Branstad Appoints Plymouth County People To State Boards and Commissions
(Des Moines) — Several people from Le Mars and the surrounding area have recently been appointed by Governor Branstad to serve on various state boards and commissions. Wayne Marty of Le Mars has been tapped to serve on the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation. Roger Claypool also of Le Mars will serve on the College Student Aid Commission. Patrick Schmitz of Kingsley and executive director with the Plains Area Mental Health Clinic of Le Mars will serve on the state’s Mental Health Risk Pool Board, pending Senate confirmation. Jody Still Herbold of Kingsley was appointed to the Northwest Iowa Regional STEM Committee. Earlier this spring, Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars was appointed to the Board of Dentistry, while Dr. Allison Schoenfelder of Akron was asked to serve on the state’s Board of Medicine.
Harkin To Visit Le Mars To Look At American Legion Restoration Project
(Le Mars) — Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin has scheduled an appearance for Le Mars on Saturday, July 13th. Harkin will spend about 45 minutes beginning at 9:00 a.m. visiting with local officials, and to review the restoration project of the American Legion Hall. The Iowa U-S Senator was the elected official responsible for securing federal money to go to Iowa Mainstreet community projects. Le Mars received $30,000 from his efforts in the Challenge Grant application to the State of Iowa Main Street program. The city of Le Mars contributed $15,000 and private donations were raised to match the $15,000. Total cost of the project was $60,000.
Orange City To Announce Two New Building Projects
Orange City, IA — The Orange City Development Corp. will hold a press conference on Tuesday, July 9 at 10am at the Prairie Winds Event Center to announce two significant projects that will boost economic growth to the community and the region.
1. Development of a $6.2 million, three-story national-brand hotel to be built adjacent to the Prairie Winds Event Center on Highway 10, with projected opening next April.
2. Acquisition and subsequent sale of property on Highway 10 to Casey’s General Stores, Inc. for construction of a new store on the site.
Crop Conditions Show Improvement
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Warmer and mostly drier weather is helping Iowa farmers near completion of corn and soybean planting and improving crop conditions.
The Department of Agriculture says 99 percent of the corn crop is in the ground as of Sunday and 96 percent of the crop has emerged, which is three weeks behind normal.
Warm humid days helped corn improve. The good to excellent rating increased 3 percentage points with 57 percent of the crop now rated in those two categories and 29 percent is fair. Fourteen percent is poor or very poor.
Ninety-six percent of the soybean crop has been planted, about two weeks later than normal. Eighty-nine percent of the soybean crop has emerged, eight percentage points behind the five-year average.
The condition of soybeans also improved slightly.
Boone Man Intends To Run For Congress On Democratic Ticket
Boone, IA – A Democratic Congressional candidate has emerged to run against Iowa Congressman Steve King. He’s Jim Mowrer, an Iraq War Veteran and Boone native, who announced his plans to run for Congress in Iowa’s 4th district.
Mowrer’s career has been rooted in service. He joined the Iowa National Guard following high school. Jim’s unit, the 1-133 Infantry Battalion, served the longest deployment of any unit in the Iraq War – 23 months.
Jim’s service continued after leaving the National Guard, serving his country at the Pentagon, as the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army. Mowrer’s work at the Pentagon focused on making the Army more efficient and effective, while saving tax dollars.
Mowrer says “When he served in Iraq, there were no Democrats or Republicans – just Americans working together to protect our safety and stability. But when he looks at Congress, he doesn’t see that same approach,” Mowrer says, “In Congress, too many politicians are trying to score political points for partisan gain or pushing sound bytes to please their extreme base. Mowrer says he decided to run for Congress to restore that true sense of public service –and to work together to find common sense solutions that will help middle class families. ”
Culver Endorses Braley For Senate