Semi Truck Collides With Train
(Le Mars) — A semi truck with a gravel belly dump trailer collided with a Burlington Northern-Sante Fe train Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:15 p.m. The accident occurred at West Le Mars about three miles west of town.
The semi truck appeared to be heading east on Highway 3 going down a hill when it had collided with the northbound train. The train was pulling grain box cars. It is not known whether those rail cars were empty or full. There didn’t appear to be any grain that had spilled at the scene of the collision, which may lead to the assumption the rail cars were empty. The train did not
appear as if it was pulling any rail tankers. At least there were no tankers in the immediate vicinity of the accident scene, so there wasn’t any additional danger following the collision. Warning signal lights on the crossing arm appeared to be operating while rescuers were working the scene of the accident. The driver of the semi truck and trailer was airlifted by helicopter and transported to a Sioux City hospital. Plymouth County
Sheriff’s Office confirms the individual suffered serious injuries. Traffic on Highway 3 needed to be detoured while emergency officials were working the scene. The truck was part of the G-C-C concrete fleet of trucks. Responding to the scene of the train and semi truck and trailer accident were the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Le Mars Ambulance, Plymouth County Sheriff’s
Office, Le Mars Police, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Transportation – road division, Iowa Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division, and Burlington Northern-Sante Fe rail officials. The accident
remains under investigation.
Municipalities Association Gathers At Le Mars
(Le Mars) — City leaders from northwest Iowa communities were in Le Mars last evening for the Northwest Iowa Municipalities Association. City officials gather to discuss similar situations common to most towns and cities. Le Mars mayor, Dick Kirchoff says it is good for city leaders to gather and compare notes.
Kirchoff says nearly 25 different communities were represented with last evening’s meeting. He says several Iowa lawmakers were also on hand for last evening’s meeting, and Kirchoff says time was scheduled for the communities to share their concerns with the legislators.
The Le Mars mayor explains some of the legislative issues that are of a common concern for all northwest Iowa communities.
Some of the legislators who were on hand for the Northwest Iowa Municipalities Association included: House Representatives, Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars; Jacob Bosman of Sioux City, Gary Worthan of Storm Lake, and Dennis Bush of Cleghorn. State Senator Jeff Taylor from Sioux Center also attended the meeting.
Ice Cream Days – Day 3 – Friday
(Le Mars) — There are plenty of activities planned for the third day of Ice Cream Days, and once again Margaret Catton with the Ice Cream Days committee runs down the events and schedule for today.
The Ice Cream Days committee member says Champions Forever consists of a family that offers an inspirational message as well as their entertainment value. Catton says they were a finalist on the popular television show, “America’s Got Talent.”
Drought Conditions Getting Worse Across Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The new map from the U-S Drought Monitor shows worsening conditions across Iowa. Only five percent of the state is shown as having normal conditions, all in the southeast, while drought gained more ground practically everywhere else. Parts of eastern and far southwestern Iowa are
in the abnormally dry category, but the majority of the state’s in drought. A week ago, 56-percent of Iowa was in moderate to severe drought, now, it’s 76-percent. Severe drought covers about 40 of the state’s 99 counties, including virtually all of northern Iowa and much of the central region.
Iowa Man Could Get 20-Year Sentence For Firing Into Car Carrying Black Girls
(Des Moines, IA) — An Iowa man could face up to 20 years in prison for firing his gun into a car carrying several Black girls. One of those girls was hit in the leg. Twenty-six-year-old Michael McKinney of St. Charles has entered a guilty plea to a charge of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury. He will be sentenced in August. The prosecution dismissed four charges, including attempted murder. The victim was 15 years old. His
plea agreement stopped the trial was scheduled to begin Monday.
Pair of New State Laws Aimed at Helping Volunteer Firefighters
(Des Moines, IA) — A bill that became law this week increases the state tax credit for Iowa volunteer firefighters from 100 to 250 dollars. Another measure approved by the governor will let voters approve a property tax levy to support the operations of a local fire department. About 90 percent of the firefighters in Iowa are volunteers and Iowa Firefighters Association president Nick Riley of Traer says legislators recognized volunteer firefighters took on new risks during the pandemic as emergency responders, transporting Covid patients to hospitals. Riley says the association is hoping to take another step in 2022 and get legislative approval of a pension fund that volunteer firefighters could contribute to. Riley says the Iowa Firefighters Association has found a financial institution that will manage it.
Marshalltown Fire, Explosion Forced Evacuation Of 2 Homes
(Marshalltown, IA) — Officials in Marshalltown say a house fire and explosion early Thursday morning interrupted sleep and forced the evacuation of two homes. The first reports of the fire came in at about 2:15 a-m. Just as emergency responders were arriving on the scene, the explosion spread the flames to a home next door. Authorities have confirmed that the occupants of
both homes were able to get out without being hurt. No names have been released. The cause of the fire and explosion is being investigated.
Spirit Lake Man Convicted Of Murder Gets New Trial
(Orange City, IA) — An error before his trial even got underway means a 71-year-old Spirit Lake man who was convicted of murder will get another trial.
Gregg Winterfeld was found guilty of shooting another man to death last year.
Now, a judge has ruled Winterfeld’s lawyers weren’t allowed enough challenges to strike the potential jurors they didn’t want on the panel. Lawyers get 10 strikes for a murder trial and six for all other felony trials. His defense lawyers were only allowed six. Winterfeld will be tried again for the murder of Grant Wilson.
Multi-Million Dollar Mixed-Use Project Coming To Des Moines’ East Village
(Des Moines, IA) — A multi-million dollar mixed-use project is planning for an area just south of Des Moines’ East Village. Backers say that part of the city will be transformed by new housing, office buildings, and retail space.
It will be called the Market District and it has an estimated price tag of 750-million dollars. Work will start quickly on infrastructure, like water and streets, with the first phase to be completed by the end of next year.
Developers say they think businesses and people looking for a place to live will want to come to the prime location next to the river.
