Monday News, July 18th

State Senator Bill Anderson To Serve As Delegate For Republican Convention

(Le Mars) — State Senator Bill Anderson of Pierson is traveling to Cleveland, Ohio for the National Republican Convention. Anderson is a delegate representing Iowa. The republican says this is his first opportunity to be a delegate at a national political party convention.

The Pierson State Senator was an early supporter of Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz for president, so will he now support the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump?

Anderson believes there will be some Republican delegates who may not have wanted to support Donald Trump, but they may consider it now that Indiana Governor Mike Pence has been selected as Donald Trump’s running mate. Anderson says there are also those delegates that may not support Trump’s campaign. He says it is important to be unified and support the eventual presidential nominee.

Anderson says he doesn’t know what to expect at this year’s National Republican Convention. But he adds, given the temperature of the nation in recent weeks with various shootings, and other mass killings not only in the United States, but around the world, he is hoping for a safe convention.

Le Mars Community School Board To Convene For Special Meeting

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will hold a special meeting scheduled for Monday at noon at the Education Service Center. The school board will review and approve claims and accounts. The board of education will also act upon the contract for Lance Pedersen as the school district’s new mechanic.

Singer Attends Dallas Police Funerals

(Le Mars) — Following the tragic deaths of the five Dallas Police officers from this past week, law enforcement officials from across the nation traveled to Dallas to offer their condolences and show support. One of those law enforcement officials was Sargent Rick Singer of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Singer, along with two deputies from the Woodbury County Sheriff’s office, and two police officers from the Sioux City Police Department traveled to Dallas as part of an honor guard. Singer says Iowa law enforcement agencies were well represented at the fallen Dallas Police officer funerals.

The Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputy explains why law enforcement officials in northwest Iowa thought it would be appropriate to send representatives to Dallas, Texas.

Singer says both the Dallas Police Department and the people of Dallas, Texas were so appreciative of the level of support exhibited by the law enforcement from across the nation.

Westmar Alumni Return To Le Mars For Reunion

(Le Mars) — Nearly 30 past students of the former Westmar College returned to Le Mars to hold a reunion during the weekend. The gathering participated on various tours of the former college, as well as toured various locations of the “Ice Cream Capital of the World”. In addition to focusing on the 1980’s decade, members of the former Madrigal Singers were also invited, along with their music instructor Dr. Wayne Mitchell. Here is a sample of the Westmar Alumni Madrigal concert held Saturday evening.

Severe Weather Strikes Southwestern Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for parts of southwest Iowa.
The service says 2 to 4 inches of rain has already fallen across the area where new storms are heading Monday morning.
The service also has confirmed that two tornadoes struck two eastern Iowa counties early Sunday morning.
A twister rated EF-1 with peak winds of around 100 mph was on the ground from 6:03 to 6:05 a.m. in Jackson County, running for only a mile. It destroyed a building at the ag coop in Andrew and snapped several trees.
The second twister was spotted in Scott County and was rated EF-0 with peak winds of around 80 mph. It hit the ground at 6:25 a.m. and lifted a minute later, striking no buildings.

Iowa Losing Woodland Acres

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has lost 97,000 acres of woodland in recent years as more land was used for farming.
The reduction in forested land may contribute to the state’s problems with farm runoff and poor water quality.
The federal Agriculture Department says Iowa lost 192,000 acres of trees between 2009 and 2013. During that same time, 95,000 acres of trees were planted.
More than two-thirds of the lost forest land was converted to cropland or pasture.
State Forester Paul Tauke says trees help prevent erosion and nitrogen and phosphorus losses that can promote toxic algae growth in lakes.

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