late that December afternoon, a small group of Museum volunteers and staff gathered to welcome home the precious piece of history.
Hansohn, who donated his time and expense to bring home the car for the Museum, spent hours cleaning and polishing the car for its big appearance at “Ice Cream Days.”
“I love cars, and I love auto racing. I love classic cars. This is history right here,” Hansohn said of the Museum’s latest acquisition.
Emory Collins and his Offenhauser No. 7 won the IMCA (International Motor Contest Association) championships in 1938, 1946, 1947, and 1948.
He will make sure the historic car has a front row spot at the show this week, and then he will return home to bring his own classic cars to the popular event. Jonathan Foster, the Museum’s exhibit manager, will be on hand to meet with car enthusiasts and answer questions about the Collins’ car.
The Museum obtained the car after nearly three years of fund-raising. A major out-of-state donor who has remained anonymous sparked the campaign, and many other contributors stepped forward until the full amount was raised. Now the second part of the mission is to raise funds for the display of Collins’ No. 7 on the stage in the lower level of the Museum.
Pork Producers President Asks Biden Administration Not To Alter Processing Lines
(Des Moines) — The World Pork Expo wrapped up its three-day run at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Friday afternoon and organizers say there’s been much political discussion among producers at this year’s event. Jen Sorenson of Ankeny, president of the National Pork Producers Council, says they’re
lobbying the Biden Administration to appeal the court ruling that will slow down line speeds at pork processing plants beginning July 1st.
The council wants the U-S to sign on to become a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership agreement but Sorenson doesn’t expect it to happen this year with the focus on economic and pandemic recovery.
Sorenson says expanding international markets is another priority.
Sorenson says the pork producers are joining the American Farm Bureau in legal action to get California to remove its Proposition 12, which dictates housing measures to pork and poultry producers.
Casey’s Sets Record In Fiscal Year Revenue
(Ankeny, IA) — Casey’s General Stores reported an all-time best eight-point-seven BILLION dollars in revenue for the just-completed fiscal year. Casey’s C-E-O Darren Rebelez says it’s an astounding figure in the midst of what he calls “the most challenging business environment of our lifetime.” Casey’s adjusted what it stocked inside its stores — selling less
grab-and-go food while selling more P-P-E and groceries. He says there was also higher demand for beer and alcohol as restaurants and bars closed and people began consuming more alcohol at home. Casey’s profits from fuel sales were up nearly 24 percent — on a record margin of nearly 35 cents a gallon.
Email Scam Uses Iowa GOP Chairs Name
(Undated) — The communications director for the Republican Party of Iowa says the party is aware of a gift card scam using the party chair Jeff Kaufman’s name, and they are working on filing a report with the proper federal authorities. Woodbury County Republican Party chairman, Bob Henderson says one
of the central committee members was sent the fake email request that asks for gift cards as a donation. Henderson says the request for gift cards is always an indication the request is a scam. Henderson says anyone who gets this type of email should immediately contact their local G-O-P chairman, or any member
of the executive committee to confirm it.
Ottumwa Woman Arrested On A Bomb Threat
(Ottumwa, IA) — A southeast Iowa woman is accused of threatening to place an explosive device in Wapello County Attorney’s Office. Court records show 30-year-old Siearre Smith of Ottumwa entered the Wapello County Attorney’s Office
on the afternoon of May 25th and yelled at employees in the lobby and shouted “This place needs blown up and that’s exactly what I am going to do.” A warrant was issued for Smith’s arrest on May 28th and she was taken into custody this past Wednesday. Smith has been charged with making a threat with
an explosive or incendiary device.
