Home News Thursday News, September 11

Thursday News, September 11

Le Mars United Way Kicks Off Campaign With Golf Tournament

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars United Way kicked off its 2014 campaign year with a successful golf tournament held last Thursday.  Jeff Stanley serves as this year’s United Way chairman.  He says last week’s golf tournament was able to raise $4,000.  This year’s campaign goal is to raise $340,000 which is an increase of $5,000 over last year.  Stanley says the campaign is off to a good start having already raised $230,000 in pledges from local companies and individuals who have contributed early.  The winning four-some from last week’s golf tournament included Rick Kneip, Brian Schultz, Michael Murphy and Ron Kneip.  The Le Mars United Way campaign will run from now until the end of the year. For more information, or to make a donation, you can call (712) 255-3551 or visit the website at www.lemarsunitedway.org.

 

New Speed Limits Now In Effect For Business Highway 75

(Le Mars) — Beginning yesterday, the Le Mars Police Department wants everyone to know the new lower speed limits on Business Highway 75 are in effect.  City work crews installed new signs indicating the lower speed limits on Wednesday.  Le Mars Police Captain Tim Hopp says the police will park their speeding trailer near Business Highway 75 to remind motorists to adhere to the new speed limits.  In general, the new speed limits are 10 miles per hour slower than what was originally posted.  City officials are hoping the slower speed limits will help reduce the number of accidents on Business Highway 75.  According to police records there have been 72 accidents with 29 personal injuries on Business Highway 75 over the past three and a half years.

 

Flags Placed Around Gray’s Lake Honoring “Patriot’s Day”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Volunteers have placed 3,213 American flags in the ground at Gray’s Lake Park in Des Moines in preparation for Patriot Day on Thursday.
     The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department said the flags are the key part of the Tribute Trail at the park.
     Patriot Day honors the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist strikes in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

 

Regents To Ask For $543 Million From Legislature

 AMES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Regents voted Wednesday to ask the Iowa Legislature for nearly $523 million in funding next year for the state’s three public universities.
     The amount includes $12.9 million to prevent cuts to the University of Iowa’s budget as the state’s three public universities transition to a new funding model based on in-state enrollment.
     The board wants an additional $6.6 million for the University of Northern Iowa and $6.3 million more for Iowa State University when lawmakers convene in January.
     The budget plan approved unanimously at the board meeting in Ames would prevent the $12.9 million from being shifted away from the University of Iowa next year to the other two schools, as previously called for under a new funding model. It’s unclear what would happen to UI’s funding if lawmakers don’t approve the $12.9 million.

 

Iowa State University Has Set Record Enrollment

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University has set an enrollment record for the sixth consecutive year at 34,732 students, university President Steven Leath said Wednesday.
     Presidents of the three state-run universities updated the Iowa Board of Regents on enrollment figures. The numbers are compiled after students have been on campus for at least 10 days.
     Enrollment at Iowa State University surpassed last year’s 33,250 students, Leath said.
     The increasing number of students has led to crowded housing, with hundreds of students living in makeshift dorm rooms set up in common spaces at residence halls. The university also leased space in several apartment buildings to house more than 1,000 students.

 

University Of Iowa Announces Three Year Bachelor’s Degree Program

AMES, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa announced Wednesday plans to create a program that would allow some students to earn their undergraduate degree in three years.
     University President Sally Mason told the Iowa Board of Regents that the program will be implemented by the end of this academic year. For a limited number of majors, students will be promised a degree in three years if they take summer classes and meet certain academic milestones.
     “We’re still working on the details. We know it won’t be easy and it won’t be for everyone,” she said. “It will be a flexible affordable option designed to meet the needs of well-prepared and motivated students.” 
     The idea is designed to save students money on tuition and housing expenses and move them more quickly to a job or graduate studies, Mason said.
     Three-year degrees would require the same number of credits as degrees earned in four years, but the new program offers advising and plans of study that help students fulfill requirements more quickly. 
     The three-year program recognizes that some students come to the university with specific goals, existing college credit, and the preparedness and discipline to pursue a heavier course load, a university statement said.
     This fall, the university expects to identify the first group of academic programs suitable for three-year plans, making the new option available to students who enroll for fall 2015.

 

First Lady Michelle Obama To Travel To Iowa To Help Braley Campaign

 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – First Lady Michelle Obama will campaign in Iowa next month for Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Braley, his campaign said Wednesday.
     Obama will appear at an event in October, but the Braley campaign said details on the date and location have not been worked out.
     Braley, a four-term congressman from Waterloo, is locked in a tight race with 44-year-old Republican Joni Ernst. They are vying for retiring Senator Tom Harkin’s seat. Harkin, a Democrat, has held the office for 30 years.