Odd-Even Parking Ordinance Begins Today (November 1st)
(Le Mars) — The city’s odd/even parking ordinance begins today, and will continue through April 1st. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says enforcement will be all season long, regardless of whether or not there is snow on the ground.
Vande Vegte says 6:00 p.m. is the start of the odd-even parking ordinance and continues until 6:00 p.m. the following night. Vande Vegte says the parking ordinance is in effect for the entire city, whether it is downtown, or in the residential areas.
Polling Times Have Changed From Past Elections
(Le Mars) — Election day is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, November 2nd. There are a few changes, starting with the time the polls are open. Voting will occur between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. In previous elections, voting would extend until 9:00, but again, this year the polls will close at 8:00 p.m. Voting locations are the same as they were two years ago during the presidential election. You will need to give your name, address, and also a photo identification card. If you have not previously registered, or if you have moved and your identification card doesn’t show your new address, you will also need to bring along with you a mail item that verifies your address, such as a bank statement or utility bill. Residents living in communities and towns will vote for both city council and mayor races, as well as for the board of education candidates. Those people residing in rural regions will vote only for board of education candidates. Today, Monday is the last day you can vote absentee. All absentee ballots need to be returned to the county auditor’s office no later than 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 2nd. All Le Mars residents will cast their vote at the lower level of the Le Mars Convention Center. For a listing of the polling locations, click on the “News” tab of the KLEM website, and scroll down to “Election information.”
Derailment Blocks Highway, Train Tracks Near Carlisle
(Carlisle, IA) — A Friday night train derailment blocked a section of Highway 5 southeast of Carlisle and stopped traffic on that segment of track all weekend. Union Pacific has a team on the scene. Local officials say they expect the track to be open by early this week. About 20 cars jumped the tracks and rolled down a hillside. No injuries have been reported and no hazardous chemicals were spilled. The derailed cars were reportedly carrying lumber and dry goods. Operators and heavy machinery were involved in the clearing of the tracks starting Saturday morning. The Iowa DNR is investigating the derailment site to determine if there are environmental concerns.
Open Enrollment Begins For Iowans Seeking Coverage Through The Affordable Care Act
(Des Moines, IA) — Today (Monday) is the first day for open enrollment for Iowans seeking health coverage through the federal Affordable Care Act. Plans are offered in all 99 counties in the state through Wellmark and Medica. The insurance company Oscar offers plans in 25 counties. Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says people should start the enrollment process early. That gives them more time to find the plan that fits their needs best and to discover what tax credits they may be eligible to access. Open enrollments runs through January 15th.
Des Moines Mayor Pushing Leaders For Commitments To Deal With Climate Change
(Glasgow, GB) — Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie is in Glasgow, Scotland this week, pushing world leaders to make stronger commitments to dealing with climate change. Cownie is president of the group Local Government for Sustainability. He says it acts as an advisor on the local impact of climate change for the United Nations. The Des Moines City Council has adopted a goal to use all carbon-free electricity by 2035 and for the city to reach net-zero emissions 15 years after that. Cownie says it is important for those leaders to understand the costs for local governments to adapt at the same time climate change is making storms more serve.
SpaceX Delays Flight Carrying Astronaut From Iowa To Wednesday
(Cape Canaveral, FL) — Weather has caused SpaceX to delay its flight carrying an astronaut from Iowa to Wednesday. Raja Chari was among three NASA astronauts and one European Space Agency astronaut scheduled to take off early Sunday morning. They will be part of a six-month mission to the International Space Station. Chari grew up in Cedar Falls and will serve as commander for the mission. The forecast for the Kennedy Space Center was nearly perfect Sunday, but a large storm was present farther up the coast in the Northeast – forcing the delay.
