Powerline Snagged Causing Hog Barn To Catch On Fire
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a call of a power line having been snagged and knocked down by a tractor and grain wagon with that power line still charged and draped on the tractor and people were inside the cab. That incident occurred Saturday afternoon at about 12:40 p.m. on Hedge Avenue near 140th Street, about eleven miles northwest of Le Mars. Once they arrived at the scene and requested the utility cooperative to shut off the power, in order to help the people safely out of the cab, a second problem then erupted at near the same location. Firefighters noticed a hog barn across the road had smoke coming from its roof ventilation system. Le Mars Fire and Rescue Chief Dave Schipper explains what had happened.
Schipper tells of how the hog barn had caught on fire.
Schipper says the people were fortunate to remain inside the tractor cab until such time the power was shut off, and as far as the hog barn, it had suffered only a small amount of damage. Schipper says they were fortunate not to have the event happened late at night, which would have caused more extensive damage to the hog barn.
Several people were without power for approximately 45 minutes. North West Rural Electric Cooperative and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.
Le Mars City Council Sets Date For Public Hearing Regarding Phase 2 Construction Project Of The Police Station
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials have established Tuesday, November 2nd as the date for a public hearing regarding the construction of Phase 2 of the Le Mars Police headquarters. Phase 2 would consist of 3700 square feet of construction inside the present-day police headquarters. The project would include a classroom to accommodate up to 45 people, and it would include a fitness and training center. Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte informed the city council the classroom is needed for a couple of reasons. Vande Vegte says the conference room inside the police station can hold only about 15 people. Vande Vegte says it is not large enough to have all the officers on staff gather for a meeting. In addition, Vande Vegte says by having the new classroom, it would allow Le Mars to host training seminars for other law enforcement agencies from the region. The estimated cost of the construction project is at $1.2 million dollars. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-December.
Le Mars City Council Holds Public Hearing On Proposed Speed Limits For 7th Avenue Southeast/ County Road K-49
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city council approved the first reading of changing the posted speed limits located on 7th Avenue southeast and County Road K-49. The action was conducted during the last city council meeting held on Tuesday. City council members heard some comments about the speed limits during the public hearing portion. First to speak on the topic was Pat Denney.
Denney is critical of the semi trucks that drive near her neighborhood, and she asked the city leaders if they could post signs indicating the speed limit is 25 mph.?
Denney invited Le Mars police officers and city council members to join her on her porch to watch the traffic to see for themselves how fast the traffic goes by her residence.
Steve Kolker was the next to address the issue with the city council.
City council member Clark Goodchild recommended the city install a sign indicating the speed of passing traffic, much like what is featured on Business Highway 75 past the municipal airport. Kolker agreed with Goodchild, and said such a sign would help slow down the traffic on 7th Avenue southeast and County Road K-49.
Councilman Rex Knapp reminded everyone the city council would need to address the topic and pass the ordinance resolution two more times before any action would start, or for speed limit signs to be posted.
City Council Approves The Hiring Of A City Clerk
(Le Mars) — During last week’s city council meeting, city leaders approved the hiring of Jan Feller as the new city clerk. Feller will begin her duties as the city clerk starting on November 1st. Since Beverly Langel’s retirement, city finance director, Jacob Widman had assumed those duties.
DNR Investigates Manure Spill
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a manure discharge about five miles south of Bloomfield in Davis County. The owner of a sow operation, Woodford Creek Farm, reported a possible manure discharge on Thursday afternoon following manure application. When DNR officials checked the site on Friday, the investigator found manure had flowed through underground tile lines, then over land until it reached a tributary of the South Wyaconda River. There’s very little water in the tributary. DNR recommended discing the field to incorporate manure and pumping manure-laden water from the tributary to prevent it from reaching the river. Because of low flows, DNR investigators do not expect a fish kill. They took water samples for testing. DNR will monitor cleanup and consider appropriate enforcement action.
Democrats Want Republicans To Approve Second Redistricting Plan
(Des Moines) — Iowa Democrats are calling on Republicans in the legislature to approve the second plan to establish new boundaries for congressional districts as well as districts for Iowa House and Senate seats. The redistricting plan was produced by the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency and state law does not allow lawmakers to amend this second plan. Iowa Democratic Party chairman Ross Wilburn of Ames is also a member of the Iowa House.
If the Republican-led legislature rejects Plan two for redistricting in a special session next Thursday, lawmakers would be able to amend the third plan produced by the Legislative Services Agency. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls (like “walls”) of Coralville says the agency addressed the concerns Republicans raised about the first plan and Plan two meets legal and constitutional requirements.
House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst (CON-first) of Windsor Heights is calling on Republican lawmakers to ensure redistricting is the only subject legislators vote on next Thursday. Groups opposed to vaccine mandates are asking Republicans to pass a state law forbidding those kind of requirements and Konfrst says there are rumors a bill on the topic may be introduced next Thursday.
The 2022 Iowa legislative session is scheduled to start on January 10th. Democrats held an online news conference Thursday afternoon. Republican legislative leaders issued written statements, thanking the Legislative Services Agency for the quick turn around on a second plan and saying they’re reviewing the maps to see if the districts are fair.
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Independence Police Investigating Death Of Woman
(Independence, IA) — Independence police are investigating the death of a woman Saturday. Police were called on the report of a medical emergency at an apartment and found an unresponsive 29-year-old woman. She was taken to the Buchanan County Health Center and was later died. Her name has not been released. An autopsy is planned at the State Medical Examiner’s office.
Two Companies Win State Incentives
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board has approved projects for companies in Waverly and Urbandale. Farm equipment manufacturer Unverferth in Shell Rock was awarded tax benefits. The company plans to expand its production space by 43-thousand square feet — and promises to create 30 jobs. WorldWide Logistics plans to construct its headquarters in Urbandale to accommodate 600 employees. The company was awarded tax benefits with the promise to create 111 jobs.
Area Code Required For 515, 319 Calls
(Undated) — If you try to dial a local number without the 5-1-5 or 3-1-9 area codes, the call will not go through today (Monday). The F-C-C ordered the change to ensure callers don’t accidentally dial the designated three-digit abbreviated dialing code of 9-8-8 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Calls dialed in the 5-1-5 and 3-1-9 area codes with the area code in them will not be completed. You may have to update your cellphone to add the area code to your contacts.
Striking Deere Workers To Get Strike Pay
(Undated) — This is the second full week of the strike by union workers against John Deere. U-A-W employees will soon start getting strike pay. The U-A-W says workers who do picket duty will get 55 dollars each day Monday through Friday. Union members who are current on their union dues and on the active payroll before the strike started are eligible for the 275 dollars each week. The U-A-W says negotiations restarted last week on a new contract.
