NATIONAL EMS WEEK 2023
A lot of EMS crews are facing dwindling numbers, due to retirements and a lack of volunteers. Michael Wise Asst Fire Chief/EMS Chief for Le Mars Fire Rescue says that
combining Fire and EMS services into one unit has been a good move.
They are also meeting their performance standards…
..and getting close to meeting their recruitment goals
Asst. Chief Wise says recruits with a preference for firefighting or EMS response will be trained for both.
Recruiting takes place in the local schools.
If interested in this work, stop in for a visit.
This week marks National EMS Week.
INJURY ACCIDENT
A pickup-semi accident Thursday resulted in minor injury to one of the drivers. The Plymouth County Sheriffs Office says the accident occurred shortly before noon on US Highway 75, Investigators and witnesses indicated the semi-truck was eastbound, exiting HWY 75 stopped at a stop sign on the exit ramp. After stopping, the semi-truck continued across old HWY 75 instead of yielding to through traffic. The semi-truck struck a northbound pickup truck that was unable to stop and had no roadway to avoid collision. The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured. The driver of the pickup truck was transported to Floyd Valley with minor injuries. Both vehicles were towed away and the pickup truck sustained totaling damage.
WATERS OF THE U.S.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. policy. The unanimous decision by the high court clarifies that the Clean Water Act extends only to wetlands that are “indistinguishable” from larger bodies of water by having a “continuous surface connection”. That narrows the scope of the Clean Water Act and is considered a victory for property owners. U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra of Hull says the decision provides rural communities with much-needed certainty and will devastate the EPA’s reckless federal overreach. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa says she is glad that the Supreme Court rightfully blocked President Biden’s WOTUS rule, stating that the federal government has no authority to impose blanket jurisdiction over puddles, waters, and wetlands with vague, overreaching regulations on behalf of Biden’s ever-changing climate agenda.
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCES
The Le Mars Memorial Day observance is being readied for Monday. Jim Rolfes with the Le Mars American Legion Post says there is still time today to dedicate a flag to a loved one.
There will be hundreds of flags on display Monday on the Plymouth County Courthouse lawn. (1458 flags, including 16 new ones)
Rolfes says they request volunteers to help find the flag locations on the courthouse grounds Saturday.
A Memorial Parade starts off the observance (at 9:15 a.m.).
Setting the stage for the courthouse ceremony will be a big undertaking
Rolfes says the parade, flags and ceremony are a fitting way to remember the sacrifice citizens make for this country.
There will be Memorial Day ceremonies across Plymouth County Monday. Merrill, for example, will hold an indoor ceremony at the Kissinger Center on Main Street. American Legion commander Bruce Norgaard says their observance starts at 10 a.m. Their ceremony includes a procession of folded flags, one for each of an estimated 240 veterans whose names will be recognized for their service. The ceremony will be followed by a luncheon by free will donation.
American Legion Casper Post 477 will host a services at 10 a.m., at the Hinton Community Hall. Legion members will conduct a deceased veterans tribute as flags are posted. Honoring the Unknown Soldier will be presented by American Legion and Auxiliary members. A cross and flag display honoring more than 240 deceased veterans will be outside the Hinton Community Center. A lunch will follow at the community center.
Akron’s observance Monday will include a memorial program beginning at 10-30 a.m. at Akron City Park. Music for the service will be provided by the Akron-Westfield High School Band and will include the “Armed Forces Tribute” and “America.” There will be Poetry readings by two American Legion Scholarship recipients. There will be a wreath presentation, the Reading of the Flag Roster and dedication of 12 new flags. After the ceremony, lunch will be served by the Legion Auxiliary.
In Kingsley, there will be a Memorial Day ceremony at the Community Center at 9 a.m., followed by a community breakfast. American Legion honors will be rendered at the Catholic Cemetery at noon, the city cemetery at 12-30, and at Elkhorn Cemetery at 1 p.m.
Other remembrances will be held in Remsen, Oyens, Brunsville, and Craig.
RACE CAR EXHIBIT
The Plymouth County Historical Museum will open a new exhibit, featuring the race car of champion driver Emory Collins, a former Le Mars resident. The red Number 7 sprint car was built in 1936.
Collins won championships with his sprint car in 1938, 1946, 1947, and 1948. Two special events are planned for the public viewing of Emory Collins’s cherry red race car no. 7. The Museum will host a “soft” opening of the race car exhibit at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 3. The major donor, Keith Renken of Arcadia, CA, will attend the opening. Renken led the fund-raising efforts for the car, which began in 2018 and continued through 2020. The next celebration of Emory Collins and his race car will come during a Le Mars Chamber Coffee from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 7.
ELECTRIC BIKES
There has been a sudden proliferation of electric bikes, e-scooters and even e-skateboards. They bring a new series of risks — as well as benefits. Cara Hamann, director of training and education at the Injury Prevention Research Center, based at the University of Iowa, says motorists can be surprised when one of these so-called “micro mobility devices” darts into their path on a city street. While plenty of people ride traditional bicycles for the exercise, many e-bikes also require you to pedal, just not as much. Plus, smaller, personal electric vehicles can help to relieve traffic congestion. Hamann says there are major loopholes in city code as e-scooter companies drop a fleet of e-scooters in a city overnight and suddenly, they’re everywhere. Plus, some e-scooter users may choose to zip down a sidewalk, darting between pedestrians, which can also be problematic.
