Home News Tuesday Afternoon News, July 18th

Tuesday Afternoon News, July 18th

City Council Approves Vande Vegte As New Police Chief

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council officially voted and approved Le Mars Police Officer Kevin Vande Vegte as the next Le Mars Police Chief during the city council meeting held today at the city council chambers. Several members of the Le Mars Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, and other
law enforcement agencies were on hand to witness the event, and to offer their congratulations to Vande Vegte. Upon being approved as the next police chief, each member of the city council, along with Le Mars mayor Dick Kirchoff shook
Vande Vegte’s hand and welcomed him as the new police chief. Vande Vegte thanked the council for their support, and informed the gathering that Le Mars is a great community. Vande Vegte reiterated his comments from his interview, stating he wants to be a vital part of the community, and will have the Le Mars
Police Department work on building community relations.

 

 

Dry Conditions Calls For Remsen To Ration Water Use

(Remsen) — The dry conditions are forcing communities to look at rationing water usage. The City of Remsen has issued a water restriction. Remsen city officials are asking citizens to refrain from watering yards during the hours of 8am-7pm. Residents with even numbered house numbers may water their yards on
even numbered calendar days. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter!
Although no action has been implemented for Le Mars residents to restrict water usage, city administrator Scott Langel asked the city residents to use good judgement when using water. Langel says that we can all implement some water conservation methods that will extend the supply of city water. During the city
council meeting, Langel suggested for people to use a bucket full of water when washing their vehicles, instead of a hose with running water. Langel also suggested people fill their sinks with water, instead of having running water when washing dishes. The city administrator suggested businesses and residents
to water their lawns during the early morning hours. Langel says we all can use voluntary methods to conserve water so restrictions won’t be necessary. Langel says city officials will continue to monitor the situation. If the dry weather
persists, Langel says then later on, city officials may have to resort to limitations on the city’s water use.

 

 

Larry Bowers Honored As Chamber “Employee of the Month”

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce today honored a long time employee of Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative, or otherwise known as NIPCO. Larry Bowers began his career with NIPCO in 1974 as an Engineering Aid in the Engineering and
Operations Department. In 2002, Larry was promoted to Vice President of Information Systems and when the NIPCO Telecommunications Department was folded into the IT area in 2012, creating the new Information Technology and
Infrastructure Department, Larry Bowers assumed leadership and became Vice President of Technology and Infrastructure. Today, Larry oversees all corporate IT, Telecommunications and SCADA operations as well as cybersecurity education
and awareness training the NIPCO staff. After 43 years with NIPCO, Larry Bowers has announced his retirement. Our congratulations go to Larry Bowers for being named the July Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month.

Larry Bowers, (right) accepts the Chamber of Commerce’s “Employee of the Month” award from Kevin Eekhoff.

 

 

School Board To Hold Special Meeting

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will hold a special meeting scheduled for Friday, July 21st at noon at the Le Mars Education Center.
School Board members will act on the submitted bills, as well as act on the resignation request by Mike Boyd who wishes to resign effectively immediately from his position as a high school math teacher.

 

 

Family Satisfied With Patrol’s Explanation of Dead Child

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The parents of a handcuffed detainee killed in a 2014 highway accident after escaping from an Iowa State Patrol car have dropped their lawsuit against the state.
Attorney Joe Cacciatore said Tuesday that Matthew Lentzkow’s parents believe they achieved the goal of learning about the incident and wants to move
on.
Cacciatore says they’re convinced that the trooper and deputies involved violated “basic law enforcement standards of care” but know their son also bears
responsibility.
Judge Paul Huscher dismissed claims against Jasper county and two deputies last month, ruling Lentzkow was to blame for driving drunk and fleeing custody.
The family then dropped claims against the state.
Lentzkow was stopped for drunken driving on Interstate 80. Three officers left Lentzkow in a patrol car while they searched his truck. He was hit by a van after trying to flee.

 

 

Public Records Reveal Dismissed State Employees

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Newly released records show that public employees in Iowa have been fired in recent months for misconduct such as theft, fraud and student mistreatment.
Documents detailing the firings and demotions of public employees have become available under a little-noticed but dramatic change to the Iowa Open Records Act signed by then-Gov. Terry Branstad in February.
The Associated Press used the law to obtain records of dozens of firings by state agencies, cities and school districts.
A Polk County officer allegedly submitted fraudulent expense forms seeking reimbursement for 2,200 miles that he didn’t drive. A Department of Revenue clerk was accused of having 400 work records buried in her desk that she claimed
she had completed. And a Cedar Rapids paraeducator who worked with children with autism allegedly mistreated a student.