KLEM Expo Begins Today
(Le Mars) — The KLEM Expo begins today at the Le Mars Convention Center. Doors will open at 4:00 p.m and visitors will be able to see more than 50 exhibitors.
Anything pertaining to your home can be found at the KLEM Expo. Several financial institutions will be at the Expo if perhaps you are seeking a loan.
Looking to install new appliances or home furnishings? You will find it at the KLEM Expo. Perhaps, you thought about placing new carpeting or flooring for your home? Again, the KLEM Expo can help. Installing new windows or insulation? The KLEM Expo
features many exhibitors that can help with those needs. With any type of remodeling project, you will be able to have your questions answered. Even if you are looking for a new home, there are several real estate agencies available to help. Exercise, communications, and home entertainment, plus a lot more can be found at this year’s KLEM Expo. S-n-S bbq will feature free pulled pork sandwiches and chips beginning at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, the doors will open at 10:00 a.m. and will continue through 3:00 p.m. Hy-Vee will feature a chili feed.
Free Blue Bunny ice cream treats will be available both days.
State Senate Passes Bill To Defund Abortions
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Republican-controlled Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would pass up millions in federal dollars in order to avoid giving state funding to Planned Parenthood.
The Senate voted 30-20 along party lines to approve the bill. It now goes to the GOP-led House, where it has support.
The bill proposes Iowa give up nearly $3 million in Medicaid money to create a state-run family planning program that excludes funding for organizations that perform abortions. No family planning money now funds abortions.
Iowa now contributes about $480,000, generating a $2.9 million federal match.
The bill would shift all expenses to the state. Republican lawmakers didn’t address how Iowa would pay for the new program, costing at least $3.4 million.
Gov. Terry Branstad supports using federal funding now spent on at-risk youth.
State Senate Passes Education Spending Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Senate Republicans have approved an education funding bill that some school officials say will force increased class sizes and teacher layoffs.
The GOP-controlled chamber voted 28-21 Thursday for the legislation, which would take effect in July. It has support in the Republican-led House, where a vote is scheduled Monday.
The bill would add about $40 million to Iowa’s roughly $3 billion K-12 education budget. That means $73 would be added to what’s spent on each Iowa student, now just below $6,600.
Republicans say the amount is all the state can responsibly afford amid budget constraints. Gov. Terry Branstad has recommended more education spending.
Democrats say Republicans are not prioritizing students. Some educators say the proposal doesn’t account for increased operating costs at school districts, and would result in cuts.
National Catholic Schools Week Being Recognized
(Le Mars) — Area Catholic Schools are celebrating National Catholic Schools Week this week. It is a time to recognize the efforts of everyone involved with a catholic-based education. Father Kevin Richter serves as the President for the
Gehlen Catholic schools in Le Mars. He says it is important to recognize the schools that offer a religious based education.
Many Catholic schools across the nation have encountered declining enrollments, however, Gehlen Catholic is fortunate to see an increase of enrollment in recent years. Father Richter offers his explanation as to why Gehlen is reversing the
national trends.
Securing enough funding to provide an excellent education experience is always a challenge facing Gehlen Catholic and other regional catholic schools. Father Richter says this era is a critical time for catholic schools.
The Le Mars Catholic priest says over the long-term future, it will continue to be difficult for Catholic schools to raise enough funds for educational purposes.
Sergeant Bluff Man Pleads Not Guilty To Mail Theft
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sergeant Bluff man has pleaded not guilty to accusations that he stole mail while working for the U.S. Postal Service.
Online court records say a trial is scheduled to begin April 3 for 42-year- old Kirk Baird in U.S. District Court in Sioux City.
Prosecutors say in a news release that from August through Oct. 20 last year, Baird took letters and other pieces of mail and removed from them cash, gift cards and other valuable items.
The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years without the possibility of parole.
Heart Association Promotes “Wear Red Day”
(Des Moines) — This is National Wear Red Day (Friday) and Iowans are encouraged to wear at least one article of clothing in that bright color to draw attention to a critical health issue. Cassie Wessing (WESS-ing), spokeswoman for the Iowa
chapter of the American Heart Association, says heart disease takes a toll on many thousands of Iowans every year.
Cardiovascular disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in Iowa, claiming almost ten-thousand lives every year.
Special events are planned in several Iowa cities, including the Red Dress Dash in Ankeny today, the Heart Ball in Sioux City on Saturday and more Heart Balls in the coming weeks in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Iowa City. Learn more at www.heart.org.
Opoids On The Increase In Iowa
AMES, Iowa (AP) – The increasing presence of a deadly synthetic opioid called “pink” or “U4” has prompted warnings from Iowa authorities.
Ames police spokesman Geoff Huff told The Des Moines Register
(https://dmreg.co/2jKILk9 ) that the drug, also called “pinky,” has been identified in a handful of Ames cases since June. But he says there are other cases that police don’t know about.
In June a joint statement from four state health and public safety agencies warned the public about U4 as a response to a nonfatal overdose in eastern Iowa. In November the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration categorized U4 among drugs with the highest potential for abuse or addiction, comparable to methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
Huff says his department is warning parents that U4 poses great risks to high school and college students.
—
Dead Dogs Found
SANDYVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Officials with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa say several dead dogs have been found on a property in Sandyville in south-central Iowa.
Officials say the dogs were found Wednesday evening in various stages of decay, in and around kennels covered in feces, and with their collars still on their remains.
League officials contacted the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating and pursuing possible animal cruelty charges.
