A Le Mars man charged with stabbing his sister to death in June of 2016 was found guilty today of second-degree murder. Judge Jeff Neary of the Plymouth County District Court handed down the verdict to 36-year old Thomas Bibler. Neary ruled against a first-degree murder charge, and found Bibler … [Read more...]
Sales of agriculture equipment were strong in 2018
Despite a weak ag economy, 2018 was a good year for farm equipment sales, a big deal in Iowa where John Deere is the state's largest manufacturing employer. A report shows tractor sales in the U.S. rose 7% from the previous year, while combine sales jumped 18%. Curt Blades, with the Association … [Read more...]
AEA spokesperson says they need $15 million to meet shortfall
Nine Area Education Agencies cover the state of Iowa and their administrators are hoping lawmakers will help plug a $15 million dollar budget shortfall to address pressing needs. One area the agencies want to work on is special education programs. Another, according to Central Rivers Area Education … [Read more...]
Minden peacock producer wants tighter restrictions on crop dusters
An alternative farmer in western Iowa who tends an apple orchard and raises peacocks and bees is appealing to state leaders to enact tighter restrictions on crop dusters who he claims destroyed much of his four-acre farm. Dennis Fett, of rural Minden, says the problem with drifting chemicals has … [Read more...]
Sioux City looks to make its riverfront a tourist destination
Sioux City leaders are looking over plans to transform a vacant lot along the city’s riverfront into a tourist destination. Architect Tom Rogers created a plan that includes a 30-foot tall interactive fountain that would light up at night and change colors. Rogers says he decided against a ferris … [Read more...]
Persia man killed in Harrison County accident
One person died and two others were injured in a head-on crash on Highway 30 last night in western Iowa's Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a car driven by 28-year old Cody Jay Grandmont, of Persia, was traveling west on the highway, when for reasons unknown, crossed the center line … [Read more...]
Evansdale man dies in house fire
The State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate a fatal house fire in the Waterloo suburb of Evansdale. One person died in the fire. Evansdale Fire Chief Ryan Phillips identified the victim as 30-year-old Albert Schmitt, who was living in the home. According to Phillips, Schmitt was … [Read more...]
Protestors say homeless can’t sleep on new downtown Iowa City benches
Iowa City officials are considering replacing new benches downtown after advocates labeled the benches as "hostile" to homeless people. During recent renovations, the city installed benches with a metal armrest in the center, replacing old ones that were easier to sleep on. Mayor Jim Throgmorton … [Read more...]
Blue sheen on Floyd River traced to mineral oil leak from truck in Boyden
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has found mineral oil leaking from a tanker truck spilled into the Floyd River in northwest Iowa. Tom Roos, with the DNR, says a blue-colored sheen was discovered along a six-mile stretch of the river Monday morning and it was traced to the truck owned by … [Read more...]
Fort Dodge woman dies in weekend traffic accident
A 54-year-old woman was killed Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident near Fort Dodge. The Iowa State Patrol identified the victim as Sheila Ross of Fort Dodge. Ross was the passenger in a 2003 Jeep Liberty driven by 63-year-old Paul Ross of Fort Dodge. Reportedly the Ross Jeep was … [Read more...]