Plants

Jury finds Robinson not guilty in traffic death (11/27/09)
A Merrill man charged with vehicular homicide was found not guilty by a jury Wednesday. Danny Clyde Robinson, 50, faced the felony charge after being in an August 2007 collision on Plymouth County roads just north of Merrill that claimed the life of 78-year-old Fern Nielson, of Lake Norden, S.D...

Jury finds Robinson not guilty (11/26/09)
A Merrill man charged with vehicular homicide was found not guilty by a jury Wednesday. Danny Clyde Robinson, 50, faced the felony charge after being in an August 2007 collision on Plymouth County roads just north of Merrill that claimed the life of 78-year-old Fern Nielson, of Lake Norden, S.D...

There's a glow in the west (11/23/09)
Now as an adult, Scheitler has decorated on the grounds of his acreage just one mile from that farm for the past 14 years, each year adding a bit more. Make that a lot more. "We call it 'Christmas Acres,'" Scheitler said. He estimates there are 60,000 lights on 55 trees and 60 bushes, with 17 inflatable decorations in the yard. ...

Blaze destroys top of Hinton corn dryer (11/12/09)
Burning corn took out one of the Hinton Co-op's grain dryers Wednesday. The Hinton Fire Department responded to a 3:15 p.m. call reporting smoke coming from one of the two grain dryers at the Hinton Co-op. "There was a pretty good fire in the upper third of the grain dryer," Hinton Fire Chief Chad Beck said. "Corn in the dryer was burning and we don't really know why yet."...

Faber's hobby wine earns high rank (10/28/09)
A Le Mars man's wine, made from grapes grown in his backyard and fermented in his basement, was picked champion in its class last weekend. Wayne Faber entered his dry red wine in the Schleswig Wine and Bier Contest last weekend, an annual event for Schleswig, 45 miles south of Cherokee...

Oh deer! It's that time of year (10/28/09)
With tree leaves turning golden and temperatures cooling, the fall season also brings a greater chance of car-deer accidents on roadways across Plymouth County. "We're starting to see an increase in vehicles hitting deer," said Plymouth County Deputy Paul Betsworth. "Once farmers start getting their crops in, they start chasing the deer out of the fields onto the roadways."...

Loess Hills golf course plan denied permit (10/13/09)
Concern for Loess Hills preservation was at the top of a list of reasons why the Plymouth County Board of Adjustment denied a man's request to turn his land into a golf course. John Denney, of Rural Westfield, came before the board Monday seeking a conditional use permit to build and operate a nine-hole golf course on his 20.92 acres near North Ridge Road in western Plymouth County...

Trees planned for cultural event center (09/28/09)
Olson Cultural Event Center is about to get a little greener. The City of Le Mars is planting 18-20 trees around the stage and cement pavillion at First Avenue and First Street Northeast this fall. The trees will all be maple, and they will be planted along the east, south, and west sides of the center, according to Steve Hansen, the city's public works supervisor...

Pheasants' habitat dwindles by millions of acres each year (09/18/09)
Hunters may face a challenge this season -- the pheasant population is on a downward spiral in Plymouth County and throughout Iowa. Last year Iowa had 100,000 hunters and 383,000 birds, which is four birds per person in the field. Other years there have been 1.5 million pheasants, said John Linquist, Pheasants Forever regional representative. "From the early 2000s to now there has been a steady decline because of weather and habitat," Linquist said. The cold, damp spring this year affected pheasants' nesting habits, said Mike Slota, Pheasants Forever chairman for Plymouth County youth programs. "The weather has to be somewhat warm to produce the insects for the chicks when they're hatched," Slota said. "The hens can't keep the chicks adequately warm and they just die from exposure." The loss of habitat also affects pheasants' nesting because hens have less area to hide from predators, Slota said. Pheasant habitats, which usually require 5 to 10 acres, are areas with a mixture of tall and short grasses and flowering plants that attract insects, Slota said. A major reason that habitat is dwindling is that millions of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres are going away each year, Linquist said. Last year alone 1.1 million CRP acres expired, according to www.pheasantsforever.org. With the price of grain, farmers are finding they can make more money planting their land than putting it into CRP acres, Slota said. "With this economy you can't blame any farmer for squeezing every dollar out of the ground they can," Slota said. "Their job is to produce grain and make money off the ground. We understand that." Farmers began enrolling their qualified land into CRPs to be planted into habitats 10 to 15 years ago and receiving federal compensation, Linquist said. "A lot of people's acres are expiring and there are no new signups," he said. Another 3.8 million CRP acres will expire this fall and 4.4 million acres next September for a total of 21 million acres gone from the program by the end of 2012 without a new signup. The USDA does not have a signup scheduled, according to the Pheasants Forever website. "It's hard to maintain a bird population when we're constantly taking conservation acres out of play," Linquist said. Pheasants Forever hopes to turn that around with its program, Reload Iowa. The intent of Reload Iowa is to establish 1 million acres of new habitat on Iowa landscape. That means $11.5 million will need to be raised and 50 employees hired to go door-to-door to work with landowners to create the habitat, Linquist said. "That program is going to have to pay enough money out to entice the farmer to want to do this," Slota said. "The farmer has to look at the bottom line." There are also national programs like Conservation Practice 38 or State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) working to help conserve and create new habitat. SAFE started last year with 200,000 CRP acres that were divided among states. "We had 27,700 acres," Linquist said. "All of those acres have been used up and all within a year." The loss of habitat and dwindling pheasant population in Plymouth County and throughout the state has a trickle-down effect on economy and recreation, Linquist said. "When the population of the birds down so does the population of the hunters," he said. That means less dollars spent shopping, eating and staying locally by nonresident hunters. Fewer hunters also leads to a loss of revenue on licenses, which means less money to help support county and state parks, Linquist said. "That's what buys the land and sees to the upkeep," he said. "We're hurting ourselves by people not going out and hunting." A declining pheasant and hunter population is also detrimental for the next generation of would-be hunters, but Slota's optimistic Reload Iowa and similar programs will turn the numbers around. "I hope we start seeing an increase in the next couple of years," Slota said. "I would love to see it start going back the other way and hopefully we are doing the right things to make it start going the other way."

Locals would pay price if Cherokee MHI closes (09/15/09)
Closing the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (MHI) would be damaging for Plymouth County, according to area mental health professionals. Transportation costs for both the county and patients having to travel greater distances to other facilities to receive treatment and related agencies that rent space on the institution's campus could face hardships...

Unusual ears: Sweet corn packs a surprise (07/29/09)
When Gary Junge was husking an ear of sweet corn, what he found caught him off guard. Inside the husks was not one ear of sweet corn, but two -- one regular size, and one miniature. Both ears were connected at the stalk. Iowa State University Extension crop specialist Joel DeJong said he's seen a few reports of these double ears...

Heavy rain, winds cause chaos in northwest Iowa (07/08/09)
Heavy rain and gusting winds brought down tree branches and limbs Tuesday night in Le Mars and across northwest Iowa. As Ryan Richardson, 1005 Central Ave., cut up a large tree that had fallen on his pickup in his driveway Wednesday morning, he said lighting had struck the tree causing it to split during Tuesday night's storm...

Natural and effective ways to keep insects away (06/10/09)
With the season of summer quickly approaching, people are looking for a way to avoid the bites, stings and annoyance of summer creepy crawlies. DEET, a chemical commonly used in store boughten insect repellents, is effective in repelling flies, ticks and mosquitos when applied to skin...

A Hinton vintage: Couple opens winery (06/02/09)
The bundle of 400 grape vines that arrived at Barry and Brenda Dittmer's door nearly six years ago have come to fruit. This weekend, the rural Hinton couple opened the doors to Tucker Hill Winery, complete with seven varieties of wine. Around 300 people visited the winery and vineyard during the weekend grand opening to taste the fruit of the Dittmer's labor...

Schafer Park group seeks volunteer gardeners (05/26/09)
A drive past Schafer Park in southern Le Mars reveals a labor of love. A path winds through rows of bushes and flowering plants. Arrangements of pruned shrubs and flowers catch the sunlight. And all of this from the hands of a few generous volunteers...

Remsen habitat creation could spark statewide projects (04/29/09)
This spring, the first native grass seeds will take root in about 70 acres of land around the Remsen wells. Cropland on those acres was replaced with native habitat to help keep the water source below the surface purer. Now state officials are watching the success of this water quality improvement project in hopes that it will be the seed project for others across Iowa...

It's a boy... we think (04/23/09)
It's been more than 150 years since a bison was born in Iowa. History was made last weekend when the first calf made his appearance in the bison herd roaming about 500 acres in The Nature Conservancy's Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve. Scott Moats, preserve manager, is pretty sure the new calf is a male based on what he's seen, but that won't be confirmed until the shaggy beasts are rounded up this fall...

Fashion: Slip into spring and have a slice of summer (04/13/09)
Those of us who run out in the yard, get on our knees and kiss the first beautiful green blade of grass may understand why big bold color is blossoming in this season. Spring is here, ladies and gentlemen, and summer is soon to come. And one look at the clothing stores proves it...

Bitter herbs and unleavened bread: Church hosts seder meal (04/08/09)
"Why is this night different from all other nights?" It's the question that has been asked by thousands of children from generation to generation during the traditional Jewish Passover meal, the seder. Thursday, that question will be asked in Le Mars...

Le Mars woman keeps gardening tradition growing (03/31/09)
Lynn Bohnenkamp has gardening in her blood. "Grandpa taught me seed planting," the Le Mars woman said. "Mother always planted. We were always in the garden." Bohnenkamp's grandfather used to grow seeds using a lighting apparatus. "There would be like four levels of lights and trays," Bohnenkamp said. "He would plant his seeds in the washroom and I was always fascinated with that."...

City tree-clearing near end (03/24/09)
Branches and roads blocked off -- it's been hard to miss the tree-clearing operation city workers have been doing around Le Mars in the last few weeks. As part of the city's annual clean up, the crew is taking down a total of 49 trees this year. "We usually bounce between 30-50 trees every year," Public Works Superintendent Steve Hansen said. "Our standard is if they are dead, diseased, or dangerous -- split or damaged by wind or lightning -- or if they're breaking up a driveway or sidewalk."...

Local Pheasants Forever win top award for habitat and youth education (02/17/09)
The Plymouth County Pheasants Forever chapter and its local volunteers have been recognized as a top chapter in the nation for investing more than $500,000 on habitat improvements and youth education in Plymouth County. The award was announced at the recent state convention awards program. John Linquist, Regional Representative of Pheasants Forever came to Le Mars to present the plaque to chapter members...

City Christmas tree pick-up Monday (01/09/09)
Le Mars residents who wish to dispose of live Christmas trees can take advantage of the free city pick up Monday, Jan. 12. City workers will make a sweep of the city that day to collect the trees. Trees should be free of all tinsel, garland, stands and plastic bags...

City plans Christmas tree pick-up Jan. 12 (12/30/08)
Le Mars residents who wish to dispose of live Christmas trees can take advantage of the free city pick up Monday, Jan. 12. City workers will make a sweep of the city that day to collect the trees. Trees should be free of all tinsel, garland, stands and plastic bags...

Pioneer Village Christmas is ready for visitors (12/02/08)
Sleigh bells will ring, lights will twinkle on decorated trees and buildings, animals will watch over a baby in a manger and children will talk with Santa Claus. These are a few of the many sights visitors will see at the annual Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland which opens this Saturday, Dec. 6 for two weeks of fun and memories...

Mold problem? Not at Franklin Elementary (11/28/08)
A mold problem from Franklin Elementary School's past was brought up at two recent school board meetings, but Le Mars Community Schools Superintendent Todd Wendt said the issue was dealt with years ago. "I haven't heard much about this since 2003," Wendt said at Monday's school board meeting. "We haven't had any complaints."...

Chamber offers shoppers 'Parade of Trees' promotion (11/26/08)
Thanksgiving weekend shoppers in Le Mars will see stores sparkling and twinkling in holiday decor as they find the perfect gift for under the Christmas tree. Twenty-six Le Mars businesses will take part in the "Parade of Trees" promotion Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 26-30...

A cardboard city, a homeless night (11/10/08)
Spending an icy night in a cardboard box might seem like a crazy thing for more than 60 Gehlen Catholic School students to try. But what they did Sunday night was in honor of the 100 million homeless people worldwide who don't have the choice. For the second year, Gehlen hosted "Wake up to the homeless -- eat with the poor," an event that allows students to spend nearly 24 hours experiencing living in extreme poverty...

Iowa native earned students' trust teaching on reservation (09/25/08)
Maria Valen remembers her former Crow and Cheyenne students fondly, especially this week -- Native American Heritage Week. Valen, a new high school English teacher at Gehlen Catholic School, spent two years prior to coming to Le Mars educating American Indian students in Montana...

Vintage harvest: Dittmers' vineyard produces juicy crop (09/22/08)
With a juicy plop, a bunch of grapes falls into a heaping pail of the purple fruit. All around, people are talking, laughing, and clipping away at loaded branches of grape vines. It's Sunday and it's harvest time at Barry and Brenda Dittmers' vineyard in Hinton...

AmeriCorps team preps Loess Hills for bison (09/11/08)
Men and women ages 18-24 from across the nation are building fences, restoring grasslands and helping with research in the Loess Hills through Oct. 2. The 10-member AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team, has been working in the Broken Kettle Grasslands and Five Ridge Prairie in Plymouth County since August...

Locals find garden oddities (07/30/08)
There's always a little mystery in gardening -- watching black earth give way to thriving vines and leafy rows of vegetables. But some gardens have a little more of the unusual to offer. Take Angela Von Hagel, for example. When the Brunsville woman went out to her garden last month and checked on her potatoes, she had a surprise waiting for her...

Fair auction sets record for total sale (07/29/08)
Sunday afternoon's hot, muggy weather made for some quick bidding at the 2008 Fair Auction in Pioneer Village on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Auctioneer Bruce Brock kept the pace brisk as fair royalty displayed the items for sale. When it was finished, $23,335 was added to the fair's treasury, the highest auction total ever. The previous high total was $21,395 in 2000...

Youth plant a little Iowa history at fairgrounds (07/24/08)
Want to travel back in time in Iowa? Step into the patch of wildflowers and grasses behind the log cabin on the Plymouth County fairgrounds. Thanks to the Pheasants Forever youth council, a 575 square foot plot of land there has been transformed into a piece of prairie with native Iowa plants...

From field to shelf: Local stores sell local foods (07/21/08)
Right now, Le Mars' grocery stores boast a few shelves of ripe red tomatoes grown only a couple dozen miles away. Later in the summer, shoppers might be able to fill their carts with sweet corn, green beans and other produce that were grown locally...

Corn oil plant seeks property tax relief from county (06/18/08)
A proposed $30 million corn oil plant near Merrill inched closer to reality this week. The Plymouth County Supervisors on Tuesday approved five years of property tax relief for Plymouth Oil L.L.C. The first year will be a 75 percent break declining to 15 percent in the fifth year...

On the lookout for an invasion of tree-eaters (05/21/08)
They're leaving no survivors. They're moving in on Iowa. Emerald Ash Borers, insects that kill ash trees by eating away at them under their bark, are heading this direction, according to Dr. Mark Shour, a program specialist on pest managment and the environment from Iowa State University Extension...

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