Home News KLEM News Update May 29, 2011

KLEM News Update May 29, 2011

(LE MARS)–The third annual “Woof-stock” sponsored by the Plymouth County Historical Museum features a Poochi Parade and Poochi Promenade Saturday.

“Woof-stock” focuses on homeless dogs, disabled dogs and dogs suffering from cancer and heart disease. A dog rescue group, Noah’s Hope, will have a booth explaining their program at “Woof-stock.” Dogs will be available for adoption.

The parade ato 10 a.m. will open the event with a lineup traveling outside “Old Central” gym on the sidewalk around the Museum block. The promenade, scheduled for noon, will give pet owners an opportunity to dress up their dogs and walk them across the stage.

This year’s silent auction will feature the Museum’s “Bark-itecture,” a large dog house built by David and Zachary Burkard of Brunsville.

The Museum continues to accept reservations for vendor booths.

Buckling up saves a $127 fine

(UNDATED)–Iowa State Patrol officers are working in eleven northwest Iowa counties to curb a higher number of Memorial Day holiday weekend crashes.

Vince Kurtz is the safety education officer for the Patrol who offers five traffic safety tips.

By fastening a seatbelt, Kurtz reports a fine of $127 is eliminated. Texting and cell phone use are the leading distractions for drivers. The fine for texting is $100.

Drivers are asked to obey the posted speed limit. Speed continues to be the leading factor in serious injury and death.

If alcohol is part of the holiday plans, he tells those consuming to designate a driver. Kurtz also recommends motorists expect other drivers to make mistakes and to drive accordingly.

Arts offerings as visual and vocal

(LE MARS)–Camps, classes, and a choir are art offerings at the Le Mars Arts Center this summer.

Executive Director Kathy Moore’s information lists three camps for young learners including two visual arts camps and a drama camp.

Adults and serious middle and high school students can create pottery in a twice a week class for two weeks in August.

The summer of art offerings includes the Shining Stars Show Choir for third through sixth grade students. They’ll perform in the Ice Cream Days Parade Saturday morning June 18th.

Students who are 10 to 15 years of age may consider “Body Percussion, Plus.” Students will work on rhythms using the body and found “things” as percussive objects.

Other art classes include watercolor and drawing.

Registration is available through the Le Mars Arts Center or on the web at www.lemarsarts.com

Transportation Commission will meet in Sioux City next month

(SIOUX CITY)–Decision makers for transportation in Iowa will be in Sioux City next month.

The Sioux City Convention Center is the location for the June 14th Iowa Transportation Commission public input meeting.

The commissioners will hear from representatives of local government, transportation groups and individuals. They’ll also discuss the Iowa Transportation Improvement Program.

Other topics for the public input meeting are transportation policies, highway, aviation, rail, river and transit issues.

The public input meeting is at eight in the morning on June 14th. The Commission will tour transportation projects in northwest Iowa the day before the meeting in Sioux City.

Airman from Ottumwa, Iowa killed in Afghanistan

UNDATED (AP) Family members are mourning the death of a 28-year-old staff sergeant from Iowa who was killed in Afghanistan this week.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Hamski of Ottumwa died Thursday along with 32-year-old Tech. Sgt. Kristoffer Solesbee of Citrus Heights, Calif., when an enemy bomb exploded.

Eighty-three-year-old Ray Hamski of Duluth, Minnesota told the Des Moines Register his grandson’s death is a “devastating loss.”

Joseph Hamski graduated from Ottumwa High School in 2001 and briefly attended Iowa State University before joining the Air Force.

Hamski was assigned to the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. He had worked as an explosives and demolitions engineer training others to defuse bombs.

Hamski is survived by his wife, Air Force Staff Sgt. Maria Christina Hamski, his mother, two sisters and brother.

Nebraska National Guard unit headed to Afghanistan

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) About 70 Nebraska National Guard soldiers are getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan, so hundreds of friends and family members gathered to say goodbye.

The send-off for the Nebraska National Guard B Company, 2-135th General Support Aviation Battalion was held Friday in Grand Island.

U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns praised the soldiers for the commitment they have made.

Specialist Kevin George of Sutton says it’s nice to see so much support from the community.

The Chinook helicopter unit will leave Sunday for about two months of training at Fort Hood. Then the soldiers will deploy overseas.

Kellerton, Iowa girl, 8, killed in ATV accident

KELLERTON, Iowa (AP) An 8-year-old Iowa girl has died in an all-terrain vehicle accident.

Ringgold County Sheriff Mark Davison says Charlcey Ann Bowen died Thursday evening after the crash that happened in a rural area outside Kellerton.

Davison says the Kellerton girl had been driving a John Deere Gator ATV at the time of the crash. The vehicle hit a pile of gravel and overturned.

Bowen was ejected from the vehicle in the crash.

2 arrested in overdose of 11-year-old in Atlantic

ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) Two people have been arrested in connection with an illegal drug overdose an 11-year-old child.

The Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs is reporting that 19-year-old Tia Cohrs and 18-year-old Alex Rutledge were arrested earlier this month on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and distribution of an illegal narcotic to a minor.

The 11-year-old child is being treated at Cass County hospital in Atlantic.

The Cass County sheriff’s office says an investigation shows Cohrs and Rutledge gave illegal narcotics to the child inside Cohrs’ residence.

They are each being held in the Cass County jail under $30,000 bond.

Man found guilty in Dubuque bar shooting

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) A jury has found a man guilty for his role in an armed robbery and shooting at a Dubuque bar.

The Telegraph Herald says the jury returned its verdict Friday in Scott County District Court, finding Eddie Adams guilty of assault, first-degree robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was found not guilty of attempted murder.

Adams and another man, 72-year-old Eddie Chest, were charged in connection with the Dec. 3, 2009 robbery and shooting outside Knicker’s Saloon. They were confronted by a police officer outside and shots were exchanged. Chest and the officer were both injured.

Chest pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Adams attorney, Todd Klapatauskas says he will appeal.

Burlington teacher’s farewell closes circle

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) Burlington school teacher Cathy Schnicker is ending her educational career where it started.

The 59-year-old teacher retired last week after teaching for 38 years, most of them at Corse Elementary School, where she began school as a student when she was 4 years old.

Schnicker says she has worked with eight different administrators and changed classrooms 15 times.

She began teaching when she was just 20. She received her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and earned her master’s degree in reading.

Although she’s enjoyed teaching, she says it’s time to move on.

She says she plans on spending time with family and friends, travel, do some gardening and join friends for lunch.

Newspaper: backup QB Green leaving Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Nebraska Cornhuskers backup quarterback Cody Green has reportedly decided to transfer to another school.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported Saturday that the junior-to-be has asked for permission to transfer. The newspaper’s story relied on anonymous sources.

When contacted by The Associated Press, Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini declined to comment on the report Green will transfer.

Nebraska installed a new offense this spring after changing offensive coordinators.

Green, who is from Dayton, Texas, has competed for the starting quarterback job for two years, but mostly remained a backup behind Zac Lee and then Taylor Martinez.

Green appeared in 17 games, including four starts for the Cornhuskers. He completed 66 of his 122 passes at Nebraska for 657 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed 68 times for 254 yards.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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