City And County Officials Meet With Iowa Homeland Security To Begin Process Of Disaster Aid Applications
(Le Mars) — City and county government officials from Plymouth and Cherokee Counties met this (Thursday) morning at the Plymouth County Law Enforcement Center in Le Mars with an Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management official to begin the process of submitting paperwork for damages sustained from the recent flooding. Leon Freeman informed the
group the necessary forms and paperwork that are needed in order to implement funding for the disaster recovery.
Is the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency prepared should the state encounter additional flooding issues, or other wide-spread disasters? Freeman says they are prepared, and he adds there has not been a cut-off date assigned to the most recent flooding concerns.
Freeman says his office has been busy with managing all the disaster proclamations for the state. He was asked if the state has enough available funds to meet all the disaster claims from the flooding, and any additional disasters that may strike the state this year?
Freeman says the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Services knows and understands it will be a long wait before all the necessary paperwork can be processed to implement disaster relief payments, and he asks people to be patient as the state agency works through the mounds of
applications.
Le Mars Middle School To Hold Carnival Friday Evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Music Boosters will hold its annual pancake fund raising supper on Friday evening at the Le Mars Community High School cafeteria. The pancake supper will feature pancakes and sausages, along with a fruit cup and beverages. Ticket prices are $6. Following the music boosters pancake supper, people will want to go next door to attend the
Le Mars Community Middle School Carnival. Steve Shanks is the principal for the Le Mars Community Middle School and talks about the 47th annual event.
Shanks says the carnival features several types of games of chance, and other fun activities.
The Middle School principal says the proceeds from the carnival go to help offset any expenses for Middle School programs and curriculum.
Admission is only a dollar, with ticket prices at twenty-five cents each.
The Middle School Carnival will go from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. inside both Middle School gymnasiums.
(photos from 2018 Middle School Carnival)
Steve King Receives Award From U-S Chamber of Commerce
(Washington) — Iowa’s 4th District Congressman, Steve King (R) received the “Spirit of Enterprise Award” from the U-S Chamber of Commerce. The president and C-E-O of the U-S Chamber of Commerce Thomas J. Donahue presented the
award to King.
During the presentation ceremony, Donahue said, “Every day
across the country, America’s business owners and job creators serve their communities and strengthen their economies. We commend those leaders in Washington who recognize the vital role these businesses play and support them through commonsense, growth-oriented policy. By advancing good
legislation, Representative Steve King is helping businesses grow and thrive, keeping our economy strong, and promoting the free enterprise system that drives opportunity and prosperity.” The U-S Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state
and local chambers and industry associations. The U-S Chamber’s decision to present Congressman King with this prestigious award was based on an analysis of King’s voting record in the 115th session of Congress.
Des Moines Diocese Releases Names Of Priests Associated With Sexual Abuse Scandal
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Diocese of Des Moines has released the names of nine priests it says are credibly accused of sexually abusing children.
The Des Moines Register reports that a diocesan committee, which included local clergy, a police chief and a judge, investigated the allegations of abuse that spanned from 1940 to 1997.
All but two of the priests named are dead, and seven had already been tied to abuse allegations — including Albert Wilwerding, John Ryan, and Richard Wagner, who were all defrocked in 2003 after allegations against them were found credible.
Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates says he shares “the anger and frustration” over recent reports of abuse by clergy, and that he hopes the release of the list Thursday will facilitate healing.
Altoona Man Gets 25 Years In Prison For Death Of Friend After Accident
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — An Altoona man has been given 25 years in prison for crashing while driving drunk, killing a friend.
Jasper County District Court records say 26-year-old Michael Roney was sentenced Tuesday in Newton. He’d been convicted March 19 on charges stemming from the Sept. 23, 2017, crash that killed 27-year-old Jeremy O’Connor, who lived in Colfax.
The records say surveillance video showed the two drinking at a Colfax bar before they left. The Iowa State Patrol says Roney’s vehicle ran off the pavement on Iowa Highway 117 south of Mingo and then rolled, ejecting O’Connor. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
