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Thursday Afternoon News, August 22

FAA Tells Le Mars City Officials Proposed Water Tower Is Too High

(Le Mars) — Le Mars City officials may need to change their plans for a new one million gallon water tower since the Federal Aviation Administration has said the original plan calling for the water tower to be located in the southwest corner of Le Mars, would be in direct line with the flight path for the Le Mars Municipal Airport.   The FAA says the proposed water tower that was to be 140 feet tall would be a hazard to airplanes using the airport.  FAA officials have told city leaders the water tower should not be any taller than 86 feet for the proposed location.  Le Mars City Administrator Scott Langel says the city is considering its options.

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Langel clarifies the FAA position with regards to the proposed water tower.

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The city bought slightly more than two acres of land for the tower and booster station in southwest Le Mars.  Langel says officials believe that’s the best spot for a tower, but something will need to change if the FAA sticks by its decision.

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Langel says two contracted engineering firms are already reviewing the location and design of the tower.  They may have to change the configuration of the water storage facility.  During Tuesday’s meeting, the city council rejected the submitted bids for the construction of the water tower and booster station. 

Sioux City House Fire Claims Two Lives

(Sioux City) — Two people are dead following a house fire in the Riverside Area of Sioux City this morning.  Sioux City Fire Marshall Mark Aesoph says firefighters and police were dispatched to 1210 Wright Avenue shortly after 8:00 a.m.

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Aesoph says no other details about the fire or the deaths would be released until a 4:00 p.m. news conference at the city’s fire headquarters.

 

Boat Capsizes On The Missouri River Near Sioux City

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a boater has rescued a man whose boat capsized in the Missouri River off Sioux City.  The accident occurred Wednesday evening.
Sioux City police Sgt. Chris Groves says the man’s boat hit a wake and capsized. Another boater stopped and picked up the man, then towed the capsized craft to shore.  No injuries have been reported. The names of those involved haven’t been released.

 

Drake, DMACC, and Des Moines Schools Partner To Recruit Minority Teachers

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Education leaders in Des Moines have announced a partnership aimed
at recruiting more minority teachers.
Des Moines Public Schools, Drake University and Des Moines Area Community College say the
partnership will work to identify aspiring minority teachers and help them acquire the
education needed to teach in Des Moines.
Students who complete the program and graduate with a teaching degree and endorsements will
get a teaching job with Des Moines Public Schools.
Officials say there were only 10 percent of minority administrators at Des Moines Public Schools in the last school year. There were only 4.5 percent of minority certified teachers.
Members of the partnership, called 3D Coalition, have previously worked together to implement two federal grant programs that were also aimed at recruiting more minority teachers.