Le Mars, Iowa · Saturday, March 20, 2010
[Masthead] Fair ~ 30°F  
Poll
Should Iowa utilities be able to add a surcharge to bills so they can research the possibility of nuclear plants?
 Yes
 No
 Don't Know
Pioneer Cemetery could put curve in reconstruction plans (03/19/10)
With each road reconstruction project, Plymouth County Engineer Tom Rohe faces obstacles like driveways to work around or cut through. But the 2011-12 project to reconstruct 4 1⁄2 miles of C-60 going west of K-49 may put a curve in his plans -- literally...
Cemetery history: Great-granddaughter reveals story of John Wetrosky (03/19/10)
Even while drawing close to being a centery old, the Pioneer Cemetery along C-60 has memories that still live today. John Nepomuk Wetrosky and his wife, Ann, were both born in Homole, Czechoslovakia (now know as the Czech Republic) in 1838, according to his great-granddaughter, Betty Bass, of Sioux City...
Dean Foods: Few changes in contract other than wages (03/19/10)
After a 15-month wage freeze, Dean Foods employees are headed for a raise. This week, the employee committee from the Le Mars plant and distribution voted yes to a new contract with the dairy company that includes at least a 2.5 percent raise each year for the next three years...
Missing woman attended Le Mars schools (03/19/10)
A missing Vermillion S.D. woman has Le Mars ties. Barbara Jean Zenk, 52, whose abandoned vehicle was located March 6 near the Highway 19 bridge south of Vermillion over the Missouri River, attended Le Mars Community Schools. Zenk was last seen at 5 p.m. March 5, according to the Clay County, S.D., Sheriff's Department...
L-22 railroad intersection soon to be safer (03/19/10)
Railroad signals and cross arms will be installed in the near future at the intersection of county road L-22 and the Chicago Central Pacific Railroad. The Plymouth County Supervisors learned this week the county will pay 5 percent, or $8,750, of the $175,000 cost...
Local ambulance service strong, director says (03/19/10)
The Le Mars Ambulance Service is "exceeding" the expectations of local residents, according to Director Bill Rosacker. Appearing at this week's Le Mars City Council session, Rosacker commended the 21-member ambulance staff for its dedication and the "exceptional" job he feels they do for the community...
Haak raises beetle cleaning crew (03/18/10)
Some people keep collections of preserved bugs as a hobby. Derek Haak, of Maurice, keeps live ones. Thousands of them. But the colonies of dermestid beetles Haak raises aren't just to look at. They've got a job -- a messy one. The beetles clean off animal skulls and bones so hunters like Haak can preserve them...
Law would take away guns from domestic violence offenders (03/18/10)
Convicted domestic violence offenders in Iowa could lose their right to own guns and ammunition if the governor signs a bill into law Monday. A person accused of domestic violence who has a protective order placed against them can be required to relinquish their firearms temporarily, the bill states...
Council tables acceptance of Highway 3 project (03/18/10)
The Le Mars City Council put off accepting an engineer's statement to the Iowa Department of Transportation on the completion and owners contract for the Highway 3 widening project. City Manager Scott Langel acknowledged that the city had already, due to state legislative direction, in essence accepted the $721,701 project when the widened portion of the highway was opened last November...
Supervisors to take on mailbox versus road debate (03/18/10)
Are mailboxes sitting too close to county roads? The Plymouth County Supervisors decided Tuesday to look into the matter more thoroughly, after hearing concerns from local farmer Del Kellen. Kellen, who lives and farms south of Le Mars, said there's a problem with sight distance when it comes to rural mail carriers stopped along the K-49 and other county paved roads...
Tentinger honored for speaking out for agriculture (03/17/10)
Even if you haven't met Bill Tentinger, you've probably heard or read his words in the news. The rural Le Mars farmer and pork producer has become a voice for agriculture in northwest Iowa and beyond. That's why he was honored Tuesday with the 2010 Outstanding Service to Agriculture at the Agri-Business Luncheon, sponsored by the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce...
Knapp calls business owners to protest property assessments (03/17/10)
Councilman Rex Knapp took the public podium Tuesday, asking local business owners to protest what he calls inaccurate business property assessments. Knapp stepped aside from his duties as a Le Mars city councilman to address the council with his own business concerns...
State looking to raise revenue from traffic violation fines (03/17/10)
The Iowa Senate passed a bill Tuesday that could double or triple traffic violation fines. The purpose of the bill, which passed the Senate 31-17, is to combat shortfalls in the state's budget. The 207 proposed fine increases would add $8.8 million in revenue to the general and judiciary funds, Sen. Randy Feenstra said...
Spaghetti supper, service and quilt auction benefit LCS music students (03/17/10)
Le Mars Community School Music Boosters will hold its annual Spaghetti Supper and Auction Friday, March 19. The spaghetti supper will be served from 5-7 p.m. in the Le Mars Community High School cafeteria. On the menu is spaghetti with choice of sauce: red with meat or without, and alfredo, along with lettuce salad, garlic bread, ice cream and beverages...
Big Sioux Flooding (03/17/10)
The Big Sioux River rose over its banks and floodwaters closed a portion of road north of Akron near the bridge. A dike broke on the South Dakota side so water is going onto cropland, taking some of the pressure off the Iowa side by Akron. The Big Sioux will likely crest at 21.4 feet Thursday, according to the National Weather Service...
Le Mars finance director sees city audit as positive (03/17/10)
"All in all a very positive audit" was Le Mars Assistant City Administrator Bill Cole's observation on the city's annual financial report for the year ending June 30, 2009. The report was presented to the city council Tuesday. Cole said he was "very satisfied" with the report indicating the city's general fund with 97 days worth of coverage considered "a good sign" when the auditor's recommendations are in the 80 to 120 day coverage period...
MidAmerican customers may help finance nuclear study (03/16/10)
The 7,184 MidAmerican Electric Company customers in Plymouth County may see a monthly increase in their payment due to a proposed law. The increase would come if Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signs a bill to allow MidAmerican to boost electric consumer payments throughout the state by $15 million to study the possibility of bringing a second nuclear plant to Iowa...
Floyd River floods, Big Sioux still rising (03/16/10)
The Floyd River overran its banks Monday, rising beyond flood stage of 20 feet by mid-day. "The current stage is 20.8 feet," said Mike Gillispie, hydrologist with the Sioux Falls National Weather Service. "I would anticipate that probably you're looking at another half foot rise in Le Mars," Gillispie said. "That shouldn't cause any huge additional problems."...
Survivor cat brings healing at Flower House (03/16/10)
Instead of a doorman, Le Mars Flower House & Greenhouse has a four-legged greeter named Sassy. When the bell jingles, the cat rushes to the door -- with a flick of a tail, a soft "meow" and a curious nose to welcome customers. After winding around the visitor's legs asking for a rub of her fur, Sassy usually makes friends quickly...
Principals work on transitions for Kissinger students, staff (03/16/10)
Le Mars Community Schools elementary principals are preparing for Kindergarten Round-Up and the transition from Kissinger Elementary in Merrill to attendance centers in Le Mars. Dave Horken and Scott Parry gave an update to the school board of education members at last week's board meeting...
Big Sioux flooding, Floyd River could be next (03/15/10)
The Big Sioux River spilled over its banks in Akron Sunday and the Floyd River is threatening the Le Mars area. "We just hit major flood stage there (Akron)," said Mike Gillispie, a hydrologist with the Sioux Falls National Weather Service. "Major is where we really start impacting buildings, roads and things like that."...
Weinrich Truck Lines turns 50 (03/15/10)
Odds are you've bought or eaten something transported by Weinrich Truck Line. The Hinton trucking company turns 50 this year, marking half a century of transporting everything from oats for race horses to syrup for Coca Cola. The business started out with an agricultural focus and grew to meet needs with a fleet of 50 trucks, both dry vans for hauling dry goods and tankers for liquids...
LOST dollars could rebuild laundromat, buy laptops for school (03/15/10)
Twenty-nine area groups are vying for grants from Plymouth County's $100,000 Local Options Sales Tax grant pool. The requests range from $50,000 to demolish and rebuild the fire damaged Kraft Kleaners in Kingsley to $1,928 for the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department to buy rope rescue equipment to use with the aerial ladder fire truck...
NCCC restores grasslands in Plymouth County (03/15/10)
A team of 11 AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) members are serving with the Plymouth County Conservation Board and the Nature Conservancy this month. From March 7 to April 23, the group will work to help restore and preserve 15 acres of Five Ridge Prairie, Broken Kettle Grasslands, and Hillview Recreation Area...
Kingsley is stop on RAGBRAI route (03/15/10)
The town of Kingsley is the first pass-through town on the 2010 RAGBRAI route in July. The full RAGBRAI route was released on Sunday in the Des Moines Register and at the website, www.ragbrai.com. According to the website, bicyclists will travel north on Floyd Boulevard to 46th Street Sioux City and then travel east on County Road D-12 in Woodbury County before turning north on Highway 140 into Kingsley...