St. Joseph Catholic Church — Paid In Full
(Le Mars) — Members of the All Saints Parish – St. Joseph Church of Le Mars gathered Sunday afternoon for a burning of the loan documents ceremony.
Following the addresses from Tom Rohe, Janine Reuter, and Dick Ahlers, and Father Kevin Richter, Richter took a lighter to ignite the documents.
The parishioners were able to pay off the $2.3 million dollar loan seven years early. The total construction cost for the new church building, and parking lot exceeded $10.5 million. However, nearly three-fourths of the funds were raised before construction began for the new church building that was dedicated in
October of 2011. Dick Ahlers, is a parish director. He spoke briefly saying there are two major reasons why the church was able to be paid for early.
Ahlers says the second reason is because the church building committee incorporated many of the artifacts from the old St. Joseph church as well as other former Catholic churches from the surrounding area.
Ahlers said when the original architecture plans were shown to the church’s congregation he knew then by the response of the people that they had an instant love for the new church building.
More than 150 people had gathered for the loan burning ceremony. Father Richter explained that everyone, including the children, helped finance the new church building. He informed the gathering, that through the collection of the nickels, dimes, quarters, and sometimes dollars, the children paid for the new baptism basin. He says the children contributed over $41,000. After the burning of the loan, champagne was given to the people and they joined Father Richter in a toast commemorating the great accomplishment of paying off the debt early.
Fire Fighters Respond To Chimney Fire
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a chimney fire Sunday afternoon. The fire was reported at about 12:16 p.m. at the 826 5th Street Southeast residence. The owner of the residence had ignited paper
products in the fireplace and smoke began to fill the house, while at the same time flames were seen coming from the top of the chimney. Embers from the fire were escaping from the chimney and hitting the ground. Fire fighters checked the roof around the chimney to make certain there were no embers that may have caused the roof to catch on fire. Fire fighters were able to quickly put out the flames and were on the scene for a duration of 40 minutes.
Police Investigate ATV Accident
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department is still investigating that All- Terrain Vehicle Accident that happened Friday afternoon at the 2400 block of Key Avenue, just south of the Well’s Enterprises corporate offices. The victim has been identified as 32 year old Steven Zarr of Cherokee. As a result of the accident Zarr was transported to Floyd Valley Healthcare, and then was
airlifted by Mercy Air Care to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputies Investigate Accident Causing Four Injuries
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office responded to an accident with injuries last Thursday evening at about 9:16 pm, on C-38 near Lake Ave south of LeMars. Upon arrival, deputies found a one vehicle accident with four individuals with minor non-life threatening injuries. Upon investigation, deputies determined that the driver had fallen asleep and entered the north ditch at which time the vehicle struck a culvert and waterway. The vehicle sustained totaling damage and was valued at approximately $3,500. All four individuals were taken to Floyd Valley Hospital by LeMars Ambulance. The driver, 17 year old, Shawn Ferrara of Sioux City was cited with failure to maintain control, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license. The other injured passengers included: 19 year old Abygail Bohem of Sioux City, 18 year old Billy Schlosser of Sioux City, and 17 year old RayLynn Helseth of Sioux City. The LeMars Fire and Rescue Department was also on scene and assisted.
Le Mars Community School Board Expected To Announce New School Superintendent During Monday Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education is scheduled to meet this evening, and it is expected the school board will approve the hiring of the next superintendent. Dr. Todd Wendt announced his intention to retire following the
conclusion of the school year on June 30th. Prior to the regular scheduled board meeting, the Le Mars Education Association will present its initial bargaining proposal for the 2017-2018 contract. During the meeting, the Le Mars Community School Board will discuss the proposal and will submit its initial bargaining
proposal to the Le Mars Education Association on January 16th. The school board will discuss the upcoming board and administrator retreat which is scheduled for
January 23rd from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Education Service Center. The school board will be given an evaluation form on the performance of Dr. Todd Wendt. The school board does not have any resignations to consider and one
contract will be submitted for approval. The school board will also consider Kent Pauling for membership on the Le Mars Community Schools Foundation Board as recommended by the Foundation Board.
