Home News Wednesday News, August 16th

Wednesday News, August 16th

Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department Closes 190th Street for Culvert Installation

(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Secondary Road Department has announced the closing of 190th Street between Hickory Avenue and Impala Avenue. The stretch of roadway is expected to remain closed through August 25th as road crews replace a wooden bridge with a culvert pipe.

 

 

City Council Decides Not To Re-open Closed Alley

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council voted 3 to 2 to keep an alley closed. A proposal was brought before the council for their consideration to open the alley at the 800 block between 3rd Avenue southeast and 4th Avenue southeast. The alley is only partially open with part of it having been closed for more than 20
years. City code ordinance officer Greg Smidt reported to the council that the south half of the said alley has been closed for probably 20 years, but Smidt did not know the exact date for the alley to have been closed. Smidt informed the city council the reason for the alley to have originally been closed was due to a
large “dip” in the middle of the stretch of alley and young drivers would use the alley to speed through, and see if they could get their vehicles to be airborne.
Smidt reported to the city council he had sent a survey letter to ten residences adjoining the alley, asking for their opinion whether or not the alley should be re-opened. Smidt estimated the costs to the city at about $5,000 if the city were to re-open the closed alley. Smidt says the results were evenly split with
five residents saying they wanted the alley to remain closed, four residents saying they wanted the alley to be open, and one resident not responding. Smidt says when he spoke to one of the “no” residents, he indicated he didn’t care one
way or the other. At today’s city council meeting, four residents living within the area indicated they did not want the alley to be re-opened citing more traffic, dust, noise, and other factors for thier opposition. Councilman Ken Nelson said he would have preferred to table the issue, allowing city staff to conduct more research into the specific alley. City Administrator, Scott Langel
cautioned the city council to use careful consideration when making their decision. Langel cautioned the council that it would need to be consistent with future related rulings. However, city councilman Clark Goodchild insisted the council take a stand on the issue, saying all the information that was needed for
the decision has already been gathered. Goodchild made the motion calling for the council to kill the proposal opening the alley, and to leave the situation alone. Goodchild quoted a cliche’ saying “if its not broke, don’t fix it.”
Councilman John Rexwinkel seconed Goodchild’s motion. When the votes were taken; Goodchild, Rexwinkel, and Wick voted to keep the alley closed, and Knapp and Nelson had voted the opposite.

 

 

City Council Approves Plan To Update and Expand Municipal Park

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council also approved a plan to improve and expand the Municipal Park. Jerry Ripley is a Project Coordinator with the JEO Consulting Group appeared before the city council to discuss the expansion plans.
Ripley informed the city council of the plan to install and additional 30 different pads for camping facilities on the area that once was the south pond.
As part of the community betterment project, city officials filled in the south pond to make the Municipal Park larger to accommodate more campers. We hope to have additional information regarding this project later today during our news
updates.

 

 

City Council Gives Approval For Postal Playhouse Renovation

(Le Mars) — In other action by the city council, city leaders gave final approval for the development agreement between the city of Le Mars and Vision Builders. Vision Builders are wanting to construct apartment complexes along 12th Street southwest, near Building Blocks day care center. The Le Mars city
council also gave approval for an addition to the Postal Playhouse. Construction is estimated at $130,000 for the construction of adding space on the north side
of the Postal Playhouse. You may recall, the Le Mars Community Theater with the Postal Playhouse recently received a grant for $100,000 which will be applied
toward the renovation of the facilities. The remaining $30,000 will be split with the Le Mars Community Theater posting $15,000 and the city matching that amount with $15,000.

 

 

Kim Clarey Awarded “Boss of the Quarter” Honors

(Le Mars) — Late Tuesday afternoon, the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce awarded it “Boss of the Quarter” to a longtime employee of Primebank. Kim Clarey is the Senior Vice President with Primebank. When asked to define a good boss, some
people will answer that its a person who makes you feel satisfied, productive, and valued in your work environment. Others will respond that its a person in a position of authority who supports people and develops their skills and capabilities. At Primebank, when they are asked for the definition of a good
boss, they simply say, “Kim Clarey.” Kim Clarey’s career with Primebank began 40 years ago, when she joined Primebank’s bookkeeping staff. Her talents and skills, as well as her engaging personality, didn’t go unnoticed by Primebank’s management, and she was quickly transferred to the Bank’s teller department,
where she was soon named as supervisor of the teller staff. When changing times called for a separation of customer service and teller duties, Kim Clarey found herself working at a desk providing guidance and counseling to customers, as she
assisted them with their banking needs. The special rapport and friendship that Kim Clarey established with her customers eventually led to her designation as a real estate mortgage lender and most recently, to her appointment as Head of the
Le Mars Deposit and Loan Division. OUr congratulations go to Kim Clarey of Primebank, for being named the Chamber of Commerce “Boss of the Quarter.”

 

 

Sergeant Bluff Superintendent Pleas Not Guilty To OWI Charge

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) – A northwest Iowa school superintendent is facing an October trial on accusations of drunken driving.
Dickinson County court records say Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District Superintendent Rod Earleywine entered a written plea of not guilty Monday. The charge: operating while under the influence, first offense. His trial
is set to begin Oct. 10.
Earleywine was arrested Aug. 5 in Spirit Lake. The records say Earleywine’s blood alcohol was above the legal limit in two tests.
The school board president has declined to comment about the case. The district website still lists Earleywine as superintendent.

 

 

Woman Killed By Train Now Identified

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have released the name of a 17-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a train on the east side of Cedar Rapids.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office identified her Tuesday as Alexis Ann Wood, who lived in Hudson.
Medics and law officers were sent to the scene around 7:20 p.m. Monday. Authorities say she had been walking on the tracks when the train struck her.

 

 

Prichard Suspends Governor Campaign

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democratic Rep. Todd Prichard has suspended his campaign for Iowa governor.
Prichard indicated in a press release Tuesday that money played a key role in his decision. He said responsibilities like his family and military service took priority over the time needed to raise enough campaign funds.
Prichard, of Charles City, announced in May he was formally running for governor in 2018. Several other Democrats remain in the running for the party’s gubernatorial nomination. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to face Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett for their party’s nomination.
Prichard, who represents District 52 in northern Iowa, plans to seek re-election in the House.

 

 

Reynolds Critical Of Proposed Tuition Increase

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds criticized proposed tuition increases at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University but didn’t commit to reversing a decline in state support that has led to higher tuition.
The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds was asked Tuesday about planned tuition increases of 7 percent annually for five years at both universities. She responded, “There is no way that Iowa families could afford a 7 percent increase
over five years.”
University officials have proposed the increases following declines in state funding.
Asked whether the Legislature should increase higher education funding, Reynolds said, “The Legislature is going to do what the Legislature is going to do.”
Reynolds noted the Board of Regents was studying tuition issues, and she promised to work with lawmakers in crafting a budget.