Plymouth County Sets Record For Voter Turn-out
(Le Mars) — Seventy-eight percent of the eligible registered voters in Plymouth County voted in Tuesday’s election, which according to Plymouth County Auditor, Stacey Feldman was a new record for voter turn-out.
Feldman says the voters were interested in participating in the
Congressional, U-S Senate, and Presidential races, since most of the local races featured one candidate, and were uncontested. Feldman says Plymouth County also saw a record of voters choosing to vote early, or submit an absentee ballot.
Absentee ballots should have already been returned by election day to the Plymouth County Auditor’s office. However, Feldman says there is one exception where an absentee ballot that is not yet in the Auditor’s office could still be counted.
However, if you are still in possession of an absentee ballot, and you didn’t take the time to affix a stamp and mail your completed ballot to the Auditor’s office, prior to election day, and instead you choose to deliver your ballot in person, then Feldman says you are out of luck.
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will canvass the results of the ballots on Tuesday, November 9th, during their next regularly scheduled meeting. At that time, the votes will become official and certified.
City Council Approves Construction Of Restroom At Cleveland Park
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council, on Tuesday, approved the construction project of a new restroom facilities to be located at Cleveland Park. Three bids were submitted for review, all of them were higher than the architect’s cost estimate for the project. Bainbridge Construction of Kingsley secured the winning bid at $100,655. Construction is expected to begin during the
spring of 2021 with completion of the restroom project scheduled to be finished by June 30, 2021. The city council also discussed the condition of the Le Mars Municipal Airport runway. City administrator, Jason Vacura informed the city council that the FAA is suggesting an upgrade of the runway.
Vacura says a preliminary engineering study needs to be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration by early December. Mayor Dick Kirchoff says the project would be funded with a 90 to 10 percent split, with the city having to finance the ten percent share.
Vacura says the city has several different options to consider that may reduce the overall cost and the time of construction.
Once the project is given the final approval, the airport could be closed for a time period of between three to seven months. The city council approved action for the city administration to further pursue the matter.
Claussen Named Chamber’s “Boss Of The Quarter”
(Le Mars) — The latest Chamber of Commerce “Boss of the Quarter” honors was presented Wednesday to Terry Claussen of Claussens Mens Wear located on the corner of Plymouth Street and Central Avenue. Stacey Mahlke submitted the nomination for Terry Claussen. She writes: “Terry Claussen owns Claussen’s
Clothing Store and has been a dedicated businessperson for over 40 years in the retail business, with 30 of those years, here in Le Mars. Terry has been an outstanding boss and leader for many employees throughout the many years.
When you work with Terry, you are not just another employee. He has a special way of making you feel like you are a part of the family. They say when you love your job, it doesn’t feel like work, and for me and several others, that is exactly the case. I truly look forward to going to work every day. Terry is laid back, open minded, and always lends an ear when needed. He gives direction without being “bossy” and is always interested in
listening to other points of view. Terry deserves recognition for a job well done this year and every year. Thank you for being the best boss ever! Our congratulations go to Terry Claussen for being honored as the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce “Boss of the Quarter.”
New Chicken Quick Service Restaurant To Begin In Le Mars
(Le Mars) — A quick service restaurant will be starting business in what is the Le Mars Country Store convenience facility located at the intersection of Business Highway 75 and Highway 3. Krispy Krunchy Chicken was first established in 1989. It is one of the fastest-growing premium quick-service restaurant (QSR) concepts in the country with approximately 2,500 retail
locations in 47 states. Krispy Krunchy® features Cajun-style chicken (bone-in and tenders), which is always fresh, never frozen, infused with Krispy Krunchy’s proprietary marination and fried in zero trans-fat oil. The menu also includes signature items of Chicken Sandwich, Original, Krispy and Cajun Sweet & Sour Wings, Krispy Shrimp and Fish, and delicious sides, including
Red Beans & Rice, Jambalaya, Mashed Potatoes & Cajun Gravy, Mac-N-Cheese, Boudin Bites (Cajun rice balls), and Honey Butter Biscuits. Krispy Krunchy Chicken is always… Freshly Prepared. Perfectly Cajun.
Despite Big Turnout, COVID-19, Partisan Division, Tuesday’s Vote Basically Trouble-Free
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa election officials say there were few problems Tuesday when voters went to the polls for the presidential election. Despite concerns about the big turnout, COVID-19, and the partisan tensions, only two significant issues were reported. There were some long lines in Council
Bluffs when five polling locations were consolidated at one church. An estimated 100 people were still in line when the polls officially closed at 9:00 p-m. Hardin County didn’t report its results until Wednesday because of a broken ballot scanner.
Charges Filed Against Woman Who Had 11 Exotic Birds Living In “Deplorable” Conditions
(Des Moines, IA) — A Des Moines woman has been charged with four counts of animal neglect after her exotic birds were found living in “deplorable” conditions last month. Working with police, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa says it found 11 of the birds inside waste-covered cages. The floors in the home were reportedly covered in about a foot of trash and waste material.
The A-R-L rescued three Moluccan cockatoos, four Goffin’s cockatoos, two Amazon parrots, and two cockatiels. The beak on one of the birds hadn’t been trimmed in so long it was impossible for it to eat properly.
Iowa Sets New Record With 777 COVID-19 Hospitalizations, 26 More Deaths
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa set another daily record with 777 patients hospitalized for COVID-19. A record 182 patients are in intensive care units and 63 are on ventilators. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported two-thousand-818 new positive coronavirus tests, increasing the state’s total to 136-thousand-47 cases. Twenty-six more Iowans have died of COVID
complications which brings the death toll to one-thousand-781 since the pandemic began. Sixty-one Iowa counties are reporting a 14-day average positivity rate of 15 percent or more. Six-thousand-525 test results contributed to today’s data.
Body Found in West Okoboji House Fire
(West Okoboji, IA) — Firefighters in the Iowa Great Lakes are
investigating a deadly house fire in West Okoboji. Milford assistant chief Doug Hanna says crews were called to the smoke-filled home around 8:30 Wednesday morning. Firefighters put out the flames in the living room area and found a body inside. The victim hasn’t been identified. The State Fire Marshal’s office is helping local investigators determine the cause.
Miller-Meeks Campaign Says Talk of 2nd District Recount ‘Premature’
(Ottumwa, IA) — More than 393-thousand votes have been counted in Iowa’s Second District congressional race — and Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks leads Democrat Rita Hart by just 282 votes. Hart’s campaign issued a statement, declaring the race “too close to call” since absentee ballots with a November 2nd postmark that arrive in county auditor’s offices by November 9th can be counted. The Miller-Meeks campaign released a statement late this morning (Wednesday), saying it’s “premature” to talk about a recount and expressing confidence that the winning margin for Miller-Meeks will stand.”
County boards of supervisors will convene next Monday and Tuesday for what’s called the official canvass in each county. A candidate who asks for a recount in Iowa must file the request in writing within three days after the official canvass has been done.
