Home News Monday News, March 26th

Monday News, March 26th

Le Mars Fire and Rescue Dept. Holds Banquet – Ethan Mitchell Honored As “Firefighter of the Year”

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department held its annual awards banquet on Saturday evening. The 2017 Firefighter of the Year was awarded to a firefighter that began his duties in October of 2008. Firefighter number 20 Ethan Mitchell was presented the award by Fire Chief Dave Schipper and Assistant Chief Mike Wise. Mitchell has assisted with the upkeep and maintenance of the fire apparatus over the years. He is certified as a Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Emergency Medical Responder, Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space
Rescue, and recently completed his chauffeur driver’s training. Mitchell responded to over 60 percent of the rural and city fire calls in 2017. He also attended 42 of the 44 offered training sessions in 2017. Mitchell say he always felt the need to assist others, and that is why he joined the Le Mars Fire and
Rescue Department.

Mitchell recalls one of his earlier calls after joining the department was to what is now the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlor.

Mitchell is employed at Well’s Enterprises and is appreciative of the fact he can occasionally leave work to respond to a call.

Mitchell says he also appreciates the “family atmosphere” of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department.

Prior to joining the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Mitchell was a firefighter with the Sanborn Fire Department.

Other awards were presented to former Le Mars Police Chief Stuart Dekkenga and former Le Mars Police Captain and interim chief Tim Hop for their assistance to the the fire department while serving the Le Mars community as police officers.

A special award of appreciation was presented to Doug and Doretta Heidebrink, owners of the Le Mars Taco Johns restaurant. The Heidebrinks have often donated food to the firefighters following long hours of responding to a call.

Other recognition of honors included the retirement of 37 year fire fighter veteran, Keith Hettwer. A special Chief’s pin of accommodation was awarded to firefighter Ken Ernst. Nick Dorr and Joe Morris were both given certificates for being a member of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department for 15 years.

 

 

Democrats Gather For County Convention

(Merrill) — Plymouth County Democrats held their county convention Saturday afternoon at Merrill. Party chairman Mark Sturgeon tells of the priority planks that emerged for the Democratic party’s political platform.

Two candidates seeking the nomination for State Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives, Dave Dawson of Lawton and Andrew Emanuel of rural Plymouth County’s Perry Township spoke to the delegates.

Dave Dawson – Democrat candidate for State Senate.

Andrew Emanuel Democratic candidate for Iowa House of Representatives.
KLEM radio will feature their comments tomorrow during the KLEM news update.

Four delegates were selected to represent Plymouth County at the District Democratic Convention. They included Mark Sturgeon, Pat Murphy, and Mark and Susan Leonard.

 

 

School Board To Convene This Evening

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education is scheduled to convene this evening. The local school board will discuss an upcoming conference sponsored by the Iowa Association of School Boards, the national convention of
school boards, as well as the annual Foundation Banquet scheduled for April 25th. The school board is expected to approve several contracts offered to new faculty members.

 

 

North West Rural Electric Cooperative To Hold Annual Meeting

(Le Mars) — Members of the Northwest Rural Electrical Cooperative will meet this evening at the Le Mars Community High School for their annual meeting and banquet. The dinner will begin being served at 5:00 p.m. with the annual meeting
to be held at the Middle School auditorium starting at 7:00 p.m.