PLANT CONSULTANT CONTRACT
The Le Mars city council approved an agreement for design engineering services for the wastewater pre-treatment plant. Evoqua will develop the model of the system that consulting engineering firm Bolton and Menk will use to create the mechanical works used for construction. Evoqua’s fee is not to exceed 393-thousand dollars. One councilman questioned the agreement, saying the city has already approved a contract for engineering services for the project. A spokesman for Bolton and Menk says the contract with Evoqua covers design of the anearobic pretreatment equipment. The two firms have been working together on the concept for over a year. Bolton and Menk incorporates Evoqua’s design into the overall plant design. The motion carried unanimously. The cost of this contract will be shared by the city of Le Mars, Wells Enterprises, and Kemps.
BUSINESS CORRIDOR ORDINANCE PASSED
The Le Mars city council passed to second reading an ordinance authorizing the division of taxes levied on property in the new Le mars Business Corridor Urban Renewal Area. The council then waived third reading and adopted the ordinance.
The council also passed two separate motions which authorize an internal advance of funds for the Urban Renewal Area within the city Industrial park Fourth Addition Project, and the Southview Industrial Park Project.
ROAD REPAIR
Starting Tuesday Nov. 12th, the Le Mars Street Dept. will be closing both south bound lanes from Plymouth St./Hwy 3 to just past 1st St. S.W. on Caseys corner. South bound traffic will be diverted 1 block west to 6th Ave. S.W. 1st St S.W. coming up to Bus 75 on Casey’s corner will be closed at that intersection. Traffic heading north from 1st St S.W. will be reduced to one lane . Street repairs should be completed in 10 to 14 days , weather permitting.
IOWA PIPELINE OPPONENTS CHEER SOUTH DAKOTA VOTE
Iowans who oppose a pipeline that would collect carbon from Midwest ethanol plants are cheering a development in South Dakota. South Dakota voters rejected a proposal that would have made it harder for South Dakota Counties to regulate the location of carbon pipelines. Ed Fischbach, a South Dakota farmer, says the results were gratifying.
Summit Carbon Solutions wants to build a pipeline across Iowa and four other states to pump carbon emissions from ethanol plants in the region into underground storage in North Dakota. The Iowa Utility Commission has awarded a permit to Summit so it can seize property from unwilling land owners and build the pipeline, but construction cannot start until Summit gets regulators’ approval in the Dakotas. Brian Jorde is an attorney who represents landowners in South Dakota AND Iowa who have refused to sign contracts to allow the pipeline on their property. Jorde says the South Dakota vote sends a message.
Summit Carbon Solutions will apply for a permit in South Dakota on November 19th. In a written statement, the company said its focus continues to be on working with landowners and ensuring the long-term viability of ethanol and agriculture in the state. Summit also cites other pipeline projects that it says have successfully navigated South Dakota’s existing regulatory landscape in the past.
DORDT NAMED THE SAFEST COLLEGE CAMPUS IN IOWA
Dordt University has been named the safest college campus in Iowa and one of the safest college campuses in America, according to Niche’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings.
The 2025 Safest College Campuses ranking looks at “top-ranked colleges [that] offer a safe and healthy environment with little to no campus crime, drugs, or alcohol usage.”
Associate Dean of Students Derek Buteyn says campus safety is a significant factor in a student’s college decision.
Sioux Center was also named the second safest town in Iowa by Safewise. Analyzing crime data across the state, the study pointed to Sioux Center’s low crime rates. This includes having a comprehensive emergency response plan, providing well-lit pathways on campus, and collaborating with local law enforcement to ensure on-campus safety.
SIOUX HONEY DONATION
The Food Bank of Siouxland received a sweet donation Thursday from the Sioux Honey Association, maker of Sue Bee Honey.
Food Bank executive director Jacob Wanderscheid says they received over 6000 bottles of honey from the Association:
Aimee Sandman of the Sioux Honey Association says it is important for them to give back to the communities in and around where their employees, beekeepers, and families live.
Three pallets holding 6,480, 12-ounces bottles of Sue Bee Honey were brought to the Food Bank for distribution to their partner agencies in their 11-county service area.
DNR WATER SUMMARY
The Iowa DNR’s Water Summary Update indicates that after the driest September in 152 years of records, nearly all of October experienced similar record dry conditions.
Statewide precipitation in October was 1.90 inches, or 0.79 inches below normal. Total rainfall for September and October was nearly 3.5 inches below normal. Rainfall during the last week of October helped prevent worsening drought conditions.
Iowa’s Drought Plan showed overall drought conditions have worsened slightly, with all of Iowa carrying a drought watch designation. Statewide temperatures for the month were nearly six degrees warmer than normal. The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) shows nearly all of Iowa in abnormally dry conditions or drought conditions, with a wide swath of northwest Iowa showing severe drought.
Conditions have improved slightly due to recent rainfall over the past week. Precipitation forecasts from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center indicate a likelihood of above-normal rainfall in the upcoming month. If the outlooks hold true, Iowa should show continued improvement in conditions in November.
