Primebank Names Korvana As President Of Le Mars Bank
(Le Mars) — Primebank recently announced the promotion of Joshua R. Kovarna to President of the bank’s Le Mars market. In making the announcement, Primebank CEO, Matthew J. Ahlers noted Kovarna’s prior experience and training as excellent background for his new role as President—Le Mars.
Prior to joining Primebank, Kovarna was already an experienced agricultural and commercial lender, as well as a commercial bank branch manager. Since joining Primebank in 2015, Kovarna has been assigned to Primebank’s Sioux City—Sunnybrook location where he has served as a Vice President continuing his focus on agricultural and commercial lending, as well as deposit services. As President—Le Mars, Kovarna’s duties will continue to include agricultural and commercial lending, as well as responsibility for oversight of the Le Mars Deposit and Loan Division.
A graduate of Hinton Community Schools, Kovarna also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. A member of the Iowa Bankers’ Association’s Agricultural Committee since 2015, and a former committee member of the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, Kovarna also serves as a member of the Life Skills Foundation Board of Directors and as a volunteer YMCA basketball coach.
Jeneary Files Nomination Papers For Iowa House Seat
(Des Moines) — Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars has officially filed his nomination papers with the Secretary of State, Paul Pate, seeking the office of State House of Representatives. Chuck Holz currently holds the position, but has indicated he will not be seeking re-election. The retired dentist is running on the Republican party ticket. After submitting his nomination papers, Jeneary said, “Now that I’m officially a candidate, I’m excited to start meeting with voters to listen to their concerns and ideas about the issues that are important to them.”
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, left, accepts the nomination papers as filed by Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars.
Police Arrest Two People For Violating No Contact Order
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department arrested two people for violation of a no contact order. Police officers were dispatched to 17 Birch Street on the morning of March 3rd to investigate an argument that was taking place. 21-year old Michael Siebens and 20-year old Nicole Daugherty were found at the residence in a dispute. The police had learned that both Siebens and Daughtery had valid no contact orders against each other. Both Siebens and Daughtery were arrested and taken to the Plymouth County Jail.
Traffic Stop Results In Arrest For Outstanding Warrants
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police arrested a Le Mars man for two outstanding warrants as a result of a traffic stop. The incident happened on Wednesday, March 7th at about 3:15 p.m. when police officers had stopped a vehicle near 15th Street Southeast and Schafer Drive. The driver, identified as 34 year old Joe Garza of 650 4th Avenue Northeast of Le Mars was booked and transported to the Plymouth County Jail where his bond was set at $2,500.
United Way Of Le Mars To Distribute Funds To Qualifying Agencies
(Le Mars) — The United Way of Le Mars recently finished its collection of donated funds to be distributed to several area agencies and organizations. Justin Freking serves as the chairman for the local United Way. He says more than $330,000 dollars has been collected since this past September. Freking offers an overview of how the United Way works.
Freking says on Wednesday United Way officials will meet with the various agencies and organization seeking funding assistance from the United Way campaign.
The United Way chair says more than 30 agencies have requested United Way funding. He offers some examples of the organizations that have been helped during past years.
Freking says 100 percent of the collected funds in and around Le Mars remains in Plymouth County. He says the agencies do have to follow some criteria in order to qualify for the funding assistance.
Freking says the area agencies have benefited from the generosity from those individuals and companies that have contributed to the United Way of Le Mars. He says the donations have gone from around $100,000 to now more than $330,000 in just seven years.
Le Mars Community Dance Team to Hold Exhibition
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community Dance Team will hold an exhibition dance scheduled for Friday, March 16th, at the Le Mars High School Competition Gymnasium.
Sioux City Boy Seriously Burned From Apartment Fire
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 16-year-old boy was flown to a Nebraska burn center after a fire at a Sioux City apartment.
Firetrucks were sent to the building around 3:40 a.m. Sunday, and firefighters say the flames filled an upstairs apartment where they found the boy.
He was taken to a local hospital before being flown to the burn center in Lincoln, Nebraska. His name hasn’t been released.
The fire cause is being investigated. Authorities say the blaze displaced 13 building occupants.
Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state says Iowa’s unemployment rate remained steady at 2.9 percent in January.
Iowa Workforce Development said in a news release Monday that the December rate of 2.9 percent was revised upward from the preliminary rate of 2.8 percent reported Jan. 23. Iowa’s unemployment rate compares to a 4.1 percent national rate.
The department says Iowa gained 900 jobs in January, lifting total nonfarm employment up to 1,583,500 jobs.
The number of Iowans without jobs decreased to 48,300 in January from 49,300 in December. The current estimate is 9,100 lower than in January 2017. The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,625,300 in January – 300 lower than in December and 800 lower than a year ago.
