Home News Wednesday News, January 17th

Wednesday News, January 17th

Jay King Promoted To Assistant Police Chief

(Le Mars) — During the Le Mars City Council meeting held Tuesday, Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte announced a promotion within the Le Mars Police Department.
Vande Vegte says since Captain Tim Hop had retired in September, there has been a vacancy with a leadership position within the police department.

King was not able to attend the council meeting to be recognized as he was required to attend a trial at the Plymouth County Courthouse. Also, during the city council meeting, officers Lenny Flack and Dan Plueger presented an honor to Jim and Roxanne Rahn.

Officer Flack explains the reasons behind selecting the Rahns for the honor.

Le Mars Police Officers Dan Plueger, left, and Lenny Flack, right, presented the “Blue Line Award” to Jim and Roxanne Rahn of the Siouxland Youth For Christ organization.

 

 

Plans Being Made For Le Mars Sesquicentennial Celebration

(Le Mars) — City officials are beginning to make plans for when Le Mars will celebrate its Sesquicentennial Celebration. Mary Reynolds with the Le Mars Main Street Organization appeared before the city council to offer an update for the
town’s 150th Anniversary. She informed the council the celebration is scheduled to take place during the week of Ice Cream Days for 2019. Reynolds told the city council that both Le Mars Community School and Gehlen Catholic School are
planning to hold an all-school reunion that will be located at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Reynolds says the fairgrounds will be the site for several activities. Although a formal financial request was not submitted during the council meeting, Reynolds did indicate it may be likely the Sesquicentennial Committee may ask the city for a contribution of at least $14,300.

 

 

Le Mars Community School Board To Hold Special Meeting

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will hold a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 18th. The school board will convene at 5:00 p.m. and will submit its initial bargaining proposal to the Le Mars Education Association for the 2018-2019 contract. The school board will participate in the Administrator and Board retreat scheduled for January 22nd.
The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for February 12th at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

Sioux Center Woman Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Theft

(Orange City) — A Sioux Center woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for theft. Sioux County Attorney Thomas Kunstle announced that 39 year old Kami Jo Schiebout was sentenced on Friday in Sioux County District Court. The case
arose back in November of 2015 when Sioux Center and Orange City police received reports that several books of blank checks had been stolen. Those checks began being issued to local businesses around Sioux County. Further investigation
revealed Schiebout had stolen the checks and began using them to obtain goods and services in exchange. Schiebout was sentenced on the felony theft convictions. However, before being taken into custody, Schiebout posted her appeal bond, staying her sentence pending her appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
Such an appeal is expected to take approximately 16 months.

 

 

Reynolds To Look At Options Available For Medicare Health Services

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has left the door open to Iowa requiring certain Medicaid recipients to work as a condition of health care coverage.
Reynolds told reporters Tuesday “we’ll take a look at that down the road” when asked about work rules for able-bodied Medicaid recipients. Reynolds wouldn’t give a timeline, adding she’s focused on separate workforce development
initiatives.
President Donald Trump’s administration announced recently it will let states implement certain requirements as a condition of receiving Medicaid benefits. It could involve making people enrolled in Medicaid find work, attend school, enroll in job training or perform community service.
The Iowa Department of Human Services oversees the state’s privatized Medicaid program, which provides health care to the poor and disabled. A DHS spokesman says the agency is reviewing the federal guidance.

 

 

Reynolds Wants To Devote $18 Million For Worker Training Program

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds wants to spend about $18 million on worker training programs in the next couple years to ensure Iowa employers can fill jobs at a time of low unemployment.
The Des Moines Register reports that Reynolds announced new policies to address Iowa’s shortage of qualified workers in her Condition of the State address on Jan. 8.
The governor proposed expanding the state’s apprenticeship program and creating a scholarship for residents who pursue up to a two-year degree in a high-demand field. Reynolds also recommended an Employer Innovation Fund to match private sector spending on training programs.
Iowa had a 2.9 percent unemployment rate in November, below the national rate of 4.1 percent. Employers consistently express concern over being unable to find qualified workers for job openings.
Legislation is still being drafted.