(Le Mars) — Schuster’s Trucking Company of Le Mars presented a check in the amount
of $25,000 this morning to the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation as part of the
Community Betterment project. The donation is part of the local trucking company’s
financial committment of $175,000 over the next seven years. Steve Schuster,
president and owner of the Schuster Trucking Company says the company is fortunate
to be based in a growing community.
Schuster’s employ more than 400 people and operate a fleet of more than 375 trucks.
This is the second time the local trucking firm has contributed to the Community
Betterment Project. Steve Schuster says the truck company also stepped forward the
first time of the Betterment Project.
Mike Donlin, president of the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation accepted the
check. Donlin says he is appreciative of Schuster’s leadership and financial
committment. He says the financial pledge will help with recruiting efforts of
other community businesses.
Donlin says with the Schuster financial pledge, the Community Betterment Foundation
is over half way to meeting the challenge of $2 and a half million established
initially by Wells Enterprises.
The Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation president says the foundation is beginning
to receive donations and contributions from individuals to go towards the community
betterment project.
Supervisors Continue To Discuss Request To Pave Lake Avenue
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution that
requires the payment for medical and health care items for inmates and other
prisoners being held in the custody of Plymouth County Law Enforcement shall not
exceed the amount for the same provisions under the Medicare program as it relates
to the Social Security Act. Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo brought the
issue to the attention of the county governing board. The Sheriff’s office found
itself trying to negotiate with different health care institutions as to the rate
of medical care. Apparently, different health care facilities would charge the
county different rates for the same type of provided health care to the inmates and
prisoners. Van Otterloo says having the resolution, now informs the healthcare
facilities what the county is willing to finance for medical attention to the
inmates and prisoners.
In other action, the supervisors again discussed the topic of paving Lake Avenue
from county road C-38 going south for nearly 470 feet. The request has been made
by Anthony Trucking Company. According to County engineer Tom Rohe, Anthony’s
Trucking is willing to finance up to $30,000 of the estimated cost of $102,000.
The supervisors again did not take action on the issue, but agreed to study and
discuss the requested paving project during future supervisor meetings. Part of
the discussion focused on a drainage concern. County Attorney Darin Raymond
reminded the supervisors that there had been some nuisance issues in the past
involving the Anthony Trucking Company, and he wanted to make certain none of those
issues would re-surface.
City Council Praises Efforts Of City Employees
(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Council member John Rexwinkel
praised the efforts of the city employees for its quick action of moving trees from
the streets following Friday evening’s storm.
The remaining council members joined in with Rexwinkel by giving the city employees
a standing ovation.
The city council approved the sale of lot 21 from the Westmar Addition to Dan and
Lori Rexwinkel. The lot is the site of the former Carlsen Funeral Home. The city
had the right of first refusal to purchase the property back, if desired.
Councilman John Rexwinkel sustained from voting on the issue.
The city council heard from Le Mars Librarian Shirley Taylor as she asked the city
council on behalf of the Le Mars Public Library Board of Trustees, to evaluate
their current location and create a prioritized list of needs and projects to
update the building. The list contains exterior items such as sidewalk repair,
additional handicap parking, minor landscaping, and overall condition of the
exterior of the building. Interior items on the list include carpet replacement,
shelving, paint, and overall updated look of the interior. Taylor says the library
board of trustees is asking the city council to help with financing a consultant to
provide direction on the interior improvements. Cheryl Wells was not able to
attend the city council meeting, but she had Tim LaBreche serve as a representative
and read her letter addressed to the city council.
The council did not take any formal action on the matter, but did indicate they
would be willing to work with the library staff and its Board of Trustees to make
the necessary updates in the library’s appearance and function.
Dairy Producers Celebrate June Dairy Month With Open House
(Le Mars) — June is Dairy Month and the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance along with the
Midland Dairy Association, which makes up the dairy producers in our area, will
hold an open house to the public this afternoon and early evening. The open house
will be on the Maassen Dairy Farm located near Maurice, Iowa. Jenna Riediger, the
executive director with the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance says the open house is to
offer the public an education as to where their milk comes from.
Reidiger says the local dairy industry believes such open house events are
important.
The dairy industry official says Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is scheduled to visit
the dairy farm and take in the tour of the farm. She says the Maassen Dairy farm
is a four generation dairy farm, and they milk 1350 cows, three times a day.
Riediger says much of the milk produced on the Maassen Dairy Farm ends up as
cheese. The open house is free of charge, and there will be free Barb-b-que
sandwiches, ice cream treats, milk, and cheese. The open house will provide a
“Kid’s Fun Zone” with activities and games. To locate the Maassen Dairy Farm and
attend the open house, simply go north on Highway 75 to county road B-58 turn east
or right, follow B-58 for two miles until you reach Hickory Avenue, turn right
again and signs will help direct you to the June Dairy Month open house.
BLENCOE, Iowa (AP) – A Nebraska man faces multiple charges after authorities say
he kidnapped a woman and fled from police.
26-year-old Lamonte Bertucci of Macy, Nebraska, is charged with willful injury, second-degree kidnapping, assault while participating in a felony, assault on a jailer and
several traffic violations.
The Macy Police Department contacted the Monona County Sheriff’s Office in
Iowa on Saturday, saying its officers were pursuing a vehicle heading east on
Highway 175.
The driver failed to stop and seemed to be holding a female passenger as she
tried to escape the vehicle.
Speeds reached 100 mph after deputies joined the pursuit southbound on
Interstate 29. Officers arrested Bertucci when the vehicle stopped south of
Blencoe, Iowa.
The woman was taken to a hospital with injuries.
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