Wells Donates To Le Mars Little League
Le Mars, Iowa — Wells Enterprises provided a boost to the Le Mars Little League on Monday with a donation of $6,500 to help with damages sustained at the John Britton Le Mars Little League complex during recent flooding. The donation includes proceeds from sales at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor on Sunday, September 30, along with $250 in free-will donations received from visitors to the Parlor that day.
Mike Wells, CEO and President of Wells Enterprises says “We have a long history of giving back in this community, and I am happy that Wells can help.” Wells continued, “The complex was hit hard and suffered a lot of damage. It is difficult for any volunteer organization to move forward after such a set back without community support. We hope this gesture inspires
others to continue to support the rebuilding efforts of the Le Mars Little League.”
Heath Husk, President, Le Mars Little League, says “Wells is one of our annual sponsors and there are many Wells employees serving on our Board and participating as coaches. We definitely appreciate the generosity.” Husk also says he wants to thank everyone in the community that has stepped up to provide support. Our goal is to be up and running in time for baseball
season next year!”
Plymouth County 4-H Program Celebrates National 4-H Week
(Le Mars) — “I pledge my head to better thinking…my heart to greater loyalty…my hands for better service…and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” That is the pledge that thousands of youth recite as a member of the youth organization, 4-H. This week, October 7th through October 13th is National 4-H Week. Ann Schoenrock
serves as the Co-coordinator and 4-H and Youth Director for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for Plymouth County. She says Plymouth County ranks among the top five counties in Iowa for 4-H membership.
Schoenrock says the time most people think about 4-H is when they see the youth and their exhibits at their local county fair, or at the Iowa State Fair. Schoenrock says its the many volunteers that helps Plymouth County 4-H be so special and successful.
The local 4-H and Youth Director explains how area members will recognize National 4-H Week, and specifically the Plymouth County 4-H program.
Schoenrock says “good kids join 4-H, and 4-H makes good kids.”
Schoenrock says 4-H helps members develop leadership skills, communications skills, record-keeping skills, organizational skills, and it helps build character and self-confidence. All factors, she says, that will be needed during their adult career life.
Lawsuit From Pollution Has Been Settled
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A proposed settlement of more than $51 million has been reached in a class-action lawsuit over pollution problems at an industrial plant in southeast Iowa.
The Muscatine Journal reports that the settlement with Grain Processing Corp. must still be approved by a court. If approved, the company would be required to pay $45 million into a settlement fund and $6.5 million on pollution controls at the Muscatine plant.
Court documents say a motion seeking preliminary approval of the settlement and setting a fairness hearing will be filed no later than Friday.
Residents filed suit in 2012, alleging Grain Processing failed to
control emissions from the wet milling plant, spewing odors, dust and haze onto their land. The Iowa Supreme Court certified it as a class action in May last year.
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Lawyer Sues Governor Reynolds – Says Judge Appointment Is Not Valid
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa attorney is filing a formal complaint claiming a state district court judge is unlawfully holding the office because he was not properly appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Lawyer Gary Dickey says Reynolds failed to appoint Judge Jason Besler within 30 days as required by the Iowa Constitution.
Dickey sent a letter Tuesday to Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness asking her to file with the court a motion seeking to clarify Besler’s legal authority.
If Besler declines, Dickey says Iowa court rules allow him to file such a motion.
Dickey, who served as former Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack’s chief attorney, says a judge must declare whether Reynolds’ verbal appointment is sufficient to satisfy constitutional appointment requirements. If not, Dickey says Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady could ratify the appointment or Besler could be removed from the bench.
Reynolds filed the paperwork to appoint Besler in June, five days after a 30-day constitutional deadline had passed. She says she made the appointment verbally to a staff member.
Dickey says litigants appearing before Besler could challenge his
decisions if his legal status as a sitting judge isn’t clarified.
Social Worker Leaves Agency After Giving False Information
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A social worker has left the Iowa Department of Human Services months after a judge found she repeatedly gave false testimony against a mother and father who were unfairly stripped of their parental rights.
Department spokesman Matt Highland says Chelsie Gray left the agency Sept. 23, two weeks after The Associated Press inquired about her status.
Highland said that Gray wasn’t fired or forced to resign, and the
agency cannot disclose any information about her departure under Iowa law.
The agency refused to release the findings from a review conducted of Gray’s cases after her false testimony came to light last spring.
A judge ruled in June that Gray delivered fabricated reports and trial testimony that helped convince a court to terminate the legal rights of a mother and father of four children in northern Iowa.
Gray declined comment Tuesday.
