News

(LE MARS)--Le Mars area residents know how to give the gift of life.

Mary Kovarna of Siouxland Community Blood Bank says double the expected number of donors went to the the mobile drive at Floyd Valley Hospital this week.

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The blood bank is making an urgent appeal for donors due to the Labor Day holiday.

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Kovarna offers these options for those who weren't able to donate Thursday.

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The Siouxland Community Blood Bank is now a subsidiary of LifeServe Blood Center. 

 Energy efficiency is city priority

(LE MARS)--Improving the energy efficiency of a city of Le Mars operation is one idea a city official is asking state officials to consider.

A 24-hour a day operation for the city is treating wastewater. For many decades excess methane produced in the treatment process been reused at the plant. The methane powers a boiler that heats the contents of the anaerobic digester because the higher temperature improves the treatment's function.

City administrator Scott Langel says not all the methane is needed, so the city burns the rest off.

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There are several technologies to do that, but Langel says the city would need funding to evaluate and implement them.

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The methane concept is one submitted by the city of Le Mars at a public meeting to gather ideas for the state's next energy plan.

Hog theft arrests made in Lyon County

(ROCK RAPIDS)--Lyon County authorities report the help of concerned citizens led to the arrest of two people for livestock theft.

The sheriff's office received a report about two o'clock Wednesday morning of a hog theft in progress northwest of Little Rock.

Authorities stopped a vehicle and arrested the driver, 23-year-old Eric Freihage of Logan, on charges of possession of burglary tools; felony burglary in the third degree; driving while his license was revoked; and possession of marijuana. He also was issued four traffic citations.

A passenger, 20-year-old Jonathan Charles Wensel of Pisgah, was charged with felony burglary in the third degree and possession of burglary tools.

Wensel is free on bond, but Freihage is in the Lyon County Jail.

The Lyon County Sheriff's office issued written information that the investigation is still ongoing and involves numerous agencies with more charges expected.

 Paper recycling in Le Mars, Remsen today

(LE MARS)--Today (Saturday) is a day to recycle paper for school projects in Le Mars and Remsen.

For Le Mars Community Elementary Schools paper recycling project, paper may be dropped off at O'Toole Park in Le Mars from 8-10 a-m. Other pickup sites are at the Struble, Craig , and the Brunsville Bank corners.

The Remsen-Union Family Connection and St. Mary's School Board collect paper from 8-11 a.m. at the Marion Street permanent location.

The Gehlen Catholic Catholic can drive is also today.

Plymouth County jurors must report Tuesday

(LE MARS)--Plymouth County jurors will need to report for jury duty on Tuesday.

Jurors are asked to go to the third floor of the Plymouth County Courthouse and check in no later than 8:30 at the Clerk of Court's office.

Child recovers from dog bite

(SIOUX CITY)--A dog that bit a 19-month-old child in Sioux City  has been declared vicious.

According to information released Friday by the Sioux City Police Department, the investigation by police did not identify any criminal activity and the investigation is closed.

The child, Samuel Vandonslear of Sioux City, wandered into a neighbor's yard and was bitten by a dog chained to a tree.

The child was hospitalized after the dog bites August 25th and has been released from St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City.

Siouxland senator can't serve in two offices

WAYNE, Neb. (AP) A Siouxland state senator will have to step down if he wants to become Dakota County treasurer.

Robert Giese, of South Sioux City, is running unopposed for the county position in the November election, so it's likely he'll be elected. But Associated Press reports Giese's legislative term continues through January 2013, and state law prohibits him from holding both elected offices.

If Giese steps down as state senator, the governor would then appoint a replacement.

(Copyright 2010 by Associated Press. All rights reserved)


Officials ID Ohio pilot killed in Iowa plane crash

BOONE, Iowa (AP) Authorities have released the name of a pilot from Ohio who was killed in the crash of a small plane towing an advertising banner near the Farm Progress Show in central Iowa.

Boone County Sheriff Ron Fehr  said Friday that 24-year-old Adam Danhauer of Whitehouse, Ohio, died when the plane crashed into a corn field near Boone.

Danhauer was the only one on the plane. No one on the ground was hurt.

The crash happened Thursday morning minutes after the plane took off from the nearby Boone airport.

After the crash, Fehr says witnesses told him the plane was having problems gaining altitude and the banner was ``flipping while he was flying.'' The banner ended up several hundred feet north of the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.


State board sets conditions for Perry chiropractor

PERRY, Iowa (AP) A state board says a Perry chiropractor accused of assaulting one of his patients may continue to practice but must have a female chaperone when he treats women.

Daniel Duffy was charged with misdemeanor assault last month after a female patient told police she heard him acting inappropriately, including unzipping his pants.

Duffy, who is free on bond, continues to see patients.

The Des Moines Register says the Iowa Board of Chiropractic ruled Thursday that Duffy's continued practice ``poses a serious and immediate danger'' to his female patients. The board says it will impose interim safeguards until it can reach a final decision on the case against him.

The newspaper says Duffy has declined to comment on the advice of his attorney.

Iowa announces program to recoup court fines, fees

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa is trying to collect old court fines and fees with a deal for thousands of Iowans who owe the state a total of about $300 million.

According to WHO-AM, there are 217,000 people who owe court fines and fees that are past due by at least four years.

Under a new amnesty program, if they pay 50 percent of their overdue debt in one lump sum, the other half will be forgiven.

Roger Stirler of the state revenue department says letters are going out this month in an effort to recoup some of the money.

He says there are some fines and fees that aren't eligible, including victim restitution, child support, alimony, jail fees and fines payable to cities and counties.

The program runs through the end of November.

ISU carillon lets Lady Gaga hit chime over campus

AMES, Iowa (AP) An Iowa State University music professor says the Lady Gaga club anthem ``Bad Romance'' translates better than you might think into the 110-foot-tall, organ-like instrument known as a carillon.

Video of the pop hit chiming across Iowa State's Ames campus has racked up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. The Des Moines Register reported Friday that professor Tin-Shi Tam (TIN'-she TAM) played it a week earlier after students started requesting it over the summer.

Tam gives daily lunchtime performances on the carillon during the school year, mostly folk songs and traditional arrangements. She sets aside Fridays for requests, and said some other recent favorites have been Led Zeppelin's ``Stairway to Heaven'' and Queen's ``Bohemian Rhapsody.''

The carillon has towered over the Iowa State campus since 1898.

Drake's new ``D+'' campaign earns failing grade

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Drake University's new marketing campaign that features a ``D+'' logo is getting a failing grade from some faculty, students and alumni.

They say it's offensive and embarrassing and tarnishes the university's reputation.

Leaders at the Des Moines school say regardless of how people react, they are reacting and that's what they wanted to accomplish.

The Des Moines Register reported Friday that Drake hired a Cedar Rapids-based company to help develop the new ``Drake Advantage'' recruitment campaign. The university recently unveiled it to prospective students through brochures and its website.

Drake spokesman Tom Delahunt says while the ``D+'' comes across as a grade at first glance, it's meant to represent all the opportunities Drake offers students.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.

(LE MARS)--The 2010 Le Mars United Way Campaign is underway with a 225-thousand dollar goal.

The 7th annual golf tournament Thursday launched the annual campaign for the Le Mars United Way. The United Way supports agencies providing services in the greater Le Mars area.

Le Mars United Way board chair Janelle Bixenman indicated nearly five-thousand dollars was raised through the golf tournament to help the Le Mars United Way reach its goal.

United Way funds will be used to support local charities devoted to ensuring children grow into successful adults and adequate safety net services are available for people in need or facing crisis.

This year's winning foursome included Matt Washburn and Corey Nordstrom, with Mark Schmidt and Dave Miller joining them for the first time this year.

United Way organizers say thanks to the first-ever employee campaign at Wells' Dairy Inc., this year's Le Mars United Way campaign is off to a robust start. Last spring, Wells' Dairy completed their employee campaign and raised over 154-thousand dollars. The United Way Campaign runs through December.

The tournament included awarding Luw which is the name given to a traveling golf caddie trophy named for the Le Mars United Way. Luw will be with the Lang Gang--Deb, Tim, Micah and Makenzie Lang. The Lang Gang had the highest score.

No action on ECO Center bids

(HINTON)--Another round of discussion is planned for an environmental education center when the Plymouth County Conservation Board meets next Thursday night.

Five construction bids for the project exceeded the ECO Center budget of one-half million dollars and the budget included the architect's fees. The apparent low bid from H-W Design Build of Sioux City was 523-thousand dollars.

The Conservation Board met last night and agreed to revisit the bids during a meeting next Thursday night at HIllview Park, west of Hinton. Conservation Board Director Dennis Sohl says the architect had identified some areas to realize a cost savings, but not enough to provide a contingency. References from the builder continue to be checked.

Sohl expects the Conservation Board's three campgrounds to be filled for this Labor Day weekend. The campgrounds remain open until October 15th. Sohl notes rental cabins at Hillview have continued to be popular weekdays and weekends all season.

The Conservation Board has talked one time about potential partnerships for Camp Joy Hollow owned by the Girls Scouts near Westfield. Sohl says the board hopes to continue discussions, but acknowledges there are a lot of emotions involved with the camp. Some Siouxland Girl Scouts held a public awareness event about the Camp and its future. Girl Scouts holding signs lined an area near the Tyson Events Center last Sunday.

Open valve caused explosion

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) Sioux City fire officials say an uncapped natural gas line is to blame for an explosion that damaged a house earlier this week.

A family of five escaped serious injury in the blast Tuesday night.

According to Associated Press, the fire department reported Thursday that a valve in the laundry room was left open by a repairman. Gas vapors filled the home and were ignited by a heat source.

The homeowner, Cuong Phung, his three children and his mother-in-law escaped without serious injury.

City officials have red-tagged the home as uninhabitable because of the damage.


(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Immigration arrests in three cities

(DES MOINES)--Immigrants living in more than a dozen Iowa communities have been arrested in a ten-state operation, the largest of its kind ever carried out throughout the Midwest. The sting targeted convicted criminals who are NOT U.S. citizens -- whether they are here illegally or not -- as well as people who had been ordered back to their home country, but were still here. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Carl Rusnok  says 28 people were arrested in Iowa.

 "There's probably about 15 or 20 different towns we made arrests in, however, many of those were single arrests," Rusnok says. "However, in Sioux City we made nine arrests; in Waterloo we made four arrests; in Des Moines we made two." This was a federal effort. Local law enforcement was not involved in making the arrests.

"In this particular operation that we have dubbed 'Cross Check' we have done research beforehand in order to identify and target these individuals," Rusnok says. More than half of those taken into custody in the ten-state sting had prior convictions for serious violent crimes. Rusnok says that reflects his agency's focus on arresting immigrants who may pose a threat to public safety. A total of 370 people were arrested in the 10 states. This Midwestern sting follows similar operations across the country over the past nine months. (News report by Radio Iowa)

Baseball bat assault arrests

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) The Yankton County Sheriff's Office says it has arrested two people in connection with an alleged baseball bat assault last weekend.

Sheriff Dave Hunhoff told the Yankton Press and Dakotan that a man and a woman reported being assaulted by a man when they entered the woman's mobile home east of Yankton. He says the woman knew the alleged attacker.

The sheriff says neither the man nor woman required hospitalization, but based on the bruises and injuries he considers it a serious assault.

The second man arrested faces a drug charge that resulted from the assault investigation.


(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Former egg farm workers say complaints ignored

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) U.S. Agriculture Department employees worked full-time at two Iowa egg farms at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive recall, but two former workers say they didn't respond to complaints about conditions at one site.

Agency spokesman Caleb Weaver says the employees' main duties are to grade eggs in packaging areas and aren't primarily responsible for looking for health problems.

Two former workers at Wright County Egg facilities, Robert and Deanna Arnold, say they reported problems such as leaking manure and dead chickens to USDA employees but were ignored and told to return to work. Weaver says the USDA employee in charge of the site never received any complaints but that the investigation is continuing.

The salmonella outbreak has led to a recall of about 550 million eggs.

Tractor upgrades reduce farm deaths from rollovers

(UNDATED)--Deaths from tractor rollovers have been dropping in the U.S. as farmers buy new tractors equipped with roll bars, reinforced cabs and seat belts or upgrade older ones with those features.

Tractor rollovers have long been the leading cause of death on U.S. farms. But a study published last year by federal researchers found that rollover deaths fell 28 percent over the past two decades, dropping from 5.5 deaths per 100,000 workers in 1992 to 3.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2007.

John Myers, a health statistician with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, says that's partly because many farmers upgraded their equipment during a flush period in agriculture from 2004 to 2007. He says it's not clear yet how the recession might have affected that trend.

Iowa announces program to recoup court fines, fees

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa is trying to collect old court fines and fees with a deal for thousands of Iowans who owe the state a total of about $300 million.

According to WHO-AM, there are 217,000 people who owe court fines and fees that are past due by at least four years.

Under a new amnesty program, if they pay 50 percent of their overdue debt in one lump sum, the other half will be forgiven.

Roger Stirler  of the state revenue department says letters are going out this month in an effort to recoup some of the money.

He says there are some fines and fees that aren't eligible, including victim restitution, child support, alimony, jail fees and fines payable to cities and counties.

The program runs through the end of November.


Drake's new ``D+'' campaign earns failing grade

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Drake University's new marketing campaign that features a ``D+'' logo is getting a failing grade from some faculty, students and alumni.

They say it's offensive and embarrassing and tarnishes the university's reputation.

Leaders at the Des Moines school say regardless of how people react, they are reacting and that's what they wanted to accomplish.

The Des Moines Register reported Friday that Drake hired Cedar Rapids-based company to help develop the new ``Drake Advantage'' recruitment campaign. The university recently unveiled it to prospective students through brochures and its website.

Drake spokesman Tom Delahunt says while the ``D+'' comes across as a grade at first glance, it's meant to represent all the opportunities Drake offers students.

Child neglect trial set for Iowa woman

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) The child neglect trial of a Dubuque woman is now set for October while authorities still await lab results on apparent human remains discovered in her yard.

Tamelia Harris was arrested in June after police began searching for her 20-month-old daughter, Cecilia.

While trying to find the toddler, police found what they believe are the remains of a small child in Harris' yard. Authorities are awaiting lab results to identify the remains and provide clues about the cause and manner of death. The process could take several months.

Harris' trial on the neglect charge had been set for Aug. 30, but was delayed.

The Telegraph Herald reported Thursday that Harris' trial is now set for Oct. 18.

State board sets conditions for Perry chiropractor

PERRY, Iowa (AP) A state board says a Perry chiropractor accused of assaulting one of his patients may continue to practice but must have a female chaperone when he treats women.

Daniel Duffy was charged with misdemeanor assault last month after a female patient told police she heard him acting inappropriately, including unzipping his pants.

Duffy, who is free on bond, continues to see patients.

The Des Moines Register says the Iowa Board of Chiropractic ruled Thursday that Duffy's continued practice ``poses a serious and immediate danger'' to his female patients. The board says it will impose interim safeguards until it can reach a final decision on the case against him.

The newspaper says Duffy has declined to comment on the advice of his attorney.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)



Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.

(LE MARS)--More than two-point six-million dollars in building activity is on the latest report for construction in Le Mars.

Code Enforcement officer Jason Vacura issued 11 permits in August. The construction plans are divided among all the different categories for building.

The top value was in the commercial business construction. ICON Ag Solutions received a permit for its relocation plans on Key Avenue estimated at one-point-three million dollars.

New retail construction in southwest Le Mars for a Pizza Hut relocation and future businesses is estimated at one-point-one million dollars.

The report includes one permit for a new house on the city's north side estimated to cost 235-thousand dollars. There are also two house additions for about 13-thousand dollars.Signs, accessory buildings and fences round out the report.

Since January the 73 permits issued total eight-point-six-million dollars in estimated construction costs. The city has collected about 35-thousand dollars in fees for permits.

Consultant studiy's Wastewater treatment needs

(LE MARS)--A consultant is looking at options for future wastewater treatment needs in Le Mars.

Le Mars Wastewater Treatment Facility and Collection System Superintendent Ron Kayser says consultant Greg Sindt of Bolton and Menk of Ames is working on three scenarios.

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Kayser says the third option would extend the life of the existing wastewater treatment for a long time.

Kayser emphasizes all three scenarios are in the planning stages. The consultant is to develop a plan to give the city what Kayser describes as "the best bang for our buck. "

Talent show salute includes Patti Page

(LE MARS)--Singer Patti Page will create a tribute to a well-known television talent show during the 35th annual National Old-TIme Country and Bluegrass Festival and Contest tomorrow.

Bob and Sheila Everhart and the Pioneer Ag Expo are presenting the event at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in Le Mars.

Bob Everhart says the program, "Ted Mack & the Original Amateur Hour" will be showcased Saturday with the help of Patti Page.



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There's a long list of performers from the show coming to Le Mars.


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Page will take the stage at eight Saturday night. She is also in Le Mars to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

On Sunday Cindy Cash, Johnny Cash's daughter will do a tribute to her dad at 11 a.m.

Supreme Court won't review conviction

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) The Iowa Supreme Court won't review the conviction of a Charles City teen convicted in June on charges of first-degree murder and sexual abuse.

The Mason City Globe Gazette reports 15-year-old Edgar Concepcion Jr. was found guilty in Hamilton County District Court in the July 2009 death of his 3-year-old cousin.

Concepcion's attorney, Judy O'Donohoe, formally asked the Iowa Supreme Court to review the case, but Iowa Courts Online shows that request was denied on Thursday.

Judge Bryan McKinley has yet to rule on a motion seeking a new trial for Concepcion Jr.

O'Donohoe has argued her client was denied due process and that an alleged confession should not have been admitted into evidence at his trial.

Concepcion was tried as an adult. He remains in state custody.

Polk County Jail checking immigration status

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Polk County Jail is now using a fingerprint identification system that flags illegal immigrant inmates and notifies federal authorities.

The Des Moines Register reports the system launched this week checks fingerprint records against an immigration database maintained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The newspaper reports the county is the first local jurisdiction in Iowa to adopt the system. Federal authorities expect to install it in all counties nationwide by 2014.

When the fingerprint information matches a person in the database, the system notifies U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ICE spokesman Carl Rusnok says the agency evaluates each case and takes appropriate action. He says ICE wants to make sure criminal aliens aren't put back on the street.

Iowa inmate dies while serving life sentence

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) A former Davenport man serving a life sentence for killing a man with a hammer then dumping his body in a field in 2005 has died in custody.

The Iowa Corrections Department reports 55-year-old Steven Howard Deitz died Wednesday at University Hospitals in Iowa City of liver failure. He had been an inmate at Iowa State Penitentiary.

Deitz was convicted in December 2006 of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and willful injury for the death of Charles Lee Nixon on Nov. 22, 2005.

A witness testified Deitz attacked Nixon with a hammer while he slept and later dumped his body near Belle Rive, Ill. A farm manager spotted the burning body and called police.

After the sentencing, former Scott County Attorney Bill Davis called Deitz ``a menace'' and ``not the kind of person who should be out.''

Parents challenge Waterloo's dress code

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) An administrative law judge is expected to rule by early October if a new dress code by Waterloo Community Schools violates state law.

Some parents say it's illegal because it tells students what they can wear rather than prohibiting items they can't wear.

A hearing was held this week in Des Moines.

The appeal is based on a state law that allows districts to ban ``gang-related or other specific apparel'' if the board determines that the policy is necessary for health, safety or a ``positive educational environment.''

The Gazette of Cedar Rapids says Superintendent Gary Norris testified Wednesday that school officials were within their legal authority.

Parent Rick Peters says the policy restricts the decisions of students and parents and is opposite of the law's intent.

Culver, Branstad agree to 3 debates

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The major party candidates for governor have agreed to meet three times for debates.

Democratic Gov. Chet Culver and Republican challenger Terry Branstad will hold their first debate Sept. 14 in Sioux City. That will be followed by an Oct. 7 debate in Cedar Rapids and another Oct. 21 in Des Moines.

Culver is seeking his second term, while Branstad is making a bid to return to the office he held for 16 years from 1983 to 1999.

Culver calls for more barriers on Iowa interstates

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Gov. Chet Culver is urging the state Transportation Department to accelerate its plans to install cable barriers in the medians of some Iowa interstates.

Culver issued a news release Thursday noting a recent spike in serious cross-median accidents and called for barriers where data show they would most benefit travelers.

Under the current DOT plan, the barrier placement will be finished in 2012-2013. Culver sent a letter to Transportation Director Nancy Richardson calling for a shorter timeline.

Culver says the safety of Iowans is his top priority

1 dead in plane crash near farm show in Iowa

BOONE, Iowa (AP) The Federal Aviation Administration says one person is dead in the crash of a small plane towing a banner near the Farm Progress Show near Boone in central Iowa.

FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham (eye-SHUM') Cory says the Cessna 150 with just the pilot on board crashed about two miles north of Boone Thursday morning. She says the plane is registered to Drake Aerial Enterprise in Genoa, Ohio. There is no telephone listing for the company.

Air America Aerial Ads, of Genoa, is also listed on the FAA Registry. A person who answered the phone at the business declined to comment.

Boone County Sheriff Ron Fehr (fair) says the plane was towing a large advertising banner for a seed corn company. He says witnesses reported the plane was having problems pulling the banner when it crashed.

Fehr says the pilot was from Ohio. The pilot's name was not immediately released.


Fall killed worker at University of Iowa project

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A state investigator is saying the private contractor who died Monday while working at the University of Iowa died from a fall.

Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement officer Jens Nissen tells the Iowa City Press-Citizen on Thursday that he didn't know the distance of the fall or any other details.

Forty-nine-year-old Tom Fosdick of Cedar Rapids was working for Swanson Glass, a subcontractor renovating the exterior of the UI Boyd Law Building.

Iowa OSHA has begun investigating the incident for any safety violations, which a spokeswoman says is typical for a workplace death. She says the investigation could take six to eight weeks.

University police responded to the accident, but haven't yet released an incident report.


(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.

(LE MARS)--A Floyd Valley Hospital staff member is a five-state winner.

Floyd Valley Hospital chief engineer Tim Paul is the regional winner for the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association.

He received the Emerging Regional Leadership award for his commitment to the field and his leadership qualities. He was honored during a conference in Tampa, Florida.

According to hospital administrator Mike Donlin, Paul continually goes above and beyond the call of duty with a positive outlook and proactive leadership style.

Paul was the award recipient for the region, including Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Paul has been Floyd Valley's chief engineer since June of 2005.

Interns chose city experiences

(LE MARS)--An on-the-job learning opportunity took two students outdoors in Le Mars this summer.

City administrator Scott Langel says a horticulture major interned with work in city parks.

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A landscape architecture student returned as an intern after being a job shadow with Langel. The work this summer involved public facilities.

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According to the city administrator, both students were interns through word of mouth and not a formal relationship related to I-S-U students who did a study of an extension of park land south of West Floyd Park.

Grant funds learning improvements

(LE MARS)---Children in classrooms at Le Mars Daycare and Small Wonders Preschool are seeing a new learning environment.

The change is due to assistance with classroom improvements provided by five-thousand dollars from the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County.

Director Melissa Tolzin says the grant gave the non-profit the opportunity to improve the learning environments for the children in the classrooms.

Purchases from the grant include lockers for children, tables and chairs, shelving, a reading book center, sand table, flannel and dry erase boards, rugs for story time, projectors and teacher totes.

Y:  Volunteers needed for Triathlon

(LE MARS)--The city of Le Mars Area Y-M-C-A needs volunteers to make the 2010 Le Mars Sprint Triathlon as safe and as fun as possible.

The Triathlon is September 11th. Volunteers may work on Friday before the event doing work such as stuffing packets or on Saturday in the pool, and along biking or running routes. Other volunteer work is also available Saturday.

Most volunteers will need to be at the Le Mars Outdoor Pool by 8:15 in the morning on Saturday, September 11th and would be completed with their volunteer work by one in the afternoon.

About 70 volunteers are needed. Anyone interested may contact Angela Loutsch at the Y by calling 546-6655.

Plane crashes near Boone

BOONE, Iowa (AP) The Federal Aviation Administration says one person is dead in the crash of small plane towing a banner near the Farm Progress Show near Boone in central Iowa.

FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory says the Cessna 150 with just the pilot on board crashed about 2 miles north of Boone Thursday morning. She says the plane is registered to Drake Aerial Enterprise in Genoa, Ohio. There is no telephone listing for the compamy.

Air America Aerial Ads, of Genoa, is also listed on the FAA Registry as another owner. A person who answered the phone declined to comment.

Isham Cory says the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash, which happened about 9:20 a.m.

KCCI-TV says a witness, Bob Johnson, reported the banner got caught in the corn. Johnson says the plane then nose dived into the ground.

Flooding frustrates producers

OTTUMWA, Iowa. (AP) Counties in southern Iowa are still dealing with flooding, in what has turned out to be one of the wettest summers on record in the state.

While Saylorville and Red Rock reservoirs continue to fall both should be at normal levels by mid- September the misery continues in Eddyville and Ottumwa.

The Des Moines Register reports that at least some residents blame the Corps of Engineers for allowing the Des Moines River to continue flooding their property near Ottumwa.

Corps officials say they balance the interest of landowners above and below their dam on the river, and have managed to avert major property damage so far.

Corps spokesman Ron Fournier says farmers upstream are also angry because they've had high water all summer.

There's hope things will improve in a couple of weeks, when the river finally drops.

Judge reconsiders prison sentence

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) A judge has suspended a 10-year prison sentence of a Charles City man accused of locking his two toddlers in their bedrooms for up to 14 hours a day for two years.

Danial Onken pleaded guilty in April to two counts of abandonment or neglect of a dependent. He began serving his sentence in June.

Judge James Drew last week granted Onken's request for a reconsideration. The Globe Gazette reported Thursday that the judge reviewed a report from the department of corrections indicating Onken had been on good behavior and is making progress.

Drew suspended the sentence and put Onken on probation for five years.

The children, who are twins, were 4 years old when the charges were filed in May 2009.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.