(Le Mars) — Keeping up with technology is not an easy job, but it’s done well by Bruce
Ludwig at Le Mars Community Schools. That’s why Ludwig is this months Employee of the Month
at Le Mars Community. Spanish teacher Gale Horan nominated Ludwig saying that “He is able to
fix most anything and very quickly…He is accomodating as budget allows helping us to be
able to provide the best resources for our students…Our job as educators would be much
more difficult if it were not for all that the Tech Department does for us.” Educators met
this morning to honor Bruce Ludwig as the Le Mars Community Schools February Employee of the
month.
Plymouth County Attorney now Serving all of Iowa
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Attorney Darren Raymond has recently acquired additional responsibilities. In addition to serving as the county’s legal adviser and prosecuting judicial cases, Raymond has assumed the role of president for the Iowa State Association of counties, or ISAC. ISAC involves each of the 99 Iowa counties, as well as every department within the county. Raymond says he was first elected to ISAC’s executive board four years ago. He talks about the role of the organization.
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The organization was first established in 1964, and Raymond says its lobbying service works closely with the board of directors to establish prioritiy issues for the state legislature.
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The county attorney says this year, funding transportation and mental health emerged as the common issues of interests for Iowa counties.
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Raymond says his goal as president of ISAC is to offer additional training sessions for the counties and their leaders.
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After completing his year as president for the statewide county organization, Raymond says he will remain on the executive board of directors as its past chairman.
Decades Dance Raises Money for Remsen St. Mary’s this Weekend
(Remsen) — The fun of Halloween but in February AND it raises money for a good cause. The annual “Decades Dance” hosted by the Remsen St. Mary’s Activity Club is taking place this Saturday, February 9th. Though the idea was the brainchild of Janice Schorg, Sue Theisen has been in charge of planning the event over the years. Sue says the dance started out as a 50’s and 60’s Dance, the 70’s were then added, and then well, she figured all decades should be included.
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People dress up in all kinds of different costumes…cartoon characters, musicians, actors, actresses and television show characters. Pretty much anything recognizable from pop-culture is fair game. Sue said that one year her family dressed up as the Beverly Hillbillies and included props like authentic moonshine and a live boa constrictor for Ellie Mae!
Proceeds from the dance benefit Remsen St. Mary’s Activities Club which provides funding for uniforms and other needs at the school. The Decades Dance isn’t just for people from Remsen. Sue says it draws around 300 or so people from many of surrounding towns.
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At this Saturday’s Decades Dance, prizes will be awarded for best costume, best lip-sync and best dance. The night will feature the live band The Troublemakers out of Sioux Falls.
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Tickets are available at the door for the Decades Dance being held at the Avalon Ballroom in Remsen. Festivities start at 8:30.
Priest Casts “Doubt” and Lewis and Clark Translator Makes Appearance…Where? Cherokee
(Cherokee) — There are a few interesting events going on in Cherokee this weekend. Friday is opening night for Cherokee Community Theater’s new show “Doubt, A Parable.” “Doubt” focuses around 4 characters including a priest, 2 nuns and the mother of a student at Catholic School. The priest is accused of sexual misconduct, and as the show unravels the audience is presented with more questions than answers. “Doubt” was popularized as a movie in 2007 starring Philip Seymour and Meryl Streep.
The Cherokee Community Theater’s production runs this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 with a Sunday matinee at 2 and continues next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and is under the direction of Andrew and Pamela Linn.
Also in Cherokee this Saturday at the Sanford Museum, learn about Charles Drouillard: hunter, interpreter and sign talker for Lewis and Clark. Darrel Draper will be portraying the half French, half Shawnee Indian who helped Lewis and Clark talk to Indians, hunt and generally keep them safe on their expedition. Admission is free for this event at the Sanford Museum on Saturday and begins at 7:30pm.
Interviews Today for Iowa Board of Regents President
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Regents is set to pick
a new president of the University of Northern Iowa. The board will
interview the final two candidates during its meeting today, them will
announce its choice. The finalists are William Ruud, president of
Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, and former Indiana
University-Purdue Fort Wayne chancellor Michael Wartell.
Straight Ticket Voting Could be Going Away
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa lawmakers are considering
legislation that would eliminate the option of voting a straight
party ticket. The measure is up for review today in a state House
committee. If passed, the bill would mean that Iowans could no
longer check one box and select all the candidates from a single
party during elections.
Vegetables for Back Yard Only
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The West Des Moines City Council
may consider a proposal to bar residents from planting vegetables
in their front yards. Iowa State University Extension
horticulturist Richard Jauron says some homes might be too shady
for a backyard garden, but officials must consider the wishes of
all residents. Mayor Steve Gaer has asked staffers to come up with
specific alternatives to a blanket ban.
