Ice Cream Days: Scooper hero kicks off celebrations
Day one of the Ice Cream Capitol of the World’s signature summer celebration kicked off this morning with a Community Coffee event at the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor. During the event, the “first scoop” of Ice Cream Days was taken by 6-year-old Scooper Hero Rowan Kimble, who says he’s excited to take part in the festivities.
Scooper Hero Rowan will be featured during Saturday’s parade and at several events across town during the week. This is the second year Ice Cream Days features a Scooper Hero chosen among area children, and Wells Ice Cream Parlor senior manager Beth Meyer says it adds to the Ice Cream Days experience.
Meyer says having a Scooper Hero involves children even more in Ice Cream Days and in the community.
Other notable events taking place today include the Tri-State Cruisers Classic Car Show, starting at 4pm at the Olson Cultural Events Center, and a Municipal Band concert in Foster Park starting at 7:30pm. For more information on today’s events, or for the full event schedule, visit icecreamdays.com.
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Plymouth County supervisors approve one-year data center moratorium
During the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday morning, the Board unanimously approved a resolution enacting a one-year moratorium on constructing data centers in the county.
The resolution places a year-long moratorium on permitting “large-scale data centers and industrial battery storage facilities” within the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board’s authority effective immediately, and can be revoked or extended by the Board at any time over the next 12 months. Plymouth County will join several other Iowa counties in having an active data center moratorium, including Johnson, Dubuque, Shelby, Linn, Adair, and Clarke Counties.
Discussion concerning a potential moratorium was held during last week’s meeting between the Board and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Board chair Don Kass stated during that meeting that the two most important concerns he has are water consumption and the possibility of the centers quickly becoming brownfield sites, adding that the county’s zoning code “needs to be reflective of the potential.”
The moratorium is set to expire on June 16th, 2027. The Board is scheduled to next meet on Tuesday, June 23rd inside of the Plymouth County Courthouse.
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Submissions needed for Antique Equipment Photo Display during Plymouth County Fair
The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee is seeking photo submissions for its Antique Equipment Photo Display in the iconic Round Barn exhibit at the Plymouth County Fair, with selected photos to be featured during the 2026 and 2027 fairs in the barn.
Submissions may include vintage tractors, implements, or any notable farm equipment. People may also appear in the photos, and original photos can also be submitted. Organizers request that digital photos be submitted without cropping or enhancement, to ensure the best professional display quality. The cost to participate is $60 per photo, which covers professional photo preparation and supports agricultural education in the Round Barn.
If you would like to submit a photo, please contact the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce at 712-546-8821 or visit their office for submission instructions. All images will be professionally printed, mounted with grommets, and proudly displayed in the Round Barn — a fairground landmark celebrating agricultural heritage and community stories.
