Snow Still Being Predicted To Happen Friday Afternoon And Evening
(Sioux Falls) — Round one of Friday’s snow and sleet storm has already passed through Le Mars and all of northwest Iowa. Here in Le Mars, instead of the predicted snow, the storm instead produced sleet, which left our highways and roads with icy, slick conditions. For an update on the weather predictions, we again turned to Phillip Schumacher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services of Sioux Falls. Schumacher says round two of today’s winter storm is still being predicted for later this afternoon.
Schumacher says the heaviest of the snow and sleet was around Storm Lake heading east to Interstate 35, and going south to Des Moines.
Around the Plymouth County area, the early morning precipitation fell as sleet, which caused icy conditions. Schumacher says weather officials thought the early morning precipitation would have been in the form of snow.
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office says they only had one report of a vehicle sliding into the ditch as a result of the icy roads.
Governor Reynolds Proposes Trigger For Corporate Income Tax Cut
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing a way to trigger corporate income tax cuts in Iowa. The governor did not mention cutting taxes for corporations during her Condition of the State address , but her plan is included in a budget report submitted to lawmakers. If Iowa corporations pay more than 700- million dollars in state income taxes this year, Reynolds proposes lowering the top corporate income tax rate next year. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights said it’s a break for only the most profitable corporations that would not help small businesses across the state. House Speaker Pat Grassley has said House Republicans are focused on personal income tax cuts this year.
Prairie City Police Chiefs Dies From COVID Complications
(Prairie City, IA) — The Prairie City Police Department is mourning the loss of its chief. The city says Police Chief Michael German died Thursday from COVID-19 complications. The passing of Chief German is considered a line of duty death. Acting Chief Matt Davenport says Chief German served the citizens of Prairie City since 2014. Davenport says German will be greatly missed.
Western Iowa Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Interstate 80
(Menlo, IA) — An Adair County man is dead after a motorcycle accident late Thursday night in western Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 59-year-old Jay Zimmerline of Fontanelle died in the crash that occurred around 11:30 on I-80 westbound near Menlo. The motorcycle he was riding went out of control and entered the median before hitting the cable barrier. Troopers say Zimmerline was thrown from the machine and died from his injuries at the scene. His body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny.
Davenport Man Gets 25 Years For Deadly Protest Shooting
(Davenport, IA) — A Davenport man is sentenced to 25 years in prison for a fatal shooting after a May 2020 protest following the death of George Floyd. Scott County prosecutors say Parker Belz pleaded guilty in the shooting death of 22-year-old Italia Kelly. Police said Kelly was a passenger in a vehicle leaving the protest when Belz fired a shot that struck her in the torso. He must serve more than 17 years of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. Belz was also ordered to pay 150-thousand dollars in restitution.
