Gehlen Catholic Marching Band Tours Texas
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic Marching Band of Le Mars was in Texas this past week participating at the Alamo Bowl. Photos of the students’ trip can be seen on the KLEM website. Lisa Niebuhr, Gehlen’s Director of Development, is accompanying the band. She says the student’s were impressed with
playing during the halftime festivities in front of more than 65,000 people inside the Alamodome. Niebuhr says the students had the opportunity to meet with members of the Iowa State University Marching Band, and have gotten to know students from other high school bands from across the nation.
Niebuhr says the Gehlen students performed admirably during the Alamo Bowl halftime performance, as well as with the contest, taking home top honors in their division.
Niebuhr says the Gehlen Catholic Marching Band have had the opportunity to tour the San Antonio area, and visit many of the sites.
The Gehlen Catholic Marching Band visited the Alamo, Sea World, Six Flags Over Texas, along with some natural caverns. The Gehlen Marching Band is scheduled to arrive back home Tuesday evening at around 9:00 p.m.
Jay King Retires From Law Enforcement
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Assistant Chief Jay King took off his badge on Monday as the longtime police officer has retired from duty. King’s last day was December 31st. A retirement reception was held in his honor at the new police headquarters Monday afternoon. King was in law enforcement for more than 40 years, ten years with the Remsen Police Department, and the
final 30 years with the Le Mars Police Department. King was particularly known with students from Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic as he coordinated the student focused drug awareness program entitled D.A.R.E. for 22 years. He says working with the students will be one of the aspects of
the job he will remember the longest.
King says he still communicates with many present and past students from the D.A.R.E. program.
King says during his law enforcement career he feels fortunate there were very few cold cases that were never solved.
King says technology in the manner of solving crimes is what changed the most during his forty years of law enforcement.
The Le Mars Assistant Police Chief says during his retirement, he will spend time in his wood shop, and do the many projects his wife wants him to accomplish.
Le Mars Community Theater To Celebrate Its 50 Years
(Le Mars)– The Le Mars Community Theatre has been a mainstay here since the fall of 1968, which means their upcoming 2019 season marks the 50th Anniversary for this dynamic group. Danna Schuster, 18 year member of the
board of directors and current president, says LCT is excited to be honoring the passion this volunteer based organization was built on.
Back in 1968 what is now known as LCT grew out of a theater class taught at Westmar College. Jim Fletcher, Mary Sturgess, Bill Sturgess, Denny Stelpflug, Marge Rosebury, Jack McDougal, Mary Ann Drennin and Bonnie Dull all stepped up as founding board members at that time. Bonnie, who passed away in 2016, dedicated lots of time at the theater throughout her life,
making an impression on everyone she came in contact with, including Schuster.
Donna Hentges was a long time member of the theatre’s board as well, probably serving the most years behind the scenes, but was not a founding member. She passed just last year.
All of these people, and then some, will be honored throughout the Le Mars Community Theater 50th Anniversary Season and especially at the Chamber After Five being held at the Postal Playhouse January 23rd.
Schuster said the group would also love to have people share photos of theater participants from the past on facebook and at the “After Five” as well.
So, what shows can be enjoyed during this celebratory season at the Postal Playhouse? The season kicks off in March with “An Inspector Calls,” by J.B. Priestly; “Our Town,” by Thorton Wilder in June; “Rumors,” by Neil Simon in August and wraps up with a November show called “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” a musical by Robert L. Freedman.
The Le Mars Community Theater at the Postal Playhouse is also celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary Season with a new logo design, and vivid new mural, which can be seen on the west side of the Postal Playhouse.
Grandmother’s Slaying Trial
MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) – A February trial has been scheduled for a 19-year-old Muscatine man accused of stabbing to death his grandmother.
Muscatine County court documents say Darian Lensgraf pleaded not guilty Friday to first-degree murder. He’s accused of killing 66-year-old Diana Lensgraf at her home early on Dec. 12.
Authorities say police found the young man at a convenience store after the store clerk called to report a man holding a bloody knife in the store.
Darian Lensgraf’s trial is set to begin Feb. 11.
Couple Appeals Charges Of Locking Son In Basement
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) – A southeast Iowa couple convicted of locking their adopted 7-year-old son in their basement at night have filed appeals.
Des Moines County court records say the attorney for 44-year-old Heidi Fiems, of Mediapolis, filed the appeal notice after her sentencing Friday. A jury found the woman and her husband, 45-year-old Justin Fiems, guilty in October of misdemeanor child endangerment. He filed his appeal after his sentencing Nov. 30.
Both were sentenced to 180 days in jail but must serve only 60 days.
Each was fined $625 and given two years of probation.
The Hawk Eye reports that Heidi Fiems was tearful Friday as she
described the “wrong choice” she and her husband made. At trial Fiems said she told investigators the couple moved their son to the basement from his upstairs bedroom because he was urinating on the carpet and in his bed.
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Clinton Resident Hospitalized After Fire
CLINTON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say one person was hospitalized after a fire in the basement of home in the eastern Iowa city of Clinton.
Firetrucks were dispatched around 6:10 a.m. Sunday to the one-story house. The two residents were outside by the time the fire units arrived, but firefighters rescued two dogs from inside, giving one of them oxygen to help it recover.
The fire cause is being investigated. The name of the injured person was not released.
Des Moines Movie Theater Closes
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines’ last single-screen movie theater has closed after 80 years.
The Des Moines Register reports that the Varsity Theater was packed during its final screening on Sunday, more than eight decades after the theater opened on Christmas Day in 1938.
Theater owner Denise Mahon says the turnout touched her heart. She’d announced the closure in November, citing plans to undergo knee replacement surgery.
Mahon took over running the theater after her father died in 2009. She decided to play one of her father’s favorite films, “Cinema Paradiso,” for the theater’s final showings.
Theatergoers say the Varsity Theater was known for playing movies that were more unconventional, such as independent and foreign films.
Mahon says she’s taking her time finding new owners who will carry on the theater’s legacy.
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