PlyWood Trail Foundation Holds Ground Breaking Ceremonies For New Recreational Trail
(Merrill) — What has been a dream for many years is now starting to become a reality. PlyWood Trail Foundation held ground breaking ceremonies at Merrill Tuesday afternoon for the start of the recreational trail that will ultimately connect Le Mars to Sioux City while also connecting the communities of Merrill and Hinton. Approximately 30 people attended the ground breaking ceremony. Ryan Meyer, chairman of the PlyWood Trail Foundation says he is excited to see the project move forward. Myers says the project goes back even before 2015. Meyer says actual construction on the trail will begin within the next few days.
Mike Wells of Wells Enterprises also spoke at Tuesday’s ground breaking ceremony. Wells admits he is a bicycle enthusiast, having competed in Tri-athon events, Wells has donated several thousand dollars to the project. He informed the gathering that the trail will add quality to life, and with the Plywood trail, along with other proposed bicycle trails in and around Sioux City, that northwest Iowa will become a destination for avid bicyclists.
Wells continued to expand on his comments regarding this area becoming a destination.
According to a news release issued by the Plywood Trail Foundation, $4 million dollars has been raised to support the recreational trail effort from a variety of both public and private sources. Every dollar the Plywood Trail Foundation is able to raise has the ability to be matched by both state and federal funds. Although a final trail has yet to be announced, organizers hope to connect to Sioux City by 2023.
Former Sheriff’s Deputy To Stand Trial
(Le Mars) — Former Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputy, Aaron Leusink is set to stand trial on January 4th with the Iowa attorneys general office prosecuting. Leusink was charged back in 2020 for multiple felony burglaries on and off duty, as well as drug charges but trial has been delayed multiple times.
Wheeler Says He Will Seek House Seat From New District 4
(Orange City) — There won’t be a Republican primary in Iowa House District 3 after all. State Representative Skyler Wheeler of Orange City has announced he will seek a fourth term to the Iowa House in the newly created House District 4. That avoids a primary with Republican colleague, Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars. Wheeler posted on Facebook that he didn’t make the decision lightly, and his original plan of staying in Orange City is no more. Wheeler says it’s best to avoid spending tens of thousands of dollars in a primary that could be avoided when that money should go towards defeating Democrats and keeping strong conservative voices in the Iowa House. Dr. Jeneary says Wheeler has shown great courage in moving his family into a new district, and gives Wheeler his total support. The new House district 4 includes Sioux Center, and the northern portion of Sioux County, and all of Lyon County. Wheeler currently represents a portion of the district, including the towns of Rock Valley, Hull, and Sioux Center. The Wheeler family plans to move north in the coming months.
Kirchoff And Knapp Hold Their Last City Council Meeting
(Le Mars) — Tuesday, marked the end of an era as Mayor Dick Kirchoff and City Council member Rex Knapp attended their last city council meeting in the official capacity of mayor and council member. Kirchoff has been the mayor of Le Mars for the past 14 years, while Knapp has served on the city council for the past 28 years.
City administration held a retirement party Tuesday morning in honor of Kirchoff, Knapp, Ken Nelson, and for retiring waste water treatment superintendent, Ron Kayser. The newly elected council members including Clark Goodchild, Mark Sturgeon, and Brian Bruns took the oath of office as they were sworn into duty by District Court Judge Daniel Vakulskas. Also taking the oath of office today were the newly elected Floyd Valley Healthcare Trustees, Kelli Flack and Craig Bauerly. The last person to be sworn into office was Mayor elect, Rob Bixenman.
Bixenman, and the others that took the oath of office will begin their duties on January 1st.
Crop Advantage Meetings Are Now Scheduled
LE MARS, Iowa – After a year hiatus, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will again offer the Crop Advantage Series to producers at 14 locations across Iowa during January 2022, starting with Sheldon on Jan. 4.
At these conferences, ISU Extension and Outreach specialists and field agronomists present the latest crop production research and information for the upcoming growing seasons to producers, agronomists, and industry leaders.
“There is no other program during the year when this many extension specialists present information at one location as occurs at Crop Advantage meetings,” said Joel DeJong, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach in Northwest Iowa. “In 2020, nearly 2,000 individuals attended one of the meetings across the state, representing all 99 Iowa counties and surrounding states. Eighty-four percent of attendees responding to follow-up surveys said information from Crop Advantage would likely save them between $5 and $20 per acre.”
Each Crop Advantage Series location has a slightly different agenda, with sessions held Jan. 4 in Sheldon, Jan. 5 in Storm Lake, Jan. 11 in Okoboji, Jan. 26 in Le Mars, and Jan. 27 in Denison. The agenda generally features two morning keynote speakers and a customizable afternoon schedule, but agendas do vary.
For example, DeJong said that the Sheldon, Storm Lake, Okoboji and Le Mars location will feature two morning keynote speakers. Extension Entomologist Erin Hodgson will begin the day at 10:00 am with “Management Strategies for Corn Rootworm.” Dr. Chad Hart, ISU Ag Economist, will follow with a session titled “2022 Crop Market Outlook.” After lunch, three 50-minute time periods where attendees can choose from three topics offered during each period, allows attendees to create their own educational agenda during the meeting. Topics include nutrient input decisions, weed management for 2022, gall midge and fall armyworm management, how cover crops and row spacing alter weed competition, carbon markets, on-farm research results and more.
“Every farm situation is unique, and that is why a menu of strategies is available for producers to choose from as they look to control costs, maintain or enhance productivity and search for profitability,” DeJong said.
All Crop Advantage Series meetings are approved for Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education credits, and every location offers the opportunity for private pesticide applicators to receive continuing education credits. To qualify for the pesticide continuing education, an individual must attend all day and add the session offered for this at the end of the day. The cost for the CCA credit or the pesticide continuing education is built into the registration cost of the conference.
Early registration for each location is $60; late registration made less than seven days prior to the meeting or on-site is $75. Registration also includes lunch and printed proceedings. Online registration and additional information are available at http://www.cropadvantage.org/ or from your local ISU Extension and Outreach office. DeJong reminds attendees that agendas will vary by site, so it is important to check out those details at the website above.
House Democrats Propose Tax Cuts For Middle Class Iowans
(Des Moines, IA) — The top Democrat in the Iowa House says it would be an extreme step to eliminate the state income tax — a move Governor Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators have said is their long-term goal. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst (KAWN’-first) of Windsor Heights says she and her colleagues are developing their own proposal for tax cutting. Konfrst said, “we’re here to find solutions…so if there’s going to be a tax cut, let’s do is responsibly and let’s make sure that it affects the people who need it the most.” She says tax cuts should be targeted to provide relief for middle class Iowans. The 2022 legislative session begins January 10th.
Ex-Webster County Correctional Officer Accused of Helping Prisoner Escape
(Fort Dodge, IA) — A now former employee of the Webster County Jail is accused of helping a prisoner escape on December 11th. Authorities began investigating the escape of 43-year-old Jordan Mefferd of Fort Dodge from the jail and his eventual return. Former correctional officer — 30-year-old Michelle Valenti of Fort Dodge — is charged with permitting a prisoner to escape, introducing contraband, introducing electric contraband, furnishing a controlled substance and sexual misconduct with offenders. Valenti is being held on a 22-thousand-dollar cash bond after making her first court appearance this (Tuesday) morning. Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener said the investigation is continuing and any other employees that may have violated policies or protocols will be addressed accordingly along with criminal charges.
New Owner Promises 8 Additional Rides At Adventureland For 2022 Season
(Altoona, IA) — The new owner of Adventureland is promising eight additional family rides at the resort for the 2022 season. Pittsburgh-based Palace Entertainment is buying the Altoona theme park after the Krantz family owned it for more than 47 years. Palace is described as one of the leading global operators of amusement parks with more than 60 locations around the world. Adventureland has more than 100 rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. Starting with the new season, Adventureland Platinum Season Passholders will be able to visit the company’s sister parks, including Noah Ark’s Waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells, and Kennywood near Pittsburgh.
Des Moines Woman Arrested, Accused Of Defrauding Immigrants In $57K Scheme
(Des Moines, IA) — Police have arrested a 46-year-old Des Moines woman accusing her of defrauding immigrants in a 57-thousand-dollar scheme. Nancy Veronica Sandoval is being held on suspicion of first-degree theft, conspiracy, and ongoing criminal conduct. Investigators say they opened the case in August when detectives heard about a person in Texas claiming to be an immigration attorney and promising to expedite citizenship for cash. Twelve to 14 victims have been identified, but police say there may be more. Sandoval and her co-conspirators are accused of operating the scam for three months ending in late summer.
Eastern Iowa Authorities Seek Teen Who Escaped Custody
(Waterloo, IA) — Authorities in eastern Iowa are searching for a teenager who was able to escape custody Monday. Seventeen-year-old Simon Gerson was being transported to the Northern Iowa Juvenile Detention Center at the time. He had been at the Polk County Courthouse for a hearing. Gerson faces charges of attempted murder, going armed with intention, willful injury causing serious injury, and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. The report doesn’t say how he was able to get free in Waterloo.
SW Iowa Business Owner Sentenced To 30 Years For Sex Trafficking, Drug Crimes
(Council Bluffs, IA) — A southwest Iowa business owner has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after being convicted of sex trafficking and drug crimes in July. Seventy-one-year-old Hershal James Ratliff owned Jimmy’s All-American Diner and some rental properties in Council Bluffs. Federal prosecutors say they identified several victims who had been in high school when they encountered Ratliff. Investigators say he used his properties as places to recruit and groom victims. They say he convinced them to engage in sex acts with him and his friends in return for money, alcohol, or drugs.
Public Celebration of Life Planned for Decorah High School Students Killed in Crash
(Decorah, IA) — The public is invited to a celebration of life Thursday night at Decorah High School for two students killed in a weekend crash. The Iowa State Patrol said a car driven by 18-year-old Dalton Hemesath went into the ditch and rolled three times Friday night in Winneshiek County. All five occupants were thrown from the vehicle. State troopers say Hemesath and 18-year-old Karter Einck died at the scene. Seventeen-year-olds Emmit Stemper and Brenden Hunter and 18-year-old David Kreitzer were airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. Decorah Superintendent Mark Lane people in the community are supporting each other during this difficult time.
ISU Police Chief Wants New Facility for Department
(Ames, IA) — The head of Iowa State University’s Public Safety Department says it’s time to find a new facility. Campus Police Chief Michael Newton says they’re in the Armory right now and the very old building is “not situated right for law enforcement.” The 1920’s Armory has been expanded and renovated over the years and, at one time, was where Cyclone basketball and wrestling teams practiced and hosted games and matches. Chief Newton says we’ve gotten the funding to some improvements and things that we need to do, but in the long term we need to find something that is more suited for law enforcement. In the first 10 months of the year, Iowa State Campus Police made nearly 27-hundred traffic stops and responded to more than 15-thousand emergency calls on the Ames campus.
