Machine Shed, Pickup, Three Tractors; More Destroyed In Fire

Sanborn, Iowa — A large machine shed and all its contents was destroyed in a fire on Friday, May 20, 2016 near Sanborn.
Sanborn FD
According to Sanborn Fire Chief Randy Lyman, about 2:12 PM, the Sanborn Fire Department was called to the report of machine shed fire near the home of Bruce Walters at 2928 Roosevelt Avenue. He says that’s about three and a half miles north of Sanborn on Highway 59.

The chief says the fire department saw lots of black smoke and a machine shed with a fallen-in roof as they approached the scene. He says they used water to fight the fire.

Destroyed in the fire, according to Lyman were  two large wagons, three smaller tractors, a hay baler, a large field sprayer, lots of spare tires, a side-by-side atv, two lawnmowers, a portable generator, fuel tanks, a 2007 Chevy pickup, and other miscellaneous equipment.

He says neighbor Mike VerHoef discovered the fire and reported that the east end of the building where the pickup was stored was on fire and totally engulfed when he first saw the blaze.

Lyman says no injuries were reported.

He says there wasn’t much they could do to save the building or its contents but they doused the fuel tanks to keep them from exploding, put out some hot spots and fought some small fires in the grove.

The Melvin and Hartley Fire Departments assisted on the scene, and stayed until about 3:30 PM.

He says the cause of the fire appeared to be something electrical either in the pickup or in the building.

Chief Lyman estimates that there was probably $250,000 to $300,000 damage.

He says they used 10,000 gallons of water to fight the fire, and crews were on scene until 4:30 or 4:45 PM.


Unemployment Up In April

unemploymentNorthwest Iowa — Unemployment numbers for April have been released, and the number of unemployed Iowans has grown.

Courtney Greene is spokesperson for the Iowa Workforce Development agency.

This marks the third straight month for an uptick in Iowa’s jobless rate, after nearly 7 solid years of dropping or holding steady.

Greene says the total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,647,200 in April.

She says the trade and transportation sector in Iowa accounted for 3,500 job losses between March and April. Iowa’s construction sector, meanwhile, nearly offset those losses.

Over the last year, construction has accounted for slightly over half of all job gains in Iowa. The number of unemployed Iowans stood at 66,100 in April. That is up from 62,300 one year ago.


New Boutique Will Open In Downtown Sheldon In August

SheldonSheldon, Iowa — A new business will be opening it’s doors in downtown Sheldon later this year.

According to a release from City Development Director Curt Strouth, Alissa Ryan Boutique will open August 18th in the former His and Her Hair location in downtown Sheldon.

The boutique will reportedly offer women’s fashions (tops, jeans, dresses, jewelry, shoes, handbags), as well as tux rentals, and will be owned and operated by Alissa Jager of Sheldon.  Jager brings  her retail experience from having previously worked at both Rockman Clothing and Revolution Consignment in downtown Sheldon.  It was through these retail experiences that Alissa developed a very strong passion for starting her own boutique, according to Strouth.

Renovation work at the business location is expected to start in June with the grand opening date tentatively slated for August 18.  Alissa Ryan Boutique will help bolster the downtown business community, while adding another great business to the Sheldon community and region.

Jager graduated from Sheldon High School in 2013 and went on the get her Accounting Diploma and Business Management Degree at NCC in Sheldon.


Former Sheldon Educator Returns To Area

Bob KirschbaumSheldon, Iowa — A former Sheldon educator is returning to northwest Iowa.

Bob Kirschbaum tells KIWA that he will begin work Tuesday, May 24th, as Executive Director of the Pearson Lakes Art Center at Okoboji.

Kirschbaum had been employed by the American Red Cross for the past 8 years.  Most recently he has served as Red Cross Executive Director in Dubuque, managing 18 counties.  Prior to his stint in the Dubuque area, he had served the American Red Cross out of their Sioux City office.

Prior to his years with the Red Cross, Kirschbaum was an elementary school principal in Spencer, after serving as Principal at East Elementary in Sheldon from 1993 to 1998.

Kirschbaum replaces the former Pearson Lakes Art Center Executive Director who resigned last November.


Sheriff’s Office Now Investigating Boyden Records, Clerk

Orange City, Iowa — A few days ago we told you about a report issued by Auditor of State Mary Mosiman that told about a special investigation into the finances and records of the City of Boyden, which identified $36,227.60 of improper and unsupported disbursements. Sioux Sheriff Car 84-The investigation had been requested by Boyden City officials as a result of concerns regarding payments from a City bank account by former City Clerk, Beth Sipma. Mosiman said that copies of the report had been filed with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux County Attorney’s Office, and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

Now the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office reports that the Sioux County Attorney’s Office has asked them to investigate the matter as well for possible criminal charges against former clerk Sipma.

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Car Destroyed In Fire Near Rock Rapids

Rock Rapids, Iowa — A car was destroyed in a fire on Thursday, May 19, 2016 near Rock Rapids.
Rock Rapids Fire Department RRFD logo door
According to Rock Rapids Fire Chief Ed Reck, about 8:40 PM, the Rock Rapids Fire Department was called to the report of car fire in the 1100 block of US 75, north of Rock Rapids almost five miles, or a little less than a mile south of the state line.

The chief says the fire department saw that the car was fully engulfed as they approached the scene. He says the family and dog safely exited the car and were waiting in the ditch when they arrived.

He says the cause of the fire appeared to be mechanical or electrical in nature.

Chief Reck reports that the older red GM passenger car was a total loss.

He says they used 500 gallons of water to fight the fire, and crews were on scene for a half hour to 45 minutes.