Day Two Schedule Of Events For Ice Cream Days And Sesquicentennial Celebration
(Le Mars) — We are on day two of Ice Cream Days and the Le Mars Sesquicentennial celebration. Teresa Petty, a member of the Ice Cream Days committee, and Jessica Brownmiller, a co-chair of the Sesquicentennial committee reviews the schedule and the highlights for today’s events.
Be sure to check the schedule listed on the KLEM website, or the Fairs and Festivals booklet, or the Ice Cream Days/Sesquicentennial brochure found
around town for a complete schedule of daily events.
Sesquicentennial Time Capsule Buried At Foster Park
(Le Mars) — Last evening at Foster Park, prior to the Municipal Band playing musical selections, the Sesquicentennial time capsule was buried next to two other time capsules from the Centennial and the Quasquicentennial celebrations. Rich Ziettlow is a co-chair of the Sesquicentennial Committee and served as the evening’s emcee. Ziettlow tells of some of the items that
were buried inside the 2019 time capsule.
Ziettlow says several pieces of original art from local artists were also submitted inside the time capsule. The Sesquicentennial co-chair says this time capsule was set next to two other time capsules.
Ziettlow says he wishes the people living in Le Mars during the first 50 years would have thought about assembling a time capsule. He says it would have been interesting to see what Le Mars was like during the initial golden anniversary of the community. However, no such time capsule exists.
Noteables To Perform During Primebank Ice Cream Social
(Le Mars) — A group of twenty Le Mars Community alumni musicians from the class of 1960 to 1982 have come together once again to perform some big band and jazz selections. Known as the “Noteables” the musical group is scheduled to perform during the Primebank Ice Cream Social this evening. Under the
direction of Joe Brice, a former band instructor with Le Mars Community High School, Brice discusses the history of the group.
The Noteables used to perform at proms, school dances, ballgames, and other functions while they were attending high school. Brice says the group participated in several Jazz festivals and performed well enough to bring home trophies. According to Brice, he believes the assembled band may sound better today than they did when attending Le Mars Community High School.
Jerry Zinn of the Iowa City area is the oldest member of the Noteables having graduated in the early 1960’s. He says it is a thrill for him to be back in Le Mars and playing with the Noteables. Zinn says many of the band members are loyal to Director, Joe Brice.
The saxophone player says he still enjoys playing his instrument, and says it is surprising how well the band sounds, given the fact, they had only a couple of rehearsals.
Brice summarizes his feelings about having the Noteables back together.
The Noteables will perform during the Primebank ice cream social beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Total Motors and American Bank To Host Outdoor Movie
(Le Mars) — To cap off Thursday evening, people will want to go to Total Motors located on Business Highway 75 south for an old fashion drive-in movie. Incidentally, the site of Total Motors was the location of the former “Mars Under The Stars” drive-in movie theater. Mitch Christoffel of Total Motors says this is the second year the auto dealership has teamed up with American Bank of Le Mars to showcase an outdoor movie.
Christoffel suggests people to come early to select the perfect spot to view the movie.
Ice cream treats and other refreshments will be served during the outdoor movie held at Total Motors.
(photos from 2018 Ice Cream Days event.)
Local Artist Creates Another Sculpture
(Le Mars) –The man who created the flying eagle sculpture which hangs above Westmar Park and the Plymouth County Veterans Park has now finished another
sculpture consisting of a large butterfly and sunflowers. Terry Utesch of Le Mars made the metallic sculpture for the Al and Delores Maser family to be showcased at Okoboji at the Maser Butterfly Conservation Area. The butterfly
has a wing span of over six feet. Prior to the sculpture being moved to the Iowa Great Lakes, people can view the colorful sculpture at Gus Pech on Saturday, June 15th between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and again the following Saturday, June 22nd during the same times.
(photos contributed.)
Feenstra To Resign Senate Committee Chair Position
(Des Moines) — The Republican state senator who is challenging Republican Congressman Steve King’s bid for reelection is giving up a powerful legislative chairmanship to devote more time to the primary race.
Republican Randy Feenstra of Hull has been chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee since 2017. In a written statement, Feenstra cited the panel’s work since Republicans took control of the Senate three years ago — most notably the 2018 bill that cut state income taxes. Feenstra said he had “worked productively” with other Republicans in the statehouse.
Feenstra says the Senate Republican Leadership has asked that Feenstra continue his work on developing a plan to help restructure and perhaps, reduce taxes.
Attorney’s Son Arrested In Court Room
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The son of an Iowa civil rights attorney in the midst of a high profile civil trial against a former governor has been arrested in the courtroom where his mother’s trial is taking place.
Polk County Sheriff records say 50-year-old James Barton Conlin, of West Des Moines, was arrested during break in the proceedings Monday and charged with interference with official acts. He was booked into the county jail and released within an hour.
The charge is a simple misdemeanor.
Conlin told courthouse officials he was testing the air after his mother complained it was making her ill.
Roxanne Conlin blames construction in the courthouse. Court officials refused her earlier request to move the trial.
Conlin and her son didn’t respond to a message from The Associated Press but she tells The Des Moines Register she’s furious he was arrested.
She’s representing former Iowa Worker’s Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey in his discrimination lawsuit against former Gov. Terry Branstad and the state.
Oskaloosa Man To Pay Restitution Costs From Insurance Fraud
OSKALOOSA , Iowa (AP) – A southeastern Iowa woman has been sentenced to two years’ probation and ordered to pay more than $14,000 in restitution and penalties for insurance fraud.
The Iowa Insurance Division said Wednesday in a news release that 39-year-old Brandy Voss, of Oskaloosa, received the deferred judgment Friday.
Mahaska County investigators say that in February 2018, Voss made an insurance claim with her insurance company stating that she had lost valuable property. A month later, Voss sold that same property for a profit. Voss admitted to selling the same property on which she had made the insurance claim.
Bar Is Suing The City Of Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The owners of a Des Moines bar in the city’s East Village are suing the city and various officials, saying their bar has been unfairly targeted for closure.
The Des Moines Register reports that brothers George and Cornelius Qualley, owners of Lime Lounge, have filed two lawsuits. One seeks to block the city’s attempt to close the club, asking a judge to nullify Des Moines’ ordinance that requires bars to obtain a conditional-use permit to secure a liquor license.
The second lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution, defamation, libel and conspiracy and seeks $12.5 million in damages.
The Qualleys allege the bar is being targeted for playing hip hop music. The bar’s conditional-use permit was revoked in 2016 after noise violations. It remains open while it fights that revocation.
The defamation lawsuit centers on a pair of January shootings that took place near the bar. The Qualleys dispute police statements that both shootings followed disputes inside the bar.
—
Governor Reynolds Appoints Former Democratic State Legislator To Parole Board
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed a former lawmaker to fill a vacancy on the Iowa Board of Parole.
Reynolds says she’s named former Iowa House Democrat Helen Miller to chair the board beginning in July.
Miller served eight terms in the House representing the Fort Dodge area. She decided to retire last year.
A lawyer and former criminal defense attorney, Miller says she hopes to help Reynolds create a justice system that prioritizes redemption.
The chairmanship of the five-member board, a full-time salaried job, has been vacant since March 1 when Reynolds asked Jeff Wright to become the state public defender. Wright had been appointed to head the parole board in January 2018. Board terms are four years.
Miller’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation but she will begin serving on July 2.
Lottery Association Announces Winning Ticket Sold In Iowa
CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines woman has won a $300,000 scratch ticket lottery prize.
The Iowa Lottery says Patricia Inman won the sixth of 10 top prizes available in the Iowa Lottery’s “Colossal Crossword” scratch game. She bought the winning ticket at a convenience store in Des Moines and claimed her prize on Monday at lottery headquarters in Clive.
Colossal Crossword is a $30 scratch game that features overall odds of 1 in 2.29.
Since the lottery’s start in 1985, players have won more than $4.3 billion in prizes, and the lottery has raised more than $1.9 billion for a variety of state programs that help military veterans, schools, tourism and others.
