County Supervisors To Begin Discussions For EMS Tax
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will hear about implementing an EMS tax as they convene for this morning’s meeting. The Iowa legislature passed a bill that was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds that now considers local ambulance services to be an essential service, which means, counties can begin collecting a tax from property owners to help fund local ambulance services. During this morning’s county supervisor meeting, Kevin Rollins, the director of the Remsen Ambulance Services along with former county supervisor, Mark Loutsch are scheduled to appear before the county governing board to begin discussions as to an appropriate tax rate that should be implemented to help fund local ambulance services. The county board of supervisors will also hear from Architect, Jordan Metzger with the Stone Group firm as he discusses the final plans of the Courtroom renovation project. The supervisors are expected to set a public letting date for the project. County Engineer, Tom Rohe will be on hand for today’s meeting to discuss current projects with the supervisors. Rohe will submit contracts for two projects, as well as a construction permit by Mid-American Energy for work in Portland township. Rohe will also submit for supervisor approval plans for the right-of-way for a culvert project. The county supervisors are expected to name Jason Bring as the deputy county attorney, and approve the Plymouth County Drug and Alcohol policy for CDL employees.
High Speed Chase Results In Two Arrests
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputies were involved with a high-speed chase on Sunday. A Plymouth County Deputy attempted to stop a Mercury Milan vehicle traveling northbound near the intersection of K-22 & Lone Tree Rd. in southern Plymouth County for speeds in excess of 100 mph. The vehicle failed to stop for emergency lights and sirens and continued north on K-22 until coming to the north intersection of K-22 &
Hwy. 3. The vehicle then turned onto Hwy 3 and continued westbound towards Akron. At the intersection of Hwy 3 and Hwy 12 in Akron, the fleeing vehicle lost control and struck the railroad tracks on the west side of the intersection coming to a stop. The driver at the time of the accident, exited the vehicle and a short foot pursuit ensued, at which time he was
apprehended. The passenger remained in the car and was detained.
Due to the accident involved by the suspect vehicle, both occupants were transported to Hawarden Hospital by Akron Ambulance. After being medically released from the hospital, both subjects were placed under arrest and transported to the Plymouth Co. Jail.
Shawn E. Denney, age 52 of Sioux City was charged with Operating While Intoxicated 1st offense a serious misdemeanor, Eluding with Injury a class D felony, carrying a dangerous weapon (knife) with a blade exceeding 5 inches a serious misdemeanor, and driving while barred an aggravated misdemeanor. He was also arrested on two outstanding
Woodbury Co arrest warrants, one for Possession of a controlled
substance (methamphetamine) 2nd offense, and the second warrant for violation of pretrial release for controlled substance violation, carrying weapons-knife over 5 inches, and possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine 1st offense.
Nelitta R. Taylor, age 40 of Ireton, Iowa was charged with Driving while barred an aggravated misdemeanor and carrying a dangerous weapon (knife) with a blade exceeding 5 inches a serious misdemeanor. She was also arrested on two outstanding warrants from Dakota County Nebraska for Criminal Impersonation and failure to appear when on bail.
Grassley Concerned About Inflation
(Washington) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley is concerned about inflation taking place, along with the excessive spending being proposed by the Democrats who have the control in both chambers of Congress, along with the Biden administration. Grassley was asked if the federal government could do anything to help the housing situation with skyrocketing lumber prices? Grassley informed reporters during his Monday news conference that new homes cost on average $36,000 dollars more today than they did before the pandemic. Grassley says contractors are finding it difficult to get lumber supplies for construction projects. He inquired through the Senate Finance Committee as to why lumber supplies are in short supply, and why the cost of lumber continues to increase? The Iowa Republican senator says Biden must share a portion of the blame for the shortage of lumber because he wants to increase the tariff rate from lumber coming from Canada.
Grassley says interest rates will need to go higher to help keep inflation in check.
Farmers Have Until July 15th To Certify Crop Acres
(Le Mars) — Farmers have until a mid-July deadline to certify their planted crop acres with the Farm Services Agency as part of the U-S Department of Agriculture. Jeff Davis is the director for the Plymouth County F-S-A offices. Davis says it is important for farmers to certify their crop acres in order to participate in future USDA programs.
Davis reminds farmers that they need to certify all acres, and not just program crop acres.
Up until this past weekend, Plymouth County had been very dry and was listed as having severe drought conditions. The dry conditions prompt livestock producers to inquire if they are eligible to “hay and graze” their set-aside conservation acres.
As for receiving any type of emergency disaster payments as a result of last week’s hail storm, Davis says typically, in order for the county farmers to qualify, at least 30 percent of the county’s crops had to have been impacted.
Davis wants farmers to remember the July 15th deadline to certify their planted crops.
NW Iowa Man Pleads Not Guilty To Kidnapping And Assault Charges
(Sioux City, IA) — A 20-year-old man from northwest Iowa has entered a plea of not guilty to charges he used homemade chloroform to kidnap his former girlfriend earlier this month. Zack Smith of Bronson is accused of using the chemical compound, a blindfold, duct tape, and zip ties to kidnap the victim. Smith was out on bond for a previous charge of false imprisonment at the time involving the same victim. A jury trial in Woodbury County is scheduled to be held August 17th.
Protesters Disrupt DSM City Council Again; 1 Arrested
(Des Moines, IA) — A group of protesters has disrupted a Des Moines City Council meeting again – this time one protester was arrested. Several people spoke out against a new rule requiring those who want to speak to submit written requests to provide input instead of verbal requests. At one point, Mayor Frank Cownie asked audience members to leave the room after they had demanded a discussion of a consent agenda item related to hiring an outside firm to provide police de-escalation training. Following a quick recess, council members gave unanimous approval to a resolution supporting the city’s police chief and city manager.
Iowa Authorities Look For 2 Persons Of Interest In Waterloo Homicide
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa authorities say they are looking for two persons of interest in a Waterloo homicide last month. Investigators say Dayton Matlock was killed and two women were injured in a shooting. Authorities are searching for Marcus Sykes and Shireca Wilson. Police say the two may still be together, but at least one of them is believed to have fled to Des Moines. Authorities haven’t said what led up to the shooting.
Driver Ignores Road Signs, Car Gets Stuck In Wet Concrete
(Fort Dodge, IA) — Fort Dodge police say this shows why you need to pay attention to road signs. A 37-year-old Webster City woman failed to obey a traffic control device Monday, driving past barriers – and ending up with her car stuck in wet concrete. Construction crews had blocked off the road to repair the concrete surface. The woman’s name hasn’t been released. Construction workers say they tried to stop her, but she kept going until her car wouldn’t go any farther. The driver told police she had been following G-P-S instructions and she had seen other drivers pass through the location.
City Of Eldon, Iowa Still Cleaning Up After Flash Flooding
(Eldon, IA) — Eldon’s mayor says the recovery continues from a flash flood Thursday night that swept out a concrete pier and collapsed a 40-foot section of sewer pipe. Mayor Jerry Lee Potts says between seven-and-a-half to 11 inches of rain fell in a two-hour period, and it is fortunate that no one was killed. Potts says city hall had three feet more rain than during the flood of 1993.
Swea City Man Charged In Neighbor’s Death
(Swea City, IA) — A 51-year-old Swea City man has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of his neighbor. Court documents indicate there was an argument between 41-year-old Casey Tobin and his neighbor, Robert Dwaine Laverty, on April 3rd that eventually turned physical. The documents allege Tobin was intoxicated and he hit Laverty several times. Eyewitnesses told investigators Laverty struck back at Tobin, hitting him in the face, and Tobin fell backward and hit his head on the curb. Tobin died three days later.
Linn County Auditor Considering A Run For Higher Office
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Democrat Linn County Auditor, Joel Miller, says he is considering a run for Iowa Secretary of State against incumbent Republican Paul Pate. Miller says he is exploring and gathering data at this point as he doesn’t have a lot of information from western Iowa. Miller says the changes made in the state election law make it more inconvenient for some people to cast their votes. Miller was one of the county auditors in Iowa sued by the Trump Administration for sending out absentee ballot request forms that had voter information on them before the last election. The judge ruled absentee ballots sent out by Miller and other auditors were invalid.
Three Charged After Stolen Car’s Computer Shut down
(Altoona, IA) — Three people from central Iowa face multiple charges after a chase involving a vehicle reported stolen from Adventureland ended in Wapello County when the onboard computer system shut it down. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office says it received word of Mahaska County authorities pursuing a stolen vehicle on Highway 63 around 5:26 Wednesday afternoon. Eighteen-year-old Rondjja Martin of Windsor Heights, 20-year-old Beyonce Davis of Clive, and 20-year-old Joseph Kelly of Des Moines were each charged with first-degree theft and interference with official acts. Kelly was also charged with ongoing criminal conduct, harassment of public officers and employees, and criminal trespass.
