Home News KLEM News for Saturday, December 3

KLEM News for Saturday, December 3

IOWA CAUCUSES

A panel of national Democratic Party leaders has voted to eliminate Iowa’s Caucuses from its leading position in the party’s next presidential campaign. President Biden recommended that South Carolina’s Primary be the first voting event for Democrats in 2024.  Biden, in a letter to party leaders, said Caucuses prevent shift workers and others from participating because they’re held at a specific time and the party should no longer let states hold presidential caucuses. Scott Brennan, a former Iowa Democratic Party chairman, is one of only two members of the national party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee that voted against Biden’s recommendation.

Iowa Democrats have proposed mail-in voting in the weeks leading up to its 2024 Caucuses, with the results to be announced on Caucus Night. Brennan says dumping the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses sends a clear signal that Democrats have turned their backs on Iowa.

The panel is keeping New Hampshire and Nevada in the group of early voting states — and adding Georgia and Michigan to the mix.

 

BIRD FLU

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County, Iowa.

The virus was found in a commercial turkey flock.

This is the second time a bird flu outbreak has hit Buena Vista County this year.  In March, 4 poultry facilities reported cases of bird flu.  Three commercial turkey flocks, and a commercial flock of laying hens were affected.  Also in March, a flock of commercial layer chickens was reported in Osceola County, and a commercial turkey flock in Cherokee County were affected.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern.

 

CHRISTMAS PARADE

The annual lighted Christmas parade in Le Mars is Saturday night.

Joel Johnson organizes the event.  He says there have been some creative entries in recent years.

Johnson urges people to arrive early to get a good spot…

The parade usually draws 50 to 60 entries.  The entries are mixed at the parades starting point.  The LeMars lighted Christmas Parade begins at 6 pm this evening in downtown Le Mars.

Pioneer Village opens this weekend.  The Pioneer Village will be open from Dec 3-4, and then again on Dec. 10-11th The wonderland is open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

LE MARS ARRESTS

Two people were arrested Thursday as the result of a search warrant and several traffic stops.

Le Mars police served a search warrant at 327 6th St SW.  The Combined Emergency Response Team, or CERT, was activated for the search.

Meanwhile, several traffice stops were made by police, and Plymouth County Sheriffs Deputies.  A stolen war was recovered in this investigation.

34 year old Kelly Thomas Monell of Le Mars, and 27 year old Sydney Lynn Wozny of Sioux City face a variety of charges.  Monell was charged with possessing to distribute fentanyl; no drug stamp; OWI drugged; possession of drug paraphernalia, and second degree theft;

Wozny is charged with  interference with law officers, OWI drugged, and driving while suspended.  Both are also held on outstanding warrants – Monell from Woodbury County, and Wozny from Union County, South Dakota.

Both are held at the Plymouth County Jail.

 

IOWA HOUSING FUNDS

Governor Reynolds has awarded 20 million dollars in federal pandemic relief funds to 16 organizations that build and rehabilitate single-family homes or help Iowans make a down payment on a home.  A dozen Habitat for Humanity groups around the state are also getting grants to build 69 new houses.  Siouxland Habitat for Humanity will receive 1.3 million dollars affecting construction on six homes.