Le Mars Historical Preservation Commission Unveils Sesquicentennial Quilt
(Le Mars) — During Wednesday morning’s Chamber Coffee at Northwest Bank, the Le Mars Historical Preservation Commission unveiled the Sesquicentennial Quilt. Linda Mayrose, who serves as the historical preservation commission’s chair explains why a quilt was created to showcase the Le Mars Sesquicentennial.
Mayrose says all the material used for the quilt was donated by Greg and Pam Wells, while Geri Dreckman devoted more than 300 hours to make the quilt.
She says the quilt will be sold as a fundraiser for off-setting expenses associated with the Sesquicentennial celebration.
Dreckman is known to have created several memorable quilts that have been on display at past Plymouth County Fairs. She talks about what was needed to create the Sesquicentennial Quilt.
The quilt also showcases several old photos of Le Mars from several years gone by that outline the border of the quilt. Dreckman says “Get Branded 360” was able to print the photos on to white fabric. She then sewed them to the quilt and explains which buildings are featured on the 150th anniversary quilt.
Dreckman says a black background was used on the quilt in order for it to stand out.
After spending over 300 hours creating the Sesquicentennial quilt, Dreckman was asked if she still plans to create another quilt for competition and display at the Plymouth County Fair?
During the chamber coffee the historical preservation commission presented an award to Curt and Priscella Strathman who are caretakers of Foster Park.
Mayrose says Foster Park holds a special meaning to the city of Le Mars. The park is more than 100 years old, and is presently, and has been home to the Municipal band concerts held in the summer.
Although a specific schedule has not yet been decided, the historical preservation commission hopes to feature the Sesquicentennial quilt at various locations throughout Le Mars. Members of the Youth On Main Street offered a summary of their plans to hold a scavenger hunt during the Plymouth County Fair.
Becky Klohs and Rich Ziettlow serve as the coordinators for the Youth On Main Street organization.
“Then Feed Just One” Food Packaging Event Produces More Than 200,000 Meals
(Le Mars) — The Gehlen Catholic “Then Feed Just One” food packaging event which was held Tuesday evening and all day on Wednesday, was able to assemble 210,600 meals during the two-day event. There were four shifts, each consisting of one and a half hours. Lisa Niebuhr, Director of Development
with Gehlen Catholic says after the meal packaging event held this week, Gehlen Catholic along with Spalding Catholic have been able to package a total of 3,726,743 million meals destined for Honduras over the course of the 14 year existence.
(photos contributed.)
Fire Department Releases April Statistics
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department has released the statistics for the month of April. The local fire and rescue department responded to a total of 46 calls. There were 16 fire calls, five rescues, and 15 investigations or accident clean-ups. The fire department responded to three mutual aid calls, one with Oyens, one with Merrill, and the third
was with Orange City. The fire department had seven requests for services.
King Testifies Before House Transportation And Infrastructure Committee
(Washington) — Iowa 4th District Republican Congressman, Steve King appeared before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to request funding for various infrastructure projects. King advocated for the federal government to finish the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System that serves portions of northwest Iowa, as well as southwestern Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota.
King also spoke about the need to update the locks and dams system located on the Mississippi River.
King pointed out during his testimony the need to update the levee system to avert any additional flooding that has occurred on the Missouri River.
The Iowa Congressman also advocated an update for utilities and roads, highways, and bridges.
Man To Pay Fine For Punching Casino Slot Machine
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man who punched a casino slot machine in Sioux City has been told to pay a $625 fine and to cover the damage he caused.
The Sioux City Journal reports that 52-year-old Tommy Goldberg
pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal mischief. A judge sentenced Goldberg to six days in jail but credited him with six days already served. The judge also ordered him to pay $1,050 to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Authorities say a security supervisor reviewing surveillance video
saw Goldberg playing the machine on Jan. 7 and pressing a button on the touchscreen several times. The video showed Goldberg becoming frustrated and
punching the screen.
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Communities Downstream Of Davenport Prepare For Flooding
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – A day after floodwaters broke through a temporary barrier in downtown Davenport, Iowa, cities downstream along the Mississippi
river that have remained largely dry are preparing for a flood threat that could stretch into the summer.
The river is expected to reach rare heights in Missouri, including at the cities of St. Louis, Louisiana and Clarksville, and officials are scrambling to get ahead of the worst of it.
The Memorial Bridge connecting Quincy, Illinois, and West Quincy, Missouri, closed Wednesday, and the Champ Clark Bridge at Louisiana could also be forced to close if the water gets too high. Several roads along the river have already closed on both sides of the Mississippi.
Hannibal, Missouri has a levee that protects the boyhood home of Mark Twain and historic 19th century downtown buildings. But with heavy rain expected in the coming days, town leaders are taking no chances. Emergency Management Director John Hark said the town plans to add 2 feet of additional height, probably using sandbags, on top of the levee.
Governor Reynolds Signs Childrens Mental Health Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill that creates a system for children needing help with mental health issues.
Speaking at a ceremony Wednesday, Reynolds said the new law requires core services for children, regional crisis stabilization, mobile response teams, 24-hour hotline access to services, and $1.2 million for home and community-based children’s mental health services. The goal is to eliminate the waiting list that currently exists.
The bill was one of Reynolds’ top priorities and while it passed with bipartisan votes, lawmakers did not provide the full funding she requested.
Reynolds says her commitment is to develop long-term funding for mental health services to propose next year.
Standing in front of supporters and a family who lost a child to
suicide, Reynolds said the new system is life-changing and replaces a stigma associated with mental illness with hope.
Grassley Urges President Trump To Lift Trade Tariffs In Order For New Trade Agreement To Pass
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley says Congress won’t consider a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada until President Donald Trump lifts tariffs that have prompted other countries to take actions that have
hurt U.S. farmers.
Speaking Wednesday on a call with reporters, Grassley said Trump must end steel and aluminum tariffs before Congress will ratify a United States- Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Farmers in Iowa and across the country have been hurt by reciprocal tariffs placed on agricultural products, including pork and soybeans.
Grassley says tariffs also could hinder efforts at a trade deal with
China.
Grassley, who expects to meet Thursday with Trump to discuss trade, says tariffs are “keeping the president from being on the cusp of a big win”
with Canada and Mexico and just weeks away from a victory in trade negotiations with China.
Jury Acquits Political Campaign Worker
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa jury has acquitted a black political campaign worker who was arrested after refusing to identify himself to police in a Des Moines suburb.
Keilon Hill was canvassing in West Des Moines for a Republican
political action committee in support of congressman David Young last October when two officers tried to stop and talk to him. Police say a resident had called 911 to report a suspicious person.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resident says he believes his skin color played a role.
Hill was found not guilty Tuesday of misdemeanor harassment of a public official or employee.
The West Des Moines police department has declined to comment on the verdict.
Young lost his bid for a third term to Democrat Cindy Axne.
