PLYMOUTH COUNTY MUSEUM MUSIC EVENT
Tonight marks the first In a series of 6 events at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Executive Director, Dr. Harry N. Dunstan, will help you discover how Music can positively transform your life! Tonight’s session is titled The Stairway to Paradise
Dr. Dunstan helps you learn to experience and perceive music in new ways. You’ll discover how to use Music and the Arts to improve your mind and body. This first session will explain the basic elements of music: melody, rhythm, tempo, and harmony, and why that matters.
Future sessions will be held October 17 and 24, and November 7, 14, and 21. All of these sessions are free and open to the public.
FEMA CENTERS TO CLOSE
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will close their Disaster Recovery Centers in Sioux and Clay counties this weekend.
The DRCs in Rock Valley and Spencer will close Saturday, October 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Iowa homeowners and renters affected by floods in June and July of this year have until October 22 to apply for FEMA assistance.
You can apply for FEMA disaster assistance or get help with your case by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov; Calling FEMA directly at 800-621-3362; or downloading and using the FEMA app.
DISCOUNTED TREES
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is offering large shade trees, low-growing ornamental and fruit trees, and evergreen trees at discounted prices.
You must submit an order form to reserve your trees. The form can be found online at www.iowadnr.gov/trees.
All Iowa residents can purchase up to two trees to be picked up at several locations around the state.
Tuesday, October 15, trees can be picked up at Riverside Park in Sioux City from 4 to 6 pm.
CULVERT PROJECTS
One culvert replacement project ended, and another began today in rural Plymouth County.
The county Road Department says 180th Street between K-18 and Evergreen Ave. is open as the culvert project there is complete. This is 5 miles east-southeast of Akron.
140th Street, from L-14 east two miles will be closd in order to replace a bridge with a box culvert. This is in Meadow Township, northeast of Remsen. This project is slated to be completed on November 1.
INSURANCE FRAUD CHARGES FILED AGAINST TWO SIOUX COUNTY MEN
(Vecchio – left and Meendering – right)
Two Sioux County men are charged with insurance fraud by the Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau.
Michael Vecchio, age 50, of Sioux Center was charged for presenting false information. Todd Meendering, age 61, of Boyden was charged for conspiracy to commit Insurance fraud. Both charges are Class D Felonies.
The charges stem from an investigation that began in March 2024. Criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau say Vecchio was involved in an accident while driving a vehicle that was to be detailed at Meendering’s business. Vecchio filed a claim with his insurance company and provided false information to receive benefits for which he was not eligible. Meendering solicited the vehicle’s owner to make false statements to Vecchio’s insurance company to support the claim.
Vecchio was arrested on September 17, and three days later was released on a cash bond. Meendering was arrested and released on a surety bond on September 24.
2025 TULIP COURT ELECTED
Orange City’s 2025 Tulip Court was elected on Wednesday, October 9.
Tulip Court members for the 2025 Tulip Festival include Ava De Jong, daughter of Daron and Emily De Jong; Faith Elgersma, daughter of Phil and Jen Elgersma; Mackenzie Huizenga, daughter of Aaron and Kim Huizenga; Bridget Plender, daughter of Blake and Marcia Plender; and Jaelye Woudstra, daughter of Brandon and Kyndara Woudstra.
A Queen’s Tea and Pageant will be held in November to crown the 2024 Tulip Festival Queen. The Queen and Court will serve as ambassadors for Orange City’s 84th annual Tulip Festival, set for May 15, 16, and 17, 2025.
FEENSTRA SAYS U.S. MUST SUPPORT ISRAEL’S RESPONSE TO OCTOBER 7 ATTACKS
Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says this week’s somber anniversary of the October 7th attacks was a reminder of the brutality of the terror groups Israel is facing.
Feenstra, a Republican who represents Iowa’s fourth congressional district, has made two trips to Israel, including one this past June.
Feenstra toured the site of the music festival and the villages where Hamas attacked last year. As Israel’s response enters its second year, Feenstra says it appears Hamas is using Palestinians as human shields, while Hezbollah has repeatedly lobbed bombs from Lebanon into Israel.
Last Friday, the U-S military launched strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, a move Feenstra supports.
Ryan Melton, the Democrat running against Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra, says the U-S should support Israel’s defense and its response to the October 7th attacks — but there should be limits.
Melton says the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians last October were horrible and indefensible.
Melton points to a recent poll showing 64 percent of Israeli citizens favor a cease fire linked with the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Melton says. Israel is fighting Hezbollah, another Iranian-based terrorist group, in Lebanon. Melton says Hezbollah is obviously a horrible organization, but that doesn’t mean Netanyahu’s decision-making can’t be questioned.
Melton made his comments during a recent appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.
IOWA’S FIRST FROST IS LIKELY NEXT WEEK
Forecasters say the summer-like weather will have a last hurrah today (Thursday) and tomorrow before we fall headlong into the more seasonable chill of autumn, with a frost and freeze likely early next week. Meteorologist Craig Cogil, at the National Weather Service, says Iowans are in for a temperature rollercoaster over the next few days. Near-record highs are possible in the 80s, but a cold front will arrive late Friday, pushing in progressively colder air. By next Tuesday, Cogil says overnight lows may be in the mid to upper 20s in northern Iowa, to lower 30s in southern Iowa. He says widespread frost and freeze conditions are likely across the state and probably the end of the growing season.
