Interim police chief Daale sworn in during council meeting
During the Le Mars city council meeting yesterday afternoon, Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale was sworn in as interim Chief, following the retirement of Kevin Vande Vegte. Mayor Rob Bixenman administered the oath of office to Daale shortly after the council unanimously approved appointing Daale to interim Chief.
Prior to Daale being officially appointed, outgoing Chief Vande Vegte spoke to the council, reflecting on his time in the department and thanking the council and those in attendance at the meeting. Daale will service as interim Chief while the city interviews prospective candidates, including and starting with internal candidates.
The council also approved setting May 19th at noon as the date for a public hearing concerning an amendment to the current city budget, as well as approving submitting an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for funding through the Workforce Tax Credit Program. Those funds would be used for the construction of 24 new apartment units by 1410 Holton Drive, LLC.
The council will meet next on Tuesday, May 19th at noon inside of City Hall.
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Fire-Rescue shares April reports
Le Mars Fire-Rescue answered 163 calls for service during the month of April, according to their monthly report.
The department responded to 71 9-1-1 calls within Le Mars and the surrounding area. 15 investigation calls were answered, 22 special operation calls were received, and 7 requests for services were made to the department. 9 all staff Fire-Rescue calls were made in total.
During April, the department began the search to replace outgoing Fire Chief Dave Schipper, continued their high school EMT and CPR/first aid classes, completed and passed a state Medicaid site visit, and held their quarterly visit with Floyd Valley Healthcare.
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Board of Supervisors holds regular meeting
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors met yesterday morning for a regularly scheduled meeting. During the meeting, the Board approved appointing Chris Koch as Liberty Township Clerk, and Dacia Bolton Bates and David Hecht as Liberty Township Trustees effective starting July 1st, as well as approving a waiver for an addition in Akron.
The Board is scheduled to next meet on Tuesday, May 12th inside of the Plymouth County Courthouse.
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April was a hail of a month for Iowa
If you heard the ping-ping of hail on your roof sometime last month, you were not alone. State Climatologist Justin Glisan says we had 130 severe hail reports in April, and it wasn’t limited to Iowa.
There were many reports of hail big enough to do some damage.
Glisan says this month might have less hail than what we just experienced in April.
The longer term picture is showing the potential for a quieter weather month overall.
Glisan says farmers and everyone else will be happy if May ends up being a less active severe weather month.
(Story via Radio Iowa)
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