(LE MARS)–Projects and department achievements don’t top the list of achievements in the city of Le Mars for 2010. That’s the view of city administrator Scott Langel who told KLEM News business development is the top accomplishment.
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Langel says that’s in contrast to the national economy. He credits the local business development to strong and healthy businesses from both an economic and operations approach.
Dave and Dot Mulder compile “Devotions from the Heartland,” as Atlas fund raiser
(SIOUX CENTER)–A devotional is helping a Sioux Center group reach people in need.
“Devotions from the Heartland,” is a 365-day devotional compiled by Dave and Dot Mulder of Sioux Center. Dave is a retired Northwestern College teacher and coach. During his time as a state senator, his wife, Dot, was his clerk.
Amy Keahi of Atlas of Sioux Center says the devotional is about faith and reflections on what God has taught area contributors.
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Dave Mulder approached Keahi about having the book published as a benefit for Atlas of Sioux Center last summer.
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According to Keahi, there’s a great interest in the fund raising book.
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“Devotions from the Heartland,” is a softcover book available at Christian book stores in Orange City, Sioux Center, Sheldon and Rock Valley or through Atlas in Sioux Center.
Court denies grandparents in visitation case
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Iowa Supreme Court has rejected a Le Mars couple’s attempt to access their adult child’s physical and mental health records after being denied visitation with their grandson.
The court says Amy Mulligan’s records are protected by her constitutional right to privacy and the Plymouth County District Court was wrong to order Mulligan to give records to her parents, Jerry and Susan Ashenfelter.
Mulligan’s attorney, Jennifer Cerutti, says the ruling demonstrates the importance of keeping medical records private. A telephone message left for her parents’ attorney was not immediately returned.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Burglary, forgery charges filed by Le Mars Police
(LE MARS)–A Le Mars man faces burglary and forgery charges after an investigation by Le Mars Police.
Authorities issued written information about the theft of a checkbook from a motor vehicle on December 10th.
Five checks were written to Le Mars businesses forging the checking account holder’s name to get cash and merchandise.
34-year-old Cory Schrick of Le Mars was arrested Sunday (December 26th) on five charges of forgery and one charge of burglary. He was taken to the Plymouth County Jail.
He is no longer in jail.
Three judges to decide whether convicted murderer receives death penalty
SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) A Dakota County district judge will not restart the sentencing phase for a Mexican national convicted of murdering a 3-year-old Nebraska girl.
Melecio Camacho-De Jesus faces the death penalty in the May 2009 death of Evelyn Verdugo Paniagua, who was killed in her South Sioux City home as her family slept. He was living in Sioux City, Iowa, when he was arrested.
Camacho-De Jesus was convicted in July of first-degree murder. During the first part of the sentencing phase of his trial, jurors found there were aggravating circumstances that warrant the death penalty. The final decision is up to a three-judge panel, which has yet to rule.
Camacho-De Jesus’ attorneys had asked to restart the sentencing phase, saying the jury was given improper instructions. The judge issued his decision Thursday.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Happy New Year! The KLEM Business Office is closed today for the New Year’s holiday and will reopen Monday, January 3, 2011. Trading post items and cancellations may be emailed to klem@lemarscomm.net. Cancellations may also be left on the answering machine, 546-4121.
Branstad names Mauro as new labor commissioner
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Gov.-elect Terry Branstad has named Democratic Secretary of State Michael Mauro as the state’s labor commissioner beginning in May.
Branstad announced Mauro’s appointment on Thursday, calling Mauro a dedicated and effective public servant. He says he has been impressed with Mauro’s administration of election laws and the way he ran the secretary of state’s office.
Mauro, who lost his bid for re-election in the November election, says he’s excited about the opportunity to work in the Branstad administration, calling the challenge a great opportunity.
Mauro’s term as labor commissioner will begin May 1 but Mauro will begin working as a deputy director at Iowa Workforce Development on Jan. 3., developing special projects and working with current labor director David Neil to assure a smooth transition.
Iowa Supreme Court upholds taxation of KFC
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a decision to levy corporate income taxes against fried-chicken giant KFC.
At question is whether the state can impose income tax on revenue received by a company that doesn’t have a presence in Iowa. KFC doesn’t own any restaurants or have employees in Iowa. All KFC’s in the state are owned by independent franchisers.
The Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance assessed KFC more than $248,000 for unpaid corporate income taxes in 2001.
Mark Schuling, the agency’s director, says any corporation that collects revenue in Iowa should pay taxes.
Delaware-based KFC challenged the assessment saying under Iowa law it was not subject to taxes because it didn’t have property in the state.
A telephone message left for KFC’s attorney was not immediately returned.
Woman sues store over treadmill accident
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A woman has filed a lawsuit against sporting goods store Scheels All Sports after her daughter was injured on a treadmill in the store.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the lawsuit, filed Thursday, claims Emily Masterson was at the store trying out treadmills when it reached a speed she could not handle and she fell off.
Masterson’s age is not listed but she is referred to in the lawsuit as a minor.
Her mother, Loretta Masterson, of North English, claims Scheels was negligent by not providing proper supervision or instruction for her daughter and for “creating and maintaining a dangerous condition.”
The lawsuit says her daughter suffered physical, emotional and mental pain and permanent injury.
A store manager declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Bar owner dropping US lawsuit against Iowa City
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) The owner of an Iowa City bar has decided to drop his federal lawsuit against the city.
Mike Porter filed the lawsuit a year ago, targeting a city policy on liquor licenses for bars that allowed underage customers. Among other provisions, the policy denied liquor licenses to bars with underage patrons ticketed for possessing alcohol at a rate higher than one citation per visit by an officer.
Porter’s bar The Summit was one that the city recommended for denial of a liquor license. An administrative law judge and the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division later said the policy didn’t follow state law.
The council subsequently adopted an ordinance forbidding underage people in bars.
Porter’s attorney, Steven Havercamp, says Porter was making a business decision to drop the lawsuit.
Fog hampers air traffic at Eastern Iowa Airport
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Heavy fog is still forcing flight cancellations and other problems at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.
Spokeswoman Pam Hinman said Thursday morning that American Eagle had canceled its flights up to 1:30 p.m. Hinman says United had canceled its morning flight to Denver and that American had canceled four or five departures.
Hinman says visibility is variable but was down to a quarter mile a little before 10 a.m.
KGAN-TV say the airport is not closed. Hinman says the airlines have different rules for takeoffs and landings that guide their decisions on flight delays or cancellations.
Several flights were affected by fog on Wednesday, including a flight from Arizona carrying the University of Iowa football team. The plane was diverted to Madison, Wis., by the thick blanket.
$16.5M Hot Lotto ticket sold in Des Moines, Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A $16.5 million Hot Lotto ticket is out there somewhere, waiting to make someone or several people a lot richer.
Iowa Lottery officials said Thursday that a lottery ticket sold at a Des Moines Quik Trip convenience store won Wednesday’s jackpot.
It’s the third-largest prize ever offered in the game. The jackpot has been won six times before.
The six numbers: 3, 12, 16, 26, 33 and Hot Ball 11.
Iowa Lottery chief executive officer Terry Rich is encouraging the winner or winners to get professional advice before claiming the prize.
Hot Lotto is played in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia.
The jackpots start at $1 million and rise until won.
(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.
