Stadium Renovation Begins
(Le Mars) — Renovation of the Le Mars Community/Jim Lorenzen Football Stadium has begun. Work crews have already taken down some of the bleachers. When the project is completed next August, there will be a new artificial turf playing field, a new stadium with new bleacher seating, a new video scoreboard, new lighting, and a new track. The cost of the project is estimated at nearly $5 million dollars with the initial $2 million being donated.
School Nurse Honored As Employee of the Month
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community Schools awarded its “Employee of the Month” to the school’s nurse. The honor was presented to Stephanie Buhman during a small ceremony Thursday morning. Keri Gross, Amy Bergquist, Karlton Hector,
and Steve Shanks submitted the nomination. They say, Stephanie is a wonderful asset to Le Mars schools. She is a very competent and caring nurse. The demand for her time is high as she is back and forth from the Middle School to High School each day. Even with a hectic schedule, she is always willing to help anyone. She is kind and patient with students, parents, and co-workers. She also has excellent judgement with students in
determining if they need attention for an illness or injury or in some cases, just a pep talk to get through the day. She is a problem solver and helps students work through whatever is making their day difficult. She communicates with staff members so that they are well-informed. She is always happy to help, even with duties that are outside her job description.
She also contributes to our schools and students by coaching cheer leading and volunteering at after-school events. Stephanie brings a positive attitude, her friendly personality and a great sense of humor to our school each day. We are thankful for all she does to make our school a wonderful place for students and staff. Stephanie Buhman was joined by her family members, administration officials, and members of the Le Mars Community
High School Alumni Association and Le Mars Community School Foundation. Our congratulations go to Stephanie Buham for being selected as the Le Mars Community School Employee of the Month.
Chamber of Commerce Honors Tritz As Employee Of The Month
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce also awarded its “Employee of the Month this morning. Sandi Tritz works with the Murphy, Collins, Bixenman and McGill law firm in Le Mars. Tritz was nominated by the entire staff. Sandi Tritz started working with the law fire approximately four years ago as a receptionist/legal assistant. From the day she started
working, she has contributed to the success of the entire team. Sandi has extended great effort in helping and assisting her co-workers in meeting deadlines and challenges concerning various work activities. Sandi is always timely and efficient in performing her work duties. She meets all challenges head on with a positive attitude and her patience in time of extreme pressure concerning our many deadlines is an outstanding quality that she possesses. During these years with the law firm, Sandi has displayed great enthusiasm to learn and grow professionally. She has recently accepted advancement to a new position with the firm and we look forward to her continued dedication as a valued member of our legal team.
It is an honor to have such a dedicated and pleasant employee such as Sandi.
Congratulations go to Sandi Tritz for being named the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce October Employee of the Month.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Prepares For Annual Fundraiser
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare is preparing for its upcoming fundraiser event entitled “Treasure Your Chest” scheduled for Saturday, November 10th at the Le Mars Convention Center. Amy Harnack serves as the Foundation Manager for Floyd Valley Healthcare, and talks about how the
proceeds from this year’s wine tasting event will help the local hospital acquire some much needed equipment.
The Floyd Valley official says the imaging system comes with a hefty price tag.
Harnack says a portion of the evening will be the presentation of a video showing several local people who are survivors of breast cancer.
Harnack says just because it is referred to as a “Gala” doesn’t necessarily mean that attendees need to wear their evening formal attire. Harnack tells of the evening’s events.
KLEM radio is assisting with the Floyd Valley Healthcare fundraising efforts by holding a radio auction scheduled for Friday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Tickets are still available. They are selling at $55 per person, or you can purchase a table for $450.
Guthrie County Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Death Of Son In Bathtub
BAGLEY, Iowa (AP) – A 25-year-old Guthrie County mother charged after her 11-month-old son drowned in a bathtub has pleaded not guilty.
Court records show Seaira Briceno entered her pleas earlier this
month to one felony and one misdemeanor count of child endangerment. The records don’t show that a trial has been set.
The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says Briceno’s baby drowned Aug. 10 when she left him and his 2-year-old brother in the tub at their Bagley home. Briceno told investigators she left the boys for about five minutes, but deputies believe the children were left alone longer.
Briceno was already facing a child endangerment charge from April.
Authorities say she was driving under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana while her older son was in the vehicle.
Dubuque Man Given Probation Over Medicare For Father
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A Dubuque man has been given two years of probation for lying to Medicaid about care he provided for his father.
The Telegraph Herald reports that 35-year-old Nicholas Brown also was recently sentenced to a two-year prison term, suspended, and told to pay more than $1,000 in damages to the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. He’d pleaded guilty to fraudulent practices and tampering with records.
Court documents say Brown was a caregiver for his father who
documented his services in order to be reimbursed by Medicaid. The documents say that, between Oct. 22, 2016, and Sept. 19, 2017, Brown submitted records that falsely claimed he performed certain duties for his father.
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School Official Disciplined After “Blackface”
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa school district criticized for discriminating against minorities is investigating reports that a teacher wore blackface at a public Halloween party.
The Quad-City Times reports that Walcott Elementary teacher Megan Luloff wore makeup to appear to be African-American at the party Friday night at the Walcott American Legion.
Luloff hasn’t returned messages left Thursday by The Associated
Press.
Davenport School District Superintendent Art Tate says “blackface is never appropriate in any circumstance by any person.”
The district is under state supervision because a disproportionate
number of minority students have been identified for special education and subject to disciplinary actions.
Betty C. Andrews with the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP Conference of Branches says the report “is very disconcerting.”
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Iowa Has A Million Dollar Winner From Lottery
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Lottery officials say someone who bought a Mega Millions ticket in Davenport won a $1 million prize.
The ticket was bought at a Hy-Vee gas outlet. It matched the first five numbers drawn Tuesday night but missed on the Mega Ball number. Another ticket bought in South Carolina matched all the numbers, winning the $1.537 billion jackpot.
The $1 million prize must be claimed at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive. The winner has yet to come forward.
