(LeMars) — Sunday, marks the tenth anniversary of the tragic events of 9-11 when arab terrorists hijacked four airliner jets and deliberly flown them into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the fourth plane that crashed in a field in Pennslyvania. Gehlen Catholic School will hold a special program on Friday morning entitled: “We Remember”. Dick Sievert is one of the co-coordinators for the program, and says Gehlen is using the opportunity to teach students about the memorable event.
He says the program will serve three purposes: First, the prayer service will begin with a flashback and rememberance for the victims and their families of 9-11. Secondly, the prayer service is designed to educate Gehlen Catholic students, many of whom were not born or too little to understand the tragic events that transpired ten years ago. Finally, the service will express the school’s admiration and gratitude for the courage and service of our local law enforcement, fire, and emergency personnel.
The public is invited to the event scheduled for Friday morning at 8:45 a.m. at the Bob Kneip Family Gym on the Gehlen Catholic campus.
(LeMars) — As a way to acknowledge the tenth anniversary, and to remember the victims and families of 9-11, several area communities will be sounding their warning sirens on Sunday at 12:00 noon for one minute. LeMars, Sioux City and Sioux County communities have all indicated they will activate their warning sirens as a way to recognize the sacrifices made by first responders.
(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from 5 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2011, until 8 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2011 in honor of Iowa service members who lost their lives while on active duty since September 11, 2001.
The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under control of the State of Iowa.
(LeMars) — The LeMars Y is making final preparations for the LeMars Triathlon, scheduled for Saturday. Atheletes will compete in a combination of three events: running, swimming, and riding a bicycle. The Y is still seeking volunteers to assist with the event. If you would like to volunteer, you are urged to contact the LeMars Y.
(Sioux City) — A man who conspired to distribute crack cocaine was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison. Billy Dee Williams, 22, from Sioux City, received the prison term after a guilty plea to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, and to distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public school or playground.
Williams admitted to conspiring to distribute more than 112 grams of crack cocaine in Sioux City. Williams also admitted that other members of the conspiracy were involved in the distribution of at least 822 grams of crack cocaine. Both of the distributions occurred within 1,000 feet of protected locations, including Smith and Riverside Elementary Schools.
Williams was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett.
(Des Moines) — 18 different celebrities, ranging from entertainers, actors, musicians, athletes and coaches, all with an Iowa connection have signed on encouraging people to participate in the “Start Somewhere Walk” scheduled for noon on October 7th. The “Start Somewhere Walk” is a state-wide program as part of Governor Branstad’s “Healthiest State Inititative.” The city of LeMars is also organizing a community walk for the October 7th date. The celebrities include :
* Harrison Barnes, former Ames High School standout basketball player and 2010 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year.
* Liang Chow, head coach of the 2008 U.S. Olympic womens gymnastics team.
* Stephen Collins, actor best known for the television series 7th Heaven.
* Tim Dwight, former University of Iowa football player and retired NFL player.
* Simon Estes, opera singer/vocalist and professor at Wartburg College and Iowa State University.
* Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa football coach.
* Dan Gable, University of Iowa wresting coach and U.S. Olympic champion.
* Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State University men’s basketball coach and retired NBA player.
* Shawn Johnson, U.S. Olympic gold medal gymnast and Dancing with the Stars champion.
* Zach Johnson, professional golfer on the PGA Tour and 2007 Masters Tournament champion.
* Lolo Jones, U.S. Olympic 100-meter hurdle finalist.
* Natasha Kaiser-Brown, U.S. Olympic silver medalist and Drake University track and field coach.
* Cloris Leachman, Academy- and Emmy Award-winning actress.
* Ron Livingston, actor best known for the movie Office Space and HBOs TV miniseries Band of Brothers.
* Rebecca Meyer, at-home winner on Season 8 of NBCs The Biggest Loser.
* Johnny Orr, former Iowa State University men’s basketball coach.
* Brandon Routh, actor best known for his role as Superman in Superman Returns.
* Kurt Warner, former University of Northern Iowa quarterback, retired NFL quarterback and Super Bowl MVP.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An annual report on Iowa public schools
shows students in 30 districts aren’t making the progress required
by the federal No Child Left behind law, triggering required
actions such as changing staff members.
The report released by state education officials Thursday showed
that 415 schools weren’t making adequate progress. That nearly 30
percent of all Iowa schools.
Schools in which students don’t make progress required on
standardized tests are placed on the list.
The number of districts with low-performing schools rose from
7.5 percent last year to 8.4 percent this year.
