Home News Saturday News, December 9th

Saturday News, December 9th

Gehlen To Receive $1000 From Staples

(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic School has been awarded $1,000 by Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., through a program called 2 Million & Change that allows Staples associates around the globe to direct more than $2 million in donations each year.

The grant will be used by Gehlen Catholic’s 5th & 6th Grade Science Instructor, Mr. Nathan Sexe of Sioux Center, to purchase 5 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) kits.

Gehlen Catholic President, Rev. Bruce A. Lawler, pointed to research included in the Staples grant proposal, which revealed there are 3.4 STEM jobs for every 1 qualified college graduate currently in Iowa. STEM careers are among the highest paid & in the greatest demand in the US. The goal of STEM is to increase achievement to ensure Iowa’s leadership in education & workforce development.

 

 

Le Mars Community 5th Graders See Movie “Wonder” Compliments of Primebank

(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community 5th graders were treated to a movie Friday afternoon, compliments of Primebank. Students from all three Le Mars Community Elementary schools enjoyed watching the movie, “Wonder” at the Royal 3 Cinema. Kim Clarey, Primebank’s Senior Vice President, says the movie has a wonderful message about acceptance of others, and we felt that the message was so positive and inspirational that we wanted to make sure that all fifth grade students saw the movie.” Clarey says an invitation was also extended to Gehlen Catholic students, but they had already viewed the movie. Clarey says, “In today’s world, especially with children, differences can lead to difficult situations. We hope that by seeing this movie, and reading the book, the movie is based on, we can help teach children the importance of respect and caring for others even in spite of differences.”

Primebank staff members Jordan Sitzmann and Doug Downing welcomes 5th grade students from Le Mars Community to a special viewing of “Wonder.”  The students were able to view the movie thanks to a sponsorship by Primebank.

 

 

Denison Man Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison

DENISON, Iowa (AP) – A Denison man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a car crash that led to the death of a teenage girl.
Ramon Hernandez was sentenced Friday in Crawford County District Court for his convictions on vehicular homicide, three counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor and five other counts. He had faced up to 109 years in prison.
Authorities say Hernandez drove through a farm field with four teenagers in his car before it plunged into the Boyer River on Jan. 19. He and three of the others reached safety. The body of 15-year-old Yoana Acosta, of Denison, was found a week later on Jan. 26.
Hernandez must serve 10 years before he’s eligible for parole.

 

 

Detective Testifies That Mother Had Written Negative Texts About Children

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A detective says an Iowa mother on trial in the starvation death of her 16-year-old daughter sent ranting texts saying she hated her children and calling them “worthless.” The Des Moines Register reports that West Des Moines police detective Chris Morgan testified Thursday and Friday about text messages sent to others by 43-year-old Nicole Finn. She’s pleaded not guilty to murder, kidnapping and child endangerment in the October 2016 death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn. Natalie weighed just 85 pounds at the time of her death. Morgan says Nicole Finn wrote in a March 2016 text, “They are worthless. I can’t stand them.” Morgan says Finn sent another text to her son after Natalie’s death saying she’d messed up. The prosecution rested Friday. Finn’s defense team will present its case Monday. —

 

 

Man Found Guilty Of Murdering Fiance’

TOLEDO, Iowa (AP) – For a second time, a man has been found guilty of murder in the 2000 disappearance of his fiancé.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that a judge on Friday found 51-year-old Tait Purk guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Cora Okonski, whose body has never been found.
In May, an Iowa County jury convicted Purk of murder in the case, but a judge found the verdict wasn’t backed by evidence.
Okonski disappeared in April 16, 2000, while she was living with Purk in Tama. Purk had told authorities she had left to buy cigarettes and never returned.
A former fellow inmate of Purk’s testified that Purk told him he had killed his fiancé during an argument, kept her body in a bathroom closet overnight and then buried her.

 

 

Forest City Teacher Resigns After Radio Broadcast Comments

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Forest City School board has accepted the resignation of an elementary school teacher placed on administrative leave following racial comments about high school basketball players aired in an online broadcast.

The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the board unanimously approved Friday the agreement with third-grade teacher Holly Jane Kusserow-Smidt, who will receive her full contracted salary for this school year.

Kusserow-Smidt was working as a radio producer for station KIOW on Nov. 28 when she was heard laughing and agreeing with announcer Orin Harris, who referred to Eagle Grove boys he believed to be Hispanic because of their names as “foreigners” and saying they should “go back where they came from.”

Both Harris and Kusserow-Smidt were fired from the station.

In her resignation letter, Kusserow-Smidt apologized to board members, administrators and students and the communities of Forest City and Eagle Grove.

 

 

 

 

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