INDUSTRIAL PARK PROJECT
A Pender, Nebraska firm was awarded the contract for construction of the 2023 Southview Industrial Park Project. Penro Construction submitted the low bid and alternate of 1.87 million dollars. The engineer’s estimate for the work is 2.2 million. Nine firms submitted bids for the project. The work involves installation of water and sewer utilities, and streets. City Development Director Mark Gaul says the plan will create one-half to one acre lots for light industrial or commercial development.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Also today, the Le Mars City Council passed a motion which sets a public hearing to amend the city ordinance. The hearing will take comment on a change in the residency requirement for police officers serving Le Mars. Currently, officers must live within 10 miles, or 15 minutes, of the Le Mars Police headquarters. The amended ordinance would require a 35 mile residency radius from the police station. The public hearing will be during the November 7 council meeting.
DIAZ HEARING
A pre-trial conference will take place next month in the case of a man charged in a fatal accident in Plymouth County earlier this year. 32 year old David Jack Diaz of Sioux City was charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence. He was driving at a high rate of speed on US 75, when he rearended another car near the intersection of 75 and Plymouth County road C70. A passenger in the back seat of the car, Joswa Ermiohne of Sioux City, died of injuries suffered in the accident. Diaz’ trial is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, in Plymouth County District Court.
RAIN NEEDED, BUT HARVEST SLOWED
Rains kept some farmers out of the fields at a key time last week as they tried to get the harvest completed. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says with the continued drought this year, the rain created some mixed reactions.
Naig says the timing of the rain is something that was key for those farmers seeing good yields.
The latest U-S-D-A crop report shows the harvest moved from 30 to 42 percent completed for corn last week, and from 52 to 74 percent completed for soybeans. Naig says the rain last week may have been a nuisance for some, but it is important for next year.
The crop report showed topsoil moisture condition was rated 19 percent very short and 38 percent short last week, with just 40 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture condition was rated 31 percent very short, 43 percent short, with just 24 percent adequate and two percent surplus.
BURGLARY AND THEFT AT HAWARDEN FARM
The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of burglary and theft that occurred at a farm property on Buchanan Avenue, southeast of Hawarden, IA. Tools, a go-kart, chainsaw, shotgun and a John Deere Gator were stolen.
The crime likely took place overnight Friday, October 13 into the early morning of Saturday, October 14. If you have any information about this crime, you are asked to contact the sheriff’s office.
SCHEITLER SELECTED TO OPUS 2023
Brea Scheitler, Gehlen Catholic 8th grader, was recently selected for participation in the 37th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. Over 2400 students were nominated by their directors for 720 positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs. Selections were made by means of a recorded audition.
Guest conductors of the choirs include Tami Meiners, Carroll Community School District, 5th & 6th Grade Honor Choir; Thad Wilkins, Mt. Vernon Community Schools, 7th & 8th Grade Bass Clef Honor Choir; Abby Sheppard, Sioux City Community Schools, 7th & 8th Grade Treble Clef Honor Choir; and Matt Walker, Iowa City Community School District, 9th Grade Mixed Honor Choir.
The 2023 Opus Honor Choirs will perform at 4:00 p.m. November 16th in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in the Iowa State Center in Ames. The Opus Honor Choir Festival is made possible by the Iowa Choral Directors Association, Inc.
CO-OP HONORED
Farmers Co-op Society of Sioux Center received an honorable mention for a national award from the National Association of Conservation Districts. The award recognizes the Co-ops efforts to preserve and enhance natural resources, and its commitment to long-term sustainability. Their strategy is called “High Road to High Yields”. This strategy is outlined at the company’s website, farmerscoopsociety.com.
SIOUX CITY DELAYS PIPELINE RESOLUTION
The city council of Sioux City has postponed voting on a resolution opposing carbon pipelines in or near the city.
The resolution concerns proposed pipelines from Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator Heartland Greenway and how near they will be to Sioux City homes and businesses.
Current plans show a proposed pipeline within Woodbury County and within 2 miles of the city limits. Both pipelines are proposed to extend across Plymouth County: The Summit pipeline west of Le Mars, the Navigator line through southeast Plymouth County.
The proposed resolution says research shows various possible negative outcomes should the pipeline be allowed, including health and safety issues, adverse effects on property values, and loss of future development opportunities for the properties.
The city council decided to defer a vote on the resolution until their November 6th meeting.
