Sheriff’s Office Still Investigating Fatal Semi Truck Accident At Merrill
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating that semi truck and trailer accident that happened early Tuesday morning, on Highway 75 at Merrill, resulting in the death of the truck driver. The identity of the truck driver has not yet been released, pending notification of family members. The truck hit a utility pole which knocked out the power for more than 550 MidAmerican customers at Merrill. MidAmerican Energy officials say that most of the town’s residents were able to have their power restored by 9:00 a.m. In addition to striking the utility pole, the semi truck and trailer also collided with several vehicles at the Liberty Used Car Sales.
Sioux County Authorities Investigate School Bus Accident
(Orange City) — Sioux County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident involving a school bus. The accident happened Tuesday morning at about 7:03 a.m. at the intersection of Birch Street and 2nd Street at Hull. 38-year old Bradley Kats of Hull was traveling southbound on Birch Street when apparently, he failed to yield to the school bus that was driven by 66-year old Calvin Klarenbeek of Hull. Karenbeek reported minor injuries, and refused any additional medical attention. No injuries were reported by Kats, or of the student passengers. Kats’ 2005 Dodge Durango suffered an estimated $5,000 of damage, and the 2020 International school bus sustained approximately $7,500 worth of damage.
Crop Advantage Meeting Scheduled For Today
(Le Mars) — The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach “Crop Advantage” seminar is scheduled for Le Mars for today. Chad Hart, an agricultural economist will be one of the featured speakers. We have already heard Hart suggest to farmers to look at selling their grain on the forward contract basis, since commodity prices are good as the result of strong exports. Hart says it may be possible to see some farmers switch commodities from what they would normally grow, in favor of other commodities that perhaps show more promise. The Iowa State University agricultural economist, doesn’t see Iowa farmers switching. He says they will continue with a corn and soybean rotation. However, he says farmers in Kansas, North and South Dakota, as well as some of the Dixie states may see farmers switch their commodities.
Hart says for some states, there will be additional challenges facing them, especially if they are a traditional wheat growing state.
Hart is scheduled to speak at about 10:00 a.m. at the Le Mars Convention Center.
Iowa State University Extension Schedules “Planter University”
(Le Mars) — While farmers gather today for the “Crop Advantage” meeting, they may want to circle the date on their calendars for the next Iowa State University Extension and Outreach meeting. February 7th will be what is referred to as “Planter University.” Iowa State University Extension and Outreach crops specialist for northwest Iowa, Joel DeJong explains what will occur at “Planter University.”
DeJong says different planters act differently in different soil conditions.
DeJong says a planter should not have just one setting for all planting.
That “Planter University” will be held at the Northwest Iowa Research and Demonstration farm located near Sutherland, Iowa.
Deep Creek Watershed Project Offers Cost-Share Programs
LE MARS, – The Plymouth County Soil and Water Conservation District in Le Mars is taking applications for producers who have land in the Deep and Willow Creek watershed and are interested in applying for no-till.
Producers are eligible to receive $10 per acre for beans and/or $20 per acre for corn with a maximum of 200 acres. This is only for land located in Deep Creek-Willow Creek Watershed in Plymouth County. Please sign up prior to Thursday, March 31, 2022, for the best chance to receive funds.
Shay Kamstra, Deep Creek Watershed Project Coordinator explains.
No-till planting helps with lower fuel costs and less soil moisture loss. This results in fewer passes across the field with no-till farming, and this will dramatically reduce fuel costs. No-till seeding leaves plant residue on the ground, which can help keep the soil moist and protect against evaporation caused by sun and wind.
Please sign-up through the Plymouth SWCD with Shay Kamstra, the Deep Creek-Willow Creek Watershed Project Coordinator. Contact the Plymouth SWCD/Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by calling 712-546-8858, ext 3, or learn more at https://www.plymouthswcd.com/.
Several Iowa School Districts Announce Temporary Mask Requirements Have Ended
(Des Moines, IA) — Officials in several Iowa school districts have announced temporary mask requirements for their students have ended after a panel of federal judges ruled on the statewide ban. A federal judge put the state law banning mask mandates on hold last fall after a group of parents had filed suit. Yesterday, a panel of federal judges in Missouri ruled the Iowa judge’s action was too broad and the state should be allowed to enforce its ban. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office says the state won’t be enforcing the ban on mandates as it is filing an appeal asking for a ruling for all 11 judges on the Eighth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals.
Bill Advances That Would Require Gas Stations To Sell Higher Blends Of Ethanol
(Des Moines, IA) — The legislation from the governor’s office would force all Iowa gas stations to sell fuel with 15-percent ethanol from at least half of their pumps. Some businesses would be exempt if they had trouble reconditioning or replacing their machinery. A group called FuelIowa says it is concerned about how small gas stations in rural Iowa would be able to adapt to the change. That group of fuel distributors and cooperatives is opposed to the measure. Supporters say it promotes biofuels and gives consumers more options.
Authorities Investigate Accident Involving School Bus & Train In NE Iowa
(Castalia, IA) — Authorities in Winneshiek County are investigating a Tuesday morning accident involving a school bus and a train near Castalia. Two students and a driver were on the Postville Community School District bus when it collided with the Canadian Pacific train at about 9:15 a-m. The driver was taken by private vehicle to a nearby hospital for treatment to minor injuries. The students were evaluated at the scene, then taken by ambulance to a hospital. No names have been released. Investigators are trying to determine how the accident happened.
Former Senator Rick Santorum Speaks At Des Moines Rally
(Des Moines, IA) — A former U-S Senator and Republican candidate for president spoke Tuesday afternoon at a rally in Des Moines. A crowd filled the Iowa Capitol rotunda to hear from Santorum and a few state lawmakers at the “Take Back Our Government” rally. Supporters want Iowa to join 16 other states in a call for a constitutional amendment to limit the federal government’s power and spending. They also want an amendment to impose term limits on elected federal officials. The Wisconsin Legislature approved a similar resolution Tuesday. The U-S Constitution requires 34 states to ask for a constitutional convention and 38 to ratify amendment proposals after they hold the convention.
Federal Appeals Court Throws Out Temporary Order on School Mask Mandates
(Des Moines, IA) — A federal appeals court is throwing out a temporary order that has allowed Iowa schools to have mask mandates. A federal judge’s order this fall had blocked enforcement of the state law that forbids mask mandates in schools. Disability rights advocates and a group of parents filed a lawsuit in September challenging the law. The federal appeals court has ruled mask mandates in the schools their children attend may continue, but the ruling said this group of children with disabilities are not harmed when students in other school districts who do not encounter disabled students attend class without masks on.
Grassley Calls For US Action Against Russia Over Ukraine Standoff
(Washington, DC) — As tens of thousands of Russian troops mass on the border with Ukraine, U-S Senator Chuck Grassley is joining colleagues in calling for action by the Biden Administration to prevent a full-scale invasion. The Iowa Republican favors the U-S aiding Ukraine with supplies but stops short of saying America needs to put boots on the ground there. He notes that Putin has a massive amount of military equipment for a possible invasion. Grassley said, “we’ve gotta’ act now, whatever we’re going to do, and sanctions ought to be announced now so he knows what he’s up against instead of threats, and no troops in Ukraine.” Senator Joni Ernst says without sanctions now, President Biden is only appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Humboldt Teen Accused of Making Gun Threat at Middle School
(Humboldt, IA) — A Humboldt teenager is under arrest for making an alleged threat to bring a gun to school. The Humboldt Police Department says a 14-year-old student at Humboldt Middle School made a social media post Monday night that told students not to come to school on Tuesday because he was going to bring a gun to school. Police identified the student and after searching his residence, arrested the student on a charge of threat of terrorism. Officers did not find any guns at the student’s home, and he remains in juvenile court custody pending court proceedings.
