Sioux Center Christian School Teacher Thought To Change Plea In Sexual Abuse Charges
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (AP) – A former Sioux Center Christian School fifth-grade teacher charged with multiple acts of sex abuse is expected to change his plea in a federal case filed against him.
Court records say a plea hearing is scheduled June 11 in U.S.
District Court in Sioux City for 36-year-old Curtis Van Dam. He’s already pleaded not guilty to a count of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. Federal officials say Van Dam made a video or videos for his sexual gratification.
He’s also pleaded not guilty to 146 Iowa counts, including 73 counts of sexual abuse. His state trial is scheduled to begin July 17.
Police say the charges stem from incidents involving numerous
children over four years and that the crimes occurred at various locations, including Sioux Center Christian School, where Van Dam worked.
Fire Department Issues May Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department has issued its monthly report for May. During the month, the fire department responded to a total of 51 calls. There were 18 fire calls, 10 rescue calls, 14 investigations consisting of accident cleanups, odor investigations, or illegal burning, and eight times the fire department had requests for services. The Le Mars Fire
and Rescue Department had one mutual aid call. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper reports that 30 members have re-certified in hazardous materials operations.
Postal Playhouse Community Theater Announces Audition Dates For “The Addams Family”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Theater at the Postal Playhouse have announced the dates for the next theater production. The next play is “The Addams Family.” THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother.
Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents….
Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, June 9th at 2:00 p.m. and on Sunday, June 10th at both 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Auditions will be held at the Postal Playhouse located at 105 1st St. Northeast in Le Mars. Performance dates have been scheduled for August 16th-19th and the 23rd through August 26th.
Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on June 13th. The cast consist of 6 men, 4 women, and chorus members.
Voter ID Law Will Begin With Primary Election
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s upcoming primary will mark the first statewide test of a new law that requires voters to show identification at the polls.
State officials and voting advocacy groups say they’re keeping a
close watch on its rollout Tuesday.
The law, which was passed last year and is being phased in, requires voters in 2018 to be asked for approved ID to vote. If someone doesn’t have that identification, they can sign an oath verifying their identity and cast a regular ballot.
A person without proper identification in 2019 will have to vote by provisional ballot. That requires the voter to return within a few days with ID or the ballot won’t count.
Voting advocacy groups are monitoring the law’s implementation, and several county elections officials say they’ve done extensive training and outreach.
Governor Candidates Make Final Swing Before Primary Election
DES MOINES, — On this final weekend before the Iowa Primary Election, the five Democratic candidates for governor began making their final pitches for votes — and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds says she’ll be ready to debate
the candidate Democrats pick.
Bridge of Madison County Arsonist Given Probation
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa teen has been given a suspended prison sentence and probation for torching a famed covered bridge in Madison County, Iowa, that featured on the cover of the novel “The Bridges of Madison
County.”
Television station KCCI reports that 18-year-old Alexander Hoff was sentenced Friday, getting five years’ probation and a suspended 10-year prison sentence. He had pleaded guilty in March to second-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief.
Hoff was among three people who set fire to the bridge in April 2017.
The two others – Joel Davis and Alivia Bergmann – were sentenced to five years’ probation.
The bridge near Winterset also was featured in the 1995 movie
adaptation of “The Bridges of Madison County.”
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Des Moines Police Investigate Early Morning Shooting
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines police are investigating an early morning shooting death in a neighborhood west of downtown.
Police say officers were called about 2:15 a.m. Sunday to a report of shots being fired. When officers arrived at the home, they learned a shooting victim had been driven by a private vehicle to a hospital.
The 40-year-old man later died. His name isn’t being released until relatives can be notified.
Police say the shooting appears tied to a domestic dispute.
Dubuque Library To Deliver Books To Shut-ins
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – The Dubuque library plans to start a service delivering books and other material to people unable to leave their homes.
The Telegraph Herald reports that Carnegie-Stout Public Library
officials hope to launch the service in July.
Library staff say the program will give access to library resources
and provide enrichment to people who need it.
Library Director Susan Henricks says the service will have three-week checkout periods. She says books, audio books and CDs will be eligible for the service.
Participants will complete an application including information about what they like to read so library staff can make recommendations.
Henricks says the program’s scope will depend on how many people volunteer to staff it. Officials plan to start advertising the program and seeking volunteers this week.
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