City Public Works Department Announces Street Closure
(Le Mars) — City public works officials have announced they have closed 1st Street southeast at the intersection of 1st Street southeast and 14th Avenue southeast. Crews are working on the storm sewer intakes. City officials estimate the street will be closed for a week with weather permitting.
Gehlen Catholic And Le Mars Community To Hold Graduation Ceremonies Outdoors
(Le Mars) — Both Gehlen Catholic and Le Mars Community are hoping the weather will cooperate as both schools plan to hold senior graduation ceremonies outdoors on Sunday, June 14th. Gehlen Catholic’s Development Director Amy Jungers says Gehlen will hold its graduation ceremony at the Riverview ballpark complex.
Jungers says people will need to bring their own chairs to the ceremony.
Le Mars Community will hold its graduation ceremonies later that Sunday afternoon beginning at 3:00 p.m. from the new stadium facilities. Dr. Steve Webner, the school’s superintendent tells us of the specific details and restrictions.
Webner says following the graduation ceremonies, the school is asking everyone not to congregate, but rather to leave the premises.
Webner says even though the graduation ceremonies will be held outdoors, they ask everyone to consider wearing a mask or other face covering. Webner says he is excited to be able to hold a graduation ceremony.
Le Mars Community Senior Wins State-Wide Scholarship From Soil and Water Conservation Districts
(Le Mars) — A Le Mars Community Senior has won a $3,000 scholarship through the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Services. Choloe Calhoun submitted her application for consideration. She was initially selected to represent Region 1 of the Conservation Districts of Iowa, but then went on to the state competition. John Whitaker, CDI Executive Director announced that Chloe was chosen from all the state of Iowa applicants. Chloe will receive $3,000.00 for her 1st Place honor.
Chloe was active with the Student Council, Cross country, track, band, individual speech, large group speech, symphony, honor roll, Thespians, Spanish Club, Calculus Club, English Club, National Honor Society, and tutoring.
Chloe is active with 4-H County Council, Grant Clover Clovers 4-H Club serving most officer positions, 4-H Royalty, YMCA swim team, Le Mars Sesquicentennial Queen, Bible school teacher, and working at the Well’s Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor.
Chloe has chosen to major in food science. One of her goals is to work in the area of research and develop of new foods or meat, with the intention to explore areas of food safety, food quality, product development and meat science. Another goal is to work in a company to provide input to policies that align with sustainable food practices, such as animal well-being or soil conservation.
Chloe quoted the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, for the definition of conservation, “to plan management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect such as water or wildlife”. Without available water and fertile soil, crops cannot grow to provide food for humans and livestock.
Chloe has family that farms and have provided examples of dams to stop water runoff and provide drinking water for livestock and prevention pasture erosion, and planting filed windbreaks to help with wind erosion.
Iowa Legislature Reconvenes Wednesday Following COVID Break
(Des Moines, IA) — The 2020 Iowa legislature is back in session today (Wednesday) after an 11 week suspension due to COVID-19 concerns. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says the whole world has changed in the last several months and our people are adapting very well. The primary activity for lawmakers will be reworking next year’s state budget plan to account for the predicted pandemic-related slump of 360-million dollars in state tax revenue. Whitver says G-O-P legislators are also discussing the idea of granting new liability protection against COVID-related lawsuits. Senators are scheduled to debate more than a dozen other policy proposals this
afternoon. A bill that would change the state’s medical marijuana program is on the list.
Greenfield Wins Democratic US Senate Nomination to Face Ernst
(West Des Moines, IA) — Theresa Greenfield of West Des Moines won the Democratic Party’s nomination for the U-S Senate and will challenge Republican Senator Joni Ernst’s bid for a second term. Greenfield said, “there’s no doubt this will be a tough fight, but that’s never stopped me before, and it’s going to take all of us working together to build a strong grassroots team.” Greenfield addressed supporters with a Facebook live
speech, promising to be a “new voice” as the country grapples with consequential challenges. Ernst released a video message to her supporters, saying “We are going to drive on to the General Election. We are going to turn Iowa red, no doubt about it.” Greenfield’s closest challenger was Michael Franken of Sioux City. Attorney Kimberly Graham Indianola placed third in her first run for elected office, and Des Moines businessman Eddie
Mauro finished fourth.
Iowa State Athletic Department Employee Tests Positive For COVID
(Ames, IA) — The Iowa State Athletics Department is reporting its first positive COVID-19 test result. A part-time student worker notified the department over the weekend of a positive result and the athletics department staff member that worked closely with the student worker has been quarantined. I-S-U says contact tracing procedures related to the incident are also underway. Four student-athletes have experienced symptoms after being in close contact with individuals outside of the athletics department who have been infected by the virus. Those student-athletes are also in quarantine and are awaiting test results. Athletic director Jamie Pollard said the positive results were not unexpected and he is confident that the
medical professionals will skillfully address the situation.
Judge Finds Fort Dodge Man Competent to Stand Trial in Pastor Murder
(Fort Dodge, IA) — The Fort Dodge man charged with killing a pastor last October is now competent to stand trial. Thirty-six-year-old Joshua Pendleton is facing first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the fatal beating of Reverend Allen Henderson of the St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Pendleton was initially found incompetent in February. In late May, a psychiatrist at the Iowa Medical Classification Center in Coralville found Pendleton “has been restored to competency,” according to court documents.
