County Supervisors Approve Grant Request Application For Plywood Trail
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 2 in favor of approving a grant application through the state funded REAP program which, if approved by REAP officials would be applied to the construction of the Plywood Recreational Trail between Le Mars and Merrill. The discussion on the topic became contentious at times. Supervisor Craig Anderson stated he had some questions for the Plywood Trail officials and the engineering firm behind the project, starting with DOT certifications.
Brett Langley an engineering consultant with McClure Engineering Firm, the company that is responsible for the trail’s proposed route tried to clarify the position involving the Iowa DOT with a portion of the trail that has been given approval for construction.
Anderson mentioned he had spoken with NIPCO officials and says it was his understanding that NIPCO was most concerned about security.
Anderson who has a farm next to the proposed route that would run parallel to Highway 75 shared his reasons for opposing the project.
Anderson says he is not opposed to bicycle trails. He made the suggestion to get the trail away from the highway.
Supervisor Mike Van Otterloo reminded his fellow supervisors that the application is for the grant itself, not necessarily for the trail in general.
Supervisors Van Otterloo, Meis, and Horton voted in favor of the measure while Kass and Anderson opposed it.
School Starts Today (Wednesday)
(Le Mars) — Today is the start of school for both Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic. Dr. Steve Webner, the superintendent for the Le Mars Community School District says masks will not be mandated for students and staff.
Dr. Webner says if parents wish to have their children wear a mask during school hours that would also be acceptable. s
Health department officials still advocate masks need to be worn on public transportation. So the question is, “Does school buses fall into the category of public transportation?”
The school superintendent says new this year, students will not have the option to participate in classes through the internet on-line.
Webner says the students will be greeted by 21 new faculty and staff faces.
Grassley Criticizes August 31st Withdrawal Date From Afghanistan
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley says the withdrawal of U-S forces from Afghanistan should not be rushed. Grassley told reporters, “whatever Trump or Biden wanted to do on reducing the number of troops or pulling out, they should have never set a date.” The Trump administration negotiated an agreement in early 2020 that called for a withdrawal by May 1st of this year. This spring, President Biden said the withdrawal would happen by September 11th, but in July Biden moved up the timeline to the end of August. Grassley said “it seems to me common sense would dictate…you’d do all that without letting the enemy know what you’re doing. …Any artificial deadline would lead to sure death for a lot of people that don’t deserve it.” The Iowa Republican called it “a big mistake” for President Obama to release five Taliban prisoners from Cuba in a swap for an American hostage and for President Trump to agree to a prisoner swap of five-thousand Taliban for about a thousand people held by the Taliban.
Iowa State Fair Attendance Tops 1 Million
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa State Fair attendance topped one-million people in its return after being canceled by COVID in 2020. The one-million-94-thousand-480 visitors over the 11 days is about 76-thousand fewer than the 2019 State Fair. Spokesperson Mindy Williamson said we didn’t know what to expect in 2021 after not having a fair in 2020, so all of our expectations were just blown away with all of the people who came out to the fair this year. She says the ongoing COVID concerns were a part of that. Williamson says they had plenty of space to spread out outdoors, and we saw people wearing their masks outdoors and indoors if they felt more comfortable doing that. She says the weather cooperated and let them finish strong on the final Saturday and Sunday.
Reynolds Awarding $8.6 Million in Federal Funds to Schools For Mental Health Services
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds says more than eight-point-six-million dollars in federal relief funds will be awarded to Iowa schools for mental health services. The Iowa Department of Education will provide grants to 64 school districts to provide mental health support for students and families. Reynolds says this investment is not only about adapting to the challenges we face today, but it will help schools expand support systems to secure better outcomes moving forward. A total of 130 grant applications were received. Applicants had to demonstrate unique student and family mental health needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority consideration was given to applicant districts proposing to provide direct mental health services to students and families.
Man Arrested For Exposing Himself at Muscatine High School
(Muscatine, IA) — A man is accused of exposing himself to female students at Muscatine High School. Officers say 35-year-old Jacob Morales was arrested for indecent exposure Monday after they were provided his description from the alleged victims. Morales fled the school before police arrived and was later taken into custody during a traffic stop. He faces at least five counts of indecent exposure and investigators believe there could be more victims. Anyone with information about Morales is asked to contact the Muscatine Police Department.
Federal Judge Dismisses Iowa Pork Producers’ Argument
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — The challenge of a California animal confinement law has been dismissed by a federal judge in Iowa. The so-called “Proposition 12” goes into effect next January. It will bar California businesses from selling pork from pigs that were confined “in a cruel manner.” That means giving each breeding pig less than 24 square feet of space. Iowa pork producers had contended complying with that law would sharply increase their costs. Federal Judge C-J Williams ruled there was no proof California intended to harm pork producers in Iowa when Prop-12 was passed.
Murder Suspect Stopped, Arrested In Sac County
(Ames, IA) — Ames police have identified the 32-year-old Des Moines woman found dead in an apartment last week. Investigators say Maria L. Hanian was the victim of a homicide. Twenty-six-year-old Oscar Chavez of Ames was stopped by authorities in Sac County and taken into custody. Chavez faces a charge of first-degree murder in Hanian’s death. Authorities in Ames say the investigation is continuing. Hanian’s body was found Thursday while officers made a requested welfare check. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Chavez is being held in the Story County Jail.
Public Health Officials: COVID Cases Increasing Significantly In Cedar Rapids Area
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Public health officials say COVID-19 cases are increasing significantly in the Cedar Rapids area. The chief medical officer at Mercy Medical Center says the hospital’s pediatric unit was moved last week to convert an entire floor for the care of COVID patients. Doctor Tony Meyers says Mercy Medical had an average of one to four patients on any given day in June and July. Now, it has 33 people being treated. He compares the current situation to the surge last November. Sixty-three percent of Linn County residents are fully vaccinated. Officials say they’d like to see that number hit 90 percent.
Ambitious Plans For HyVee Distribution Center Have Some People Worried
(Cumming, IA) — The ambitious plans for a HyVee distribution center in Cumming have some people in the rural community worried. A zoning change is clearing the way for the construction of a huge warehouse and distribution center alongside Interstate 35. HyVee company officials say the new facility would generate about 273 jobs. Construction is expected to take two to three years. Local government officials say the complex would more than double the city’s current taxable property valuation. Opponents worry about losing the rural feel of living there and make the community of about 450 residents just another Des Moines suburb. HyVee plans include the possibility of up to two million square feet of warehouse space at that location at a future date.
