FAIR TOTALS
The day after the Plymouth County Fair is the day to look back on attendance and fundraising. Fair Board President Loren Schnepf said and estimated 114,250 people attended the fair. That’s a little below last year, but Schnepf said attendance grew as the weather improved into the weekend.
There were 14-thousand in attendance Wednesday, 16-thousand Thursday, 22-thousand Friday, 32-thousand Saturday, and 30-thousand on Sunday. Grandstand events Saturday and Sunday – a tractor pull and figure 8 racing – were big attractions to the fair.
The Fair Auction Sunday raised over 56-thousand dollars. This included the sale of quilts, toy tractors, chainsaw wood carvings, and a Pork Producers grilling event.
EMERGENCY HAYING AND GRAZING
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced today that 46 Iowa Counties are now authorized for emergency haying or grazing, or use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2023. Producers in 20 Iowa counties, including Plymouth, Woodbury, and Lyon Counties, are eligible to apply for 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits. LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought.
The 26 counties approved for early hazing and grazing include: Buena Vista, Cherokee, and Ida. A CRP participant must receive approval for emergency haying from their county FSA Office before any action is taken. The emergency haying authorizations end on August 31, 2023.
For more information and to request approval for emergency haying or grazing use of CRP acres, contact your local USDA Service Center.
TRUMP APPEARS AT IOWA EVENT
Former President Donald Trump’s status as the central figure in the 2024 presidential race was on full display at the Iowa Republican Party’s fundraiser that kicked off the weekend. Trump was the last of 13 candidates to speak to a crowd of over a thousand Republicans. He told the crowd not to take a chance on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his leading competitor. Trump referred to his legal woes and said if he weren’t running, nobody would be coming after him in court. Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd, who jumped in the G-O-P presidential race in late June, said Trump was running for president to stay out of prison and he was booed by Trump fans in the crowd. Eleven of the 13 candidates hosted receptions after the speech part of the night was over. The lines were longest for Trump and DeSantis.
DUNN TRIAL SET
The trial of James Dunn, the former Police Chief of Kingsley, is now set for September 23 at 9 am. Dunn is charged with misusing government law enforcement databases inappropriately. He’s also charged with misconduct while in office. A continuance was filed by Dunn’s attorney earlier this month, citing the need for more time to prepare the case. Trial is now set for sept 23rd at 9 am at the Plymouth County District Court.
FATAL ACCIDENT
There was a fatal accident early Sunday morning near Rock Valley. The Sioux County Sheriffs Office says the accident occurred shortly after midnight Sunday at 300th St. and Fillmore Ave., a mile northeast of Rock Valley. A vehicle driven by 21 year old Kaleb DeBey of Sioux City was driving west on 300th. DeBey failed to negotiate a curve in the road, lost control and entered the ditch. The vehicle struck a cement culvert and became airborne. A passenger in the car, 35 year old Halee Bliek of Rock Valley, was ejected from the vehicle and became trapped underneath it. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Both were transported to Hegg Medical Center. DeBey was treated for his injuries. Bliek was pronounced deceased as the result of injuries suffered in the accident. The Sheriffs Office says speed and alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. The case remains under investigation. This is a joint investigation of the sheriffs office, the Iowa State Patrol and Rock Valley Police. Rock Valley Fire and Ambulance assisted at the scene.
SPEED AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Last week, the Plymouth County Sheriffs Office took part in a region-wide Speed Awareness campaign. Four extra deputies were on duty July 26, to make drivers aware of posted speed limits. As a result, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office made a total of 40 traffic stops. Those stops resulted in 51 contacts. There were 12 speed citations, 17 speed warnings, and 22 other traffic warnings. The fastest clocked speed was 97 MPH in a 65 MPH zone on US Highway 75 just outside of Le Mars. The campaign was organized by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau because Iowa’s traffic fatality count this year is 20% higher than the 5-year average. There was also a 25% increase in speed-related fatalities in Iowa in 2020 and 2021.
LIFE SKILLS FUNDRAISERS
There were a couple of fundraisers for Life Skills Training Center in Le Mars last weekend. Brock Auction Company auctioned more than 70 quilts Saturday. The event was held in Century Hall on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Shelly Thompson of Life Skills says the auction raised 22-thousand dollars for the organization.
Thompson says a successful “Cow Chip Bingo” Sunday didn’t take long.
The winner of one thousand dollars from “Cow Chip Bingo” was Jen Schroeder of Le Mars. Sunday activities at the Plymouth County Fair included “Quilts of Valor” presentations and the auction in the Pioneer Village.
LE MARS BACKPACK GIVEAWAY
It’s almost back-to-school time and the annual backpack giveaway took place Sunday in Le Mars. Sherri Bauman, District Manager of TCC Verizon says the event takes on a carnival atmosphere.
Bauman says the backpack giveaway started close to a dozen years ago. TCC Verizon also hosted the Northwest Iowa American Legion Riders 4th annual hotdog event on Saturday, with proceeds supporting local veterans.
