Storms Hit Northwest Iowa, Plymouth County Hit Hard
Strong thunderstorms rolled through Northwest Iowa early Sunday morning, with winds causing damage and knocking out power to hundreds of residents.
Overnight thunderstorms in Le Mars brought a wind gust that measured 61 mph at the NWS station at the airport. Nearly 2000 Plymouth County residents lost power shortly after 4 a.m.
The Le Mars Community Stadium sign on the southeast corner of the facility blown down by the wind.
There was also damage to dugouts and a light tower down at the John Britton Little League Complex
In Hospers, the Sioux County sheriff says no travel was advised through Sunday morning, because of several downed trees and power lines that took out power in the town. A tree blocked the roadway at Jackson Avenue and 330th Street around three miles southwest of Boyden.
Another 231 Ida County residents also lost power because of the storms.
State Auditor Rob Sand Visits Le Mars Tuesday as part of his Gubernatorial Campaign/Local Democrats to hold Protest
Democratic State Auditor and candidate for governor Rob Sand will come to Le Mars and meet with residents in the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlar on Tuesday, July 1st. It is part of Sand’s 100 Town Halls Tour across Iowa. That visit comes a few hours before the Plymouth County Democrats gather to protest proposed cuts to the medicaid program.
Democrats are inviting all community member to join them for the protest at Foster Park, at 5:15 p.m. to support the Medicaid program and rural hospitals.
The U.S. House of Representatives has proposed cuts and changes to Medicaid. The protest will begin at 5:15 p.m. at Foster Park, Sixth Street and Central Avenue South, in Le Mars.
Law to Ban Handling a Cell Phone While Driving In Effect July 1st
Starting Tuesday, July 1st, it will be illegal for Iowa motorists to hold a cell phone, scroll through it or watch videos on it while driving. A 2017 Iowa law has banned texting while driving, but Dinkla says it’s been hard to enforce because drivers were allowed to handle their phones to make calls or fiddle with digital maps for navigation. That changes July 1st. If a vehicle doesn’t have “hands-free” technology, there are ways to adapt.
There are small Bluetooth transmitters that can be installed in vehicles that don’t have the technology. The law allows for one-touch activation, so Dinkla says you could buy a cell phone holder and answer calls in speaker mode.
Starting January 1st, the fine for handling a cell phone while driving will be 100 dollars. Fines escalate if there’s an accident causing serious injury or death. There are some exemptions in the bill for people like bus drivers, emergency responders and people driving farm machinery.
Mental Health First Aid in Sheldon
Starting today, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering Mental Health First Aid for adults, an educational program by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to help Iowans help each other with mental health challenges.
The program will be offered in-person 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, June 30, at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon.
Mental Health First Aid covers how to intervene during a wide range of mental health-related challenges, including depression and anxiety symptoms, panic attacks, and substance abuse, as well as when someone who is thinking about dying by suicide.
Services for Lawton State Senator Set for Thursday in Sioux City
A Thursday service is set for Iowa State Senator Rocky De Witt, who passed away after facing a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City states that visitation and services will be held at Sunnybrook Community Church in Sioux City. Visitation begins at 9:30 am on Thursday, July 3rd, with the service to follow at 10:30 am.
De Witt was born and raised in Lawton, Iowa.
He was elected to serve on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors in 2016, where he’d serve until 2022, stepping down to become a member of the Iowa Senate.
