Le Mars Police Warn Businesses And Residents Against Scam
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department is advising local businesses and residents to be aware of another possible scam. Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte sent a notice to area businesses through the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce saying this latest scam supposedly has people contacting businesses claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office conducting an investigation into
fraudulent credit cards and counterfeit money.
Vande Vegte says the scam began with a phone call, were the caller asked for contact information on staff. Once contact information was obtained they began to text asking for detailed information about the cash on hand, again for what was said as investigation purposes. Vande Vegte says if something
seems a miss, you should hang up and notify the Le Mars Police Department.
Vande Vegte says there have also been some reported scams involving Social Security.
The Le Mars Police Chief says he is constantly notified of different scams, saying they occur quite frequently.
Vande Vegte says the scammers are becoming more sophisticated with their methods, even using what would appear to be local phone numbers.
The number used in at least one of the instances was (931)-201-0682; it appears that this is a computer generated number used to forward or spoof calls. If you, or anyone you know, receives this type of call or message, inform them that they need to call the local police department and do not give out any information.
School Officials Decide Students, Faculty, And Staff Will Wear Face Coverings Or Masks
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday evening to decide what option will be followed for the start of the new school year. School superintendent, Dr. Steve Webner presented his
recommendation to the school board for their consideration. By a 7 to 0 vote, the school board did approve the recommendations as set forth by Dr. Webner.
In that recommendation, Webner suggested to have face-to-face classes.
In addition, Superintendent Webner informed the board of education that masks or face coverings should be worn by every student, faculty member, and staff employee.
Webner gave facts and statistics to the school board to support his recommendations.
Webner backed up his requests for use of face masks by quoting the Centers for Disease Control.
As for why holding face-to-face classes as opposed to on-line courses, Webner says students learn more when they are in a classroom setting.
Webner and board directors said the situation is likely to change as the school year progresses, and everyone, including parents, administration, faculty, and students may need to be prepared and anticipate possible changes.
School officials have been in constant communication with local health officials as they prepare a plan for the “Return to Learn.”
Grassley Holds 29 Town Hall Meetings During Recent Recess
(Le Mars) — Congress is back in session at Washington working on another possible COVID-19 relief bill similar to the CARES Act passed earlier this year.
However, Senators and Congressional members alike were recently on recess and were in their home states for two weeks surrounding the Independence Day holiday. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley told reporters he was able to
hold 29 town hall meetings, in 29 different Iowa counties, and listened to constituents’ concerns.
Grassley says another popular topic during his town hall meetings was focusing on schools and how they will begin classes this fall.
The Iowa republican senator says people were also interested in hearing about the Justice Department’s investigation into price-fixing regarding the meat processing industry.
Grassley’s comments were made Tuesday during his weekly news conference.
Iowa Board of Regents Approves $65.4 Million in Budget Cuts
(Urbandale, IA) — The board that governs Iowa’s three state universities approved 65-point-four-million dollars in budget cuts. Board of Regents president Michael Richards warned this may not be the end of the cuts.
Richards said, “we certainly anticipate that the detailed plans that our universities have made public for the fall 2020 semester will continue to be refined, added to and adjusted,if need be.” University of Northern Iowa president Mark Nook said the budget reflects the “brutal facts” of the current situation. University of Iowa president Bruce Harreld already ordered a salary freeze for 42-hundred campus employees. The board approved early retirement incentives at Iowa State and I-S-U president Wendy
Wintersteen estimated 100 faculty positions will be reduced through attrition. The board also approved salary cuts for the three university presidents. The athletic budgets for the Hawkeye, Cyclone and Panther programs will be reviewed in September.
Creston Man Charged in Madison County Homicide
(Winterset, IA) — Authorities in Madison County say a Creston man is charged in the death of Des Moines man found lying in a rural roadway July 21st. Sheriff’s deputies say 41-year-old Gerald Parker is jailed for the first-degree murder of 39-year-old Jonathan Hoffman. A delivery driver found Hoffman face down at an intersection. Hoffman died of multiple gunshot wounds. The Iowa D-C-I and Madison County Sheriff’s Office are still
investigating the murder.
No Damage Reported After Tornado Spotted In Benton County
(Keystone, IA) — No damage is reported from a tornado is spotted in Benton County. Authorities say reports of a funnel cloud started coming in near Keystone around Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service issued a
tornado warning for the area about a half-hour later. The warning was canceled at 6 p-m and no damage or injuries were reported.
White House Advisor Says Iowa’s COVID-19 Trends Worrisome
(Washington, DC) — A key advisor on the White House Coronavirus Task Force says Iowa is among a group of states where mitigation efforts should increase. Doctor Deborah Birx sad the concern is rising infection rates among 20 and 30 years old in Iowa, coupled with the fact between five and 10
percent of those being tested in Iowa are found to have the virus. She said if officials wait for hospitalizations to spike, it is in her estimation “really way too late.” Birx made her comments during a conference call with governors. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 457 more COVID-19 cases today, increasing the state’s total to 43-thousand-195. Six more
fatalities brings the death toll in Iowa to 844 since the pandemic began.
