City Council Approves Salary Increases For Langel and Vacera
(Le Mars) — Following a closed session for performance evaluation with city administrator Scott Langel and assistant city administrator Jason Vacera, the Le Mars city council approved salary increases for both city officials. Langel will receive a $5,000 increase to be added to his current salary of $148,000
making the new annual salary at $153,000. Vacera was given a $10,000 increase which will begin with the fiscal year 2018 and will push his annual salary to $85,000 per year.
City Council Approves Package Bid #3 For Public Library
(Le Mars) — In other action by the city council, the council approved a the third package bid for the Le Mars Public Library. The council also named Captain Tim Hop as the Acting Chief of Police until such time the new chief is appointed and takes office. The city council approved the rezoning of K-N-S third addition from rural to residential, and waived the third reading of the
ordinance. The city council approved a sewer refinancing loan up to $15,000,000. A public hearing has been set for July 18th. During general discussion session, council member Ken Nelson inquired about the new fireworks law, and how many complaints were filed with the city. Captain Tim Hop and Fire Chief Dave Schipper reported a total of 29 complaints were shared with city
officials. Most of the complaints dealt with the discharge of fireworks after approved hours.
Trial Scheduled For Man Accused Of Killing Sheriff’s Deputy
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A trial date has been set for a man accused of killing a sheriff’s deputy in Iowa.
The Daily Nonpareil reports (https://bit.ly/2uxZ2iY ) Wesley Correa- Carmenaty is scheduled to go to trial in Council Bluffs on Aug. 15.
Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber tells the newspaper that the 24- year-old Correa-Carmenaty has not waived his right to a speedy trial and has not requested the trial be moved to Sioux City. Attorney Greg Jones, who represents Correa-Carmenaty, says details could change.
Correa-Carmenaty is charged with murder, attempted murder and other counts. Police say he was being transporting to the Council Bluffs jail in May when he attacked Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Burbridge and Deputy Pat
Morgan, grabbed one of their guns and shot them before fleeing. He was recaptured in Omaha. Burbridge was killed.
Correa-Carmenaty has pleaded not guilty.
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Bicyclist Dies From Injuries
SOLON, Iowa (AP) – A Lake Mills man has died from injuries he received in a bicycle crash last week in rural Johnson County.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports (https://icp-c.com/2tvlLvR ) that 70- year-old Franklin Dahn was riding his bicycle around 1:30 p.m. June 30 down a hill when he hit an animal and crashed.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says Dahn was flown to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He died Wednesday from his injuries.
Investigators say Dahn was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
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Navy Takes Away Student’s Scholarship After Assault Incident
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Navy leaders are backing off a commander’s claim that an Iowa State University midshipman fabricated a sexual assault. But they say the victim will be expelled for the underage drinking that occurred before
the molestation.
In a letter to Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, Navy official S.C. Evans says the assault suffered by the midshipman in July 2016 was “unfortunate and appalling” but irrelevant to the decision by the young man to drink alcohol following an earlier infraction.
The midshipman has been ordered to repay $55,000 in scholarship benefits.
Evans’ letter came in response to criticism raised by Fischer about the Navy’s treatment of the student, who is from Omaha. The letter backs off the ROTC commanding officer’s allegation that the student fabricated a story to gain sympathy.
