Two Le Mars Community FFA Members Earn American Degrees
(Indiapolis, IN) — The National FFA Convention concluded last week with the awarding of the American Degree to more than 4,000 recipients. The American Degree is the highest honor bestowed on FFA members, and two of those recipients are members of the Le Mars Community FFA program. Jacob Holck
and Keaton Koerselman both crossed the stage and were honored. To qualify for the American Degree, you must first have won a State Degree, and also complete several Supervised Agriculture Experience. Jacob Holck says he focused on the history of the Le Mars FFA chapter when they celebrated their
75th anniversary.
For Koerselman, it was farming a six-acre plot, and the restoration of tractors.
Both Holck and Koerselman agree they devoted a lot of time and work into their projects in order to be awarded the American Degree, and they say they probably would not have achieved the honor if not for the support of their parents and FFA advisers. Both Koerselman and Holck have attended previous national FFA conventions, but they say it is impressive each time they
visit.
Both members have graduated from Le Mars Community and now are attending college. Holck is at Morningside College at Sioux City, and Koerselman is at Brookings, South Dakota, attending the South Dakota State University.
They speak of their future career plans.
Both Koerselman and Holck have been active with both FFA and with the 4-H organization. They say their participation in both organizations have helped them with their career goals, making new friends, and establishing important contacts.
The former Le Mars Community students say they have learned from speaking with company representatives the importance of listing their FFA experience on resumes.
Holck says he is in agreement with his fellow FFA member, and says the people he has met through FFA have become a big family.
With having been awarded the American Degree, both Koerselman and Holck have now completed their membership in FFA. Former Le Mars Community FFA advisor Brett Oetken, and current FFA advisor Danielle James joined Koerselman and Holck at the National FFA convention. During the history of the Le Mars FFA program, only 14 Le Mars Community FFA members have earned the American Degree. Our congratulations go to both Jacob Holck and Keaton Koerselman for obtaining an American Degree in FFA.
Total Motors Announces Winner Of Pickup Truck From Grand Opening Drawing
(Le Mars) — Total Motors of Le Mars brings their Grand Opening celebration to a close as they have announced the winner of their 2018 Silverado 1500 pickup truck. Nick and Mindi Jalas of Le Mars were selected as the winners, and were notified this past Wednesday.
Jalas explains the terms of the contest.
Nick Jalas says he was a little reluctant to sign up for the drawing, for fear his name would be passed on to a tele-marketing firm.
Thousands of people registered for the grand prizes during Total Motors grand opening event. Two other major grand prizes were given away immediately following the gran opening event in early August. Those prizes included a Traeger smoker grill which was won by Adam Wendt of Le Mars, and a John Deere E140 riding lawnmower that was presented to Todd Lancaster of
Le Mars. Mitch Christoffel, Marketing Manager at Total Motors says, the employees of Total Motors are excited about the response to the auto dealership’s grand opening in their new facility. He says Total Motors “looks forward to all of their customers and employees enjoying the benefits of the new facility for years to come.”
Republicans Gather In Sioux City For Weekend Rally
(Sioux City) — Many of the top Republican candidates on Iowa’s November ballot came together for an afternoon rally in Sioux City on Sunday.
Governor Kim Reynolds brought her “Keep Iowa Moving” bus tour to the Wheelhouse bar and grill, and emphasized the progress Iowa has made in several areas over the past few years. Reynolds says that includes education, which she says the state has supported in several ways.
Reynolds was joined by Acting Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, who also accentuated the positive.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig talked about protecting the state’s water and natural resources.
Also speaking were State Senators Jim Carlin and Rick Bertrand, Auditor Mary Mosiman, State Representative Jacob Bossman and House Candidate, Bob Henderson.
Bus Transit Systems To Offer Free Rides To Voting Places
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Buses in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids will offer free rides to people headed to the polls on Election Day.
The cities issued releases saying leaders decided to offer the free
rides on Nov. 6 to give as many voters access to the polls as possible.
Rides will be free on the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Transits all
day, with no proof of voter registration or destination required.
Polls are open in the state from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Buses in Cedar
Rapids stop running at 6:15 p.m., and at least one precinct – at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area – in Iowa City is not on the city’s bus route.
Residents are encouraged to find their polling place online before
Election Day.
Conservation Groups Work Together To Turn 506 Acres Into Public Area
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Two Iowa conservation groups are working together to turn a 506-acre site into a natural area that will be transferred to the state to manage and allow for public use.
The Daily Nonpareil reports that the Iowa Natural Heritage
Foundation and The Nature Conservancy in Iowa purchased the Green Hill Ranch just south of Council Bluffs in 2017.
The groups have raised about two-thirds of the $3 million needed to fund the project through grant funding and private donations.
Ownership and management of the site will be transferred to the
state Department of Natural Resources once fundraising is complete.
Joe McGovern is president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
He says the area will serve as a haven for birdwatchers, hunters and hikers.
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Sioux City Man Is Stabbed To Death
(Sioux City) — A man from Somalia is in custody and charged with first degree murder for a fatal stabbing in Sioux City early Sunday morning.
Police arrested 38-year old Elmi Abdinasir Said after being called to the Phoenix Apartments in the 1000 Block of Pierce Street at around 3:00 a.m. A male victim who had been stabbed was found in a 4th floor apartment. The name of the victim has not yet been released. Said is being held in the Woodbury County Jail.
Des Moines Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Killing Wife
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines man convicted last month of first- degree murder and burglary in the shooting death of his estranged wife has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The Des Moines Register reports that 51-year-old Harold Dudley was sentenced Friday for the June 2017 death of 36-year-old Mary Dudley, of Des Moines.
Police had said officers were called to Mary Dudley’s apartment
building for reports of a shooting and found her dead at the scene. Harold Dudley admitted shooting her, but claimed the killing arose from a sudden quarrel and that he should be convicted of second-degree murder.
However, prosecutors showed videos that captured him peering around a corner at his wife’s apartment holding a handgun before he kicked in her door and fired six times.
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