Le Mars Board of Education To Review District’s Goals During Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will open tonight’s meeting with a public hearing regarding the purchase of a transportation vehicle. The school board will hear comments about the purchasing either a Sport Utility Vehicle or an extended passenger van which can carry up to 9 to 10 passengers. The school board has established Monday, September 9th at 6:00 p.m. as the date and time, for new teacher introduction. The event will take place at the Education Service Center. School superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner will discuss with the school board a Strategic Budget Reduction Workshop to be hosted by the Iowa Association of School Boards.
The school board will select a representative to serve on the Legislative Action Network. The Le Mars Community Board of Education will take action on the resignation request by Jen Brady who wants to resign from her foodservice position effective immediately. The school board will also act
on three contracts: Katie Driggs as a high school teacher associate; Ken Hoss as a part-time custodian; and Emily Anderson as a high school teacher associate. The board will also discuss the goals for the school district as established by the school board and Superintendent Dr. Steven Webner. The
school board will also consider approval of an open enrollment request.
Highway 75 To Close Over Night For Asphalt Overlay Project
(Le Mars) — Commuters and other motorists that use Highway 75 between Hinton and Sioux City are reminded that beginning tonight at 7:00 p.m. that stretch of highway will be closed overnight for a layer of asphalt. Iowa Department of Transportation District Transportation Planner, Dakin Schultz
explains the plan.
Schultz says the highway will be closed each evening during the construction repair project.
While the overnight construction project is occurring, Schultz tells of the detours that have been established.
The Iowa D-O-T official says the condition of Highway 75 warranted the overlay asphalt repair project.
Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputy Involved With Accident
(Spencer) — A Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured in a single vehicle crash near Rock Rapids Friday morning.
Information released by the Iowa State Patrol says the deputy was northbound on County Road K-52 just south of 160th Street when his police cruiser left the roadway while entering a curve. The SUV then entered the ditch, vaulted over a driveway and rolled before coming to a rest on the driver’s side on a
gravel driveway. The deputy, who has not been identified, was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital with what are described as incapacitating injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.
Sioux County Authorities Investigate Car Running Into House
(Orange City) — Sioux County authorities are investigating an accident involving a car that struck a Hull residence. The accident happened last Wednesday, at approximately 3:22 in the morning. 18-year old Kaytana Heimark of Rock Rapids was heading westbound on 7th Street in Hull when she failed to stop for a stop sign at Linden Street, and drove over a curb,
crossed a lawn, and struck a residence at 1703 Linden Street. Heimark was transported by the Hull Ambulance to Sioux Center Health, where she was later flown by helicopter to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for further treatment of her injuries. The homeowner was inside the
residence at the time of the accident, but was not injured. The vehicle sustained about $6000 in damage. The home sustained approximately $30,000 in damage. Alcohol is believed to be a factor and the accident remains under investigation.
(photo contributed)
Car Hits Tractor And Manure Spreader
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office investigated a 2 vehicle accident south of 15202 Quest Avenue, near Remsen. At 4:05pm, Wednesday afternoon, a 2013 Dodge Durango owned and operated by Sarah Loutsch, age 40 of Remsen, rear-ended a 2010 John Deere tractor pulling a manure tank that
was owned and operated by Lee Harpenau, age 45, of Remsen. Loutsch sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Orange City Hospital. Loutsch’s Durango sustained severe damage estimated at $15,000. Harpenau’s manure tank
sustained functional damage estimated at $5,000.
Farmers And Ethanol Industry Officials Are Upset With EPA
(Des Moines) — Corn growers and ethanol industry officials are upset with the Environmental Protection Agency after it was announced on Friday the government agency has granted 31 additional waivers to oil refineries to not to include ethanol into the gasoline. Curt Mether, a farmer from Logan, Iowa, and currently the president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, says “Granting of the additional 31 refinery exemptions are ridiculous and a slap in the face to farmers. The Renewable Fuels Standard could be one of the most effective energy policies in our country’s history, but the waivers gut the policy and destroy corn demand for farmers that are faced not only with challenges from mother nature, but market destruction. It is time for
President Trump to step in and uphold his promise to farmers and to the Renewable Fuels Standard.”
Many ethanol plants across the nation are already hurting due to trade tariffs, and this action may cause several of them to shutter production, or close all together. Plymouth Energy of Merrill has suspended operations until such time the economic conditions improve for the ethanol industry.
Avila To Change Plea
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man accused of fatally punching a Sioux City resident is scheduled to enter a plea in the case.
The Sioux City Journal reports that a plea and sentencing hearing has been set Monday for 25-year-old Ray Avila. He had been scheduled to stand trial on Aug. 20.
In June, Avila pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter,
assault and flight to avoid prosecution. Avila was arrested in May in Jalisco, Mexico, where he had relatives.
Sioux City police say Avila became involved in an altercation on
July 29, 2018, between Juan Espinoza and Peter Johnson. Police say Johnson suffered a skull fracture when Avila knocked him to the pavement. Johsnon later died.
—
St. Mary’s Librarian Arrested For Stealing From School’s Funds
STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) – A northwestern Iowa school librarian and art teacher has been accused of stealing more than $2,000 from two school fundraising events.
The Sioux City Journal reports that 50-year-old Susan Slagle-Boyd, of Storm Lake, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of theft. Police say officers were called to St. Mary’s Catholic School on Thursday after school officials discovered money collected from two book fairs missing.
Police say Slagle-Boyd is accused of using $630 from a fall book
fair and $1,500 raised from a spring book fair for her personal use. The money was supposed to go to the school system for curriculum supplies.
Slagle-Boyd was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail and her bond set at $5,000.
—
