(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council approved the third reading of the new
fireworks ordinance which will allow fireworks to be discharged only on the
dates between July 3rd and July 5th, and again between December 31st and
January 2nd. During those days, fireworks can be discharged between 9:00
a.m. and 11:00 p.m. with the exception of New Year’s Eve, December 31st when
fireworks will be allowed to be discharged up to 12:30 a.m.
The city council also approved a new contract for five years with Van’s
Sanitation. The council granted a dollar increase per residential customer
per month along with two cost of living increases during the term.
The city council gave its approval for city officials to submit a federal
grant application for funds to be directed for stage one of the Plywood
Recreational Trail which would extend from Le Mars to Merrill. The city
previously applied for the federal grant a year ago, but was turned down. A
state grant was also submitted in June, which was also denied.
(Le Mars) — During today’s city council meeting, more discussion focused on
a replacement park facilities for the area that used to feature the
Cleveland Castle Park. Community members were wanting to inform the council
members that they should consider an “accessible park” as opposed to an
“inclusive park.” It was explained to council members than an “inclusive
park” would only meet the minimum requirements for the Americans With
Disabilities Act, where as an “accessible park” would go beyond the minimum
standards and be specially equipped for all handicapped individuals.
Council member Clark Goodchild informed the community members that the city
will not “skimp” when it comes to constructing the new park facilities.
Community members made reference to Sioux City’s “Miracle Park” that is
equipped for all types of handicapped features.
(Le Mars) — The City of Le Mars has hired a contractor to start Oct. 1st –
2019 on tearing out the existing asphalt in the turn lane and the West bound
lane on 12th St. S.W. going West to Lincoln St. S.W. and replacing it with
concrete. This will be done in three phases with each phase taking about two
weeks to complete… weather permitting. The street will be closed to all
traffic during each phase. The repair work on 12th Street southwest
stretches from approximately Midstates Bank, past the USDA offices, and Dean
Foods,
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community School District honored one of its faculty
members with the “Employee of the Month” during an award presentation made
this afternoon. High School Science teacher, Tami Dunn was given the plaque
naming her the school district’s “Employee of the Month.” Dunn has been a
part of the Le Mars Community School District for 19 years. In the
nomination that was submitted by Tracy Wingert, he says of Dunn: “Mrs Dunn
could be considered an institution at Le Mars Community High School. She
teaches freshman science so almost every student in the high school has been
fortunate enough to have her as a teacher. Freshman year can be an
uncomfortable and nervous time for students as they move from middle school
to high school. Mrs. Dunn goes out of her way to make her new students feel
comfortable in her room. Of course she will also sprinkle her own sense of
humor throughout the day. Science may not be every student’s favorite
subject, but for many students, Mrs. Dunn is their favorite teacher.
Professionally she does something that is very hard for a teacher to
do…she regularly goes out of her teaching comfort zone. Whether it’s
trying a new lab she has never tried before, using technology in her
classroom in a way that is new to her or her students, or maybe its an
activity that she has never used before – Mrs. Dunn is never satisfied with
“what she did last year.” She continually strives to make her class better.
In the spring, Mrs. Dunn coaches our girls track team, but she is more than
just a coach to those girls. She takes them into her heart. When they
achieve their personal bests…her heart bursts with the pride of a parent.
When they fail…her heart aches with the pain only a parent can know.
Those girls are all special to her and she to them. Congratulations go to
Tami Dunn for being named the Le Mars Community School District’s “Employee
of the Month.”
(Washington) — Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is responding to a newly-
published allegation against the man confirmed a year ago for a seat on the
U.S. Supreme Court, saying there was an “incredibly thorough” investigation
of Brett Kavanaugh’s personal and professional life.
Grassley was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee last fall and led
the confirmation process for Kavanaugh. The New York Times this weekend
published a new allegation against Kavanaugh from a man who attended Yale at
the same time as Kavanaugh. Grassley says the newspaper has now reported the
woman who was allegedly the target of Kavanaugh’s advances does not remember
the incident.
This weekend, six Democrats who’re running for president called for
Kavanaugh to be impeached. Grassley says that’s “ridiculous.”
Grassley says New York Times editors should engage in “serious self-
reflection” about their decision to run the article.
Grassley says he welcomes scrutiny of his work and considers journalists to
have a valuable role as the “police” of our democratic system.” Some
Democrats like Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala (COMMA-
luh) Harris have called for an independent review of the way Senate
Republicans and the F-B-I handled allegations about Kavanaugh during the
confirmation process last year.
