Library Requests Additional Full-time Employee
(Le Mars) — City council members debated Tuesday whether or not to approve a request for a full-time employee position with the Le Mars Public Library.
Library Board president Robin Hermsen, along with Le Mars Public Library Director Shirley Taylor appeared before the council to offer information as to why the new position is warranted. Hermsen informed the city council the library has witnessed an increase of traffic and more people are using the
library’s resources. He says another employee is needed to help enhance the library’s services, and to help stabilize the staff scheduling.
City Administrator Scott Langel says he is not against adding an employee to the library staff, but he says there remains several questions about the position.
The city council did not take any action on the employee request, and have decided to table the issue to a later date.
Iowa State University Settles Lawsuits
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University has paid $125,000 to settle two lawsuits brought by a former university administrator who accused the school of blocking her efforts to investigate sexual assault reports.
Robinette Kelley said in her lawsuits that she knew Iowa State was not complying with a federal law that requires public schools to provide equal opportunities to students regardless of sex. Kelley alleges the university tried to intimidate her into ignoring her concerns.
Vice President Pence To Visit Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence has scheduled a Des Moines visit to promote tax cuts.
He is scheduled to appear at 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center’s grand ballroom. The doors open at 11 a.m. The event is being promoted by America First Policies, a nonprofit group established to support Trump’s policies.
The speech is open to the public. Reservations can be made at the American First website .
Pence talked about taxes and other topics on July 11 when he visited Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids.
Emerald Ash Borer Detected In Three New Iowa Counties
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State agricultural officials say an insect that’s killed millions of ash trees has been found in three more Iowa counties.
Officials said in a news release Wednesday that the emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Crawford, Delaware and Page counties. That brings Iowa’s total to 64 counties.
People are urged to report any suspected infestation. Mike Kintner with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says tracking the whereabouts of emerald ash borers across the state helps in formulating
treatment recommendations.
Infected trees usually lose leaves at the top of the canopy and the die-off spreads downward. The trees usually die within four years.
The bugs are native to Asia and were first reported in the U.S. in
Michigan in 2002 and in Iowa in 2010.
