American Bank Promotes Personnel
(Le Mars) — American Bank, N.A., of Le Mars and Remsen, Iowa is pleased to announce several changes in personnel at the Le Mars location.
Lisa Puetz has been promoted to Cashier. Lisa has been with American Bank for the last 15 years, most recently serving as Assistant Cashier. Lisa will continue to serve as the Bank Security Officer while also assuming general ledger balancing and overall operations responsibilities.
Shelly Sitzmann has been promoted to Senior Operations Officer. Shelly has been with American Bank for the last 13 years, most recently serving as Electronic Banking Administrator. Shelly’s added responsibilities will include managing the day to day deposit operations.
Val Pratt has accepted the position of Consumer Loan Assistant. Val joined American Bank in 2008 as a Customer Loan Assistant. Val joined American Bank in 2008 as a Customer Service Representative and also served in the New Accounts and Electronic/ACH departments.
Diane Wise has joined American Bank as a Customer Service Representative. Diane and her husband recently moved to Le Mars from Red Oak, Iowa. She has over 22 years in the banking and customer service fields.
Kelley Pick has accepted the part-time position as Marketing Coordinator for American Bank. Kelley has been with American Bank for 18 years in full-time positions working in the area of bank operations, 12 years as First Vice President and Cashier.
Vendors Wanted For Antique Market Show
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 3rd annual Spring Fever Antique Show and Flea Market on Friday, April 12th and Saturday, April 13th. Vendor booths are now being accepted for the event which is located on both floors of the Le Mars Convention Center. Currently over two-thirds of the booths are filled. Booth size is 10 feet by 12 feet. Cost per booth is $60.00. Table rental is additional. To request a contract, contact the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce at (712) 546-8821.
Economic Development Agency To Assist Northwest Iowa Businesses
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state will help two Northwest Iowa manufacturers expand their operations and add jobs.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority board on Friday awarded tax benefits to Polaris
Industries, which plans a $3.6 million project in Milford that is expected to create 40 jobs.
Polaris has been building electric vehicles in Milford.
The Economic Development Authority board also awarded $100,000 in direct aid and tax benefits to American Natural Processors in Galva. The company, which processes oilseed and grain, plans a $2.4
million project expected to create 10 jobs.
Footprints in Snow Help Authorities Catch Suspects
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities in northeast Iowa have used snow from a major storm to catch two men who initially eluded a car chase.
Waterloo police arrested Richard Sturdivant and Quon Lewis Cooper Thursday night after tracking the pair’s footprints in the snow.
The men initially led police on a pursuit following an attempted traffic stop. Police stopped the car chase because of poor driving conditions from the storm.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports officers found the pair’s car in a ditch a short time later. They followed footprints in the snow and arrested the men after searching the area.
Courts records show Sturdivant’s charges include eluding police and possession of marijuana. He remains in jail. Cooper was charged with interference and has been released.
Records do not list attorneys for them.
Des Moines To Select New School Superintendent
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Nearly 50 people have applied for a position to lead Iowa’s largest public school district.
Des Moines School Board President Dick Murphy says a search firm helped the district cut the list of applicants for superintendent to 14 people.
The board then narrowed the list to six finalists during a meeting Thursday. Additional interviews
will be held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The board will announce two or three finalists to the public after the interviews. Additional interviews will then be televised in early March. The board plans to announce a new superintendent by
the middle of March.
The new leader will replace Nancy Sebring, who abruptly stepped down from the job in May.
State Accepting Bids For New Law Enforcement Radios
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State officials are starting from scratch with the bidding process for a new law enforcement radio system, after nearly two years of questions and complaints from
vendors and lawmakers over how the contracts have been handled.
In an email statement Friday, the Iowa Department of Administrative Services said the agency would issue a new request for proposals for the purchase of radio equipment. The agency said
it had consulted with the attorney general’s office and were committed to a process that was fair to vendors.
Some vendors have complained the state is trying to set up the bidding process to favor Motorola products and make it impossible for other companies to be chosen. A group of state senators
recently called for an investigation into the situation.
State Supreme Court Reverses Decision
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of a man charged in 2010 in Des Moines with driving under the influence of a drug saying there was not sufficient evidence for a jury to convict him.
The court says in a ruling Friday that since the man, Jeffrey Schories, had a prescription for methadone prosecutors had to prove that he was not using the drug in accordance with his doctor’s
instructions.
Since that didn’t occur at his trial, a majority of justices dismissed the case against him.
However, three justices disagreed saying the court shouldn’t override the jury’s verdict.
In a dissenting opinion Justice Thomas Waterman says the court’s ruling means expert testimony will be required in more cases involving charges of driving under the influence of drugs.
Rusty Wallace To Be Honored
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad will make famed NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace an “honorary Iowan” during a ceremony at the state Capitol.
Branstad is set to give a proclamation to Wallace on Wednesday afternoon. He will honor Wallace’s contribution to racecar driving and his role in developing the Iowa Speedway.
Wallace has had 55 NASCAR Cup wins and won the 1989 championship. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame earlier this month. Since retiring in 2005 he has worked to promote NASCAR
and been an analyst on ESPN.
Wallace is a designer and part-owner of the Iowa Speedway, which opened in 2006 in Newton.
