Le Mars Community High School To Host College Fair
(Le Mars) — Tonight, the Le Mars Community High School will be hosting its annual “College
Fair” and Guidance Counselor Barry Borchers explains who should attend.
Listen to
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Borchers says the College Fair is for anyone within the immediate area, not just the Le Mars Community High School.
Listen to
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The Guidance Counselor says representatives from more than 60 colleges, universities, community colleges, and military branches will be attending the college fair.
Listen to
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Past college fairs have had excellent attendance by both the students and parents, according to Borchers. The College Fair will be held at the old Carey Gym, and will begin at 6:00
p.m. and will continue until 7:30 p.m.
Branstad To Expand Bio-fuels In Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is seeking to expand the availability of certain types of biofuels in Iowa.
Branstad on Monday announced a new program called “Fueling our Future.”
The program will use $250,000 in existing federal dollars to provide funding to Iowa retailers that install more pumps that contain what is known as E30, a gasoline blended with 30 percent ethanol.
Many cars on the road can’t use E30, which is only recommended for cars known as “flex fuel” vehicles. State officials say that about 10 percent of cars on the road nationally are “flex fuel” models.
Sioux City School Bus Involved In Accident
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are investigating a minor school bus crash in Sioux City that involved no children.
Sioux City Police say the crash happened around 12:15 p.m. Monday near a railroad crossing. It involved a vehicle that ended up smashed under the bus’ back bumper.
A Sioux City Community School employee says the bus driver wasn’t hurt. The Sioux City Journal reports (https://bit.ly/1703I3x ) it’s unclear if there were any injuries.
Additional information about the crash was not available.
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Former Transportation Employee Linked To Additional Scams
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former Iowa Department of Transportation employee who already faces charges in connection with a theft and money laundering operation has been linked to other inappropriate transactions by the state auditor.
Auditor Mary Mosiman says David Weigel, of Nevada, is connected to more than $195,000 in improper disbursements, improper disability benefits and uncollected lease payments.
The addendum released Monday is in connection to a report issued in April that links Weigel to more than $580,000 in inappropriate transactions. The addendum covers a period through June.
Weigel is a former employee in the property management section of the agency’s right of way office. He’s accused of selling state land and pocketing some of the proceeds. He faces numerous charges including theft, money laundering and criminal conduct.
Weigel had no comment Monday.
Vilsack To Be A “No-Show” For World Food Prize
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has canceled a scheduled event that was to be part of the World Food Prize activities in Des Moines this week because of the partial federal government shutdown.
Vilsack was to discuss a variety of issues with the Mexican agriculture minister on Thursday afternoon.
A Vilsack spokeswoman confirmed Monday he will not attend.
A World Food Prize spokeswoman says the Mexican agriculture official has indicated he also will cancel if Vilsack does.
The round-table discussion was part of a series of lectures and other events scheduled this week around the awarding Thursday evening of the annual World Food Prize to three biotechnology scientists.
More than 1,000 international scientists, public policy experts, business and government leaders, and farmers are attending the week’s activities.
Environmental Protection Commission Rejects Petition For Water Standards
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission has rejected a petition calling on the state to set measurable water standards to clean up Iowa lakes.
The commission voted unanimously during a meeting in Des Moines Monday.
The Iowa Environmental Council and the Environmental Law and Policy Center filed the petition in August saying Iowa’s plan for reducing phosphorous and nitrogen that pollute lakes is inadequate and doesn’t meet federal standards.
The petition calls on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to set standards to protect 159 of Iowa’s publicly owned lakes. The DNR urged the commission to deny the petition, arguing that the department needs time to see how other water quality efforts are working.
The nine-member commission is responsible for setting water quality standards and overseeing pollution control efforts.
