32 Area People Go To Honduras To Build Homes
(Le Mars) — 32 people from the Le Mars area are leaving on this Ash Wednesday with the destination of Honduras. It’s all part of what is titled “Project Paul” in honor of Paul Langel, who passed away in September of 2015. Father Kevin Richter of the All Saints Parish, will be one of those volunteers traveling to the Central American nation. He says friends and family are traveling to Honduras to fulfill Paul Langel’s dream and legacy by building
four homes.
Richter says the group will be in Honduras for a week. He says Paul Langel was one of the first people to participate on the Honduras Missionary trips, many years ago.
Father Richter says there are several references in the Bible about carpenters and carpentry, including Jesus Christ who started as a carpenter. Richter says the jobs will provide spiritual fulfillment.
Each of the participants were fitted with a green t-shirt with the lettering “Nailed It”, calling attention to the “Project Paul” housing construction program. The participants were presented with a cross made with nails from the old St. Joseph Church along with a personalized hammer with their name inscribed. In a send-off ceremony that followed the noon Mass at St. James Church, Father Richter blessed the hammers and the people who will be using them. The Catholic priest talks about the homes that will be built and will serve as shelter for four needed families.
Richter says the area of Honduras for “Project Paul” is familiar territory to many who have previously traveled to the poverty-stricken nation. It is the same region that receives the packaged meals “Then Just Feed One”, and the Gehlen- Honduras missionaries. Richter says the coordination of the trip is being handled by Richard Sievers and his brother, Francis, who also assist with the Gehlen-Honduras missions. Richter says he doesn’t foresee any problems with the construction and completion of the four designated homes that are to be built.
Richter says the organized trip is a fitting way and a nice tribute to Paul’s life.
Gehlen Catholic To Hold Town Hall Meeting On Thursday
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic will be hosting a town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday evening at the Jason Puetz Memorial Gym. The meeting is open to all community leaders, parishioners, alumni, staff, and past and present parents.
Gehlen Catholic school’s Long Range Strategic Planning Committee will share its findings and ask stakeholders for their input as Gehlen Catholic school enhances its strategies to advance the school’s mission in the next five years.
Fire and Rescue Department Issues February Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department is reporting they responded to a total of 34 calls during the month of February. The break-down, according to Chief Dave Schipper, is the fire and rescue department were called to four
fires, seven rescues, ten different investigations or accident clean-ups, 12 requests for services, and one mutual aid call to Merrill.
Republicans On A Fast-track With Bill To Reduce Worker’s Compensation.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican lawmakers are fast-tracking a bill that labor unions say would reduce compensation benefits for workers injured on the job in Iowa.
The bill advanced from the House commerce subcommittee Wednesday with an identical bill scheduled for Senate subcommittee consideration later in the day.
The proposed measure includes provisions to end worker benefits at age 67, reduce benefits for injuries tied to pre-existing conditions and minimize late fees for employers. Opponents say the changes would burden employees and favor
businesses.
Some businesses that support the bill say it protects employers and closes loopholes exploited in existing workers’ compensation law.
The bill would have to be approved by a full committee this week to survive a procedural deadline for policy bills.
University of Iowa Drops Idea About Eliminating Scholarships
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – After facing lawsuits and days of criticism, the University of Iowa is shelving a plan to eliminate scholarships promised to thousands of current and incoming students.
UI President Bruce Harreld announced Wednesday that he was reinstating the Iowa Heritage Award and four other smaller scholarship programs for current students and those who start next fall.
He informed 3,000 students last week that he was eliminating their awards, citing a “devastating” funding cut approved by lawmakers.
The Heritage scholarships promised an automatic $1,500 tuition discount to the children and grandchildren of alumni for four years of undergraduate studies.
Many said they came to Iowa instead of other schools as a result. Two lawsuits were filed on behalf of students this week.
The programs will be eliminated for new students in 2018.
