KC Phone-a-thon Raises More Than $53,000
(Le Mars) — Wednesday’s Knights of Columbus phone-a-thon that benefited the Life Skills Training Center had a successful day of fund raising. Jordan Sitzmann serves as the co-chair for the event. He says the phone-a-thon was able to meet its goal.
Sitzmann says donations are still coming in from individuals and businesses, and he believes the 36th annual fund raising event may in fact, surpass the challenge goal of $55,000. Sitzmann says area banks will still accept donations.
Sitzmann shared his appreciation to everyone who helped make this year’s phone-a-thon a success.
City Council Narrowly Approves Action To Re-apply For County Library Funds
(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 discrepancy 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.
County To Close 250th Street For Culvert Installation
(Le Mars) — Beginning today, and continuing through the month of September, the Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department will close 250th Street between Kestrel Avenue to Key Avenue. The reason for the road closure is so work crews can replace an aging bridge with a box culvert.
Chamber of Commerce To Present Dinner Theater
(Le Mars) — This evening at the Le Mars Convention Center is the Le Mars annual Chamber of Commerce dinner theater. Social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the dinner to start at 7:00 and the play to follow. The play features a comical murder mystery with your childhood fairy-tale characters as the suspects. Many community leaders will be starring in the production as they try to figure out who killed Pinocchio. Only a few seats remain. For additional information, contact the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce offices at 546-8821.
Northwestern College Sets Record Enrollment
(Orange City) -— Northwestern College of Orange City has recorded its highest enrollment in nine years, with 1,260 students enrolled, an increase of 50 from last fall.
A high rate of freshman-to-sophomore retention has contributed to the increase, with 81.9 percent returning, second only to last year’s 82.2 percent rate. “This retention rate tells us we’re attracting students who are a good match for Northwestern and, secondly, that they are having a good experience here,” says Mark Bloemendaal, dean of enrollment and marketing.
A record number of transfer students has also contributed to the strong fall enrollment. Fifty-three students have transferred to Northwestern, which Bloemendaal attributes to the college’s strong academic reputation, Christian mission and community.
Northwestern has enrolled 43 more new undergraduate students than last year, and their academic credentials are strong. The average ACT score of Northwestern’s freshman class is the third highest on record, at a 24.6 composite, well above the Iowa average of 22.2 and the national average of 21.0.
Farm Bureau President Says Congress Needs To Pass Trade Agreements
(Le Mars) — Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill was in Le Mars Tuesday evening to address the members of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau during its annual meeting. Following the meeting, KLEM news visited with the farm organization leader about the pending trade agreements that have stalled in Congress.
Hill says it is vitally important for Congress to pass the Pacific trade proposals. He says Iowa agriculture will greatly benefit from having an agreement with Pacific nations.
While President Obama favors a trade agreement with the Pacific nations, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump strongly oppose any trade agreements. The farm organization leader believes if a trade agreement is to happen, it may be signed following the elections.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill (left) stands with Plymouth County Farm Bureau President Joe Rotta.
Third Man Sentenced For Robbery And Shooting Incident
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.
