(Le Mars) Two separate fires believed to be started by young children occured within minutes of each other Saturday morning. According to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Fire Log, the Oyens Fire Department were called to a residence on 180th street just after 9 am, to ensure that a fire in a bedroom had been properly extingushed. The report indicates the fire had been started by an 11-year-old. The Le Mars Fire Department were on the scene of a third floor apartment fire for a little over 90 minutes Saturday morning. After an investigation by Fire Chief Wayne Shipper, it was determined that the fire was started by children playing with a lighter. A babysitter was with the four young children at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. The apartment, located on Memorial Drive on the former Westmar campus sustained fire, heat, smoke and water damage and will need a complete renovation.
(WEST DES MOINES)–Agriculture is the focus of study or a career for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation scholarship recipients. First-time Farm Bureau Scholarship winners are Abigail George who is the daughter of Mark and Kimberly George of Cherokee. She plans to attend the University of South Dakota State. Also a first-time winner is Rebecca Ahlers of Le Mars who is the daughter of John and Debra Ahlers of Le Mars and will attend I-S-U. The third area first-time scholarship winner is Madison Lange of Paullina who is the daughter of Mark and Kari Lange and will attend South Dakota State University. They will receive one-thousand dollar scholarships and are eligible to renew their scholarships for up to four years toward their undergraduate degrees by maintaining a minimum grade point average and by being a student in good standing.
(SIOUX CITY)–A three-mile walk for child abuse victims is planned in Sioux City May 15th. Walkers from across the state will lace up their shoes for a statewide walk in support of the Mercy Child Advocacy Center and the Iowa Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers. The center serves abused and neglected children in a forty-county region in Siouxland and was established in 1994. The “Champions4Children Walk” begins at 8 am at the banquet/convention entrance of Bev’s on the River in Sioux City. Captain Lisa Claeys of the Sioux City Police Department will be the grand marshal for the Champions4Children event in Sioux City.
(SHELDON)–Northwest Iowa Community College is addiing medical-related course work beginning this fall. The programs are Medical Coding and Extended Associate Degree nursing. Medical coding is a two semester diploma program. Medical coders or coding specialists specialize in codifying patients’ information for reimbursement. Students will have the opportunity to obtain a certified Coding Associate credential from the Sheldon community college. Employment opportunities for medical coders are expected to growth much faster than the average job. The Extended Associate Degree Nursing is a three semester and one summer term Associate of Applied Science degree program. The course is for students who have completed a Practical Nursing Program or the Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include working in clinics, as a traveling nursing, in Home Health, in industrial nursing, in nursing homes and in hospitals. The typical job placement for N-C-C nursing students is 100 percent.
(LE MARS)–Preservation of a unique land area is the focus of the speaker for the Plymouth County Historical Museum’s 46th annual meeting May 20th. Dr. Bill Zales of Westfield lives in the Loess (luss) Hills with wind-blown soil and unique prairie plants. A retired professor, Dr. Zales, will speak about preserving the Loess HIlls prairie. Le Mars Community and Akron-Westfield middle school History Day projects will be displayed for the evening beginning at 5:30. The annual meeting begins with a catered beef banquet by Timmy’s at 6 p.m. in the Old Central gym in Le Mars. The former Central school building is the museum’s location. Recognition of museum volunteers and the election of new board members are also planned. The 1905 study Hall project will be showcased as part of the opening of exhibits on all five floors of the museum after the annual meeting. Tickets are available at the museum or from board members . The annual meeting is open to the public. The museum is also seeking board members.
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