Le Mars Urban Revitalization Plan Discussed at Tuesday City Council Meeting
A Le Mars City Council member raised concerns in yesterday’s City Council meeting about the number of apartments being built in the community. When considering the continuation of the Le Mars Urban Revitalization Plan, Clark Goodchild brought up the idea of cutting back the incentives for future apartment construction.
After a lengthy housing discussion, the Council took no action, leaving the current 7-year tax incentives on multi-family dwellings in place. In an interview with KLEM news, Goodchild acknowledged that this is a supply and demand situation and, in the end, he was in agreement with leaving the incentives in place.
Goodchild, who emphasized he is “pro growth” for Le Mars, says that single family dwellings should be a priority for the community.
The next Le Mars City Council meeting will be Tuesday, August 19, at noon.
Safety Concerns Over E-Scooters on Le Mars Streets
Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte told the City Council Tuesday that electric scooters are creating safety concerns in the community.
Vande Vegte says those operating these devices should give pedestrians the right of way and he is asking parents to speak with their children about operating them responsibly.
A recent national study by the University of California San Francisco found that accident rates were soaring in the United States for e-bikes and scooters. The study showed e-bicycle injuries doubling every year from 2017 to 2022 and e-scooter injuries rising by 45% each year.
In rare cases, the incidents can seriously injure travelers.
Multi-Vehicle Accident Monday On HWY 75 Involves Le Mars Man
Four people were hurt in a three vehicle accident Monday afternoon on Highway 75 in Lyon County. The Iowa State Patrol says a Chevy Malibu was southbound on the highway near 210th Street shortly before 2pm when the 15-year-old male driver crossed the centerline and hit the side of the trailer being pulled by a pickup driven by 66-year-old Russell Holzman of Le Mars.
The Malibu then struck a Honda pilot head on driven by 62-year-old Kathleen Goedken of Rock Rapids. She was airlifted to Avera hospital in Sioux Falls with injuries. A passenger, 90-year-old Lucy Hoppe of Rock Valley was also airlifted to Avera with injuries. A 36-year-old woman and a 13 year old male in the Malibu were also hospitalized with injuries
The Le Mars driver, Russell Holzman, and the Malibu driver were not reportedly injured.
Fewer Tornadoes This Summer
The state of Iowa had a relatively quiet and calm tornado season this year, after last year’s record tornado outbreak.
State climatologist Justin Glisan says August is what’s considered the peak season for twisters. Glisan says we’ve only seen about 30 tornadoes, versus 125 last year. During July alone, Iowa had more than 180 severe wind reports, but Glisan says overall, the late spring and summer have provided a reprieve from “widespread” severe weather.
However, Glisan notes that tornadoes can strike during any season and in any month.
