Property Taxes Now Due
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Treasurer, Shelly Sitzmann, reminds property owners that the second-half real estate and mobile home taxes are now due and can be paid in the office, online, or through the mail. Taxes are delinquent April 3,
2018.
Since the last day of March falls on the weekend, you have Monday, April 2nd to pay without penalty.
Mail must be postmarked on or before April 2nd to avoid delinquent interest.
Send your payment before the last day, as mailing your payment on April 2 does not guarantee an April 2nd postmark.
Delinquent interest of 1.5% per month rounded to the nearest dollar attaches to all unpaid taxes on April 3, 2018, and an additional 1.5% penalty on the first of each succeeding month thereafter. Anyone who needs information on property
taxes should contact the Plymouth County Treasurer’s office at 546-7056.
Courthouse To Begin Renovation Project
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Courthouse Renovation Project will begin on Monday, March 5th 2018.
The north lower level inside the Courthouse will be renovated as well as work being done to the exterior awnings and cement on the north side.
The general contractor for the project is L & L Builders.
The north lower doors under the exterior awnings will be closed beginning on March 5th 2018 as well as the lower lobby and steps to the 2nd floor.
Public can use the west or north doors via the steps.
The back southeast door of the Courthouse will also be open during the renovation project for the public to use.
This entrance will provide access to the Courthouse elevator on the lower level for handicap accessibility and for anyone not able to use the stairs on the west or north entrances.
Public restrooms will only be available on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse near the elevator.
There will be additional updates near the project completion of when the north lower doors will be opened again to the public.
Barb Hames Named March Chamber “Employee of The Month”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce announced its March Employee of the Month this past Friday. Barb Hames has been an employee of Schuster Trucking since August of 2012. Hames was hired as a claims processor in the
Safety Department. Since starting with the company, she quickly adapted to the many hats that she would have to wear. Hames has always maintained a positive attitude no matter what the situation she was faced with, good or bad. Whether
it was an accident claim, cargo issue or hours of service recruiting, she was always polite and professional. She also has a great relationship with all the drivers and staff at Schuster Company, and people have greatly enjoyed working with her. Barb has been a great asset to our company through her years of service and she will be greatly missed as she is retired on March 2nd. The entire staff of Schuster Company wishes Barb well in her retirement years.
Hames was nominated for the “Employee of the Month” award by Steve Schuster and Jeff Arens.
Kevin Eekhoff, left, presents the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month” award to Barb Hames of Schuster Trucking Company.
Museum To Host Agriculture Programs
(Le Mars) — To celebrate another season of farming, the Plymouth County Historical Museum will host two agricultural exhibits and programs this coming Sunday, March 11th. The programs will begin at 2:00 p.m. The Le Mars Area
Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee has installed an exhibit showing the many different uses of soybeans, as well as, the many jobs of a farmer. The display exhibit is located in the “Study Hall.” Representatives of the Chamber Agriculture Committee are scheduled to speak about the exhibit, and about
Plymouth County Agriculture. With the title of the presentation, “Stand Proud and Speak Loud,” members of the Chamber Agriculture Committee will discuss some of the myths and misunderstandings regarding modern-day agricultural practices.
Also teaming up to raise the awareness of agriculture will be the Plymouth County Farm Bureau, which is marking its 100th anniversary. Mark Bohner, regional manager and Betty Neisius, office assistant, have set up a Farm Bureau exhibit in a room adjacent to the Study Hall. Bohner is scheduled to speak
about the 100th anniversary of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau. Another bright spot for agriculture is developing in the lower level of the museum where the Le Mars Community High School FFA will be setting up a permanent exhibit in a room
near the collection of agricultural displays. Eventually, the Le Mars chapter will have chapters from the rest of the county join in this exhibit. There will be refreshments served following the programs on Sunday.
Orange City Tulip Festival Announces 2018 Theme
Orange City, Iowa — The Orange City Tulip Festival Steering Committee has revealed the theme for the 2018 celebration as“Where Flowers Bloom So Does Hope.” The event, set for May 17-19, will be Orange City’s 78th annual Tulip Festival. Jeff and Christi Vander Voort, co-chairpersons of the 2018 Steering
Committee, felt the quote, originally attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, also of Dutch descent, captured the beauty,
spirit, and sense of camaraderie thatthe annual celebration embodies.
“The Tulip Festival is an event where the good in people rises to the top and spills over,” say Jeff and Christi.
“Every year we’re honoring our forebearers and the legacy that is ours. It’s cooperating with and coming alongside our neighbors and fellow community members. It’s welcoming our guests and leaving things better than we foundthem for future generations. For all of us involved in the Tulip Festival, as participants and as visitors, we felt the quote spoke to the very essence of the
event.”
Plans are well underway for this year’s Tulip Festival, and the Steering Committee encourages community members of all ages to consider joining the event in one of many volunteer opportunities.
Tulip Festival news, event information, volunteer opportunities and more can be found on the festival’s website at www.octulipfestival.com .
Legislature Considering Bill That Would Limit Public Access To 911 Calls
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Legislature is reviving a bill that would limit the public’s access to many 911 calls.
The Republican-controlled Iowa Senate put the measure on hold last year amid concerns about its far-reaching implications for accessing records. More than eight weeks into the session, a three-person panel is scheduled Tuesday to
review it.
The legislation would declare that audio, video and transcripts of 911 calls involving injured people are confidential medical records and exempt from Iowa’s open records law. If enacted, authorities’ initial response to shootings, stabbings and many other incidents could face less public scrutiny. Another
provision would make calls involving minors automatically confidential.
The GOP-controlled Iowa House passed the bill last year with bipartisan support. A Republican senator who will oversee the bill said the proposal needs changes.
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Polk County Assessor Charged With Violating Open Records Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Public Information Board has charged Polk County Assessor Randy Ripperger with violating Iowa’s open records law.
The Des Moines Register says Ripperger is accused of wrongly denying public access to a list of 2,166 Polk County property owners who have had their names removed from the assessor’s website search engine. That makes it impossible for others to determine what properties those entities own through an
online search.
The case is an administrative proceeding, not a court trial. Either the board itself or an administrative law judge will preside over a June 21 hearing.
A board prosecutor is seeking an order directing Ripperger to disclose the list of property owners and pay unspecified damages.
Ripperger has cited a state law that allows governmental agencies to keep confidential certain communications. Ripperger says his office grants every request for removal it receives from property owners, who he says are generally
public officials.
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