POTENTIAL BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH APPROACHING WINTER STORM – UPDATED
There’s a High Wind and Blizzard Warning in effect tonight across Plymouth County and it’s surrounding counties. Rain changing to snow, along with high winds, will combine to make travel hazardous in the area tonight into tomorrow. A Blizzard Warning is in effect until 6 am Wednesday. A High Wind Warning is from 6 tonight to 6 tomorrow morning. Rain will change over to snow early this evening, and taper off after 11pm. Up to 3 inches of snow are possible. Winds will be 35 to 40 miles per hour tonight, gusting to 60 miles per hour, The combination of the wind and snow will create blizzard conditions across the area.
HARMS TRIAL
The trial of a Le Mars man charged with 2nd degree murder and attempted murder will begin today in Plymouth County District Court. Reese Harms was originally charged with attempted murder and willfull injury causing bodily injury, both class B felonies. Harms was arrested in January of 2024 for allegedly assaulting 44 year old Michael Gomez at a Le Mars apartment. Gomez later died, and the willful injury charge was upgraded to second degree murder. Harms has pled not guilty to the charges. Harm’s attorney, in a recent court filing, gave notice of his intent to rely on self-defense as justification for the defendant’s actions. The trial by jury will begin at 9 am in the Plymouth County Courthouse.
HINTON SPECIAL ELECTION
There’s a special election in Hinton today. The Hinton School District will decide whether to extend their Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL, for another ten years.
The levy is used for building maintenance, security and technology upgrades, buses and maintenance, playground equipment, and classroom upgrades.
The levy is 1 dollars, 34 cents per thousand, and will continue if approved. Passage of the PPEL levy does not increase taxes.
A simple majority, 50% plus one, is required for passage. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. There’s one voting place in Hinton, at the Hinton Community Center.
PROPERTY TAX HEARING
A public hearing to consider the Le Mars’s property tax levy in the 2025-26 budget will be April 1st, at 11:45 am in city council chambers. Budget guidelines require a property tax hearing separate from the regular city council meetings. This is done as a transparency measure, and will be sent out as a Truth-in-Taxation statement.
The maximum property levy rate is 11-dollars, 87 cents per thousand valuation. That’s the maximum the city can authorize. The actual levy is a dollar lower.
WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES PLAN
A public hearing will be held March 18 on a wastewater treatment plant facility plan, as prepared bythe city’s project engineer, Bolton and Menk.
This document is over 1-thousand pages long, and will be submitted to the Iowa DNR for review. A representative of Bolton and Menk said today that council approval of the facility plan is necessary to the DNR’s approval process. Wells, Kemps, and the city have asked for additional treatment capacity in the new facilities, and Wells requested additional reserve capacity. The plan can be amended, even after submitting it to DNR. Components of the plan include a lift station and force man at the Wells North Ice Cream Plant; an anaerobic industrial pretreatment facility; expansion of the west treatment plant to treat all of the city’s wastewater; and demolition of the east treatment plant.
MONTHLY FIRE RESCUE REPORT
Le Mars Fire Rescue responded to a total of 132 calls in the month of February. 99 of those responses were 911 calls, ambulance transfers, and second calls. Training sessions were held for Battery Fire, EMS neurological emergencies, hose deployment and rope use, and electricity fires. Le Mars Fire Rescue continues to hold daily high school EMT classes. Three staffers completed training for Advanced Life Support, or Pediatric Advanced Life Support. There were several fires, including a multi-unit garage fire, and several grass fires last Friday, one covering over 2.5 miles. There was also the funeral for Retired Firefighter Loren Harrington.
HULL RESIDENCE BURNS
A fire Sunday afternoon in Hull caused extensive damage. Sioux County Communications received a 9-1-1 report of a structure fire that occurred at 803 Brown Street, in Hull, Iowa.
The Hull Fire Department responded and upon arrival, discovered that the back porch of the residence was engulfed in flames.
The residence sustained a significant amount of fire and smoke damage.
No injuries were reported
The Hull Fire Department was assisted by the Hull Ambulance, Rock Valley Fire Department and the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.
BILL WOULD HAVE IOWA OFFICIALS SET SCHOOL MEALS’ NUTRITIONAL STANDARDS
The Iowa legislature is considering a bill to override federal nutritional requirements for school breakfast and lunch programs. If the bill becomes law, the Iowa Department of Education would seek federal approval to adopt state-specific nutritional guidelines that make servings of meat and dairy products top priorities. The bill says regional food sources – like corn, pork and milk – are not adequately addressed by federal guidelines. Federal guidelines for school meals include sodium and calorie limits and emphasize whole grains, fruits, vegetable and low-fat dairy products.The bill would have state officials seek a federal waiver and the state would develop its own set of nutritional guidelines for meals served in schools
