Home News Wednesday Afternoon News, April 12th

Wednesday Afternoon News, April 12th

 

Mark Vonnahme Awarded “Teacher of the Year”

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District Foundation made the announcement this morning for the “Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell-Teacher of the Year” award. Denise Anthony with the school foundation made the presentation.

The presentation was made at the Middle School library which was filled with students. Mark Vonnahme received a thunderous applause from the students when he walked into the school library. Vonnahme will be retiring from teaching this
year at the conclusion of the school year. He has been a Social Studies teacher with the Le Mars Community School District for 20 years with a focus on teaching 8th grade civics. Earlier in his teaching career, Mr. Vonnahme contributed to the district’s athletic program as a softball coach and as a boys basketball
coach. He established the Adaptive Physical Education program and has served as the coordinator of the annual Middle School Carnival. Vonnahme will be formally recognized during the upcoming Le Mars Community School District’s Foundation
annual banquet and awards program. Vonnahme was nominated for the award by his colleagues: Cliff Collins, Tina Gray, and Caleb Van Otterloo. The retiring teacher was humbled by the honor.

The Decades Of Excellence Crystal Bell Award is co-sponsored by the Le Mars Community School Foundation and the Le Mars School District Alumni Association.

 

Governor To Sign Gun Rights Bill On Thursday

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gun owners will soon be able to keep firearms at their side while visiting the Iowa Capitol under a bill awaiting Gov. Terry Branstad’s signature.
The upcoming change has raised questions for security staff about how they would deal with armed visitors.
Branstad has announced he will sign the bill Thursday. The measure would enable about 275,000 residents with weapons permits to carry concealed handguns in the Capitol. People from other states who have weapon permits also could
carry firearms in the building.
The legislation also includes a provision establishing “stand-your-ground” protections for gun owners and would allow people to sue local governments for establishing gun-free zones.
The Capitol provision will require building security to quickly resolve staffing and training issues before the law takes effect July 1. It mirrors similar legislation around the U.S.

 

Crescent  Iowa Residents Want Bridge To Be Repaired Quickly

CRESCENT, Iowa (AP) – Residents and business owners in the small western Iowa community of Crescent are concerned by the closure of a key road just north of town for bridge construction and are urging officials to complete the project more quickly if possible.
The Daily Nonpareil (https://bit.ly/2p5Lj2Z ) reports that Pottawattamie County shut down a bridge on Old Lincoln Highway on Monday for construction work that’ll replace the bridge and shift the roadway slightly to the northeast.
County engineer John Rasmussen told the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors and concerned residents Tuesday that the project is expected to be completed in mid-June.
He said he’s working with Correctionville-based contractor Dixon Construction on ways to get the project done faster.
More than 2,300 vehicles pass the bridge daily.