Le Mars School Board Calls For Special Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will hold a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st. That special meeting will start at 5:00 p.m. at the Education Service Center and the school board will consider approving the recommendations from the Meet and Confer team regarding support staff and administrative contracts for 2013-2014 school year. It is expected the school board will approve the recommendations.
“Fido Photo” Contest Announced For “Woof-stock”
(Le Mars) — If you like dogs and photography, the “Fido Photo” contest will be for you at this year’s fifth annual “Woof-stock” sponsored by the Plymouth County Historical Museum. The deadline for submitting a photo of your dog or someone else’s dog is 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 31. All photos must be 5×7 inches or larger and mounted on card stock or construction paper so that the photos may be displayed at “Woof-stock”. The photographer’s name, age, address, and phone number must be on the back of each entry. Prizes will be given in four age groups. 5 to 10 years of age, 11-15, 16-21, and adult. Photos must be delivered to the Museum located at 335 First Avenue Southwest, Le Mars, during open hours. If you have questions, you may call the museum at (712) 539-0223.
Onawa Woman Found Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter of Son’s Death
ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa woman has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of her 15-month-old son.
District Judge Jeffrey Neary said in a ruling Friday that the actions of 25-year-old Ashley Cameron of Onawa did not rise to the level of murder. She also was convicted of child endangerment
causing the death of a child.
Cameron faced a first-degree murder charge in the death of Markis Dahms. She testified that she held Markis under a running faucet after he had vomited. She later found him face down in the
water.
Neary says in the 19-page ruling that Cameron was negligent but never intended to cause Markis’ death. Her attorney suggested that the boy may have had a seizure.
Jamal Dean Pleads Not Guilty Of Shooting Police Officer
(Sioux City) — The man accused of shooting a Sioux City Police Officer has pleaded not guilty during a preliminary hearing. 21-year old Jamal Dean pleaded not guilty to the felony charges of attempted murder, assault causing serious injury, assault on a peace officer, willful injury and going armed with intent. If found guilty on all charges, Dean faces up to 85 years in prison. Dean smiled at family members as he was led into the courtroom. Dean is accused of shooting Office Kevin McCormick in the head on April 29th. McCormick is expected to make a full recovery, and has already returned to patrol duty. Dean was captured in Texas on May 4 after a manhunt. Dean is also accused of robbery and
burglary charges in another case. Police accuse him and his brother, Levon Dean of robbing
a man at gunpoint on April 24th.
Pipe Bomb Victim Wants Perpetrator To Get Well
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa woman who lost her hearing when a pipe bomb in her mailbox exploded 11 years ago says she hopes the suspect can someday be released and live happily.
Delores Werling of Tipton says she has no “ill feelings” for Luke Helder, even though she still has problems hearing and with a tooth knocked out in the blast.
Helder has been committed for treatment since 2004 after being declared mentally unfit to stand trial. Investigators say he placed 18 bombs in mailboxes in five states in May 2002 and six detonated,
injuring Werling and five others. A judge says he’ll order a new competency hearing for Helder this year.
Werling says she’s not particularly interested in seeing Helder stand trial and just wants him to get well.
Legislators Hope To Wrap Up General Session
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa legislators are trying to wrap up the 2013 legislative session, but their work will continue next week.
The state House and Senate ended work for the week Friday afternoon, with plans to return early next week. Republican House Speaker Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha says he hopes to “wrap it up
quickly” when they come back.
On Thursday, legislators struck a tentative deal to cut commercial property taxes and make other tax reductions. But the legislation did not come up for a vote Friday. Democratic Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines says some Senate Democrats want the weekend to talk with local officials about the impact.
Lawmakers still have to find an agreement on education policy and decide how to handle health care for low-income Iowans.
Lawmakers Pass Infrastructure Budget
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa lawmakers have approved about $77 million in infrastructure spending that will help maintain state buildings and public land.
The state House and Senate both easily approved the budget plan Friday afternoon. The bill will next move to Governor Terry Branstad for his signature.
The funding will go to projects that include upkeep of state buildings, as well as restoring lakes and enhancing trail networks.
The infrastructure money is allocated from two sources, with most of it coming from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund. That fund is financed through gambling revenues and other sources.
Pig Virus Detected In Iowa Hog Herd
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – One case of a virus that sickens pigs has been found in Iowa and while the illness can spread through a herd it is not typically fatal.
The illness, porcine epidemic diarrhea, is not a threat to food safety and it doesn’t spread to other animals or people.
The virus was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in an Iowa pig on May 16th.
Iowa Department of Agriculture spokesman Dustin Vande Hoef says tests are being done on two other animals at a different location to see if it’s the same infection.
The virus causes diarrhea and vomiting in the animals but they typically recover.
The illness, which exists in many parts of the world, does not carry interstate trade restrictions.
