County Supervisors To Meet At Courthouse Board Room
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will meet at the County Courthouse Boardroom today for their weekly meeting. The supervisors are expected to approve an easement agreement with Richard Vander Kooi. The county board of supervisors are also expected to approve a proclamation declaring Loess Hills Heritage Week. Plymouth County Treasurer Shelly Sitzmann is scheduled to appear before the county governing board to offer the annual driver license report. Brenda Phelan is scheduled to appear before the county supervisors
seeking approval of a minor subdivision within Elgin Township. County engineer Tom Rohe will submit for the supervisor approval permits from Frontier Communications.
School Board Given District’s Academic Goals For New School Year
(Le Mars) — Last evening, the Le Mars Community Board of Education was given a list of academic goals as established by the school district administrators, with consent from the District Learning Instructional Team. School District Curriculum
Director Rachel Leavitt presented the information to the school board for their review. Leavitt informed the school board that the Le Mars Community School District wants to increase proficiency ratings for reading, math, and science for all grades.
Other goals as spelled out by school officials include: by the spring of 2018, grades 3 through 5 will average assessments at 80.95 percent. Grades six through eight, is hoped to accomplish a reading proficiency of 84.45 percent. Grades 9-11 will achieve a percentage of reading proficiency to meet or exceed the three-year average of 86.22 percent. Similar goals have been established for percentage of proficiency in math and science for all grades.
Le Mars Police Investigate Home Robbery
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department received a complaint of a home armed robbery that occurred on Friday evening at about 10:30 p.m. The incident apparently took place at the 100 block of Central Avenue northeast in Le Mars.
According to a news release issued by the Le Mars Police Department, the reporting party victim was at home when suspects forced entry into the apartment and threatened the victim with a firearm demanding cash. The suspects quickly
fled the area. Le Mars Police have reason to believe there is no danger to the general public. The investigation is ongoing as more information is obtained and developed. Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is encouraged
to contact the Le Mars Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Sheriff’s Office Releases Information On Three Vehicle Accident
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has released information about an accident that took place on Thursday, August 24th at about 5:12 p.m. The accident happened at the junction of county road K-22 and county road C-12, approximately 14 miles northwest of Le Mars and three miles west of Craig.
According to the accident report, the accident involved three vehicles: a concrete cement mixer truck, a semi truck and trailer, and a mini van. The concrete cement mixer truck was owned by G-C-C of Orange City and was being driven by 40 year old, Brimer Francis of Le Mars. The cement concrete mixer
truck was heading eastbound on county road C-12 at the stop sign at K-22. The cement truck turned right or to the south on to K-22. The semi truck and trailer, was owned by J and D Farms of Ireton, and was driven by 54 year old Jeffrey Statema of Le Mars. The semi truck was heading southbound on K-22, but
was north of the intersection. The cement truck failed to see the south bound semi truck, or misjudged the distance and made his turn in front of the semi.
Statema says he applied his brakes and was going to swerve into the north bound lane to avoid hitting the cement truck. A mini van was heading northbound on K-22, but was initially south of the intersection. Statema says he then saw the mini van being driven by 38 year old Michael Bandstra of Rock Valley, and knew he couldn’t swerve into the northbound lane of travel. Statema then hit the rear of the cement truck, causing it to lose control, and roll into the ditch. The driver of the mini van saw the accident, and was about to back up when the rear tag axle of the cement truck had hit the minivan. The Ireton Ambulance
transported both Statema and Francis to the Hawarden Hospital.
National Tradition of Country Music Association Holds Convention At Le Mars
(Le Mars) — The sounds of old time country and gospel music can be heard from the Plymouth County Fairgrounds all this week, as the National Traditional Country Music Association holds its 42nd annual conference. This year marks the ninth year the music association has held its convention at Le Mars and the
Plymouth County Fair grounds. The music festival features at least ten different stages with hundreds of performers scheduled to appear. Admission to the music festival is $20 per day Monday through Thursday, and $25 per person for the weekend Friday through Sunday.
photo from 2016 event.
Northwestern College Named As “College of Distinction”
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—Northwestern College has been named one of the nation’s Colleges of Distinction in acknowledgment of its continued dedication to high-impact educational practices.
Northwestern’s first-year seminars, service-learning programs, Spring Service Partnerships, intensive writing courses, interdisciplinary programs, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research, capstone projects, study abroad programs, internships and Honors Program are among the factors that led to the Colleges of Distinction recognition.
The annual process of selecting the nation’s Colleges of Distinction requires that institutions adhere to the organization’s four distinctions—engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. This process also includes a review of each institution’s freshman experience, as well as its
general education program, strategic plan, alumni success, satisfaction measures and more.
Northwestern College is one of only two Iowa institutions to be named Christian Colleges of Distinction and one of nine selected as Iowa Colleges of Distinction.
Siouxland Chapter of American Red Cross Helps Texas After Hurricane Harvey
(Sioux City) — At least two volunteers from the Siouxland Chapter of the American Red Cross are on their way to Texas to assist with relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey and now Tropical Storm Harvey has hit the Texas Gulf coast region. Tammy Lee serves as the Executive Director of the Siouxland Chapter of
the American Red Cross. She says the organization is seeking volunteers to help with the relief efforts.
Lee says in terms of wide spread devastation and damages, and people adversly affected by the tropical storm, she says Harvey is similar to Hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans and the delta region back in August of 2005.
The American Red Cross official says perhaps the best thing anyone can do immediately is to donate money.
Lee says it takes about $1800 to send a volunteer and vehicle to the flooded region.
Lee explains how people can donate money to the Hurricane Harvey relief fund.
Lee says the 1-800 toll free number will also allow people to check on family and friends within the hurricane zone to inquire about their whereabouts and safety.
