Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office Updates Information On Friday Accident
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has released additional information regarding the accident that occurred last Friday afternoon. You may recall the accident happened at about 5:25 p.m. between a feed/hay truck and a pickup. The accident occurred at the intersection of 230th Street and county road K-64, about six miles southeast of Le Mars. The driver of the
feed/hay truck was 28 year old Ryan Schroeder, of Le Mars, and Darrell Douvia, age 54 of Remsen, was driving the pickup. Douvia sustained injuries and was transported to Mercy Medical in Sioux City. The pickup sustained disabling damage and the grain truck sustained minor damage. Responding to the accident were the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Oyens Fire Department, Oyens Ambulance, Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Le Mars Ambulance and the Iowa State Patrol.
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office Make Weekend Arrests
(Le Mars) — On Sunday evening, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ross Allen Wenzel, age 20 of Hinton, Iowa for an active Story County, Iowa warrant. The warrant is for violation of probation with an original charge of possession of a controlled substance, marijuana. Wenzel was booked into the Plymouth County Jail and held on bond. Also on Sunday evening, the
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tresa Ranae Fiedler, age 19 of Le Mars for an active Plymouth County warrant. The warrant is for failing to complete a mittimus from a prior conviction. Fiedler was booked into the Plymouth County Jail and held to serve the mittimus.
Middle School Math Teacher Honored As “Employee Of The Month”
(Le Mars) — A Le Mars Community Middle School math teacher was honored Monday morning as the Le Mars Community “Employee of the Month.” Al Engebretson has taught at Le Mars Community for the past 37 years. He plans to retire at the end of this school year. Tina Gray states in her nomination of Engebretson that “Al is the teacher I often model myself after.” Al cares about kids…all kids! He works diligently to make sure his students know the math material he is teaching. He expects the best of them both academically and in their social interactions throughout the school day. His students continually perform well on both math assessments and in math contests throughout the year. I smile every time a student walks in my room talking about a “Yippee” stamp they earned for receiving a 100 percent on a math test. He gives his students a great start for high school math opportunities. His athletes are taught how to be gentlemen through his modeling and his leadership style. The man NEVER yells. Finally, he is an exceptional representation of someone who balances their teaching and
coaching responsibilities. Our congratulations go to Alan Engebretson for being named as the Le Mars Community School District’s “Employee of the Month.”
Middle School Math Teacher, Alan Engebretson is flanked by his family after being named the school district’s May “Employee of the Month.” Wife, Connie (far right) and daugher Katrina along with son, J.T. (left) were on hand for his honor.
Dordt College Changes Name To Dordt University
(Sioux Center) — As of today, May 13th, 2019, Dordt College is now officially known as Dordt University. The announcement of the name change was made a year ago. Brandon Huisman is the Vice President of Enrollment for Dordt University. He says there are three primary reasons for the name change.
(photo contributed.)
Huisman says Dordt has expanded its various graduate Master’s programs, which is another reason for changing the name from Dordt College to Dordt University.
Another reason to change the name of the higher education school, is because Huisman says international students, which make up nearly 11 percent of the school’s enrollment, relates to the word “university” better than the word “college.”
Huisman admits the name change from Dordt College to Dordt University will be expensive as signs, business cards, letter head, stationary, brochures, pamphlets, media logos, and much more will all have to be updated. He says, fortunately, the money allocated to finance the changes will not be a part of
the student’s tuition, but rather a special fund had been started to absorb most of the expenses.
Dordt University has an enrollment of around 1600 students.
Pepper Spray Used At A Davenport High School
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Davenport school officials say several students had to be treated after a school resource officer deployed pepper spray during an incident at Central High School.
Television station KWQC reports that the incident happened Friday.
The school district says there was a disturbance in the 3rd-floor hallway, and the officer responded with the use of pepper spray. Several people reported having trouble breathing and were treated by the school nurse.
Officials say windows were opened on the third floor to help air out the building.
There were no reports of serious injuries.
11 Year Old Boy Says He Has Not Been Outdoors For Several Months
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say an 11-year-old Iowa boy whose bedroom was covered in plastic sheeting told an investigator that he hadn’t been outside in several months.
His parents have been charged with kidnapping, child endangerment and neglect. Marion County court records say 49-year-old Rocky Wooldridge and 43-year-old Jennifer Wooldridge, of Knoxville, are scheduled for arraignment June 6. The records don’t list an attorney.
Rocky Wooldridge has pleaded not guilty to the child endangerment and neglect charges and to three weapons counts. His trial on the weapons counts is scheduled to begin June 24.
A criminal complaint says the Iowa Human Services Department in March reported only one blanket in the boy’s room, along with wet underwear and the plastic sheeting.
The complaint also says the boy had injuries consistent with child abuse.
Ankeny Post Office Fined For Blocking Exits
ANKENY, Iowa (AP) – Federal safety officials have proposed nearly $185,000 in penalties against the U.S. Postal Service, alleging exits were blocked at the Ankeny post office.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the office was inspected after the National Association of Letter Carriers union complained.
OSHA cited the Postal Service because exit routes had been blocked by hampers, tubs and packages. The service also was cited for failing to train employees for emergencies.
A Postal Service spokeswoman didn’t immediately return a call Monday from The Associated Press.
The service can either comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
