Le Mars Town Hall Meeting Could Focus on Fire Rescue Needs
Fire Station #1 will be the location for another City of Le Mars Town Hall Meeting this evening. Residents are invited to take part in this community discussion that begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Mayor and City Council.
Although tonight’s meeting is an open forum for any city-related topic, Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the location of the meeting is also an opportunity to discuss the needs of the Fire Rescue Department.
Schipper says a referendum will take place in November when residents will be asked to approve the building of a new facility.
Fire Station #1, located at 45 1st Avenue Southwest in Le Mars, will also be the location for this morning’s Chamber Community Coffee from 9:30-10:30 a.m. to kick off National EMS Week.
Wells Blue Bunny Recall
Over the weekend, Le Mars Wells Enterprises announced it voluntarily recalled more than 50,000 gallons of ice cream, according to a Food and Drug Administration report.
Wells produces Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Johnny Rockets and other ice cream brands, recalled more than 53-thousand gallons of three-gallon tubs sent to 103 distribution centers in the country. The ice cream was in 22 flavors.
The recall was issued April 25. All the reasons are the same, according to the FDA: “Foreign material (plastic) may be present in ice cream product.” That is a Class II recall, which means exposure to the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”
Wells Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Le Mars, the Ice Cream Capital of the World. It produces more than 150 million gallons of ice cream a year, including its signature brand. Wells also manufactures licensed frozen treat brands.
The company’s corporate office and two ice cream plants are located in Le Mars. Wells employs more than 2,500 production, sales, office and support personnel.
Aurelia Republican State Senator Considers Congressional Run
Iowa State Sen. Lynn Evans of Aurelia says he is considering a run for state’s 4th District Congressional seat.
Evans announced Saturday that he is launching an exploratory committee on a possible run. The Republican state senator currently represents District 3, which includes Buena Vista, Osceola, and O’Brien counties and portions of Cherokee and Clay counties. Current 4th District Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra announced last week he had launched his own exploratory committee to run for governor. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced she will will not run for another term in 2026.
Evans is originally from Aurelia, and he was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2022. Evans has served as chair of the Iowa Senate Education Committee during the 2025 legislative session.
Senator Evans has lead school districts and serve communities in O’Brien, Osceola, Buena Vista, and Cherokee counties. Additionally, he is a member of the Aurelia First United Methodist Church and the president of Alta Kiwanis.
NW Iowa Experiencing Warmer-than-Usual Weather for May
During the past two weeks, temperatures across the state have been warmer than normal, as much as 0-8 degrees above average, according to Iowa State University Extension Service.
Northwest Iowa has seen the largest departure from normal during this time period.
Spotty precipitation has fallen across the state in the past 14 days, with southeast Iowa receiving the largest amounts at around 1 inch. Despite that, the entire state is below average for precipitation during the last 14 days.
North-central Iowa has the greatest two-week deficit at 2 inches below normal. This week, NW is expected to see moderate temperatures in the 60s, with a chance of rain today, tonight and tomorrow.
