Le Mars Community Will Hold Live Graduation Ceremonies At New Stadium Facilities
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community Schools is pleased to announce that the 2020 Le Mars Community High School Commencement exercises will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2020, 3 PM, as a large group ceremony, at the Le Mars
Community Stadium.
In order to provide a safe ceremony for students, the following will take place:
1. Each graduate will be provided 2 tickets for attendees into the ceremony. No additional attendees will be permitted.
2. If attendees are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been around someone that has been tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, they are asked to remain at home. Symptoms include fever over 100.3, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, headache or muscle ache, and/or runny nose. In short, please be
looking for allergy-type symptoms.
3. Even though this event is outdoors, attendees are asked to consider wearing face masks, if possible.
4. Spectators must sit in the bleachers on marked spots.
5. Everyone is asked to social distance at least 6 feet from other family units.
6. Once the ceremony has ended, all spectators and graduates must leave the stadium immediately.
7. Should weather disrupt this event, the district will enact a personal commencement in which students will be able to pick up their diploma, along with immediate family, at a specific time and place, all while wearing their cap and gown.
School Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner says, “We appreciate the assistance provided by the Plymouth County Public Health Department to help us create a safe event and we look forward to honoring the Class of 2020.”
High School Principal Dr. Mark Iverson will be sending further guidance to families of graduating seniors.
City Council To Convene For Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council is scheduled to hold its regular meeting today from the city council chambers.
Although, the city council is resuming its meetings at the council chambers, the suggestion by city administration officials is unless you have specific business to be conducted at the council meeting, they suggest you observe the council meetings by viewing the proceedings on Premier Communications cable
channel 12. You are also able to call in to a conference phone call. The city council will begin the meeting with a public hearing regarding the 2020 Industrial Park Grading Project. Among the consent items, the council will consider renewing a contract with Premier Communications to continue to provide the city offices with internet connection. The city council is expected to approve a new two-year contract with UltraFlight, LLC as the management for the Le Mars Municipal Airport. As for
action items, the city council will decide whether to offer financial tax break incentives to Galles Enterprises. Galles Enterprises is building two 12-unit apartment complexes and 15 single stall garage. The council will consider approving an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for funding through the Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Program. This
represents a pass-through grant and the estimated tax exemption amount of $331,905 over the seven year period. The city council will also look at the final replat of the Le Mars Industrial Park, south addition. The replat establishes a full 80 foot right-of-way along the north line (33rd Street) and
a 60 foot right-of-way running north and south at 22nd Avenue.
Dordt University Political Science Professor Comments On Iowa 4th District Congressional Republican Contest
(Le Mars) — Tuesday is primary election day, and one of the more watched races will be the Republican race for Iowa’s Congressional 4th District to see who will represent the party for the general election going against J.D. Scholten. Jeff Taylor serves as the department head for Dordt University’s Political Science Department. He offered his commentary to KLEM news. Although there are five separate candidates seeking the nomination, Taylor observes that the race is essentially between incumbent Steve King and challenger State Senator Randy Feenstra of Hull. The northwest Iowa counties consisting of Lyon, O’Brien, Sioux, and Plymouth Counties are perhaps the most red counties, or most heavily dominated by the republican party. Taylor was asked if the solid conservative base which is considered “home territory” for Randy Feenstra would go for the “home boy”, or if the conservative base would remain loyal to Steve King?
The winning candidate must secure at least 35 percent of the vote, otherwise the decision will be left to the voting delegates at the Republican state convention. Taylor believes there will be a clear winner following today’s primary race.
Taylor says voters will factor several considerations when they enter the polling place to decide their republican nominee for the general election.
Polls will remain open until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday evening.
State Legislature To Return To Work On Wednesday
(Le Mars) — Iowa lawmakers are scheduled to return to work on Wednesday.
First and foremost, legislatures will be reviewing the figures as provided by the Revenue Estimation Conference as to how much money was spent by the state on its efforts to combat the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars serves the state’s House 5th District which encompasses most of Plymouth County and the northern tier of Woodbury County. Jeneary says state legislators will have a narrow focus.
Jeneary says with the expansion of the broadband internet connection throughout the state, it is an important issue that needs to be addressed, and is critical for the entire state.
The Revenue Estimation Conference met last week and gave its projections Governor Reynolds and to legislative leaders. When Governor Reynolds addressed the topic during Tuesday’s daily news conference, she didn’t believe the state had been economically hurt as bad as previously thought.
Reynolds says the legislature will need to be conservative with the state’s spending when finalizing the fiscal year’s state budget.
Governor Reynolds recognizes one of her priorities at the start of the legislative session will no longer be considered.
Jeneary believes the legislature will only be back in Des Moines for a few days, possibly completing its business by the weekend.
Governor Reynolds: Anti-Racial Profiling Bill a 2021 Priority
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowans are united in grief and anger over the death of a black man on a Minneapolis street and she’s promising to seek systemic change, including steps to address racial profiling. Iowa-Nebraska N-double-A-C-P president Betty Andrews said this is a perfect time to peacefully protest — but the goal needs to be new policy.
Andrews said, “we need to address this legacy that started with America’s greatest sin: racism, slavery and all of its babies that have come since.”
The governor told reporters she’ll be working with Andrews and others to develop a final, anti-racial profiling plan to present to the 2021 legislature. Governor Reynolds said peaceful protesters have a right to take a stand against injustice and she will not tolerate the “lawless rioters” who are trying to hijack that message.
Iowa Capitol Protests Mostly Peaceful Monday Night
(Des Moines, IA ) — A fourth night of protests over the Minneapolis police custody death of George Floyd at the Iowa State Capitol was mostly peaceful.
Organizers called the gathering a ‘call to action,’ not a protest. Police did have to use tear gas to force a group to leave the grounds late Monday night. Reverend Ben Bell, Junior of the group “Dad’s with a Purpose” told those at the rally to push for stronger policies against police violence. A Des Moines Register reporter said she was pepper sprayed by police. Des Moines officers say more than 50 arrests were made.
Body of Missing Western Iowa Man Pulled From Missouri River in Nebraska
(Plattsmouth, NE) — Authorities in Cass County, Nebraska says a body pulled from the Missouri River is a missing Council Bluffs man. Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters discovered the remains caught in some fallen trees on the west side of the river around 9 Monday night. The body was identified as 28-year-old Steven Sears. He was involved in a boating accident May 7th
near Honey Creek. Pottawattamie County are still investigating the case.
Storm Lake Man Accused of Forcing Minor to Inhale Substance Before Sexual Assault
(Storm Lake, IA) — A Storm Lake man is jailed for the alleged sexual assault of a juvenile girl from January through April. Police say 35-year-old Mario Delapaz forced the minor to sniff a harmful substance before assaulting her. Delapaz is facing eight charges including lascivious acts with a minor, third-degree sexual abuse and incest. Authorities first received reports about the assaults on May 12th.
