Police Investigate Two-vehicle Accident At Intersection
(Le Mars) — An accident involving two vehicles occurred this morning at the intersection of Prospect Street and 12th Avenue southwest. The accident happened at about 10:10 a.m. Responding to the scene were the Le Mars Fire and Rescue
Department, Le Mars Ambulance and the Le Mars Police Department. According to officials, the vehicles involved a passenger van operated by Pride Group, on its way to pick up clients working at Life Skills Training Center, and the other
vehicle was a Mitsubusi SUV. Apparently, one of the vehicles failed to stop or yield to the other vehicle. One person was injured during the accident and was transported to Floyd Valley Healthcare, however, police say the injured party did not sustain life-threatening injuries. The Le Mars Police Department is
investigating the accident.
Area Within Plymouth County Now Designated As National Historic Landmark
WESTFIELD, Iowa (AP) – A site in Plymouth County inhabited by Native Americans roughly 800 years ago is now designated as a National Historic Landmark.
The designation announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of the Interior highlights the location’s significance and offers some protection against development.
Historians believe the 1.9-acre Kimball Village Site near Westfield was inhabited between 1100 and 1250 by Prairie-Plains tribes living along the Big Sioux River. The site remains about 97 percent untouched despite several archaeological field investigations.
State archaeologist John Doershuk says the exact location of the site, which is in the middle of a farm field, will be kept confidential under the new designation due to private property rights. The site is marked by a mound that rises several feet above ground.
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Eight Le Mars Community High School Choir Members Selected For Northwest Iowa Honor Choir
(Le Mars) — Eight members of the Le Mars Community High School Choir have been selected to participate in the Northwest Iowa Honor Choir. The group will perform on Monday, January 16th at the BJ Hahn Auditorium at Dordt College in Sioux Center. The eight students are led by one senior – Mariah Schilmoeller,
four juniors that include: Gretchen Adams, Max Hardyk, Zach Spieler, and Noah Watson. and there are three sophomores participating in the honor choir that include: Aly Buhman, Willow Olsen, and Keegan Pippett. The concert will begin at
7:00 p.m.
Honor choir members include: (Front row – left to right) Mariah Schilmoeller, Willow Olsen, Aly Buhman, Gretchen Adams. (Back row left to right): Keegan Pippett, Noah Watson, Zach Spieler, Max Hardyk.
Morris Earns Eagle Scout Award
(Le Mars) — Jared Morris of Le Mars has recently earned his Eagle Scout badge after completing a sidewalk paving project at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Jared is the son of Joe and Lisa Morris of Le Mars, and is a student at Gehlen Catholic High School.
Dairy Industry Sees Growth In Northwest Iowa And Surrounding Region
(Le Mars) — The dairy industry has witnessed some growth, especially within northwest Iowa, and surrounding states. Officials with the dairy industry have established what has become known as the I-29 Dairy Corridor. It is a coalition
of dairy producers, processors, university officials, and other industry representatives that are focusing on having the dairy industry grow within the states of North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. Leo Timms is a dairy specialist with Iowa State University. He says a winter work shop, or seminar, is scheduled for January 19th to take place in Orange City. Timms says the conference should appeal to everyone with a connection to the dairy industry.
Timms says some of the other seminar topics will cover the behavior of animal health, as well as food trends within the dairy industry. He says employee relations and succession within the family dairy business will also be discussed.
Timms says the dairy industry contributes greatly to the local economy. He says there are more cows being milked in Iowa today than ever before. And those dairy farms either directly or indirectly help boost employment.
The Iowa State University Dairy Specialist says there has been an increase of demand for some dairy products.
Timms says people may tend to forget that dairy products are an international market commodity.
That expansion of the dairy industry can be seen right here at Le Mars with the facilities expansion of Dean Foods and Wells Enterprises.
State Education Officials Expect To See Teacher Shortage
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa education officials expect the state to face a teacher shortage, and leaders are preparing to address the issue.
Iowa universities are graduating 400 fewer teachers, counselors and administrators annually than in 2013.
The Iowa Department of Education says about 2,100 graduates are earning education degrees a year.
Education leaders are hosting round-table discussions and increasing recruiting efforts, especially for jobs in special-education. The looming problem is also compounded by the number of teachers nearing retirement.
Some education officials are increasing incentives to lure applicants. Des Moines Public Schools is offering a $3,000 signing bonus to special education teachers.
Anne Sullivan, chief of human resources in Des Moines schools, says another incentive for teachers beginning their careers is a free master’s program.
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Authorities Release Names Involved With Intruder Shooting
SUMNER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have released the name of a man who killed an intruder during an exchange of gunshots in northeast Iowa.
Bremer County Sheriff Dan Pickett said in a news release Thursday that John Eimers was shot several times Friday night at his home in Sumner but returned fire and fatally wounded 46-year-old Steven Anthony, who lived in Davenport.
Pickett says Anthony went to Eimers’ home, spoke to him and then began firing his handgun at Eimers, who fired back. Eimers was treated at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and has since been released.
Pickett declined to provide further information about what happened or the continuing investigation.
