Schwartz Sworn In As New Le Mars Fire Chief
A new Le Mars Fire Chief and five other members of Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department were sworn into new positions Tuesday. Although starting his new role as Fire Chief on Friday, Steve Schwarz was officially sworn in yesterday by mayor pro-tem Steve Wick in the Le Mars City Council Chambers. Schwartz has 26 years of experience with Le Mars Fire Rescue and served as Assistant Chief for six years. Schwarz succeeds Fire Chief Dave Schipper, who served Le Mars for 21 years, including 16 years as Chief.
The new Fire Chief says he wants to keep the tradition of the department alive.
He says his family roots played a role in choosing this profession.
Chief Schwarz plans no major changes in the department in the immediate future.
Retired Chief Dave Schipper called yesterday’s oath of office ceremony historic.
Others sworn in yesterday to the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department included Assistant Chief and Fire Marshall Ethan Mitchell, Battalion Chief and Special Operations Officer Bryan Worthy, Battalion Chief- A Shift Marcus Pfeifer, and full-time additions that include Firefighter/EMS Providers Trevor Morris and Dylan Devries.
ATV Rollover Accident
A rural Le Mars woman was injured early Monday evening as the result of an ATV rollover accident.
A Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office news release identified the driver as 71-year-old Kathy Langel. The release says she was operating a Suzuki King Quad 700 4×4 on a driveway at 23776 Noble Avenue when she made a right-hand turn and lost control. This caused the ATV to roll over and ejected Langel. She received suspected serious injuries.
Langel was transported by ground ambulance to Unity Point Health- St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City.
The ATV sustained an estimated $500 in damages.
The Plymouth County Sherriff’s Office and Le Mars Fire and Rescue responded to the accident shortly after 5 p.m. Monday.
Jury Selection Begins In Plymouth County Murder Trial
Jury selection began yesterday in Plymouth County District Court in the trial of a Le Mars man accused of first degree murder. 22-year-old Omar Cruz is charged in the shooting death of 21-year-old Miguel Martinez-Luna.
The alleged crime occurred at Martinez-Luna’s home in Le Mars on September 30th of 2024.
Cruz was arrested in Sioux City a week after the shooting and has been in the Plymouth County Jail since then on a $1 million bond.
Plymouth County Attorney Darin Raymond has filed a list of 28 witnesses that may be called to testify at the trial.
He has also submitted a list of 100 exhibits that could be presented as evidence in the case.
Plymouth County Represented in the State Fair Queen Contest
The 2026 Plymouth County Fair Queen represented the county at this year’s Iowa State Fair. Isabelle Plueger, the daughter of Kelly and Julie Plueger of Craig said the experience was amazing.
(Isabelle Cut 1)
Isabelle told KLEM that the County Fair Queens are housed at a hotel in Altoona during the State Fair.
(Isabelle Cut 2)
Belle Werner of Tama County was crowned the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Saturday evening on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.
PIcture: Plymouth County Fair Queen Isabelle Plueger with Heart of the County Fair Winner Candice Nash/Farrer.
