HARMS FOUND GUILTY AS CHARGED AT JURY TRIAL – UPDATE
A Plymouth County jury has found Reese Harms of Le Mars guilty of second degree murder and attempted murder in the death of Michael Gomez of Merrill. The jury returned the verdict around 2:15 this afternoon.
Harms was originally charged with attempted murder and willfull injury causing bodily injury, both class B felonies, after an altercation on January 19, 2024, at a Le Mars apartment. Gomez died several days later, and the willfull injury charge was upgraded to second degree murder. Harms pleaded not guilty, claiming that Gomez was high on meth at that time, and he choked him in self-defense. Sentencing will take place on May 2. The jury got the case this morning, after closing arguments.
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The case of Reese Harms is now in the hands of a jury, after closing arguements this morning in Plymouth County District Court.
Harms is charged with 2nd degree murder and attempted murder in the death of Michael Gomez of Merrill. This stemmed from a fight between the two at a Le Mars apartment on January 19 of last year.
Prosecutor Jason Bring, the Assistant Plymouth County Attorney, summed up his case to the jury. He pointed ot the facts of the case, that Harms strangled Gomez until he stopped breathing. His heart stopped and he had no pulse. Bring said Harms acted with hatred, because he was irritated with the victim.
Defense attorney Michael Jacobsma pointed to the cause of death – cardiac arrest. There was also no physical evidence of strangulation. He pointed to meth intoxication as more closely fitting Gomez’s cause of death. Jacobsma told the jury Harms acted in self-defense – he felt threatened and trapped by the situation in the apartment that day.
The case was given to the jury shortly after 11 a.m. today.
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Prosecution and defense rested their cases yesterday in the trial of Reese Harms of Le Mars. Harms is charged with murder and attempted murder in the death of Michael Gomez of Merrill. 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 arguments, and instructions to the jury, will take place this morning at the Plymouth County Courthouse.
EMMINENT DOMAIN FOR CARBON PIPELINES BLOCKED IN SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota’s governor signed a bill Thursday banning the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines. Sierra Club of Iowa Attorney Wally Taylor says that should stop Summit Carbon from building its carbon pipeline in Iowa as the Iowa Utilities Commission requires they get permits in the Dakotas before they start construction in Iowa. Taylor says it appears Summit cannot build the pipeline with using eminent domain in South Dakota. Taylor says their focus continues to be on getting Iowa lawmakers to block the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines here. A spokesperson for Summit Carbon Solutions issued a statement that says “While this presents obstacles, our project moves forward in states that support investment and innovation, and we will have more news on that soon.”
GOP LAWMAKERS RELEASE PLAN FOR MASSIVE PROPERTY TAX OVERHAUL
Key Republican lawmakers have developed a plan they say would be the biggest property tax overhaul since 1977. The plan would erase a series of property tax credits the state finances. The state could then increase annual funding to schools by about 400 MILLION dollars and lower the amount of taxes property owners pay to their local school district by that amount. The bill would establish a two percent cap on the valuations of residential, commercial and industrial property — although any new construction would raise the value of a property. — controlling the amount of property tax revenue raised each year. The bill also ends the so-called “roll back” that connects property tax values throughout the state. Critics say it has given Iowa’s growing cities an advantage, while penalizing property owners in small towns.
TRUMP APPOINTS IOWAN TO BE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF SBA
President Trump has appointed former state Senator Brad Zaun to be regional director of the Small Business Administation. Zaun, the former mayor of Urbandale, was the first elected official in Iowa to endorse Trump before the 2016 Iowa Caucuses. Zaun served in the Iowa Senate for 20 years and lost his bid for reelection last year. As regional administrator of the S-B-A, Zaun told Radio Iowa he will spend most of his time traveling Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. The agency provides loans as well as counseling and contracting advice to small businesses.
WELLS CENTER ANNIVERSARY
The Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor began its 25th anniversary celebration Thursday. Beth Meyer, manager of the center, says the Ice Cream Parlor began at a location on Highway 75, and later moved to the downtown location.
Meyer says the visitors center is a focal point downtown.
Meyer has her favorite ice cream, and has one from the past.
This will be a 25 week celebration at the Wells center.
Nothing’s changed since the Ferraro Group purchased the company.
Meyer says into the future, Wells Ice Cream Parlor and Visitors Center will continue what it’s been doing for the past 25 years.
NON-BARGAINING FUNDS
The Le Mars city council approved a pool of funds totaling 155-thousand dollars for wage increases in fiscal year 2026. These cover employees not in the collective bargaining unit. The raises amount to a dollar per hour, plus five percent, and will be paid for through department budgets. The move affects some 15 to 18 city employees.
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.
FEENSTRA VOTES TO BLOCK REGULATIONS ON HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution blocking Biden-era regulations on household appliances from being implemented. US Rep. Randy Feenstra voted for the resolution. The regulations affect washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioners, and heaters. Feenstra says the regulations raise costs for manufacturers and raise prices for consumers.
WATER SUMMARY UPDATE
Drought conditions have slightly expanded in central Iowa and a small area in eastern Iowa due to below-normal precipitation in February, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
February’s preliminary statewide precipitation was 0.42 inches, or 0.75 inches below normal. The state’s average snowfall for February was nearly two inches below normal, despite colder temperatures. The winter months are typically the driest in Iowa.
At the end of February, Iowa’s Drought Plan showed conditions degrading in the northern three drought regions, resulting in a drought watch designation. Meanwhile, drought conditions remain stable in the two southern drought regions, with a normal drought watch designation.
IOWA REFUGEES MAY FACE HOMELESSNESS WITH FEDERAL AID HALTED
Refugee resettlement agencies in Iowa are nearly out of funding after the Trump administration stopped providing money to support new arrivals. The U-S Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Des Moines started the year with around 35 staff members. By Friday, six will remain. Wellness program manager Leslie Olson says they haven’t been paid by the federal government since November, including money for services not affected by an executive order to stop resettlement work. Lutheran Services of Iowa has not been reimbursed for any federal expenses since December. Nicholas Wuertz, L-S-I’s director of refugee services, says they’re waiting for one-and-a-half million dollars in reimbursements. Without the money, Wuertz says homelessness for these new families will be a reality in a few weeks.
