STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL BIRD SUPPORTS IOWA COLD CASE UNIT
Iowa has over 400 unsolved cold cases involving missing or deceased residents around the state over the past several decades. State Attorney General Brenna Bird says even though it may take years to solve those crimes, that is the focus of the state’s cold case unit that is committed to partner with law enforcement to investigate and bring closure to affected families.
Bird and family members of Maureen Brubaker Farley, a Sioux City teen who disappeared in 1971 while working at a Cedar Rapids Diner, spoke at a news conference Tuesday at the new Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center in Sioux City about how that cold case was solved in 2021.
Maureen’s body was found in the trunk of an abandoned car in Cedar Rapids in 1971. George Smith of Cedar Rapids was considered to be a suspect in the case, but it took a DNA match in 2021 to confirm he was the person who killed Maureen. Smith had died 8 years earlier, but detectives used a DNA sample from one of his family member, which matched DNA fund at the murder scene.
The family was told the news on the 50th anniversary of the discovery of Maureen’s body.
Attorney General Bird says the Iowa Cold Case Unit will be part of her department’s budget every year going forward. She and local law enforcement remind everyone that the smallest bit of evidence could help solve a cold case. If you know something about a case, contact law enforcement.
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ABSENTEE BALLLOT INFORMATION
Plymouth County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Stacey Feldman says absentee ballots for the upcoming November 5th General Election will be available beginning Wednesday, October 16th in the Auditor’s Office at the Plymouth County Courthouse. Absentee ballots may be cast in person at the Auditor’s Office until Monday, November 4th at 5 p.m.
Feldman, in a news release, says Absentee ballots are mailed from the Auditor’s Office from October 16th to October 21st only, per Iowa law. Ballots must be requested in writing and absentee ballot request forms need to be received in the Auditor’s office by October 21. Absentee ballot request forms are available at the Auditor’s office or at www.plymouthcountyiowa.gov by clicking on the red General Election tab. They can also be obtained from the Iowa Secretary of State website.
In order for a ballot to be counted, ballots must be received in the Auditor’s office by 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 5 (Election Day.)
Also, as required now by Iowa Law on Election Day, all voting precinct locations will be open from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. and voters are required to vote at the precincts and voting locations which took effect January 15th, 2022.
If you have questions, contact the Plymouth County Auditor’s Office at (712)546-6100.
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RISE PROGRAM RULES CHANGES
The State Transportation Commission has approved a change to a state program used to help communities build roadways for business development.
The D-O-T”s Deb Arp says the change allows the Rebuild Iowa’s Sound Economy or RISE program to be used to relocate businesses in disaster areas.
The first project under the new designation was also approved for Rock Valley.
Arp says Rock Valley has multiple letters of interest from local businesses impacted by the flooding, looking to relocate within the community.
The commission approved nearly one-point-five million dollars for Rock Valley, which is 70 percent of the project.
The Transportation Commission also approved some regular rise funding.
Sioux Center was approved for a roadway to help a business expansion.
This project is anticipated to be completed by July 2026.
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STREET CLOSURE
City of Le Mars Street Supervisor Scott Kneip says that starting this morning (Wednesday, October 8,) the Le Mars Street Department will be closing a section of 6th Avenue S.W. in Le Mars, between Sunset Drive and Countryside Drive. They anticipate the street repair to take about 5 hours. Once repairs are completed later today, the street will be reopened to traffic.
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COMMUNITY COFFEE
This morning’s Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee is with Wet Nose Rescue and will be held at Brock Auction, 1321 Hawkeye Avenue SW in le Mars, from 9:30 till 10:30 a.m.
