Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office Releases Additional Information On Thursday Morning Accident
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has released additional information regarding the two-vehicle accident that occurred at about 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of County Road C-16 and Hickory Avenue. Upon arrival it was determined that a 2014 Buick Lacrosse owned and operated by Kristine Kluver had been going south bound on Hickory Avenue north of County Road C-16. A 2007 Sterling dump truck owned by Plymouth County Secondary Roads and operated by Arlie Pick was heading west bound on C-16 at the same intersection. For unknown reason, Kluver entered the intersection in front of Pick. Impact was made in the intersection at which time both vehicles entered the south ditch west of Hickory Avenue. Kluver had to be extricated from her vehicle by the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department. Kluver was then transported to Floyd Valley Healthcare with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Pick was transported by the Ireton Ambulance to Floyd Valley Healthcare to be evaluated. At this time no citations have been issued, and the accident remains under investigation.
St. John’s Lutheran Church To Host “Blue Christmas” Worship Service
(Le Mars) — Christmas is a time for renewed hope, but unfortunately, it is not always filled with joy for everyone. For many, the holidays for one reason or another can be a depressing time. To counter those feelings, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Le Mars will again be hosting their annual “Blue Christmas” Worship Services. The special service is scheduled for this coming Sunday, December 5th beginning at 3:00 p.m. Mike Rathke serves as the church’s musical director and explains the purpose of the “Blue Christmas” worship services.
Rathke says the Blue Christmas service has been around for a few years.
Rathke talks more about the special service aimed at those people feeling depressed.
The St. John’s Lutheran Church musical director explains how the “Blue Christmas” worship service is different from other holiday-themed worship services.
Rathke says everyone is welcome to attend the “Blue Christmas” service beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Young Hired As New Plymouth County Extension Director
Le Mars, IA – Darby Young began with ISU Extension and Outreach – Plymouth County on November 29 as the County Director. He will oversee programming needs of the county, specifically coordinating ag programs and community development programs from Iowa State University. Young comes to Extension with a background in higher education with experience as an educational coordinator and educational advisor working at institutions including Morningside College and WITCC. He holds three degrees from Iowa State University including a Masters and PhD in education.
Peters Announces Candidacy For State House District 13
(Le Mars) — Now that the state legislature has approved the new Legislative Services Agency re-districting map, candidates seeking election are announcing their intentions of running for a political office. Mark Peters of Cleghorn has announced he will seek election to the Iowa House of Representatives in District 13 as a Republican. The district covers western Cherokee County, southern Plymouth County, 19 of the 24 townships in Woodbury County and all of Monona County. The new district does not have an incumbent representative. Peters is a life-long resident of District 13 and a fifth generation farmer. Peters says, “Thanks to Governor Reynolds, House and Senate leadership, our state is moving in the right direction. Peters says if he is elected, he plans to continue these policies that have turned our state around allowing for investment in economic development, housing, childcare, and historic tax cuts. Peters says he is working to be the next state representative to listen to the concerns and ideas of my constituents, and find solutions.”
State of Iowa Catches 2 Fraudulent Claims For $200 Million in Tax Refunds
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Revenue has caught fraudulent claims for 200-million dollars in state income tax refunds. A source in the agency says the two claims came from what appears to be the same source in late November. The suspect claims for those state income tax refunds were detected and no money was paid out. The Iowa Department of Revenue’s spokesman said in a statement the agency has “strong and effective fraud detection procedures in place” and the department is “encouraging Iowa taxpayers and tax professionals” to be vigilant about protecting their personal information by creating strong passwords and spotting phishing attempts in email and text messages. The 200-million dollars’ worth of false state income tax refund claims were included in the overall November estimate the Department of Revenue provided to the Legislative Services Agency, but the money was never paid.
Axne Announces $110 Million For Upgrading Water Systems and Infrastructure
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Cindy Axne says Iowa is receiving the first 110-million-dollar investment from the bi-partisan infrastructure package. The money through the State Revolving Fund will be used to upgrade Iowa’s aging water infrastructure and addresses challenges like lead in the state’s drinking water. Axne says Iowa will get more than 600-million dollars over the next five years to invest in clean drinking water and create jobs by replacing miles of lead pipes and other water projects. Democrat Axne and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley were the only members of Iowa’s congressional delegation to support the one-point-two-trillion-dollar infrastructure law.
Fire Destroys Boyhood Home of Ringling Brothers in Northeast Iowa
(McGregor, IA) — The boyhood home of the world-famous Ringling Brothers in northeast Iowa is considered a total loss after a fire. Someone walking by the rural McGregor home discovered the fire Thursday morning. Officials say the structure was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived and was destroyed. A mother and two kids who lived in the home escaped uninjured, along with their three dogs. The Ringling Brothers and their only sister lived out part of their childhood in the home along the Mississippi River from 1860 to 1873. The family eventually moved to Wisconsin, where five of the seven brothers started a small circus in Baraboo. Charles and John Ringling would later purchase a competing circus founded by P-T Barnum and James Bailey. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus operated for 98 years before closing in 2017.
Van Passenger Killed in Collision With Farm Tractor in Humboldt County
(Bode, IA) — A woman from Bode is dead after a vehicle collided with a farm tractor pulling hay in Humboldt County. The Iowa State Patrol says a van driven by David Eddington, Senior of Bode struck the rear of a tractor pulling a large round bale trailer Wednesday afternoon. State troopers say van passenger Pamela Eddington died in the crash. The driver suffered minor injuries. The man operating the tractor and other passengers in the van weren’t hurt.
