Auctioneers Honored For Public Service
(Le Mars) — Two area auctioneers were recently honored with the Jefferson Award for their charitable actions involving numerous non-profit organizations. Randy Stabe of Hinton and Clint Vos of Lawton were each given a medallion. The
Jefferson Award was created by former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy Onassis in 1972, and it is designed to honor those individuals that promote the spirit of giving back. Often times the Jefferson Award is referred to as the Nobel Prize for Public Service. Seaboard Triumph Foods is the sponsor of the award and each month, someone from the Siouxland area is nominated for their public service.
Clint Vos says the dual auctioneers were nominated and selected based on their work with the Siouxland Boys and Girls Club.
Stabe says in the early 1990’s he had the idea of donating a pig to the Boys Club organization with the hopes that someone would purchase it through the fund raising auction. Stabe says since that first time, the money has ballooned.
Stabe says during some years the pig auction, along with other fund raising efforts would help raise more than a hundred thousand dollars for the Boys and Girls Club. Vos explains how the dual auctioneers got started helping the Boys Club.
It is not just the Siouxland Boys and Girls Club that the two auctioneers lend their talents for charitable organizations. In fact, Randy Stabe had some difficulty remembering all the organizations they help.
The two have the opportunity to be selected to represent the Siouxland area and be given a trip to Washington D.C. for the national Jefferson Awards ceremony.
News Makers Comment On 2016 Events
(Le Mars) — We continue our series of reports visiting with news makers about their thoughts and memories of the year 2016. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says when he thinks back on this year, he will remember those times when the the
fire and rescue department had multiple calls within a few minutes.
In addition to the Ice Cream Days wind storm that had blown down several hundred trees, Schipper remembers other events that will remain a part of his memories.
2016 set a new record for the number of calls the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to, and the fire chief believes as the community continues to grow, the fire and rescue department may have an even busier year in 2017.
Mayor Dick Kirchoff says as he looks back on 2016, he will remember the economic development opportunities, as well as the numerous projects completed by the city.
The Le Mars Mayor says he is also pleased to see the continued development of the short-line railroad that is operating in the city’s industrial park area.
An industry that expanded into Le Mars this past summer, and dove-tails with the short-line railroad is the ethanol trans-load and storage facility. Kirchoff says it took a while to achieve the goal, but he says it will have long-term benefits to the city.
Kirchoff says he is very proud of Le Mars, noting that what ever the project, people work together to get the project completed. He noted the generosity of contributions and donations from businesses, and residents alike for the Community Betterment Project 2 program, and he also had a special sense of pride
during Ice Cream Days wind storm when city employees, private contractors, and several volunteers all worked together through the night to make certain the Ice Cream Days would continue without interruption, and the parade would proceed as
originally scheduled.
Abindur Found Guilty Of Stabbing
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has convicted a Sioux City man in the stabbing death of a 43-year-old woman.
Judge Steven Andreasen announced Wednesday that Isack Abdinur was guilty of first-degree murder. The judge had presided over a three-day nonjury trial that ended Nov. 21.
Prosecutors say Abdinur stabbed Cornelia Stead 23 times in her Sioux City apartment on June 23, 2015. Police say the two were romantic partners.
Two psychologists testified that Abdinur is a violent schizophrenic. The defense expert said Abdinur didn’t know what he was doing when he attacked Stead. The prosecution expert said Abdinur knew he’d done something wrong and understood his actions. Abdinur’s sentencing date hasn’t been set yet.
Woodbury County Courthouse In Need Of Repairs
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials estimate that it could cost $2.1 million to repair the exterior of the Woodbury County courthouse.
County supervisor Mark Monson says the exterior condition of the nearly century-old building is so dire that entire bricks can be pulled from the foundation in places.
Woodbury County building services department director Kenny Schmitz says the worst spots are higher up, typically from about the third to sixth floors on the eight-story building. He says the north side is the most weathered part of the building.
County supervisors say they want the building renovated for its 100th anniversary celebration in 2018, and that it might be necessary to borrow substantial funds in a capital improvement plan to pay for the repairs.
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Iowa Celebrates 170th Year Of Statehood
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state of Iowa has reached a birthday milestone.
Wednesday marks 170 years since Iowa achieved statehood. It became the 29th state to be admitted to the Union on Dec. 28, 1846.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, which oversees the state historical museum near the state Capitol, opened two exhibits this month focused on Iowa history. The department is also hosting an event Wednesday at the museum to mark the state’s birthday.
Ottumwa Man Charged With Murder
OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say an Ottumwa 16-year-old shot Nov. 29 has died, so the man accused of shooting him has been charged with first-degree murder.
The upgraded charge was filed Tuesday against 18-year-old Venhure Tsegay, who remained in Wapello County Jail on Wednesday, pending $500,000 bail. Online court records don’t list an attorney who could be contacted to comment for
Tsegay.
Ottumwa police say Tsegay used a handgun to shoot Christian Madueno in the face. Police say he died Christmas Day.
