(LeMars) — Continued dry conditions along with anticipated winds has prompted Plymouth County officials to issue a burn ban starting at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.
Under the ban, all open burning is prohibited, unless a permit has been issued. O’Brien County issued a similar burn ban on Friday.
(LeMars) — School officials with the LeMars Community School District are anticipating a drop in enrollment this year. Today, is the day when schools across the state are to tally their numbers. They have until October 15th to certify the student count. Dr. Todd Wendt, school superintendent for the LeMars Community School District says initial figures show a decline of 15 students from last year. Exact totals won’t be known until LeMars is able to verify with surrounding schools the number of students that are participating in open enrollment. Wendt says the school district will report the student enrollment numbers during the next School Board meeting scheduled for next Monday, October 10th.
(LeMars) — In our continuing series examining the annual progress report of the LeMars Community School District, today we look at the attendance levels. School officials are announcing an increase in attendance from a year ago figures. The LeMars Elementary schools had a 97 percent attendance for 2010-2011, that’s a one percent increase from the attendance of 2009-2010. The Middle School remained the same at 95 percent, and the LeMars Community High School was up one percent to 96 percent.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Speaking about education, Gov. Terry Branstad is calling for
sweeping changes in the way teachers are paid and tougher standards for measuring student performance.
At a news conference Monday, Branstad said he would link teacher pay with performance in the classroom.
He says he would create a system where instructors would be classified from apprentice teachers to master teachers. Under Branstad’s plan, students would have to pass proficiency tests to
advance beyond the third grade, and would have to demonstrate competency before graduating from high school.
The governor conceded the plan would cost more than the $3.45 billion the state currently spends on schools, but he says a final price tag hasn’t been set. Branstad says he plans to travel the
state to rally support for his proposal.
(Des Moines) — This year’s devastating flooding on the Missouri River caused an estimated $207 million in lost crop sales and related economic activity in six western Iowa counties that border the Missouri River. The study was commissioned by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. The study looked at the direct and indirect economic impact from crop losses, as well as the impact of lost wages. The six counties listed in that study include : Fremont, Mills, Pottawattamie, Harrison, Monona and Woodbury.
(LeMars) — Friday is the “Start Somewhere Walk” when Iowans are being asked to take a one kilometer walk during the noon hour. It’s all part of Governor Branstad’s goal to make Iowa the “Healthiest State in the Nation”. Todd Lancaster, executive director with the LeMars YMCA explains the goal of the “start somewhere walk.”
Listen here
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Local efforts are being organized to get as many people involved with the walk. In LeMars, Jessica Lindgren of the Visitor’s and Convention office says there are several walks are being planned.
Listen here
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Remsen has scheduled two walks. The Remsen Lumber Company will be the starting point for the downtown walkers as they walk on the east side of Washington Street to 6th Street, then they will cross the street and walk back on the west side of Washington Street. You can also join the student bodies of Remsen-Union and Remsen St. Mary’s as they travel around the city track three times. Statewide, 120,000 people have signed on to participate. Officials are hoping to have at least 250,000 people walking on Friday. Interested walkers should register on-line
at www.startsomewherewalk.com although Lancaster is urging people to just show up for the walk on Friday at noon.
Listen here
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If interested in the start somewhere walk, contact the city offices, or the YMCA.
(LeMars) — The LeMars City Council will gather for its regular Tuesday meeting. The agenda includes final planning for the water meter change out, plus a review of the loan application to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. In addition, the Council is expected to issue new bonds, and review a proposal from airport manager Earl Draayer to add to the airport’s current apron for additional airplane parking.
(LeMars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to convene for their weekly Tuesday meeting. The Supervisors are expected to discuss the proposed air conditioning costs to the courthouse, and approve a precinct agreement between Plymouth County and the City of Sioux City. They are also expected to act on a subdivision addition in Union Township.
(LeMars) — In an effort to help citizens get rid of leaves, LeMars city officials are announcing the city will have the leaf and grass sit open each Wednesday in October from noon until 5:00 p.m. This will be in addition to the regular Saturday hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
(Orange City) — Nothwestern College has launched the Imagine Campaign, with the goal of raising $55 million. Already, college officials are reporting having raised more than $34 million in gifts and pledges. The revenue will go to help finance a new learning commons, expanded academic programs, and additional student scholarships. Included in the campaign are funds for facility improvements, gifts to the Northwestern Fund and deferred giving – or gifts made through wills and bequests. The largest component of the campaign is the learning commons, a 58,000 square foot building that will house the college’s library, academic support center, writing center, multimedia center and institutional technology help desk.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Sioux City mail processing center has closed despite attempts to save it. The final pieces of mail went through the center on Saturday morning. Operations are being transferred to a processing center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The postal service announced the consolidation decision in June as part of its plan to cut its staggering losses. Iowa’s congressional delegation and others tried to fight the closure. Postal officials have said local mail delivery will not be affected by the move. However, Sioux City will lose about 70 jobs.
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HUDSON, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota man died when the 1923 Ford Model T he was driving rolled over in a cornfield.
The Highway Patrol says 59-year-old Monroe Harders of Alcester lost control of the vehicle near Hudson on Sunday afternoon, and it rolled over in the ditch and came to rest in the field.
Harders was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene.
