Le Mars native is Paullina’s new police chief
A native of Le Mars is set to become the city of Paullina’s new police chief.
Luke Hughes will assume the role full-time starting on Monday, November 3rd, after being formally hired during the October 6th meeting of the Paullina city council. The previous police chief, Nathan Bremer, retired in August after being with the Paullina Police Department for over 15 years.
Hughes has served as a park ranger for Plymouth County Conservation since 2021, and as a part-time officer with the Akron and Hinton Police Departments. Hughes holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Northwestern College and is a certified officer via the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
Off-duty O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office deputies will fill in for the Paullina Police Department until Hughes starts his position.
++++++++++
Senator Grassley says no to more ‘tough as leather’ Argentinian beef
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is adding his voice to the bipartisan chorus of lawmakers who are questioning President Trump’s suggestion to import more beef from Argentina to bring down prices. Reports show U-S consumers are paying more than 50-percent higher prices for beef over the past five years, but Grassley says we need to look within, not outside our nation’s borders, for the solution.
Grassley says he and a half dozen other members of Congress met with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins on Tuesday, and after that meeting, Grassley says he’s convinced the president has the best interests of beef producers in mind.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association issued a statement Wednesday saying Trump’s comments about importing more Argentine beef are “disconcerting,” adding, the president “continues to create undue harm to U.S. cattle producers, inhibiting their ability to make smart marketing decisions that directly impact their long-term profitability.” Grassley says cattle numbers in the U-S are the lowest they’ve been in 75 years and he believes Trump’s long-range plan will “reinvigorate” the cattle industry.
Trump posted Wednesday on social media: “The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil. If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years – Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!”
++++++++++
Community events happening this weekend
Several local activities and events will take place this weekend.
For those that registered ahead, the Plymouth County Historical Museum’s wine tour takes place today, starting at 2 p.m.. The tour stops at the Oscar Carl Winery and the Warrior Hotel in Sioux City, with meals provided and wine parings with each course.
The Gehlen Fine Arts Boosters is presenting their annual Turkey Dinner tomorrow, starting at 4 and ending at 7 p.m.. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, and more will be provided for $14 a ticket, either dine-in or drive-thru. Performances from Gehlen band and choir will be given, and artwork from students will be exhibited. New for this year is a kids carnival held at the Rick Fox Memorial Gym.
And on Monday, the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Lunch & Learn event about a $96 million investment to support small businesses and entrepreneurship, starting at 11:30 a.m.. The lunch is hosted by the Chamber, along with America’s Small Business Development Center and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The Chamber encourages all local business members to attend.
For more local events and activities, check the Announcements page.
++++++++++
