ALTON FIRE
A fire in downtown Alton broke out in bitter cold early Monday evening, The fire was reported around 5-30 p.m. at 207 10th Street.
The Alton Fire Department responded and reported heavy smoke coming from the building with flames visible through the front windows. Orange City and Sioux Center Fire departments were called to assist.
Law enforcement reported that two people who were inside building, and exited through a back entrance. They were checked and cleared by EMT’s from Alton Ambulance.One team of firefighters fought the blaze in the front of the building. It was quickly extenguished. As they advanced into the building, another fire was found in a loft in the back of the building. A second team came in to relieve the first, and battle the blze in the rear of the building. A third team came in to stop the main level fire. The fire was brought under control at 6:48 p.m.
The interior of the building was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighting was difficult because of -18 degree temperatures.
There were no injuries reported to the building occupants or to firefighters. A family pet died due to smoke inhalation. Adjacent buildings were not damaged by the fired.
Assisting the Alton fire department were Orange City and Sioux Center Fire, Orange City Ambulance, the Sioux County Sheriffs Department, and the City of Alton. Local businesses, citizens and families of the fire department assisted the responders with heaters, hand warmers, hot drinks and food.
LE MARS BOND SALE
The Le Mars city council took another step toward financing construction of water works improvements. The council today adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of 24.88 million dollars in Water Revenue Bonds to finance construction of a new water well, a raw water line, and a reverse osmosis water treatment plant. The council also passed a second resolution approving the sale of the bonds. That sale, through a Des Moines bond attorney, will take placer February 6.
ENGINEER’S BUDGET PROPOSAL
The Plymouth County Engineer presented the secondary road department budget proposed for 2025-26.
Tom Rohe presented a budget with estimated receipts of 19.58 million dollars, and expenditures 18.9 million.With rural property values increasing 8.4%, property taxes will bring in an estimated 3.8 million dollars, State and federal funding will be near 9 million dollars. Local option sales tax proceeds are proposed at 1.9 million dollars. Proposed expenditures include one million in administration, 6.7 million in the county road construction program, and 7.1 million in roadway maintenance. and 3.9 million dollars in new equipment, operations, tools, lmaterials and supplies, and real estate and buildings. The county’s road construction program in the next fiscal year will be presented to the Supervisors next week.
EXTREME COLD WARNING
An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect until noon today. This includes Plymouth County and all of northwest Iowa. Wind chills as low as 35 below zero are forecast across the warning area. If you must go outside, dress in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves. Make frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors.
In the Le Mars vicinity, the forecast includes wind chills to -30, with temperatures warming into the teens by this afternoon.
SUPERVISORS WORK ON THE BUDGET AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meet this morning. Budgets will take up much of their session today. The Supervisors will review the county’s 2025-26 Secondary Road Budget, and later review and discuss the overall county budget. There will be a review of the county’s 2024 health insurance, and receive information on 2025-26 health insurance rates. There will also be a closed session on collective bargaining on a contract with secondary road employees.
LE MARS COUNCIL
The Le Mars city council has a busy agenda for today. Under action items, the council will consider rezoning for the Parkview Terrace Mobile Home Park. A consultant agreement on the Le Mars Industrial Park 5th Addition is up for action. An extension of a water tower lease agreement is listed on the agenda. A contract for asbestos removal in a building slated for demolition will be considered. A financing agreement for issuance of Water Revenue Bonds for a major water works project is also up for a decision by the council.
STREET WORK
Starting this morning, the Le Mars Street Department will close 2nd Ave SE, between 1st and 2nd SE at Well’s North Ice Cream Plant. Street Supervisor Scott Kneip says some maintenance is needed there, and it requires the road to be closed. The road should be reopened by mid-afternoon.
JENEARY COMMITTEES
State Representative Tom Jeneary of Le Mars will be busy in five committees in the Iowa House this year. He says this is the largest number of committees he’s been assigned to in one session.
Rep. Jeneary has some specific legislation he wants to pass. One bill would change how pharmacy benefit managers operate.
Lawmakers need to reign in the influence of the benefit managers.
Rep. Jeneary is assigned to the Environmental Protection, Health and Human Services, Labor and Workforce, State Government, and Transportation committees.