Service to Agriculture Award, scholarship given at Agri-Business Luncheon
During the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce’s Agri-Business Luncheon on Tuesday, the Chamber’s Ag Committee awarded Joe Rotta the 2026 Service to Agriculture Award.
Rotta has been involved in the agriculture industry for many years, raising hogs and growing corn and soybeans, alongside his volunteer work with local organizations. Rotta has served on the Plymouth County Farm Bureau Board, representing the county at multiple meetings and conferences in Des Moines, as well as being an active member of the Plymouth County Pork Producers Board. While with the Pork Producers, Rotta has been known as the “grill maestro,” coordinating the many grilling events held throughout Plymouth County.
His contributions at the state level include previously serving as an Iowa Pork Board director and currently serving on the Iowa Pork Tent Supervisory Committee. Rotta has also supported agricultural education through his role as the Plymouth County 4-H Swine Superintendent, leading the Adopt a Pig program.
As part of the luncheon, FFA member and Kingsley-Pierson High School student Jordyn Schweizberger received a scholarship from the Committee for her work in FFA.
++++++++++
City council approves bridge repair plans
During their meeting on Tuesday, the Le Mars city council approved plans to repair a bridge in Le Mars that suffered fire damage four years ago.
Routine inspections on the bridge by Schemmer Associates, Inc. has shown no immediate safety concerns, but recommends repairing a cross-frame member and a neoprene trough on the bridge. Estimates for the project is set at $76,320.25, to be funded through Road Use Tax. The council considered repairing only the fire-damaged part of the trough, which would’ve reduced potential costs by $13,000, but approved repairing the entire trough instead due to the age of the structure and the necessary replacement of the trough in the future.
The damage on the bridge was caused by accident during a fire on the evening of February 12th, 2022. A homeless individual that was living underneath the bridge started a fire to cook food and to stay warm, but the fire quickly got out of control, destroying the person’s possessions. The fire caused structural damage to the bridge, including to the bearings and a neoprene trough and curtain. The bridge was initially closed for two days for immediate repairs.
Bids for the repairs on the bridge, located on Business Hwy 75 between 24th St SW and exit 116 of US Hwy 75, will be due to the city by 1pm on Wednesday, April 8th. The council will then award a contract during their Tuesday, April 21st meeting. Traffic on the bridge will be detoured during the repairs, with no timetable currently set.
++++++++++
City council awards contract for Central Avenue project
The Le Mars city council also awarded SiteWorks, Inc. of Sioux Falls, SD, a contract for a project to extend Central Avenue.
14 bids for the project were received by March 11th, with 13 of the bids coming underneath the estimate for the project of just over $1.5 million. SiteWorks was the low bidder at $1,162,630.55, coming in approximately 23% below the estimate. The project would extend utilities and paving on Central Avenue by approximately 1,250 feet south of 18th Street South, just beyond the new Le Mars Community Elementary School under construction.
Full completion of the extension is expected in summer of 2027, before the opening of the new school.
++++++++++
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office focusing on move over law
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a traffic project tomorrow, March 20th, focusing on education and enforcement of Iowa’s move over law.
Iowa Code section 321.323A requires motorists to change lanes or slow down when approaching a stationary vehicle with their flashing lights activated. This applies to any vehicle, including emergency and passenger vehicles.
Violating the move over law will result in a fine of $135 plus court costs. If a violation caused property damage or bodily injury to another person, violators could have their driver’s license suspended for up to a year, depending on severity.
++++++++++
