Gehlen and Spalding Catholic Schools Continue Merger Talks
(Le Mars) — Nearly 350 people turned out last evening at the Randy Readon Family Gym at Gehlen Catholic School to hear more about the plans to consolidate the Spalding Catholic High School with the Gehlen Catholic high school. Plans for the merger are not finalized and there still could be a possibility that the two northwest Iowa Catholic schools may remain separate, but according to Father Kevin Richter, president of Gehlen, the two communities are coming together.
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Richter says the Gehlen community is working with the Spalding community to incorporate some of Spalding’s colors, and even the logo to help them feel welcome and to retain Spalding’s identity.
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Dennis Schmid is a board member from the Spalding Catholic school. He says a major reason for the two communities having a smooth transition is due to Father Kevin Richter. Richter, is a Spalding Catholic School alum and a former teacher. Schmid says the fact that Richter knows the people from both communities, and is well respected in both communities, has made a big difference.
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The Spalding official says there remains some specific details with the merger yet to be determined, including logistics concerning the number of students that will come to Gehlen and even transportation issues. But he says the Spalding people are accepting the idea. Here is the timeline for the Gehlen Catholic and Spalding Catholic schools coming together. On November 14th there will be another working meeting. December 6 will be a joint board meeting, and a draft summary is being planned to be presented to Bishop Walker Nickless by December 15th.
Oliver To Serve 90 Days For Shooting At Bicyclists
LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man accused of shooting at two bicyclists has been placed on probation and must serve 90 days in jail.
Twenty-three-year-old Terry Oliver Junior pleaded guilty in Plymouth County District Court in Le Mars to two counts of misdemeanor assault with a firearm and OWI.
Oliver was accused of firing several rounds of two bicyclists as he drove past them on Iowa Highway 12 near Stone State Park in August. The cyclists weren’t hurt.
Oliver was sentenced on Monday.
Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau Receives Grant
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau was awarded nearly $1500 from the Western Iowa Tourism Region to help provide funding for television advertising promoting the Christmas events and festivities as well as banners to be displayed at the new Visitors Center to promote Le Mars event and attractions. Liz Birkel-Leddy, President of the Western Iowa Tourism Region says “the region works with the Iowa Tourism Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority to offer a competitive grant program to assist local events, attractions and businesses with promotion, advertising and scholarships to increase their competitiveness in the tourism marketplace.” Volunteers from the industry evaluate and award grant dollars to deserving projects in the 35 county western Iowa tourism region.
Museum To Host Garage Sale
(Le Mars) — Anyone wishing to clear the house of potential garage sale material may take the items to the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars for the 13th annual “Great Garage and Bake Sale” starting on Thursday, and continuing through Saturday, November 10th. The Museum will receive garage sale items during open hours from 1 to 5 p.m. and by appointment. First up during the three-day sale will be a “Sneak Preview” beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8. Admission to the special viewing will be $5; doors will remain open until 8:00 p.m. The remaining days of the Great Garage Sale will have free admission. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 9th and 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 10th. Proceeds from the sale go to help the Museum preserve the history of Plymouth County.
