County Supervisors To Hear Report On Insurance
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet today, although they do have a short agenda. The supervisors will hear a report from Kim Compton of the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Insurance Company.
Compton will discuss the ISAC County Health Insurance program as it relates to Plymouth County. The supervisors will also hear from Plymouth County engineer Tom Rohe. Rohe will ask the county governing board to approve two permits for tile crossing in Fredonia and Marion townships. Rohe will also submit quotes on a track excavator.
City Council To Decide On Whether To Keep Traffic Signal Lights
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will begin today’s council meeting by holding two public hearings regarding the proposed fiscal year budget 2017-2018 and also a request to change the zoning ordinance in the Dogwood Second Addition. In action items scheduled to be discussed, the city council will
decide on the proposal to remove two of the traffic light signals within the downtown area. The traffic signals are located at the intersections of Plymouth Street and 1st Avenue West, and Central Avenue and 1st Street North. The council will also discuss two proposals involving multi-unit apartment complexes. The council is scheduled to discuss the hotel/motel tax funding
policy. Also on the agenda will be discussion on the mayor’s salary.
Sioux Center Man Sentenced To Prison For Domestic Assault
(Orange City) — A Sioux Center man has been sentenced to serve a two-year term in prison for domestic abuse assault. The case arose in October of 2016 after the victim reported she was assaulted by her children’s father, 22-year old Peter Baccam. The victim was 27 weeks pregnant at the time, and was concerned
for her unborn baby. The victim reported the incident to Sioux Center hospital officials. The hospital documented the victim’s suspected broken ribs and concussion, and reported the matter to the Sioux Center Police Department.
Baccam had pled not guilty, but in January, a Sioux County jury found Baccam guilty of Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury. Baccam has been ordered to complete the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program, and extended the no-contact order in place with the victim.
Youth Center For Christ The Focus At Lunch and Learn Session
(Le Mars) — Where in Le Mars do troubled and at-risk children seek help and support? Jim and Roxie Rahn hope they go to the Youth Center for Christ located on the former Westmar College campus. The two youth ministry leaders spoke at Monday’s Lunch and Learn session and informed the gathering about the many services provided by the center. Roxie Rahn explains the mission behind the youth center.
Jim Rahn says the Youth for Christ Center in Le Mars works with more than 350 youth. He says the center’s purpose is to reach out to the troubled youth and build a trusting relationship.
Roxie Rahn says the Youth for Christ Center uses a guide that list 40 different assets in a person’s life…20 internal and 20 external assets. She says the fewer the assets, the greater the chance the youth will have a troubled life.
Rahn offers some examples as how the Youth for Christ Center may help an individual build upon their assets.
Jim Rahn says it sometimes takes mentors and other volunteers a great deal of patience in order to have the students establish a trusting relationship. He says it all comes down to showing the student that you care about their well-being.
Strong Storms Sweep Across Iowa
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say severe thunderstorms that raced across Iowa spawned tornadoes and left behind damage and power outages.
The Muscatine Fire Department says several homes and businesses were damaged Monday night as power lines were knocked down. The department answered several medical calls, but it’s not yet clear whether they were related to the
weather.
The National Weather Service says tornadoes were reported in Clinton County, and a service employee reported sighting a twister southwest of the Davenport Municipal Airport in Scott County. The reports have yet to be confirmed.
A suspected tornado damaged a school in the south-central Iowa community of Seymour. A straight-line wind gust of 90 mph was reported near Belle Plaine in eastern Iowa. There were several reports of inch-diameter hail elsewhere.
People Crowd Into House Hearing Room On Proposal Regarding Des Moines Water Works
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Frustrated Iowans and supportive business owners have packed a legislative hearing to discuss a bill that would revoke wage increases for low-income workers.
The House Local Government committee heard feedback Monday on the legislation, which would freeze the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and roll back wages that have already been increased.
Opponents say the bill perpetuates poverty for Iowa’s poorest workers and undermines community decisions. Wage increases have been approved in Polk, Johnson, Linn and Wapello counties.
Mike Holms, of Jethro’s barbecue restaurant, says small businesses need wage consistency. The Iowa Chamber Alliance, a business lobbying group, also sought a standardized state wage.
The bill was introduced by Johnston Republican Jake Highfill. The panel
already has approved the proposal, which is set for a House floor vote.
