GARAGE FIRE
Le Mars Fire Rescue was called around 11:30 to a garage fire at 800 4th Ave SE in LeMars. Materials in the garage started on fire, but there was minimal damage reported. There were also no injuries reported. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. Fire crews were on the scene about a half hour.
L.O.S.T. RESOLUTION
Iowa has a one cent Local Option Sales Tax. Communities statewide have adopted the tax, and use the funds raised by it for local infrastructure or property tax relief. But that tax is threatened by a proposed state law. The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors Tuesday passed a resolution in support of the LOST tax. Their resolution warns that the proopsed law, Senate file 550 would convert the Local Option Sales Tax to a statewide sales tax, and eliminate the LOST by the year 2025. The Resolution says the bill as currently proposed,would not only “strip the county of control over LOST revenues, but effectively disregard the will of the voters.” The resolution passed unanimously.
FEINSTEIN REPLACEMENT
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is joining fellow Republicans in opposing an effort to temporarily replace Senator Diane Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, as the California Democrat extends her leave of absence due to a bout with shingles. Grassley denounces Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, who’s asking for a so-called “courtesy” move that would see Democrats appointing someone else to that powerful panel for a matter of several weeks.
Grassley says Feinstein is being singled out because of her age. She’s 89, the same age as Grassley.
Grassley says it’s “just a cruel thing” to say Feinstein is incapable of performing her duties and he’s confident she’ll return soon. She’s already been out for six weeks and is recovering at home.
Feinstein, the oldest current member in Congress, is about three months older than Grassley.
FIRE/RESCUE PROPERTY
The Le Mars City Council Tuesday approved the purchase of property in the southwest part of the city, to help Le Mars Fire/Rescue plan for construction of a new fire station. Fire/Rescue Chief Dave Schipper says the location will be ideal for building a new fire station.
Schipper says they have some ideas for the property, but no formal proposal for a fire station.
Schipper says this is the first time they will plan a firehouse, not renovate an existing building. This would allow personnel to be dispersed between the downtown fire house and a potential new structure..
The timeline for construction of a new fire station is under discussion with city officials.
Chief Dave Schipper says it’s a big step for the Department.
The new parcel is located along 12th St SW, and would serve a growing area of the city.
GOVERNOR APPOINTMENTS
The Iowa Senate has voted to confirm dozens of appointments Governor Kim Reynolds has made to state boards and commissions as well as four year terms for several of her state agency directors.
The board that governs the three state universities will have a new member on May 1st. All 34 Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to confirm the governor’s nomination of Robert Cramer to serve on the Board of Regents. Cramer, a 1990 graduate of Iowa State University, is the chief executive of one of the largest bridge building companies in Iowa. Senator Ken Rozenboom, a Republican from Oskaloosa, says Cramer has an impressive record of public service.
Rozenboom says. Cramer was nominated to serve on the Board of Regents a decade ago, but Democrats rejected his nomination. Republicans now hold 34 seats in the Iowa Senate, all the votes that are necessary to win a confirmation vote. All 16 Democrats voted against having Cramer oversee Iowa’s public universities. Senator Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, objects to Cramer’s past role as chairman of The Family Leader, a group that opposes same-sex marriage.
A governor’s nominees for key roles in state government must get “yes” votes from at least 34 senators to be confirmed and Republicans now hold 34 seats in the state senate, ensuring the choices Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has made will be confirmed without the need for Democrats’ support. Many confirmation votes yesterday (Monday) were unanimous, however. All 50 senators voted to have Debi Durham remain as director of both the Iowa Economic Development Authority AND the Iowa Finance Authority.
FIRST PLANTING UNDERWAY
The Iowa crop report shows farmers were able to get some planting done last week. The week saw severe storms and snow flurries, but farmers also got some unseasonably warm weather and planted seven percent of the expected corn crop. That’s almost two weeks ahead of last year and six days ahead of the five-year average. The report says some farmers are still waiting for extended warm days to bring the soil temperature up — while others are hoping for some more rain before putting the planter into the fields.
BRIDAL COMPANY BANKRUPTCY FILING
David’s Bridal has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in five years — which will lead to the lay off of 94 employees at four Iowa stores. The company has notified Iowa Workforce Development that it plans to lay off 17 employees in Sioux City, and 77 more in Clive, Davenport, and Marion. The layoffs in Iowa will begin June 12th.
BLACK BEAR SPOTTED
More residents in northeast Iowa report spotting a large black bear, lumbering around north of Dubuque, sniffing garbage cans and gobbling bird seed from feeders. D-N-R wildlife biologist Vince Evelsizer (EV-ul-sizer) says educational pamphlets are being sent to area homes to familiarize people with this rare, wild creature. Evelsizer says to secure pet food, barbeque grills and stop using bird feeders for a while. Under no circumstances should anyone try to get an up-close look at the bear, he says, and certainly don’t try to take a selfie with it. Evelsizer says this bear has been living in the region for three to four years and more may be coming. Bears vanished from Iowa’s landscape early in the last century. Over the past 20 years, he says there have only been perhaps four-dozen credible bear sightings in Iowa, but those numbers are starting to climb.”
