County Supervisors Will Not Meet This Week
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will not be holding a meeting today as they don’t have enough agenda items to warrant a meeting.
City Council To Hold Special Budget Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will hold a special meeting this evening, beginning at 4:00 p.m. from the city council chambers. Scott Langel, the city administrator, says the council is interested in Le Mars residents’ views on the city budget. Langel says as initially proposed, the budget is more than $600,000 over the revenue.
Property owners may see a reduction in their city taxes this year, as the city of Le Mars is proposing a drop of one dollar per $1,000 valuation on the tax levy.
City Officials Want Public Comments On Comprehensive Plan
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials are asking the public to review the draft copy of the City Comprehensive Plan. SIMPCO officials assisted with the compilation and gathering of data and information. The comprehensive plan looked at many different areas involving the city, such as transportation needs, land-
usage, housing, facilities, and etc. City Administrator, Scott Langel encourages Le Mars residents and business leaders to review the draft proposal.
Langel says the comprehensive plan will give community and civic leaders some direction and focus for the next couple of decades.
Langel says there are some deadlines which the city council has imposed for the review of the draft copy of the comprehensive plan.
Copies of the draft comprehensive plan have been placed at several locations within the city of Le Mars, including the public library, the city offices, Floyd Valley Healthcare’s waiting lobby, Hy Vee, and at Well’s Enterprises. Langel says residents can also view the comprehensive report on line.
Again, the deadline to submit comments for the city comprehensive plan is February 8th.
Planning and Zoning Board To Schedule Meeting
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials have called for a special meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission scheduled for Thursday, February 14 at 4:15pm in the council chambers at City Hall.The meeting is for a request for the rezoning of Lots 5-6-7 in the Dogwood 2nd Addition.
Bibler’s Trial Delayed Until May
(Le Mars) — The trial for Thomas Bibler, the Le Mars man accused of fatally stabbing his sister, has been delayed. Originally, the trial was set for February 14th, but District judge Jeff Neary granted a continuance, and has set the trial date for May 16th in Plymouth County District Court. Bibler’s defense
attorney, Billy Oyadare says his client, Bibler is currently undergoing a series of evaluations that are essential for his defense. Earlier this month, Oyadare filed notice that he intends to offer evidence to support Bibler’s defense of insanity and or diminished responsibility. The 34-year old Bibler is charged
with first-degree murder, willful injury, and going armed with intent in connection with the stabbing of Shannon Bogh of Le Mars, last June. The incident happened in Bogh’s home.
Iowa House Passes Budget Shortfall Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican lawmakers have approved legislation to patch a shortfall in Iowa’s $7.2 billion budget.
The GOP-controlled House voted Monday night for a bill that will cut about $117 million. The Republican-led Senate has already passed the legislation and Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated support.
The reductions require departments to cut about $88 million from the budget that began last July. An additional $25 million would come from various funds and about $4 million would be saved from unused tax credits.
The bill includes an $18 million cut to Iowa’s three public universities and a $3 million cut to Iowa’s Judicial Branch, which oversees courts.
Republicans say the reductions will minimize the shortfall’s impact, but Democrats argue it will hurt critical areas of government.
Republicans Propose 1.1 Percent Increase For Education Spending
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation that would add about $40 million to Iowa’s K-12 education spending. Democrats say that
amount is inadequate.
The GOP plan proposes increasing the amount spent per student in Iowa by about 1.1 percent for the budget year that goes into effect in July. The state spends roughly $3 billion from its general fund on K-12 education.
Republicans say their funding proposal is all the state can afford amid budget constraints. Democrats questioned the amount and the timing of some legislative activity linked to the spending plan. Lawmakers were scheduled to approve a series of procedural moves Monday evening. Formal floor votes could
happen as early as this week.
The GOP plan would come in below Gov. Terry Branstad’s funding recommendation of a 2 percent increase.
President Trump’s Immigration Ban Hurts Iowa State University
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University says a graduate student, a postdoctoral researcher and a visiting scholar have been blocked from entering the country due to President Donald Trump’s restrictions on immigration.
ISU President Steven Leath said Monday that the university has been in touch with all three and hopes they’ll “be able to continue their work and studies with Iowa State in the near future.”
University spokesman John McCarroll says that all three are from Iran.He says the graduate student was scheduled to arrive over the weekend but was denied permission to board his flight in Stockholm.
McCarroll says the postdoctoral researcher has been working in the College of Engineering since July 2015 and is trying to return to campus. He says the visiting scholar was expected to start this week.
Diesel Pipeline Spill Not As Bad As Earlier Thought
HANLONTOWN, Iowa (AP) – Pipeline officials say far less diesel fuel than feared spilled from a broken pipeline in north-central Iowa.
Magellan Midstream Partners officials initially estimated that nearly 139,000 gallons spilled when the pipeline broke near Hanlontown on Wednesday.
But the company says Monday that it has reported a new estimate of nearly 47,000 gallons to federal
authorities.
Magellan spokesman Bruce Heine said the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company reached the new estimate by calculating how much diesel had to be pumped in to get the pipeline back online.
The 12-inch pipeline returned to service Saturday.
Iowa authorities have said the diesel didn’t reach any bodies of water.
Contaminated snow and diesel are being hauled to a facility in Minneapolis. David Miller with the Iowa Natural Resources Department said Tuesday that the tainted soil is going to a landfill near Lake Mills, Iowa.
