LE MARS CITY COUNCIL
The Le Mars city council today passed a motion to approved the Southview Industrial Park project. This includes installation of sanitary, water and street sewer, and paving of 34th Street SW and 22nd Ave SW. Bids will be taken by October 11. A contract for the project will be awarded Oct 17. The project is to be completed by Jul 1, 2024. The cost of the project is estimated at 2.2 million dollars, to be paid through Tax Increment Financing. Later in the meeting, the city council adjusted the engineering agreement for the Southview project, to reflect additional work on environmental impacts of the project. The contract to JEO and Associates was amended to 110-thousand dollars.
HOMEBASE IOWA PROPOSAL
The Plymouth County Veteramins Affairs Director Jim Jones and State Homebase Iowa Program director Jathan Chicoine updated the Board of Supervisors on their program in the county.
A committee has been at work to advance Homebase Iowa. The Board of Supervisors in May approved a resolution of support for Homebase Iowa. The committee today proposed that the county offer an incentive of 2500 dollars reimbursement for veterans who move to Plymouth County from out of state. The proposal would be for a maximum four reimbursements per year.
They also requested signage identifying Plymouth County as a Homebase Iowa participant. The cost of eight such signs would be just over 6-hundred dollars.
There are also incentives offered to veterans from the State of Iowa. These include pension tax exemptions, grants for home purchases, in-state tuition rates for state universities and community colleges, and property tax exemptions for disabled veterans. Discounts and coupons from Plymouth County businesses are part of the incentive package.
The Board of Supervisors suggested a residency requirement for those veterans who receive reimbursements from the county for relocating here.
The Supervisors will take up the issue again next week.
ZONING AMENDMENTS
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved an updated county zoning ordinance which includes items such as Shouses, electronic signs and billboards, rules for commercial solar arrays, and setbacks for wind generators.
Zoning Administrator Alan Lucken and consultant Jeff Ray of JEO Associated explained the changes, which were earlier approved by the Zoning Board.
The Supervisors approved the changes, except for definition of special event venues.
They also passed a resolution setting a public hearing for first reading ot the amended ordinance for October 10. Three readings are required before adoption.
PRIMGHAR ARREST
A northwest Iowa woman is jailed on several felony charges after being accused of stealing money from residents at a home for individuals with mental illness and disability where she worked. Scott Van Aartsen reports.
Storm is charged with ten counts of felony dependent adult abuse, first-degree theft, and ongoing criminal conduct. She faces a preliminary hearing on Monday, September 25th.
BARKEL MMCRU SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES
Inflation, and supply chain issues hampered progress on the MMCRU expansion project in Marcus. This is Superintendent Dan Barkel.
They plan to move into the new elementary school this fall
Then begin work on a community day care
No disruption in elementary education program while the new school is finished.
The MMCRU district recently held an open house at their extensively-renovated high school building in Marcus.
HINTON CHASE
Hinton Police made two arrests after a vehicle pursuit Friday. Police pursued a vehicle on US Highway 75, headed to Sioux City. The vehicle crashed in Sioux City, and a passenger in that vehicle fled on foot. The Plymouth County Sheriffs Office arrived on the scene and later found and arrested Dalton Andrew Keeler, 25. Of Sioux City. He was wanted on charges of theft and criminal mischief, and was taken to the Plymouth County Jail. The driver of the vehicle, 20 year old Renee Joyce Atwood of Sioux Center, was arrested by Hinton Police and charged with eluding and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
ROCK RAPIDS MAN SENTENCED IN MURDER CASE
A northwest Iowa man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to murdering his mother. Scott Van Aartsen reports:
Kassel had also originally been charged with operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent and possession or control of a firearm as a felon. Those charges were dismissed.
