BANK FRAUD
Authorities in Sioux and Lyon counties are investigating a bank fraud scheme that occured in Alvort, Hull, Orange City, and Sioux Center on September 1st.
In all these cases, Hispanic or Guatemalan individuals entered banks and presented fraudulent checks for cash.
They would arrive in groups of four to six people, enter the bank lobby to present checks for cash, and then four to six more people would enter in the same manner, overwhelming the bank employees.
The fake checks were printed on high quality paper and were imprinted with bank routing numbers.
The suspects wore hats, face and neck coverings, long sleeves, and tried to disguise their identity.
In all of the locations, the suspects were the same individuals.
Bank security videos are posted on the Sioux County Sheriffs Facebook page.
Anyone with information about this case are urged to contact the Sioux County Sheriffs Office.
The Sioux and Lyon County Sheriffs Offices, and Sioux Center and Orange City police are investigating the incidents.
FIRE CALL
Le Mars Fire Rescue responded to an alarm at Kluckhohn Elementary School Tuesday afternoon. The alarm went off around 4 p.m. Firemen inspected the roof and interior of the building. Officials determined that a problem with one of the air conditioning units triggered the alarm. The air conditioning problem resulted in some smoke in the duct work, and some oder in one of the classrooms.
K of C PHONATHON
The 43rd annual Knights of Columbus phonathon is underway across Plymouth County today. The event is a fundraiser for Life Skills Training Center for persons with disabilities. Auctioneer Bruce Brock is the honorary chairman for the phonathon.
Brock and his staff have volunteered for the Life Skills annual quilt auction, held at the Plymouth County Fair, since 1999. KLEM will keep you up to date on progress of this year’s phonathon throughout the day.
BUDGET AMENDMENT
A public hearing will take place September 26 before the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors, to amend the current budget. The amendment includes additional revenues totaling nearly 100-thousand dollars, and expenses of some 900-thousand dollars. Revenues include a state grant for enhancing fish habitat in Plymouth County, a donation for the purchase of a K9 for law enforcement, and donations for payment of conservation land. Expenses in the amended budget include 426-thousand dollars for a new jail integrator, a control device used in the county law enforcement center. The integrator controls lights, water, and door entry to every room in the county jail. The new integrator is already in use, replacing an integrator that was 20 years old. Other expenses include dirt work at the site of a new maintenance shed at Hillview Park.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
The Le Mars city council Tuesday gave final approval to forming a Parks and Recreation Committee in the city. Third reading of the new ordinance was approved, and the ordinance adopted. The committee will be made up of two council members, and five appointees by the mayor, and approved by the council. They will serve in an advisory capacity to the city council.
CARBON PIPELINE HEARING CONTINUES
The Iowa Utilities Board hearing for the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline has entered its third week — and the company has a list of 15 witnesses scheduled to testify. Property owners who object to having the pipeline run through their land testified during the first two weeks of the hearing. The company’s witnesses are scheduled to testify this week. Summit is seeking eminent domain authority so unwilling landowners would be forced to grant the company permanent access to more than 900 parcels, or sections of property. Tuesday’s first witness was James Powell, the chief operating officer of Summit Carbon Solutions. Powell previously worked for a company that owned and managed pipelines.
COVID CASES RISE, SOME WITH ONGOING SYMPTOMS
Cases of COVID-19 are again rising nationwide, and the experts say more Iowans are becoming vulnerable to what’s known as “long COVID,” or persistent symptoms that last for several weeks, even months. Lauren Graham, director of the post-COVID clinic at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, says they still don’t know why some people develop ongoing symptoms. Graham says long COVID is generally defined as someone who has symptoms lasting at least four weeks. Symptoms include: significant fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, and persistent change in taste and smell. She says it’s important to stay up to date on COVID vaccinations and talk to your doctor about possible treatments like Paxlovid if you do get sick. According to the C-D-C, about one in five people who get COVID develop some kind of long-term symptoms.
