State Audit Shows Remsen-Union Parent-Teacher Organization Missing Funds
(Des Moines) — A state audit of the Remsen-Union Family Connection, parent-teacher organization has uncovered $9,000 is missing from the organization’s fund. This is not part the Remsen-Union school budget, it is a separate volunteer-run organization. Tami Kusian (Coos-sun) serves as the deputy state auditor for the investigative division. She says Remsen-Union school officials first notified the state auditor’s office nearly a year ago asking for assistance when it discovered some discrepancies with the account.
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The state auditor’s official says through their investigation they were not able to determine where the missing money had gone, however, Kusian says the P-T-O treasurer was responsible for the funds.
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Kusian says the matter has now been turned over to the Plymouth County Attorney’s office, as well as the State Attorney General’s office for their review. Kusian says it will be the decision of Darrin Raymond, Plymouth County Attorney, as to whether charges will be filed. Flynn is not an employee of the Remsen-Union school district.
Veterans To Be Honored At Gehlen Catholic
(Le Mars) — Monday is Veteran’s Day and several area schools and businesses plan to honor veterans. At the Le Mars Hy-Vee supermarket, veterans will be allowed to eat a free breakfast. The Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor will offer free ice cream cones to all veterans. Gehlen Catholic school will hold a special prayer service assembly that is open to the public and for all area veterans. Lisa Niebuhr explains the program will start at 8:45 a.m. at the Steven Shea gym and the program will honor those veterans of the past, the present, and future.
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Niebuhr encourages people to also view the “Wall of Honor” that showcases veterans and present military personnel with connections to Gehlen, or to the town of Le Mars.
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The Gehlen official says this year’s program will also offer the public an education as to how act properly when we view the American flag.
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Again, that Gehlen Veteran’s program is open to the general public. All area veterans are encouraged to attend and it will start at 8:45 Monday morning.
Le Mars Approves Three Percent Salary Increase For City Employees
(Le Mars) — The city of Le Mars is offering its city employees a one-year extension and a three percent increase in salary pay and benefits for their contract for the coming year. The Le Mars City Council approved the boost in employee pay and benefits during its Tuesday meeting. Councilman Rex Knapp offered an explanation as to what the agreement is consisting.
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Mayor Kirchoff extended compliments to the bargaining unit committee for its fair and equitable actions.
Le Mars Hosted Officials From Iowa Mainstreet Organizations
(Le Mars) — Several delegates from communities from across the state are in Le Mars for the Iowa Mainstreet Fall Conference. Mary Reynolds, Le Mars Mainstreet coordinator says the ice cream capital is hosting approximately 75 people from 49 different Iowa towns.
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The two day conference concluded Thursday. Reynolds says she hopes the community leaders from across the state realize that Le Mars is a special town with special people.
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Joyce Glasscock is from Keokuk, Iowa Mainstreet Organization. She found the partnership within Le Mars projects something she hopes to incorporate with her community.
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Lisa Oetken came from Mount Pleasant, Iowa. She says there are several similarities between Le Mars, located in northwest Iowa and Mt. Pleasant in southeast Iowa.
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Late Night Shooting In Sioux City Leaves Two Dead
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City police say a late-night shooting has left two people dead and another person injured.
Sioux City police spokesman Lt. Mark Kirkpatrick says police were sent just before midnight Thursday to a report of a shooting.
Two people were killed and a third person was undergoing surgery Friday morning.
Kirkpatrick says a suspect is in custody and charges are pending.
Police declined to release the names of those involved.
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Charges Against Day Care Provider Are Dropped – Authorities Wait For Autopsy Results
ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities investigating the death of a 3-year-old girl in Orange City say they’re considering more serious charges against the day care provider who was watching her.
The state Division of Criminal Investigation said Wednesday that initial charges of willful injury and child endangerment resulting in serious injury have been dismissed without prejudice against 33-year-old Rochelle Lynn Sapp, of Orange City. D-C-I Special Agent Mitch Mortvedt tells why the charges against the daycare provider have been dropped.
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Autumn Elgersma died on Oct. 31, a couple of days after she was hospitalized with severe head trauma. Investigators say Sapp was watching the girl at the time.
Authorities say Sapp’s initial charges were in relation to when Autumn was alive. More serious charges are possible now given the death. Those charges may be filed once an autopsy is completed. Agent Mortvedt says the conclusions of the laboratory tests from the autopsy could take between two and four weeks to finalize. Mortvedt says the Sioux County attorney will ultimately decide upon what charges that may be filed, depending upon the results of the autopsy, but he offers some speculation.
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