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Sheldon Hotel Makes Minnesota Two-Year Old’s Day

holiday inn express 300Sheldon, Iowa — Everyone who does much traveling has, at one time or another, walked off and left something in a hotel room.  That very thing happened to a Minnesota family who had been in Sheldon this summer for a family reunion.

Holiday Inn Express Manager Brianna Kroontje picks up the story.

Kroontje says that the staff at the Holiday Inn Express decided to have some fun with the situation.

Kroontje says her staff took photos of all of the tiger’s adventures at the hotel, and mailed the tiger, along with the photos, back to the family in Minnesota, accompanied by a note that read, “”Hello from the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Sheldon, Iowa! We loved having your tiger friend stay with us! The little tiger really enjoyed having pancakes at night. It also loved fresh hot coffee. Your little tiger was a big help at the front desk and a big help with laundry, but now it is time for your tiger friend to go back home. It really misses you and wants to play with you again. We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us as much as your little tiger did. We hope you come back to visit again soon. Have a great day!”

The child’s mother, Jane Molas, says that her two-year old loved looking at the pictures and seeing what the tiger had done during his vacation.

No Circus In Sheldon, Wynja Says

New-Sheldon-SignSheldon, Iowa — The circus is NOT coming to town!!  That’s the word from Sheldon City Manager Scott Wynja.  He says that some folks have reported seeing signs posted all over the Sheldon community announcing a Circus coming to Sheldon, and being held at the Sheldon Community Services Center.

Wynja says the City of Sheldon has not been notified nor have they endorsed such an event in Sheldon.  He says nobody has reserved the Sheldon Community Services Center and the City has not granted permission to post signs about such an event.

He says if you are aware of any contacts or have additional information, please contact the Sheldon City Offices.

O’Brien Sheriff Seeks Public’s Help In Germantown Burglary

O'Brien Sheriff 71-6Germantown, Iowa — The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary at “The Hideout”, a bar and restaurant in Germantown.

According to authorities, the burglary occurred between 11:00 PM on Friday evening August 14th and 1:00 PM on Saturday August 15th. The suspects reportedly gained entry into the facility by prying open a walk in door.  Deputies say items stolen from the business included cash and alcoholic beverages.

Sheriff Michael Anderson says the O’Brien County Crime Dusters program is offering a $1000 reward to anyone who provides information on this crime that leads to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.  He says numerous burglaries of this type have occurred across northwest Iowa within the past month.

The Sheriff says you may provide information on this crime or any other crimes by calling the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office at 712-957-3415. Upon calling you will be put in contact with a deputy sheriff who will take your information. People can also provide information or tips on crimes by using the “Hot Tip” link or “e-mail” button at www.obriencountysheriff.com.

Arrangements can be made to assist people who want to remain anonymous but still be eligible for the reward.

Rivers Bend Roundup Is This Weekend

SCSCRock Valley, Iowa — A different kind of motorsports racing will be coming to northwest Iowa this weekend when the Sioux County Snowmobile Club brings the Rivers Bend Roundup to Rock Valley.

Kelly Roder is the President of the Sioux County Snowmobile Club, and explains what the Rivers Bend Shootout is all about.

Roder assures us that yes, it is possible to ride a snowmobile on open water.

He says that the club has constructed a retrieval pontoon to retrieve any sleds that may go down.  He says that even if a snowmobile goes down, the event’s sanctioning body, the International Watercross Association, has rules on fuel systems, designed to protect the environment.

Roder says that, in case of an accident, there will be emergency personnel on hand.

He says the event will take place Friday and Saturday, with gates opening Friday at noon and Saturday morning at 7 am.

Roder says that for those who want to come and spend the entire weekend, camping will be available.

Tickets for the Rivers Bend Roundup are $15 per day, or buy a 2-day pass for $25, and will be available only at the gate.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, since there will be no other seating available.

UPDATE: LeMars Teen Dies, Sibley Trucker Injured in Sunday Crash

Fatal Crash 2

LeMars, Iowa — Authorities have now released the name of the LeMars teen killed Sunday afternoon when his car was struck by a semi near LeMars.

Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo identified the youth as 16-year old Zachary Theodore Rolfes of LeMars.  According to the Sheriff, Rolfes was driving a 1992 Honda Accord northbound on Highway 75, north of LeMars, when the car swerved into the oncoming traffic lane and was struck by a 2011 Peterbilt semi, driven by 43-year old Jon Edwards of Sibley.

According to Van Otterloo, Rolfes was transported to the Floyd Valley Hospital in LeMars, where he was pronounced dead.  Edwards was also transported to Floyd Valley Hospital with what the Sheriff described as minor injuries.

Van Otterloo says the crash remains under investigation by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol and the Plymouth County Medical Examiner.

Sheldon Woman Running For Congress

democrat donkeySheldon, Iowa — A Sheldon woman has announced her candidacy for the Democrat nomination for Iowa’s 4th District District seat in the U.S. House of representatives.  That seat is currently held by seven-term Republican Steve King of Kiron.

Kim Weaver of Sheldon made her announcement at the Democrat’s Iowa Wing Ding Event, held Friday at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.  Weaver is currently serving as Chair of the O’Brien County Democrats, and is a member of the Democrat State Central Committee, and was a delegate to the 2012 Democrat National Convention.

Weaver is employed by the Iowa Department of Aging as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Weaver is currently the only Democrat to throw their hat into the ring for the 4th District nomination to face King in the 2016 general election.