Round Barn Agricultural Education Exhibit Receives Funding From Convention and Visitors Bureau
(Le Mars) — The agriculture education exhibit featured inside the famous round barn during the Plymouth County Fair has been the recipient of funds provided by the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau. Back in February, he “aROUND the farm in the BARN” agricultural educational project was awarded $2,000 from the Le Mars Hotel-Motel sales tax receipts. Funds will be used for the purchase of displays that will be featured during the 2018 Plymouth County Fair, scheduled for July 25th through July 29th. Since the famous round barn turns 100 years old this year, the Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee have selected the theme: “Plymouth County Barns: Landmarks on the
Landscape.” The exhibirt will feature several of the unique barns that are still standing and functional. Sue Butcher says the “Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee is excited to receive these special tax funds.” Butcher added, “The Plymouth County Fair increases tourism by bringing out-of-town visitors and former residents to Le Mars. The Round Barn exhibit attracts hundreds of families daily, who attend the fair.”
Funding recommendations of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Committee were approved by the Le Mars City Council on February 20th. The Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau awarded over $41,000 to twelve different organizations that help with promoting tourism to Le Mars.
Orange City Woman Arrested For Criminal Mischief Vandalism To A Sign
(Orange City) — The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 21-year old Orange City woman on Thursday of last week for criminal mischief after being accused of vandalizing a sign. Ariel Valdes was arrested following an investigation which had began on Tuesday, June 5th after receiving numerous reports of vandalism to a private sign near Orange City. Upon further
investigation, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office discovered that Valdes intentionally defaced the sign by using black spray paint. The sheriff’s office received numerous pieces of information from the public, which assisted in the apprehension of Valdes. Valdes was charged with third degree criminal mischief. The sign originally had said “Adoption is still an Option.” But the words “an option” were spray painted over, and the words
“only your choice” was written with the black spray paint. The reverse side of the sign had read: “If a fetus is not a child, why the rush to abort it?” Valdes is accused of spray painting the words “because its your body” on the sign.
Preservationists Hoping To Save Railroad Depot Building
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials and volunteers in northern Iowa are working to save a historic train depot targeted for demolition by a railroad company weeks ago.
The Globe Gazette reports that Mason City officials plan to move the Milwaukee Road Depot to a temporary location. Officials will then select a permanent location along with how to repurpose the structure.
Tricia Sandahl is the city’s planning and zoning manager. She says an upcoming feasibility study will help determine where the building can move to and how much it would cost.
Canadian Pacific announced plans to demolish the structure last month.
Railroad spokesman Andy Cummings says the company doesn’t plan to immediately proceed with demolition.
Sandahl says the company may use funds slated for the demolition to help relocate the structure.
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Flooding Happening At Northern Iowa
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say minor to moderate flooding along the Cedar River in northeast Iowa could worsen if scattered thunderstorms in the forecast bring heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service said Monday that the Cedar River at Cedar Falls already was more than 3 feet (1 meter) above flood stage and wasn’t expected back below until Thursday morning.
The flooding forced closure of George Wyth Memorial State Park in northwest Waterloo, and street flooding has been reported.
The Shell Rock River is causing minor flooding in Shell Rock and isn’t expected back below flood stage until Tuesday morning – a forecast that could change with any appreciable rain. The city of Greene has erected barriers keep out floodwaters.
A flood warning also has been issued for the Winnebago River in Mason City.
Dubuque Man and Wife Accused Of Stealing From Mother
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A Dubuque man and his wife have been accused of stealing more than $200,000 from his 90-year-old mother.
Dubuque County Court records say 64-year-old Howard Derby and 50-year- old Patti Derby are charged with felony dependent adult abuse-exploitation.
Her attorney didn’t immediately return a call Monday from The Associated Press. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for Howard Derby.
Court documents say his disabled mother moved in with the couple and that he has been given power of attorney for her finances and medical needs.
The documents say the Derbys took money from her accounts and used it to buy cars and pay for vacations, among other things.
Waterloo Elementary School To Teach English and French To Students
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A dual language immersion program is being expanded this coming fall in Waterloo.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the program began in September with a French-English program at Lou Henry Elementary – believed to be the first French dual-language program in the state.
The school has become a main attendance center for families who came to Waterloo from Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the official language is French. In fall a kindergarten and a first-grade class will be taught in French for half a day and in English the other half.
A dual Spanish-English program will begin this fall at Highland
Elementary. Other than English, more students speak Spanish as their native language than any of the other 40 or so languages spoken by Waterloo Community Schools’ students.
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