GOP EVENT
The host of an Iowa event that features six of the candidates running for the G-O-P’s next presidential nomination says the race is wide open. Bob Vander Plaats — president and C-E-O of The Family Leader — has hosted Donald Trump at two of the group’s previous summits in 2013 and 2015.
The candidates Vander Plaats just mentioned are the six who’ll speak today (Friday) at the Family Leadership Summit he’s hosting in Des Moines. Vander Plaats says he’s concerned about having former President DonaldTrump as the G-O-P’s presidential nominee in 2024.
This week Vander Plaats has said it was not very smart for Trump to go after Governor Kim Reynolds for remaining neutral and not endorsing a candidate before the Iowa Caucuses. To avoid the 2016 scenario that saw Trump emerge from a field of 16 Republican candidates, Vander Plaats says he’s encouraged this cycle’s dozen or so candidates to evaluate their chances and step aside if it’s not their time.
Trump turned down an invitation to join the group. Vander Plaats says he’s concerned about having former President Donald Trump as the G-O-P’s presidential nominee in 2024.
FLOYD VALLEY CANOPY
Beginning on Monday, July 17th, construction work will begin on a canopy over the main west entrance at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. During the project, the main west entrance will be closed. They encourage those needing to access the west clinic parking lot to use the entrance off of 6th Avenue NE. There will be signage to direct patients north to the exterior Community Education Room (CER) door to enter the west lobby. This will affect patients accessing the family medicine clinic, surgery department and the gift shop. A temporary sidewalk will be installed to help travel safey from the west lot to the north door. This project will be completed by October 6th.
MOTORCYCLE CHASE
A Sioux City man was arrested this week after he crashed while attempting to elude a sheriff’s deputy. 32 year old Jonothon Alexander Lopez was charged with multiple offenses after the incident Monday in Plymouth County. Monday morning, a Plymouth County deputy stopped a motorcyclist near the intersection of Vista Hills and Highway 12. As the deputy approached the cyclist, he sped away. Lopez continued north on Hwy 12 at a high rate of speed. At the intersection of K18S and Hwy 12, the driver lost control of the motorcycle and crashed. Lopez was arrested and charged with operation while under the influence 2nd offense; and five other traffic counts, including driving while barred and eluding. Lopez was booked into the Plymouth County Jail and held on bond.
LE MARS – DES MOINES REUNION
A former Le Mars resident wants to know how many former Le Marsians now live in the Des Moines area. Don Paulin is organizing a reunion Saturday afternoon at Walker Johnston Park in Urbandale. Paulin says he got the idea from an event that takes place each year in California.
Paulin says they know there are former Le Mars residents living in the Des Moines area, and they want to get acquainted.
Paulin and two other former Le Marsians organized the event.
They will meet at Walker Johnston Open Shelter in Urbandale Saturday from 3 to 5 pm. Bring your own refreshments, lawn chairs and games, and your business cards.
Paulin is pleased to note that Le Mars may have lost residents to Des Moines, but Le Mars continues to grow.
Paulin hopes this becomes an annual event.
Paulin is a former mayor of Le Mars, and served one term in the Iowa House. He moved to Des Moines when he was hired by former Governor Terry Branstad to serve as a legislative advisor.
DICKINSON COUNTY FATAL FIRES
Two people are dead following separate house fires Thursday morning in Dickinson County. Lake Park Fire Chief Brandon Ehret they recieved a report of a house fire around one o’clock with someone possibly trapped inside.
That unidentified man later died from his injuries and that chief Ehret says the state fire marshal is helping them determine the cause.
The second fire was reported around 7:30 a-m in Milford where crews there found smoke coming from multiple locations of the two-story home. The body of a female was discovered in the living room area. Her name has not been released, and the cause of that fire is still under investigation.
THREE ARRESTED IN STORM LAKE ATTACK
Three teenagers have been charged in connection with an alleged stabbing incident in Storm Lake. Ryan Thompson reports.
MILLER-MEEKS QUESTIONS COVID-19 PAPER
Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks is among House Republicans questioning co-authors of an academic paper on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper was published in March of 2020, just as government shutdowns were being ordered. The scientists concluded it was unlikely that the strain of the coronavirus had been created in a lab, but had spread from wild animals to humans. Miller-Meeks says the research isn’t as conclusive as the scientists suggest and understanding the origins of COVID is key, so officials can prepare for the next pandemic. Miller-Meeks is on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Democrats on the panel accuse Republicans of pushing a partisan narrative and attacking public health officials.
