TESTIMONY IN HARMS TRIAL ENDS
Court has adjourned for the day in the case of Reese Harms, the Le Mars man accused of murder and attempted murder in the death of Michael Gomez of Merrill. Testimony and presentation of evidence concluded this morning. Harms has pleaded not guilty in the case, His attorney claims he acted in self defense by placing a chokehold on Gomez during a fight at a Le Mars apartment. Closing arguements, and instructions to the jury, will take place tomorrow at the Plymouth County Courthouse.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY
A mix of sprinkles and snow this afternoon will turn to all snow tonight and tomorrow across a small portion of northwest Iowa. A Winter Weather Advisory will cover Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Woodbury and Ida counties beginning at 6 pm, and extending through Friday at 6 pm. Accumulations of snow will be between two and five inches, with some isolated 6 inch amounts. The winds will not be as strong as the last storm, gusting up to 25 miles per hour. Travel will be impaired through the period, affecting the morning and evening commutes tomorrow.
CVB BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
The Le mars city council approved recommendations form the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board for project funding in fiscal year 2026. Five events will be supported, including Ice Cream Days, Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland, a Junior Golf of Northwest Iowa tournament, the Olson Concert Bash, and the Tour de Plymouth. One other project, constructing sidewalks at Pioneer Village, will also receive support. Expenditures for these items total 31,500 dollars.
PARK REGULATIONS ORDINANCE
The Le Mars City council has set a public hearing for March 18, to amend the city’s park regulations ordinance. The amendment will include a portion of the Plywood Trail in the city limits. Phase I of the trail is complete from Le Mars to Merrill, and the city will maintain and repair that portion of the trail. Councilman Clark Goodchild expressed concerns over enforcing ordinances outside the city limits. City attorney Michael Murphey said a 28E agreement for the trail, which includes Le Mars, obligates the city to maintain the trail, and allows for the city to do so. The city is extending signage along the trail between Le Mars and Merrill. Costs incurred for this and other maintenance costs would be reimbursed by an endowment administered by the PlyWood Trail Foundation.
WELLS CENTER ANNIVERSARY
The Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Since its grand opening, the center has become a staple of the Le Mars community. 200,000 visitors are served annually. The center was originally located along Highway 75, and in 2011 moved to its current downtown Le Mars location. There was a significant renovation and expansion in 2019. The space added a movie theater, an outdoor patio, and an event room. One of the staple items at the ice cream parlor is the waffle cone. Last year, 69-thousand waffle cones were sold.
To mark the 25th anniversary, the Wells Visitor Center will be celebrating for 25 weeks, starting today, March 6, the date the Visitor Center first opened its doors in 2000. Today only, visitors can enjoy single dip waffle cones and dishes for just $1.99, the original price from when the center first opened. The celebration will continue for 25 weeks with new menu items, throwback specials, exclusive discounts, gift card giveaways, and the launch of a new customer loyalty program.
IOWA’S POPULATION GROWTH IN 2024 STRONG SINCE 2000
A new analysis indicates Iowa has had a population spurt in 2024. The Pew Charitable Trusts report found 42 states saw population growth in 2024 that was the highest its been in 15 years. Iowa’s population increased (0.72%) nearly three-quarters of a percent in 2024 — putting Iowa among seven states that had their strongest annual population growth since the turn of the century. The analysis suggests Iowa’s population will grow during the rest of this decade.
SPRING COULD BE COOLER AND HAVE LESS SEVERE WEATHER
State Climatologist Justin Glisan says the back and forth shifts from cold to warm are typical of the weather as we enter spring. He says the signs right now show a temporary move back to warmer temperatures. Glisan says the weather is shifting out of a weak La Nina pattern and that will impact the rest of the spring. Glisten says if the cooler trend happens it could mean we see less severe storms.
BILL REQUIRING LOCAL POLICE TO WORK WITH ICE TABLED
A bill that would have required local police to partner with federal immigration enforcement activities has been tabled and likely won’t be revived during the 2025 legislative session. Iowa House Judiciary Committee Chair Steven Holt of Denison says he decided not to advance the bill because of concerns that local police and sheriff’s departments might not have the manpower to assist and that would impact other aspects of public safety. Immigrant rights advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would lead to racial profiling and undermine police relationships with immigrant communities. Holt hopes to advance a different immigration-related bill. It would say Iowa law enforcement officers could be charged with a felony if they refuse to cooperate and let Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest people being released from jail.
TWO FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDINGS IN IOWA TARGETED FOR SALE
Federal office buildings in Des Moines and Iowa City may be sold. Both buildings are on a list of over 400 federal facilities rated by the Trump Administration as “non-core assets” to government operations that should be sold. The 10-story Neal Smith Federal Building in downtown Des Moines was built in 1960. Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have offices in the building. It also houses the regional office of the Veterans Administration as well as offices for the I-R-S and the U-S-D-A’s Natural Resource Conservation Service. The Iowa City Federal Building opened in 1974 and its primary tenants are the U-S Geological Survey and the Veterans Health Administration.
