Le Mars City Council Votes To Re-apply For County Funding For Library
(Le Mars) — With much discussion related to the topic, the Le Mars City Council
on Tuesday voted 3 to 2 to offer support to the Le Mars Public Library Board to
re-apply for funds as offered by the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors. Two
years ago, the decision was made to opt out of Plymouth County funding for the Le
Mars Public Library. At the time, Plymouth County had allocated $24,200 to the Le
Mars Public Library. However, members of the Le Mars Library Board and Le Mars
City Council members thought there was a major discrepincy between the amount of
money the city was financing the library, and county’s portion of funding based on
the number of rural residents that used the library. The reason why the Le Mars
Public library said no to county funds was because they felt the county should
have contributed more than the $24,200. When the topic appeared on the city
council’s agenda, Councilman Clark Goodchild asked out loud the question: “What
has changed?” Goodchild advocated the city should not accept money from the
county until such time more funds are allocated for the city library. “We should
get up to $35,000 to $50,000 based on the population of Le Mars compared to the
other towns.” Goodchild again asked the question, “What has changed?” then
answered his own question by stating: “Not a darn thing”. Councilman Ken Nelson
suggested to have a mediator be hired to solve the on-going dispute between the
city of Le Mars and Plymouth County over the use and funding for the public
library. Prior to the vote, Councilman Rex Knapp emphasized that the motion did
not mention any amount for funding, it merely stated if the library board, along
with the city council’s support would want to re-apply for the county funding.
Knapp indicated there could be hope in the future to see more funding allocated to
the library. Neither Library Director Shirley Taylor, or any of the Library Board
of Directors were present at the city council meeting to address the issue, and
offer their comments and opinion relating to the issue.
Boyfriend Strikes Girlfriend For Not Having Tattoo On Chest
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police say a Sioux City man attacked his girlfriend with
a hammer because she refused to let him tattoo his name on her chest. 28-year-old
Jonathan Michael Boggs has been charged with aggravated domestic assault and going
armed with intent. Police say Boggs hit the woman, whom he had dated for about a
month, with a hammer when she refused Friday to let him tattoo his name on her
chest.
Third Robbery Suspect Sentenced To Prison
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A third man convicted in the 2011 robbery and fatal
shooting of a northwest Iowa resident has been sent to prison.
Federal prosecutors say Courtland Clark, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, was
sentenced Wednesday to 21 years in custody.
Devery Hibbler, of Dumas, Arkansas, and Robert Beaver, of Sioux City, Iowa,
were sentenced last week. Hibbler was given 35 years and Beaver was given 20
years.
All three had pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, and
Clark and Hibbler also pleaded guilty to weapons offenses.
Prosecutors say the men entered marijuana dealer Tony Canfield’s Sioux City
home in May 2011 to steal marijuana and cash. Prosecutors say Beaver beat and held
Canfield’s wife while Clark and Hibbler struggled with Canfield, who was shot by
Hibbler.
Body Found In Home Following Fire
POLK CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a body has been found in the basement of a
Polk City home after a fire. The fire was reported by an occupant of the home around 8:55 p.m. Tuesday. Fire officials say it took about 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze. The victim’s name hasn’t been released.
Attorney Allowed To Practice Law Again After Stealing Money From Clients
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has decided to let an attorney who
took more than $99,000 from a client resume practicing law.
The justices ruled unanimously to reinstate Michael Reilly’s law license. The court ruling
released Friday said Reilly had worked hard to overcome a gambling addiction that
led to the theft. Several western Iowa lawyers had written letters vouching for
his character.
Reilly lost his license in 2006, after authorities learned that Reilly had
taken settlement money given a family he’d represented in a lawsuit over an injury
to a young boy.
Before he can practice law again, Reilly will have to finish 30 hours of
continuing legal education and pass an ethics exam.
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