Webner Hired As New School Superintendent
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education announced last evening it has hired Dr. Steve Webner as the next superintendent of schools. Webner is not
a stranger to the Le Mars Community School District, as he has previously served as the Middle School principal, and most recently, for the past seven years as the position of Assistant Superintendent.
The decision to hire Webner was
unaminous by the school board, but it wasn’t automatic. Pat Murphy serves as the school board’s president. He says the school board consulted with other school district representatives, and conducted a series of interviews with Steve Webner
before making a final decision.
Murphy says Le Mars Community is fortunate to already have Webner’s skills and insight about education in general, and specifically about the educational goals pertaining to the Le Mars Community School District.
Murphy says there were some concerns among board members, including himself, as to whether they should promote from within the district, or conduct an extensive search outside the district.
With the state legislature starting its general session, many school officials wonder if cuts will be needed if the legislature doesn’t offer a significant increase for school spending? With that in mind, will the Le Mars Community School District conduct a search for another person to fill the role of Assistant
Superintendent, or will the position remain vacant, at least for a short-term basis, as a way for the school district to save money?
The school board president says ultimately, the decision may rest with the incoming superintendent, as to when, and what type of administrator is needed for the Le Mars Community School District.
Webner signed a three-year contract with the district at an annual salary of $155,000 per year with an opportunity for an annual performance review, and salary adjustment. He will begin his duties as the Le Mars Community School District superintendent on July 1st, the start of the new school year.
Le Mars Public Library To Host Open Meeting About Renovation
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council has requested a public meeting to be held on Thursday, January 12th scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Le Mars Public Library.
The purpose of the meeting, according to Library Services Director, Shirley Taylor, is to review the proposed renovation to the Le Mars Public Library.
Taylor says there is a downside to the proposed plans, and that would be a smaller size meeting room.
FEH, an architectural firm from Sioux City, and library staff will be available during this meeting to answer questions about plans to renovate the current library building.
Floor plans of the proposed renovation are posted in the library for public viewing. The completed renovation study submitted by FEH to the Library Board and City Council is available for the public viewing at the library’s public service desk. Taylor says among the proposed changes is a re-configuration of
shelving, plus a larger children’s reading area.
The current library building was built in 1971 and as was first used as a Red Owl Supermarket. In 1976 the library moved from the Carnegie building, currently the Le Mars Art Center, into the current location. In August of 2016, FEH was hired
to conduct a renovation study and put forth a proposal which would update the current structure to make the existing space more attractive and accessible.
This report was delivered to the Library Board of Trustees on Dec 12th and to the Le Mars City Council on Dec 20th.
County Supervisors To Begin Work On Budget
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will begin their discussion relating to the upcoming fiscal year’s budget during their weekly meeting scheduled for today the the County Courthouse Board Room. The supervisors will
hear a budget allocation request from Dick Sievers of the Mid-Sioux Opportunities, as well as from Plymouth County Sheriff, Mike Van Otterloo.
County Recorder, Jolynn Goodchild will present the county board with the quarterly report. County engineer Tom Rohe will discuss with the county supervisors a federal aid agreement pertaining to a bridge repair project located on County road C-66. Rohe is scheduled to also share with the county governing board a detour settlement agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for work to be done on county roads L-22 and C-16. The supervisors will hear from surveyor Dave Wilberding as he discusses a minor subdivision in Garfield township. The supervisors will appoint a member to the county judicial
magistrate appointing committee to replace past board member Jim Henrich.
Polaris Giving Up On Victory Motorcycles
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (AP) – Polaris Industries is eliminating its unprofitable Victory Motorcycles brand to focus on its Indian Motorcycle brand and other products.
Polaris announced the decision Monday to shut down Victory after 18 years. The motorcycles were produced at the Minneapolis-based company’s Spirit Lake,
Iowa, plant.
Polaris CEO Scott Wine says the company decided that its Indian Motorcycle brand had better growth prospects for the future.
Polaris says it lost money on Victory in three of the past five years after sales of the heavyweight motorcycles peaked in 2012. The brand represented only about 3 percent of Polaris’ total sales.
Jefferies analyst Trevor Young says the move was a surprise, but it will likely help Indian Motorcycle sales.
In addition to motorcycles, Polaris makes ATVS, snowmobiles, the three- wheeled Slingshot roadster and other vehicles.
Branstad To Deliver “Condition of the State” Address Today
(Des Moines) — Governor Terry Branstad will deliver what may be his final “Condition of the State” address this morning before the Iowa legislature.
Branstad has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the United States Ambassador to China. If confirmed by the U-S Senate, Branstad would leave his position as the nation’s longest serving governor, and begin his duties in Beijing.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Lottery Scam
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Texas businessman has pleaded guilty to fraud and admitted to helping lottery computer technician Eddie Tipton cash jackpots in a multi-state number-fixing scheme that netted $2 million.
Robert Rhodes pleaded guilty in a Des Moines courtroom Monday. Iowa prosecutors will seek two years of probation.
Rhodes says he helped Tipton try to cash a $16.5 million 2010 Iowa Hot Lotto ticket but suspicious officials never paid.
Rhodes agreed to testify against Tipton and his brother, Tommy Tipton.
They’re charged in Iowa for tinkering with computers to make lottery numbers predictable in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin games. They deny the charges.
Rhodes says he’ll also plead guilty in Wisconsin where he’ll likely get six months in jail and a requirement to repay $391,500, half of a 2007 Megabucks jackpot.
Sioux City City Council Approves Plan To Sell Sewage Gas As Renewable Fuel
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The City Council in Sioux City has approved a $9.3 million project that will enable the city to capture gas at its wastewater treatment plant and sell it as renewable fuel.
The council voted Monday to hire West Des Moines-based engineering company Bartlett & West to oversee the treatment plant changes.
The council also approved about $16 million in maintenance and upgrades that will increase the treatment plant’s capacity.
It will take about two years to complete the renewable fuel project, which will capture gas created as a byproduct of the process used to break down raw sludge. The gas will be used in the city’s vehicle fleet or piped to a MidAmerican Energy or Northern Natural Gas pipeline for sale as renewable fuel.
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