Siren tests to begin in April, city confirms
The city of Le Mars will begin monthly tests of tornado sirens starting in April, the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department has announced.
Siren tests will take place on the first Monday of each month from April through November, with the first test beginning at 1pm on April 6th. The city will also participate in Iowa’s statewide tornado drill on March 25th at 10am. If inclement weather occurs or if it falls on a holiday, tests will take place the following Monday.
The city has eight outside warning sirens throughout the community, intended for people to take cover in a safe place. The Fire-Rescue Department would like to remind the public that they are not intended for indoor warning devices. In the event of emergencies, fire and law enforcement will try to notify the public through the use of radio on KLEM and through Sioux City TV stations. The department recommends that all homes have a weather radio for receiving up to date weather reports.
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Le Mars Police Department releases annual report for 2025
During the Le Mars city council meeting on Tuesday, police chief Kevin Vande Vegte presented the Police Department’s annual report to the council.
The department hired three new officers during 2025: Officer Blake Beller, Officer Victoria Gibbs, and Officer Carissa Cazares. Vande Vegte stated that the department “had no problems finding qualified applicants,” noting hiring shortages at other area departments.
In 2025, 994 complaints were investigated by the department, and 9,248 calls for service were answered by officers. Just under 3,800 citations and warnings were issued, with 82% of all traffic stops resulting in warnings. 777 arrests and criminal charges were filed, including 37 juveniles, and 262 accidents were reported with 29 injuries. No fatalities or homicides occurred during 2025; the city of Le Mars has not recorded a fatal accident since 2021. Vande Vegte noted during the meeting that arrests and accidents were up from 2024.
The department’s goals for 2026 include holding “several” town hall meetings and community events, implement new community policing programs, replacing two patrol vehicles and all patrol rifles, and to expand training programs for officers. Vande Vegte stated that the department will eventually transition towards a new schedule, ensuring that more officers are on call at a time, and that no officers work alone during patrols.
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Sioux Honey announces three phase expansion
Sioux Honey Association shared details of their upcoming expansion in Sioux City at a Tuesday morning news conference.
Aimee Sandman, the director of growth & community impact at Sioux Honey, explained a three phase plan to build new facilities over the next five years. The first phase involved the purchase an existing warehouse with office space and land for the future expansion.
That phase begins in January of 2027 and will hopefully be completed before the end of next year. Six additional jobs will be created at the new warehouse, which will be located near the Airport and Interstate 29. Phase two will involve construction of a new processing facility and laboratory adjacent to the warehouse and offices.
Sandman says phase three involves more storage needed because of the growing number of beekeepers providing honey to be processed.
Kevin Hueser is president and CEO of the Sioux Honey Association, which has made Sioux City its home since 1921. He says other states made proposals to try to get them to move, but the state of Iowa and Sioux City stepped up to keep them here.
Sioux Honey currently receives raw product from around 200 beekeepers and produces 35 million pounds of honey annually, about 25% of the nations supply. Around 40 new jobs will be created when the project is completed; the company currently employs 89 workers.
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