Home News Thursday Afternoon News, May 30

Thursday Afternoon News, May 30

Le Mars Chamber Ask For Volunteers To Help Wrap Trees

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to assist with the wrapping of lights on the downtown trees.  Volunteers are asked to report outside of the Habitue Coffeehouse and Creperie at 1:00 p.m.

 

Cherokee Will Hold Rodeo, Rain or Shine

(Cherokee) — Cherokee officials want everyone to know their annual rodeo scheduled to begin this evening will be held rain or shine.  Julie Herring-Kent serves as the executive director with the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.  She says the community has been making great strides in cleaning up after the floods.

Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/May 2013/Kent1.mp3{/audio}

Kent says the Cherokee County fairgrounds, where the rodeo is held, was not affected by the local flooding.  She says the rodeo committee wants to assist those that were adversely affected by the Memorial Day flooding, and are urging rodeo patrons to consider making donations.

Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/May 2013/Kent2.mp3{/audio}

The Cherokee Chamber Memorial Rodeo kicks off tonight with gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the rodeo performance to start at 7:30 p.m.  The rodeo continues on Friday and Saturday evenings along with the Rodeo parade scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.


State Flooding Assistance Designated For Municipalities

(Des Moines) — Governor Branstad has added another eight Iowa counties to the designated disaster area list hit by recent storms and flooding.  Lyon county now joins Ida, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Sioux and Plymouth Counties as the  northwest Iowa counties to be proclaimed as a disaster area. However, Gary Junge, Plymouth County Emergency Management Services Director says the proclamation doesn’t mean individuals will receive state financial assistance, rather it will benefit municipalities.

Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/May 2013/Junge disaster list1.mp3{/audio}

Junge says in order for communities to qualify for the state assistance, they will need to show documentation of the extra work during the flood relief efforts.

Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/May 2013/Junge disaster list2.mp3{/audio}

The Emergency Management Services Director says only one family in Plymouth County was forced from their home and displaced as a result of the flooding.


Iowa State University Extension Has Flood Recovery Guide

(Le Mars) — With the excess rainfall in many locations in Northwest Iowa, home owners and land owners are now facing decisions and the necessity to clean up.   Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a Storm Recovery Guide; a publication covering topics that relate to safety and household cleanup after tornadoes, floods and other disasters.   Flood topics including salvage and clean up, mold, water safety, and rodents for example.   The 24-page guide was created by Louisiana State Ag Center and edited by Iowa State University Extension experts for use in Iowa.
The “Storm Recovery Guide” and numerous other resources are available on line.  The Storm Recovery Guide can also be obtained by contacting the Plymouth County Extension Office at 251 12th St. SE in Le Mars or contacting them at 712-546-7835.


Sioux City Schools Seeking Permission To Use Federal Funds For Teacher Salaries

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City school officials are seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Education to use some money set aside for special programs to instead save up to eight teaching
jobs.
The school district set aside nearly $430,000 for private tutoring and student transportation during the current school year but expects to only spend about $200,000. The rest of the money will be
returned to the Education Department.
Although much of the funding wasn’t spent, the district is required to raise that allotment to more than $700,000 in the next school year, although officials think most of the money won’t be
used.
Superintendent Paul Gausman says the district could avoid layoffs if federal officials agree to the request.