City Purchases Property
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council met yesterday and announced the city would purchase property located at 31 3rd Avenue Northwest. The reason the city acquired the property was because it is in disrepair and needs to be demolished.
The city wants to accept bids on the property with the thought that the new owner would demolish the property. The city will accept bids for the property.
The new owners will have 90 days to start either the demolition or renovation process with nine months to have the project completed.
City And SIMPCO Unveil Comprehensive Plan
(Le Mars) — Last evening at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlor, SIMPCO officials unveiled the city’s comprehensive plan. For the last six months, the city and SIMPCO officials held meetings on different topics regarding the growth and development of the city asking for input from Le Mars residents, business
leaders, government officials, and others.
American Bank Announces Hires And Promotions
(Le Mars) — American Bank, N.A., of Le Mars and Remsen, Iowa is pleased to announce the following changes in personnel.
Gwen Berkenpas joined the American Investment and Trust department of AmBank Company as an Investment Executive in September of 2016. Her office is located at American Bank in Le Mars. She looks forward to working with Mark Nemmers and
Stacie Groetken in providing investment services to area residents, bringing 17 years of financial planning experience with her. She earned her securities license in 1999. Gwen is a native of Le Mars, graduating from LCHS and Briar Cliff University.
Teresa Petty joined the staff of American Bank in September of 2016 as a Banking Services Officer. In this capacity, she will assist customers in opening new checking, savings, and time certificate accounts. She will also provide one- on-one guidance, explaining how the bank’s electronic banking services, such as
online banking, mobile banking, debit cards, etc., will enhance these accounts. Teresa will be working closely with the bank’s Investment and Trust Department to provide a goal-specific banking experience for the customers.
Katy Gengler has been promoted to the position of Agricultural/Commercial Loan Assistant. Katy joined the American Bank team in 2013, working at the Remsen
Branch as a Customer Service Representative. She transferred to the Le Mars Branch in June of this year. Katy grew up in Le Mars and graduated from LCHS.
She now lives in Remsen with her husband, Josh, and 2 daughters, Brynn and Nora.
Katelyn Bohnenkamp began working for American Bank as a Customer Service Representative in Remsen in April of 2016. Her job responsibilities include teller duties in the drive-up area and lobby; along with handling the branch’s debit cards. She enjoys the fast-pace of the drive-up area where customers can
drop off their deposits quickly.
Lydia Theisen was recently hired by American Bank as a Customer Service Representative, working in the Le Mars drive-up area. Lydia grew up and currently lives in Remsen.
Mothershed Sentenced To 50 Years In Prison
(Sioux City) — Isaiah Mothershed will serve up to 50 years in prison on charges of attempted murder and first degree robbery. The 19 year old Sioux City man was sentenced Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court after being found guilty by a jury last month on six charges , including the shooting of city police officer Ryan Moritz in February. Officer Moritz, a 15 year veteran with the police, was the only one of Mothershed’s victim’s to make a statement at the sentencing.
Mothershed’s father, Theodore spoke on how Isaiah’s mother died of cancer, and how he was raised by his grandmother because his father was often away working construction jobs. Isaiah Mothershed gave a short statement of his own before sentence was pronounced.
Judge Steven Andreasen sentenced Mothershed to two consectutive terms of 17 1/2 to 25 years, combining the two attempted murder counts and the four robbery counts.
Judge Andreasen denied motions from Mothershed’s attorney, Matthew Metzgar, for a new trial and acquittal of his client.
Ames Woman Dies From Fire
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 72-year-old woman has died from her injuries received in a house fire in Ames.
The city issued a news release Tuesday saying that Joanna Alexander died in the house fire reported around 10 a.m. Monday.
Fire investigators say the fire was accidental and was believed to have started near a chair in the living room. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Ames firefighters were called to the house by a report of a smoke alarm from a private fire alarm monitoring company. Upon arrival, firefighters noted smoke coming from the house and quickly worked to pull Alexander from the home.
Damage to the home is estimated at $85,000.
Former Bookkeeper For Credit Union Sentenced To Prison
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The bookkeeper for an Iowa credit union who embezzled nearly $2.5 million from her employer over 37 years has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison.
Federal court records in Des Moines say 68-year-old Linda Lee Clark of Corydon also has been ordered to repay the money.
She admitted in July to taking customer deposits and keeping it secret by maintaining two sets of records.
Documents indicate Clark “exhibited an insatiable desire to buy stuff” and despite the theft remains in debt.
She worked in Chariton at the SCICAP Credit Union which was
established to serve the nonprofit human services group South Central Iowa Community Action Program.
Her embezzlement forced the credit union into insolvency and its assets were transferred to an Ottumwa credit union.
Deposits were federally insured.
West Des Moines Agrees To Settlement Terms
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The city of West Des Moines has agreed to pay nearly $2 million to a police officer who sued, saying the department’s former police chief discriminated against her because she’s a woman.
The city announced the $1.9 million settlement with Sgt. Tanya Zaglauer Schmell on Tuesday, two days after Chief Shaun LaDue resigned under pressure from city management.
Zaglauer Schmell was one of three women who sued last year, claiming they were unfairly passed over for promotions and suffered unwarranted discipline.
The two other women earlier settled their claims. Zaglauer Schmell, a 17-year veteran of the West Des Moines Police Department, took her case to trial last week.
City Manager Tom Hadden said the city’s insurance provider sought the settlement and will pay it.
Truck Drivers Want Citations To Be Dismissed
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A group of drivers facing tickets issued by Iowa Transportation Department officers want a judge to order the agency to stop issuing those citations. The Des Moines Register reports the group filed a motion Tuesday asking for an injunction. The drivers are trying to capitalize on
a ruling last month where a Polk County judge said the agency didn’t have authority to enforce most moving violations.
Legislator Wants To Introduce Bill That Would Limit Funds For Counseling Following Election Results
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Republican Iowa lawmaker plans to introduce what he calls the “suck it up, buttercup bill” to cut budgets at public universities that spend extra money on students upset about the presidential election. Rep. Bobby Kaufmann says the bill targets schools using taxpayer dollars to fund election-related sit-ins and grief counseling above what is normally available to students. Iowa’s public four-year universities say no such money has been spent.
