ICE CREAM DAYS
Today is the biggest day of Ice Cream Days in Le Mars. Dozens of activities are planned for today in and around the Olson Cultural Events Center. Here’s a rundown with Shannon Rodenberg.
HEAT ADVISORY
There is a Heat Advisory in effect for the area from 1 pm today to 10 pm Monday. Heat index values up to 105 are expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. High temperature today in Le Mars is forecast at 94 degrees. Sunday’s high is expected at 97, and Monday’s at 99.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY ROAD CONSTRUCTION
The Iowa Department of Transportation says a concrete overlay project on Iowa 3, from Le Mars to Remsen in Plymouth County will begin Monday. This will require lane closures during construction. Pilot cars will direct motorists through the work zone. This is a 7.9 millino dollar project, and it should be completed by July 1.
SEXUAL ASSAULT ARREST
The Sioux County Sheriffs Department has arrested an Inwood man on two sexual assault charges, after his release from prison. 33 year old Justin Van Veldhuizen was arrested on his release from the state corrections system on Thursday, on an unrelated sexual assault conviction. While incarcerated, a victim came forward, and reported that Van Veldhuizen had assaulted her at a residence southwest of Rock Valley. Deputies discovered the incident occurred years ago. Van Veldhuizen was taken to the Sioux County jail, and was charged with two counts of sexual assault.
RURAL ACCIDENT
An Ireton man was injured in a two vehicle accident yesterday. The State Patrol says 62 year old Robert Vander Hamm of rural Ireton was driving a XUV. He was stopped near his mail box, facing north on Dogwood Ave, when his vehicle was struck head on by a pickup heading south. Vander Hamm was injured, and was transported to Hawarden Hospital for treatment. The driver of the pickup, 55 year old Jeffrey Vonk of Ireton, was not injured.
IOWA ABORTION RULING
The Iowa Supreme Court has overturned its previous ruling on the Constitutional Right to Abortion. The Supreme Court reversed its 2018 ruling that the Iowa Constitution creates a fundamental right to an abortion. This ruling came after the Supreme Court reviewed the 24-hour waiting period for abortion that was passed in 2020. Planned Parenthood said the law was not legal under the 2018 court ruling, but the Supreme Court disagreed. The ruling says the Iowa Constitution is silent on the specific terms “abortion” and “pregnancy.” The High Court says there is no support for Planned Parenthood’s reading that the due process clause of the Consitution provides a fundamental protection for abortion.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND CHILD CARE BILLS
Governor Kim Reynolds signed several bills into law while appearing Thursday at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s annual convention in Dubuque. One bill shortens the amount of time Iowans can receive unemployment from 26 weeks to 16, and requires the unemployed to take a lower-paying job more quickly. Reynolds argued that the safety net instituted during the pandemic was leading people to not take jobs, thereby worsening the workforce shortage. The changes to unemployment rules go into effect July First. The governor also signed a bill aimed at expanding the number and affordability of childcare slots in the state.
PIPE-TOMAHAWK RETURNED
Members of the Ponca Tribes of Nebraska and Oklahoma went to Harvard University earlier this month to receive an artifact from Chief Standing Bear. The Ponca leader was involved in a landmark 19th century federal court case in Omaha which determined Native Americans had civil rights. A ceremony was held at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to return Standing Bear’s pipe-tomahawk. It was originally gifted to his attorney, John Lee Webster. The Ponca Tribe still counts a number of the chief’s descendants as members.
