(LE MARS)–It’s not too late to help shape the future of Le Mars.
The Community Survey completion deadline is extended to the end of this month (July).
Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff says filling out the survey gives a sense of direction and some help.
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Surveys may also be filled out online at www.lemarsiowa.com
The input will guide the Boards of Education of Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic Schools; Floyd Valley Hospital Trustees; the city, the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce, Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation (LBIC), as well as the Young Professionals group. The deadline is now July 31, 2010.
(LE MARS)–Le Mars area residents may give “The Gift of Life” today or tomorrow.
Mary Kovarna of LifeServe Blood Center, the former Siouxland Community Blood Bank, says up to 100 people will donate during the two-day collection in the lower level of Floyd Valley Hospital.
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Hours for the blood donations today are from 9 a-m to 3 p-m and tomorrow from 9 a-m to 1 p-m.
The Siouxland Community Blood Bank and the Blood Center of Iowa merged in a move Kovarna describes as being good stewards.
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Kovarna says with the non-profit blood centers merger everything is being done the same–just under a new name–LifeServe Blood Center.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The U.S. Labor Department has handed Iowa Workforce Development and the Community Action Agency of Siouxland up to $6.25 million to provide benefits to workers affected by the closing of John Morrell Co. pork processing plant.
The subsidiary of Smithfield, Va.-based Smithfield Foods shut the plant April 20, throwing 1,450 employees out of work.
With the money, employment and retraining services will be provided to affected workers located in and around Sioux City, where the plant was located.
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver says the federal grant will “go a long way for families struggling to get by while a breadwinner is out of work.”
Iowa Workforce Development Director Elisabeth Buck says the funds will be available for traditional re-employment services and advanced training classes or degree programs designed to help the workers find new careers.
DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) A Mexican man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of a 3-year-old South Sioux City girl.
But a Dakota County District Court jury Wednesday determined 30-year-old Melecio Camacho-De Jesus was not guilty of burglary.
The jury announced its verdict Wednesday afternoon. Deliberations began late Tuesday.
Evelyn Verdugo Paniagua was killed May 23, 2009, in her South Sioux City home as her family slept. Prosecutors say Camacho-De Jesus suffocated the girl while he tried to keep her quiet during a sexual assault.
Camacho-De Jesus had been living in Sioux City, Iowa, when he was arrested.
Camacho-De Jesus’ lawyer argued that his client didn’t understand his actions that night because of cocaine in his system.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
(WEST DES MOINES)–The general manager of KLEM Radio and five other Siouxland radio stations is the “Broadcaster of the Year” in Iowa.
Dennis Bullock of Powell Broadcasting received the award Wednesday at the Iowa Broadcasters Association summer convention in West Des Moines.
Powell Broadcasting Director of Sales Dave Grosenheider of Le Mars presented the award. Grosenheider says the award pays tribute to Bullock’s integrity, hard work and sense of community.
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Grosenheider described Bullock as a “hands-on manager and a mentor who has passion for helping young people enter and succeed in the field of broadcasting.”
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Bullock said he is humbled by the honor explaining being recognized by those who know and understand your industry better than anyone else is the biggest professional honor that could ever be bestowed upon someone.
The Sioux Citian has worked in sales and management positions in broadcasting for 28 years. He’s been general manager of Powell Broadcasting since December of 2001.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The state medical examiner’s office says Iowa State student Jon Lacina likely died from hypothermia.
Officials announced the results of its investigation into Lacina’s death Wednesday, classifying it as accidental.
Iowa State University Police Chief Jerry Stewart says evidence indicates Lacina fell down a flight of stairs in a building on the old university dairy farm in April
The 22-year-old Lacina was reported missing Jan. 30. He was last seen leaving a gathering of friends Jan. 22.
Stewart says Lacina was not wearing a jacket and had his shirt sleeves rolled up.
Stewart says Lacina also suffered cuts to his hands from broken glass in a door. His wallet, keys and cell phone were found on him.
Stewart says it appears Lacina walked to the building on his own but the reason wasn’t known.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A federal court has ordered increased damages for two Iowa women who were strip searched after being arrested for protesting at a rally for President George Bush in 2004 in Cedar Rapids.
The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday in the case of Alice McCabe and Christine Nelson, who filed lawsuits claiming their constitutional rights had been violated.
A jury awarded them $750,000 but a judge threw out the damages saying they were excessive. The judge offered $75,000 but McCabe and Nelson rejected it and a second trial ended with a jury awarding less than $60,000.
The appeals court ruled the amount offered by the judge was miscalculated and ordered damages be increased.
The women’s attorney, David O’Brien, says he’s happy with the ruling. The Linn County attorney did not immediately return telephone messages.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A new rule will go into effect allowing individuals to release pen reared Chinese ring-necked pheasants on their own land from hatcheries approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The law, which goes into effect Thursday, prohibits the release of pen reared pheasants on land not owned or rented by the person releasing the birds. The law was approved by the Iowa Legislature in response to record low pheasant numbers.
Dale Garner of the DNR’s Wildlife Bureau says research shows pen raised birds have a history of poor survival. He says it is important to put these birds where there is good habitat available to give them a chance.
The DNR says the approved hatcheries in Iowa are Hoovers Hatchery Inc. in Rudd, Murray McMurray Hatchery Inc. in Webster City, and Malloy Gamebirds in State Center.
FREDERICKSBURG, Iowa (AP) A herd of horses has been removed from a Chickasaw County farm after the discovery that the animals were being neglected.
Sheriff’s deputies loaded the horses in trailers on Tuesday after neighbors complained the animals were not being fed and were in poor health.
Authorities say the 13 horses and one mule are owned by Kelly Olson, who said the animals had been there since September. Evidence suggests the horses chewed on boards in some of their pens.
Iowa Equine Rescue and Awareness League president Karl Sibert did not disclose where the horses were taken. She said a veterinarian would examine the animals and recommend a diet to restore their health.
Sheriff Marty Larsen says he will consult with the Chickasaw County Attorney’s Office on what charges could be filed.
OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) First-degree murder charges have been filed against the husband of a Ottumwa woman found stabbed to death earlier this week.
The body of Anessa Kay Johnson was found by investigators summoned to an Ottumwa address late Sunday.
Christopher Johnson was charged Monday afternoon with first-degree murder. He was taken into custody by the Iowa City Police Department, then transported to Ottumwa, where police say he is being held on a $200,000 bond.
Ottumwa Police Lt. Tom McAndrew says the Iowa State Patrol attempted to stop Christopher Johnson while he was operating a motor vehicle in Burlington after his wife’s death. During that stop he was involved in a traffic accident.
McAndrew gave few details on the attack, refusing to release what type of weapon was used or the circumstances connected to the stabbing.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm.net, by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
