Dredging Work On Municipal Pond Nearing Completion
(Le Mars) –For the past couple of months contracted workers have been busy dredging the Municipal Park pond. City Administrator Scott Langel says although the dredging work at the north pond of the Municipal park and campground has been at a standstill for a while, he says work should be finishing within the next few weeks.
Since the bottom of the Municipal park pond was thought to be at different depths, city officials requested the Plymouth County Dive team to look under water and offer a better perspective.
Langel believes the city will need to gather additional sand and soil to be able to completely fill up the south pond area, which will eventually be turned into additional camping spots. Langel believes the pond will open sometime yet this summer, allowing people to use it for recreational purposes, such as swimming, fishing, or boating.
During the next few days KLEM news will feature City Administrator Scott Langel as he offers updates on the various construction projects located within Le Mars.
Le Mars Police Investigate Accidents
(Le Mars) — On Friday, July 1st, at 4:46 p.m. the Le Mars Police Dept responded to an accident that occurred at Central Ave.
Kyla Peters, age 31 of Le Mars, IA, was eastbound on 1100th block Central Ave in a 2004 GMC Yukon. Robert White, age 55 of Le Mars, was heading south on 1100th block Central Ave in a 2013 Dodge Avn. As Peters’s was backing out of residential driveway. White was southbound on Central Ave. Peters’s failed to see White’s vehicle and, as a result struck White’s front passenger side fender. Peters’s vehicle had minor damage and White’s vehicle had functional damage.
There were no injuries and both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.
Peters’s vehicle sustained approximately $1000.00 damage and White’s vehicle sustained approximately $5000.00 damage.
Peters was issued a citation for Unsafe Entry onto Sidewalk or Roadway.
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department is investigating a one-vehicle accident that happened on Monday, July 4th at about 10:45 p.m. on Central Avenue.
Brady Hansen, age 16 of Le Mars, was westbound on 18th St SW at Central Ave SW in a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix. Brady was turning North onto Central Ave SW and was distracted by his friends lighting off fireworks in the back seat. He then turned the corner too wide and struck a mailbox belonging to Scott Koopman.
There were no injuries and the driver was wearing his seatbelt.
Brady’s vehicle sustained approximately $1500.00 in damage and Koopman’s mailbox sustained approximately $150.00 in damage.
Brady was issued a citation for Failure to Maintain Control
Berkenpas Honored As Chamber “Employee of the Month”
(Le Mars) — The July Chamber “Employee of the month” award was presented to a longtime Primebank employee this morning. Cindy Berkenpas has been with Primebank for over 23 years as a member of the loan servicing staff. The staff of Primebank nominated Cindy, and they say that she can always be counted on to get the job done. Regardless of the request, Cindy willingly accepts the task and stays with it until the task is completed. Working closely with both Primebank’s lending staff and customers, over the years Cindy Berkenpas has been responsible for accepting loan payments, verifying collateral insurance and credit life insurance, assisting with internal and external audits and examinations, delivery of secondary market loans, and countless other tasks all completed with professionalism and the understanding that attention to detail is important, regardless of how large or small the assignment. Before working in the loan servicing area, Cindy worked for approximately four years in Primebank’s bookkeeping department. Cindy will soon be retiring, and leaving the daily interaction with our bank family. We wish Cindy the very best, as she begins this new chapter in her life. Our congratulations go to Cindy Berkenpas for being honored as the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce July “Employee of the Month”.
Mission Honduras Comments About Honduran Conditions (Part 2)
(Le Mars) — Today we continue our conversation with the representatives from Mission Honduras who are visiting Iowa and other midwestern states. In yesterday’s segment, we learned from Marta Sosa and her daughter Andrea how appreciative the Honduran people are for the meals provided by the “Then Feed Just One” program, and the various mission trips to Honduras that have helped establish water programs and created housing for the poverty stricken. KLEM news asked Sosa if she believes the Honduran people will ever rise from poverty, and be able to be self-sufficient. Her reply, “I hope so”.
Sosa says the children of Honduras has been benefited since they have a school, she says they do have hope.
Andrea who is now 18, says she has been assisting her mother for six years on the Mission Honduras programs. She reflects on the first time she saw missionaries from Iowa come to Honduras.
Cattle Producers To Hold Feedlot Seminar Today
(Le Mars) — Area cattle producers may want to attend a couple of feedlot seminars that are being offered by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. There are two seminars that will be featured. The first is scheduled for today, July 8th, and will be held at the Winter Feedlot in Plymouth County near Akron. The second seminar is scheduled for next Wednesday, July 13th at Clay County at the Christensen feedlot near Royal. Iowa State University Extension Beef Specialist Beth Doran explains what the seminars will cover.
Doran continues to explain the cattle producers self-assessment forms.
Doran says both the cattle feedlot seminars will start at 10:00 a.m. She suggests to come dressed for the outdoors, since the seminars will actually take place in the feedlots. The address for the Plymouth County seminar to be held at the Winter Feedlot near Akron is 17638 Fir Avenue. The second seminar will be held at the Ron and Clayton Christensen feedlot located at 3965 170th Avenue, Spencer, Iowa, Doran says although the address is Spencer it is near Royal.
STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says it’s assisting the Iowa Lottery in reviewing a possible fraudulent claim of a $250,000 winning lottery ticket.
Iowa Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer says an individual attempted to cash the ticket in Storm Lake on June 17. But the back of the ticket was covered with ink scribbles, making it difficult to read the signature and raising suspicions. The prize hasn’t been paid.
The instant-scratch ticket is part of the “$250,000 Riches” game the lottery began selling in March. Players scratch off a film covering a column of numbers on the front of the ticket. If a number matches a separate scratched-off section, players can win up to $250,000.
Iowa Lottery officials require every winning ticket to be signed, legally purchased, possessed and presented.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Mega Millions jackpot has increased to $540 million, as brisk ticket sales fuel the estimated jackpot for Friday’s drawing.
Paula Otto is executive director of the Virginia Lottery and lead director for Mega Millions. She says sales leading up to Friday’s drawing have exceeded expectations resulting in the jackpot adjustment.
Friday’s drawing will be the 35th since Mega Millions had a winner – the longest rollover stretch in the game’s history. Otto says that since the last winner in March, Mega Millions ticket sales have exceeded $1 billion.
Sales prior to the last drawing on Tuesday night also were higher than expected, at around $107 million. Sales were anticipated to hit $80 million.
Tickets are sold in 43 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
