Gehlen School Board Approves Naming The Gym After Steve Shea
(Le Mars) — The Gehlen Catholic School Board met last evening to decide upon the official name of the Gehlen gymnasium for the next school year. After meeting with Mrs. Shea, her request was to have the gym referred to as the “Steve Shea Memorial Gym.” The Board approved the name. In addition, the Board approved the addition of Mr. & Mrs. Shea’s favorite scripture to be included at the bottom of the banner. It reads: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. The gym is being named for the former Gehlen Catholic physical education instructor who passed away earlier this year. The gym will hold the name honoring Steve Shea from July 1st until next year on June 30th.
Postal Workers To Collect Food For Charities
(Le Mars) — Postal workers are wanting to help “stamp” out local hunger, and they are asking for the assistance of their patrons. Saturday marks the anniversary when mail carriers collect food items for the needy. Le Mars Post Master Barry Synder explains.
Listen to
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Synder says the program has been very successful both on a national basis, as well as here locally.
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If you would like to help with the mail carriers’ food drive, Synder suggests you leave food items either inside or next to your mailbox.
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And for those people that use a Post Office Box, what are their options?
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Whitaker Announces He Will Seek U-S Senate Bid
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Republican Matt Whitaker says he has filed the paperwork to run for U.S. Senate in 2014.
The former U.S. attorney’s move comes a week after Rep. Steve King announced he would not seek the seat being vacated by retiring five-term Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.
The 43-year-old former University of Iowa football player from Clive was U.S. attorney for Iowa’s Southern District from 2004 to 2009. He ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2002.
Other Republicans weighing entry into the race include state Sen. Joni Ernst, former Reliant Energy CEO Mark Jacobs, Secretary of State Matt Schultz and Sen. Charles Grassley’s chief of staff
David Young.
Rep. Tom Latham and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds also passed on running. Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley of Waterloo is his party’s only candidate.
Late Start To Corn Planting May Reduce Yields
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The wet start to the corn planting season may reduce the amount each acre produces this year, but farmers are planting so much corn they’re still likely to bring in
a record crop.
In a report released Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated farmers would bring in 14.1 billion bushels of corn this year, a billion bushels more than the previous record set in 2009.
The USDA expects farmers to grow an average of 158 bushels per acre, a 3.4 percent reduction from the 163.6 bushels predicted in February. The downward adjustment is due to delayed planting caused by a cold, wet spring.
Farmers are planting more than 97 million acres of corn, the most since 1936. That’s why even an average yield would result in a record crop.
Supreme Court Clears Way For Lawsuit Against Disabled Home
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A woman who claims she was fired in 2006 from an Iowa home for the disabled after complaining about abuse of residents can have her day in court.
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled 5-2 Friday to allow the wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former Woodward Resource Center employee Terri Rivera.
Rivera says she was fired after telling her supervisor that another employee had abused residents.
The district court had dismissed Rivera’s 2008 lawsuit. A judge told Rivera to pursue her claim through a state board. Rivera refiled her lawsuit after the state denied her claim. A judge then said the lawsuit was barred by the two-year statute of limitations.
The high court says the lawsuit can proceed under a provision that extends the filing deadline for “procedural missteps.”
Clear Lake City Council Passes Ordinance Against Feeding Water Fowl
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) – The Clear Lake City Council has given its initial approval to an ordinance that would bar people from feeding waterfowl at city parks or other recreation areas.
The Mason City Globe Gazette says the ordinance stems from complaints about bird droppings.
The fine would be $50 for the first violation of the ordinance, then $100 if the second violation occurs within the same calendar year.
A third violation in the same calendar year would bring a $250 fine.
City Administrator Scott Flory says he hopes the city never has to issue a fine as a result of the ordinance.
