Suzy Bogguss
O-A/BC-IG improves
2017 O-A/BC-IG
performs at Clausen Center in Holstein
6-1 in WVC volleyball
homecoming
Pg. 9
Pg. 17
Pg. 7
Ida County’s Official Newspaper
Courier Ida County
Vol. 42, No. 41 Ida Grove, Iowa
w ww.idacountycourier.com
Wednesday,, October 11, 2017 Wednesday
IG council asked to consider housing development
News GLIMPSE
❚ by MIKE THORNHILL
IG Kiwanis officers Page 3
Fire Preven on Special Sec on-Inside SPECIAL EDITION OF
Courier Ida County
THE
OCT. 11, 2017
Upcoming Events BC Fire Department Open House Sunday, October 15 11 am-1 pm Ba le Creek Fire Sta on
Brunch Sunday, October 15 10:30 am-1 pm St. John’s Lutheran Church Ba le Creek
Turkey Supper Sunday, October 15 4-7 pm St. Mary’s Catholic Church Mapleton
Soup Supper Wednesday, October 18 4:30-7:30 pm St. John’s Lutheran Church Kiron
3-Day Forecast Wed 10/11
59° | 44° Mostly Cloudy
Thurs 10/12
68° | 49° Sunny
Fri 10/13
67° | 48° Mostly Cloudy
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Las Vegas shooting: Sara Luft and Dr. Michael Luft of Ida Grove took this selfie prior to the start of a country music festival in Las Vegas Sunday, Oct. 1, where 59 people were killed and 527 were wounded.
Lufts return home after harrowing experience Dr. Michael and Sara Luft of Ida Grove were among the survivors of what’s being called the worst shooting in U.S. history that occurred Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vega, Nev., when Stephen Paddock opened ire at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, killing 59 and injuring 500. As a doctor, Luft has brought life into this world and has seen life go; did this experience change his perspective on life? He said, “All life is precious. My wife and I talked about this, and I took a couple things away from this. There are amazing people everywhere, because everybody was helping everyone. If someone fell, people were picking each other back up. People were shot and bleeding, but a lot of people knew what to do. We’d yell, just put your hand on it, keep pressure on it or put a belt around it. Everyone was helping people that couldn’t get through.” Luft commented, “That was the hardest part
about my wife. I knew we had to get out of the clearing, and she kept stopping to help people. I inally grabbed her and said we can’t be here. We’ve got 10 children between us, and three grandchildren. We need to get out of the open, and then we’ll help people. It was probably a little sel ish on my part; we have a 10month old at home, and all I kept thinking about was getting her mom out of there. I couldn’t see us being out in the open, because we didn’t know where these people were that were shooting. —Dr. Michael Luft “It was so loud. I can’t even explain. I was in the service out of high school and I knew what an automatic ri le sounds like. It took me a few seconds to igure it out; it sounded like it was in the venue. Now, I realize he was so far up in the air and probably the acoustics of that building made it sound like the shooting was closer than it really was. It (continued on page 3)
All life is precious.
There are amazing people everywhere, because everybody was helping everyone.
Jan Hewitt approached the Ida Grove City Council Oct. 2 about developing seven acres of property he owns between West Fifth and West Seventh Streets into an area where ive to six houses or possibly apartments could be built (Hewitt would not build the houses, only make lots available). Hewitt, formerly of Ida Grove, who now lives in Sergeant Bluff, said he and his wife are considering moving back to Ida Grove. Hewitt said he is considering building his own house in that area. Hewitt said he believes there is a market for houses in a moderate price range. “There are a lot of empty houses in town, but not a lot of nice houses available. I think there is a need for twoto three-bedroom houses on a little bigger lot.” Hewitt said some of the lots in the area would be around three-quarters of an acre. In order to develop the lots, a street and sewer and water lines would have to be added to the area. Hewitt asked the council to consider the idea and how the improvements (street, sewer/ water lines) could be paid for. One possibility would be to come up with a plan where the developer would pay for part of the improvements if a certain number of houses were not added in a given time frame, similar to the
development south of Zobel’s Addition. The council liked the idea of adding housing options for the community. Mayor Devlun Whiteing said the city would do some research and “crunch some numbers” on a possible development and get back to Hewitt. Kathy Johnson addressed the council about removing a restriction the city has on allowing pit bulls inside the city limits. Johnson said pit bulls have gained an unfavorable reputation and much of their negative image is more of a stereotype than a fact. Johnson said she has experience with pit bulls in her role as a dog handler. She said the breed is no different than other dogs; it has more to do with how any dog is treated and trained by the owner. When questioned by the council why she wanted pit bulls removed from the ban, Johnson said she has no plans to own a pit bull. She noted she is just against a breedspeci ic ban. Johnson said, if the council is concerned about pit bulls, the city still has an ordinance relating to vicious animals that could be used to remove a speci ic dog, if it were deemed vicious. Councilman Ryan Goodman agreed with Johnson that a dog’s behavior is related more (continued on page 2)
Holstein council discusses nuisance proper es, ATV/Gator regula ons ❚ by DEB LOGER
Tom and Debby Else were present at the Holstein City Council meeting Oct. 2 to discuss concerns regarding the condition of the house at 217 E. Second St., owned by Darrell and Margaret Johnson. Debby Else said, “I feel we need to address the vacant houses that are un-rentable in our community. I’ve been meeting with Kay (city administrator Kay Hanson) about
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possible solutions.” Else asked if Hanson could contact a lawyer and ind out if there is a way to ine nuisance violators monthly and, when it hits a certain amount, it goes to court and they either have to ix up the property or sell it. “These have been standing for years. They take away from our school and VT. We need housing in our community to attract new people. I’m offering my time to do phone calling
or whatever else is needed to ind a solution. There are three within two blocks of my home,” said Debby. “We’ve lived in our home 23 years and have had to look at this property for more than 10 years. It’s got a busted water line and it’s chockfull of stuff, making it potentially a ire hazard. We’ve offered to buy the property and tear it down so there is a vacant lot available (continued on page 2)
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Photo by: Mike Thornhill | Ida County Courier
Falcon royalty: Daltyn Swanger, son of Richy and Kourtnee Swanger,and Bailey Ullrich,daughter of Chris and Wendy Ullrich, were crowned king and queen of O-A/BC-IG’s homecoming during coronation ceremonies at the high school Thursday. For more homecoming pictures, turn to page 17.
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