(LE MARS)–A way to borrow money to finance improvements to Le Mars Community School District facilities will be presented to the Board of Education tonight (Monday).
Matt Gillaspie with Piper Jaffrey and Company makes the report for the Phase II Construction project. The estimated nine-point-six-million dollars in bonds is for art, music and athletic improvements.
Information about a possible sale of the Camp Quest property on Marble Avenue, northeast of Le Mars, will be presented. The proposal is to hear public comment and consider sealed bids next year.
The public meeting at the Education Service Center is tonight at 7:30.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
You are hereby notified that the Board of Education of the LeMars Community School District will meet on December 27, 2010, 7:30 p.m. in the Education Service Center, 940 Lincoln St. SW, LeMars, Iowa. Agenda is as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes (December 13, 2010 – Regular Meeting)
3. Consent Grouping (Claims and Accounts)
4. Reports and Information (Unscheduled Audience; Phase II Financing; “Lunch with Legislators”; IASB Legislative Issues Webinar; Board/Administrator Retreat; Sale of Camp Quest Property; Superintendent Goals Discussion)
5. Action Items (Resignations; Contracts; Official Newspaper Designation)
6. Other Business
7. Unfinished Business
8. Adjournment
NEXT REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 10, 2011, 7:30 PM
Le Mars Community School District
940 Lincoln St. SW
LeMars, Iowa 51031
(712) 546-4155
BY: Lisa Boehm, Secretary, Board of Education
Crop program combines old and new
(LE MARS)–A state program for crop production will be offered in Le Mars next month.
The 2011 Crop Advantage Clinic January 24th has been scheduled for the Le Mars Convention Center through Extension Field Agronomist Joel DeJong.
DeJong says this proven statewide Crop Advantage Program will be used to transition into a new era while celebrating the long standing Crop Production program in Plymouth County.
The Crop Production program was started in 1952 by Arlie Pierson of Le Mars who was Extension Director. The Crop Production Program has been offered continuously since Pierson’s inaugural effort offered in the Girls’ Building on the Plymouth County Fair Grounds. The building is now the fair office.
Extension Coordinator Carol Schneider says local businesses have supported the Crop Production Clinic over the years. Most recently that’s included Primebank , Le Mars Agri-Center and Farmers Co-op of Hinton, Oyens, Akron and Le Mars.speakers, Alison Robertson, Extension Plant Pathologist on the topic of sudden death syndrome of soybean. Economics
The 2011 Crop Advantage Clinic features two keynote Assistant Professor Chad Hart will discuss the grain market outlook for 2011. There will also be sessions ranging from managing stored grain to research farm results.
A one-hour course to recertify for Private Pesticide Applicator will be offered at the end of the Crop Advantage program.
Two charged after drug investigation
(ASHTON)–Two people have been arrested in Ashton after an investigation of a report of sexual assault and drug use at an Ashton residence.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, items believed to be marijuana and smoking devices were found during a search last Wednesday (December 22).
Thirty-three-year-old Melissa Bergstrom was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of prescription drugs.
Thirty-two-year-old Jason Bergstrom is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of prescription drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. During the sexual assault investigation, authorities determined Jason Bergstrom was a registered sex offender in Minnesota and he was charged with failing to register in Iowa and two charges of felony sexual abuse.
The Bergstroms were taken to the Osceola County Jail.
Group promotes Missouri River Water Trail
YANKTON, S.D. (AP) Fourteen informational signs will be installed in spring for canoeists and kayakers using the Missouri River between Yankton and Sioux City, Iowa.
They’ll be located along the Missouri National Recreational River Water Trail. The signs will contain historical and scientific information and denote the mileage between points.
Trail organizer Tim Cowman said the historical notes will help visitors realize how much of the river has changed since it was explored by Lewis and Clark.
Various groups are involved in improving public access to the river, establishing trailheads and routes, and building a website to plan float trips and disseminate information.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Iowa preschool program may be victim of election
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) One consequence of this year’s election likely will be a $90 million plan to bring free preschool programs to all 4-year-olds in Iowa, a key priority of outgoing Gov. Chet Culver and something that education advocates say is essential to getting youngsters off to a strong start.
The issue was among the sharpest and clearest differences between the Culver and Gov-elect Terry Branstad in the gubernatorial race, with Culver arguing that expanding preschool was one of the proudest achievements of his tenure in office. He conceded the program was expensive, but argued it paid big dividends by producing children who were more successful in school and in life.
But Branstad has taken a far different approach. He says the state shouldn’t take over the program and make it free.
Cedar Rapids’ power grid needs work after flooding
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) The power grid that serves downtown Cedar Rapid has yet to be fully restored after 2008 flooding, and it could be at least a year before it’s fixed.
Alliant Energy’s Interstate Power and Light built a temporary substation to serve downtown in the wake of flooding from the Cedar River. But utility spokesman Scott Drzycimski told the Cedar Rapid Gazette that it was built in three weeks compared to a year for a normal substation and isn’t as reliable.
IPL has been working to find a less-vulnerable home for the substation, which had been near the river.
A new substation isn’t expected to be in service until late next year or early 2012.
Iowa St removes 3 dozen ash trees to ward off pest
AMES, Iowa (AP) About three dozen ash trees have been removed from the Iowa State campus amid fears of an infestation of tree pests.
Rhonda Martin, a landscape architect for the university told the Ames Tribune that the campus has had time to prepare for emerald ash borer, which was found earlier this year in Clayton County. There have been no signs that it’s spread.
The ash borer’s larvae feed on the bark of ash trees. That means the tree can’t get its water and nutrients as easily. Infested trees usually die in three to five years.
The insect was first found in Michigan in 2002 and is responsible for the loss of tens of millions of ash trees.
Iowa State will replace the ash tree with other varieties.
2 found dead in Iowa home on Christmas morning
HIAWATHA, Iowa (AP) Authorities have identified two people whose bodies were found inside a Hiawatha home on Christmas morning.
Hiawatha police say foul play is not suspected in the deaths of 38-year-old Christopher Hubbard and 54-year-old Tammy Robertson. Details of their deaths have not been released.
The bodies were found about 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
2 Iowans treated after holiday house fire
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) Two North Liberty residents were treated for smoke inhalation after a house fire that killed their dog.
Firefighters say the residents returned home just after 8 Christmas night to find their one-story house on fire. They tried to rescue their pet, but were unsuccessful.
The names of the home’s occupants were not released. They were treated at a hospital.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Iowa high school principal to be deployed to Iraq
OSAGE, Iowa (AP) The principal of Osage High School will be deployed to Iraq in January.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 47-year-old Tim Hejhal will serve for six months with the Sioux City-based 185th Air National Guard Refueling Wing. Hejhal is a lieutenant in the Iowa Guard, and he will likely help coordinate supply transports.
During his absence, athletic director Jay Marley will be interim principal.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm or by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
