Two Vehicle Accident Happens At Merrill Rail Crossing On Hwy 75
(Merrill) — A two-vehicle accident happened last evening at about 7:45 p.m. on Highway 75 near the railroad crossing at Merrill. According to the Merrill Police Department, both vehicles were going in the same direction, with the first vehicle had noticed the flashing lights of the rail crossing had began to flash indicating an approaching train. The second vehicle did
not notice the first vehicle had stopped, and perhaps did not notice the flashing rail lights, as it tried to pass the first vehicle. Apparently, the second vehicle struck the first vehicle from behind. As a result of the collision, both vehicles traveled through the rail crossing, and ended on opposite side of the rail tracks. The Burlington Northern-Sante Fe train was able to pass without any further incident. Three people were injured,
but according to Merrill Police officials, none had life-threatening
injuries. The injured parties were transported to Mercy One Medical Center in Sioux City. Responding to the accident were the Merrill Fire Department, Merrill Ambulance, Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Le Mars Ambulance, Hinton Ambulance, Merrill Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Both the Merrill Police and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s
Office are investigating the accident. No names of the accident victims have been released.
South Dakota Man Arrested For Drug Possession Following Accident
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County deputies were dispatched on Wednesday morning to county road C-38 and Concord Avenue near Westfield for a traffic collision with no injuries. However, following the accident investigation, one of the drivers
involved was Jonathan Lemster, age 32 of Tea, South Dakota, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Lemster was charged and investigated by the Iowa State Patrol and found to be under the influence of drugs, 3rd or subsequent offense, a class D felony. He was arrested and transported to the Plymouth County Jail.
Absentee Ballots For City/School Election Now Available
(Le Mars) — Absentee ballots for the November 5, 2019 combined City/School Election are available beginning October 17th, in the County Auditor’s Office at the Plymouth County Courthouse during regular business hours of 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Absentee ballots may be cast
in person at the Auditor’s office until Monday, November 4th until 5 pm.
This is the first combined City/School Election in Iowa since it was required by Iowa Law last year.
Absentee ballots to be mailed to voters must be requested in writing. Forms are available at the Plymouth County Auditor’s Office or atwww.co.plymouth.ia.us under Online Services and then County Forms or can be obtained from the Iowa Secretary of State website. Voters may contact theAuditor’s office and an absentee ballot request form can be mailed to a voter. Completed absentee ballot request forms should be mailed to the
Auditor’s office at 215 4th Ave. SE, Le Mars, IA 51031 and a ballot will be mailed to you.
REMINDER: All absentee ballot request forms require either an Iowa Driver’s License, Non-operator ID number or the last 4 digits of your social security number in order for a ballot to be mailed to you.
Voters requesting an absentee ballot to be mailed to them must have the request form to the Auditor’s office no later than 5 pm on Friday, October25th, as that is the last day absentee ballots can be mailed out to voters.
Kluckhohn Custodian Named “Employee Of The Month”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District honored one of its custodians as the “Employee of the Month.” William “Bill” Miller was presented the award during a presentation ceremony held this morning at Kluckhohn Elementary School. Miller has been employed by Le Mars Community Schools for 13 years. He was nominated by Kay Michaelson and Marie
Kooistra. In their nomination, they state that Bill Miller performs tasks before they need to be done, and he quickly tackles requests that you ask of him. He can often be found at school, even on days off, just to check on things. He goes above and beyond to help out in any way a staff member may need assistance.
For these reasons, and many more, we are fortunate to have Bill Miller as our custodian, and so thankful to have him and the talents he brings with him as a part of our staff at Kluckhohn. For all the skills he brings in doing the technical part of his job, Bill’s personality is equally important for our building. He enjoys visiting with the students. He has a great sense of humor which he shares freely. He does his job with a smile.
Bill Miller is an important part of the Kluckhohn family and we feel he is entirely deserving to be named “Employee of the Month.” Our congratulations go to Bill Miller, custodian at Kluckhohn Elementary School, for being named as this month’s Le Mars Community School District “Employee of the Month.”
Le Mars Restaurants Participate In “Restaurant Week”
(Le Mars) — Next week, Le Mars will be celebrating “Restaurant Week.” Mary Reynolds with the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce says it is an opportunity for people to eat out, and recognize all the various restaurants and food selections within Le Mars.
Reynolds says there are 13 local restaurants participating in the Le Mars Restaurant Week.
The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce representative says many of the featured restaurants will have discounted specials during “Restaurant Week.”
Reynolds wouldn’t unveil what any of the special food items would be, saying, we will need to collect a card during today’s Gehlen Catholic Homecoming parade.
Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputies Shot While Serving A Warrant
STUART, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say two sheriff’s deputies were shot and wounded while serving a warrant at an apartment complex in central Iowa.
The gunfire erupted around 10:40 p.m. Thursday in Stuart, about 35 miles (57 kilometers) west of Des Moines.
Iowa Criminal Investigation Division agent Adam DeCamp said early Friday that both Guthrie County deputies and the suspect are being treated for non-life-threatening gunshot injuries at a Des Moines hospital. A third officer was injured – but not shot – while responding.
Names of those involved and more details haven’t been released.
Associated Press messages left for city and county authorities weren’t immediately returned.
Stuart is a city of about 1,700 people that sits along Interstate
80. Natasha Peninger lives in the apartment complex, and she told station KCCI that she “just grabbed my kids and left” when an officer banged on her door and told her to evacuate.
Court Of Appeals Has Set Date To Hear Testimony On The Selection Of Judges
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Court of Appeals has set a date for arguments in a lawsuit that challenges a law giving the governor more power over the selection of supreme court and appeals court judges.
Chief Judge Thomas Bower says in an order signed last week that the court will hear arguments on Nov. 6.
Lawyer Bob Rush, a former Democratic state senator who is one of the plaintiffs, asked that Gov. Kim Reynolds’ most recent appointment to the court, Judge Julie Schumacher, recuse herself because the validity of her appointment could be affected by the outcome.
Bower rejected the recusal request and a request for a full court
hearing. He says he and four other judges will hear the case on an expedited basis.
The lawsuit alleges the law is an unconstitutional infringement by
the legislative branch of the judicial branch and violates a state law requiring bills to center on one topic and clearly state a purpose.
Home Care Facilities Accused Of Fraud
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A federal judge has ordered five home health care facilities in Iowa and South Dakota accused of filing fraudulent Medicare claims to pay more than $3.1 million.
A complaint filed earlier this month in Cedar Rapid’s federal court
accused Sergeant Bluff Healthcare and Elk Point Healthcare of filing Medicare claims for home health services billed by a third-party for services that did not qualify for Medicare coverage or were not justified or necessary. Prosecutors say the fraudulent claims were filed from January 2012 through December 2015.
For most of that time, the facilities were managed by a Minnesota company that has since gone out of business.
In a consent judgment issued Wednesday, a judge ordered Sergeant Bluff Healthcare, Red Oak Healthcare and Logan Healthcare, all in Iowa, and Elk Point Health Care and Flandreau Healthcare, both in South Dakota, to pay various amounts ranging from $1.2 million to nearly $116,000.
