Fire Department Responds To Oven Fire
(Le Mars) — Shortly after 7:00 p.m. last evening the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was
called to 641 7th Ave. S.E. for an oven fire. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was found throughout the main floor of the home. Firefighters made entry into the home and extinguished a fire in the oven. The smoke was ventilated from the home by firefighters with a large positive pressure ventilation fan. Firefighters were on scene for approximately 45 minutes. There were several individuals at the home at the time of the fire and all were unharmed. Fire damage was limited to the oven and the smoke damage to the home is being evaluated.
Authorities Say They Are Considering More Serious Charges Against Daycare Provider
ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities investigating the death of a 3-year-old girl in Orange City say they’re considering more serious charges against the day care provider who was watching her.
The state Division of Criminal Investigation said Wednesday that initial charges of willful injury and child endangerment resulting in serious injury have been dismissed without prejudice against 33-year-old Rochelle Lynn Sapp, of Orange City.
Autumn Elgersma died on Oct. 31, a couple of days after she was hospitalized with severe head trauma. Investigators say Sapp was watching the girl at the time.
Authorities say Sapp’s initial charges were in relation to when Autumn was alive. More serious charges are possible now given the death. Those charges may be filed once an autopsy
is completed.
Court records do not list an attorney for Sapp.
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office Warns Against Phone Scam
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office would like to warn citizens of a scam that
is affecting Plymouth County. Residents of Plymouth County have been receiving letters or
post cards in the mail claiming that they have won a $100 gift card. They are then
instructed to call a phone number in order to receive their card and to activate it. After
placing the phone call, they are asked for their name, address and credit card number in
order to receive and to activate the gift card. After receiving your credit card number,
the $100 is never received and un-approved transactions will appear on your credit card.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office encourages area residents to be cautious when
responding to these types of mailings or phone calls.
Le Mars Hosting Iowa Mainstreet Organization Fall Conference
(Le Mars) — Several delegates from communities from across the state are in Le Mars for the Iowa Mainstreet Fall Conference. Mary Reynolds, Le Mars Mainstreet coordinator says the ice cream capital is hosting approximately 75 people.
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The two day conference continues today. Yesterday, the conference hosted Artist and Motivational speaker Dave Williamson.
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The Le Mars Mainstreet Coordinator talks more about Williamson.
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Reynolds says she hopes the community leaders from across the state realize that Le Mars is
a special town with special people.
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Kathy Dalton Honored As School Employee Of The Month
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District honored its “employee of the month” on Wednesday. Kathy Dalton, serves as the high school library aide and has done so for at least
the past 18 years. School Librarian Nancy Isebrand nominated Dalton for the honor. She says
“Kathy goes out of her way to help students in the library. She is pleasant to the students
and often takes the time to get to know them a bit better by visiting with them about their
interests, homework topics, and their life. Students often feel welcomed by Mrs. Dalton.”
The nomination continues by saying Kathy helps manage the high school library smoothly,
especially when I am busy in the middle school library or helping teachers in their
classrooms. She is efficient and volunteers to do many tasks that are often time-consuming,
but necessary. Kathy Dalton usually has a smile on her face, making the library a welcoming place. She is easy to work with and a great help.
Le Mars Community To Dismiss School For State Volleyball Tournament
(Le Mars) — Since the Le Mars Community Lady Bulldogs have earned a trip to the state volleyball tournament held in Cedar Rapids, Dr. Todd Wendt, superintendent of the Le Mars Community school has announced that there will be “no school” next Tuesday, November 12th.
Classes will be made up at the end of the school year. In addition, the 6th grade band
concert originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 12th will instead be held the following
week on Tuesday, November 19th. The Lady Bulldogs are scheduled to play Harlan Cyclones at
4:00 p.m. in the first round of the state volleyball tournament.
Postal Playhouse To Feature “Spitfire Grill”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Theater is busy staging their new production of “The Spitfire Grill” which open next weekend. The musical is a story of renewal and redemption, that the 7 member cast is working to portray.
The show is about a young woman, named Percy, who comes to a small town in Wisconsin after having served time in prison. She meets her parole officer, Sheriff Joe Sutter, and begins working at The Spitfire Grill, owned by Hannah. The town crier, Effy, starts talking about the new addition to the staff, and soon Hannah’s nephew Caleb and his wife Shelby are involved. When Percy suggests that Hannah try to raffle off the Grill, the fun really begins.
Cast members include : Donna Muilenburg as Hannah, Margaret Britton as Effy, Mark and Beth Strub as Caleb and Shelby, Angela Riedeman as Percy, Larry Brangwin as the mysterious visitor, and Richard Buman as Sheriff Joe.
Buman is new to the Postal Playhouse stage, but he’s no stranger to the theater. Buman was employed professionally with theaters in Chicago and San Diego for 10 years, working behind the scenes. He says the transition to community theater has been all about managing expectations and enjoying the process.
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What has been the best part of joining the Le Mars Community Theater family? He says that’s easy…it’s the people.
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He has also enjoyed learning the music for the show and says the songs are much more conversational than what you find in most musicals.
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“The Spitfire Grill” runs next Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then Wednesday through Sunday the following week. Evening performances are at 7:30pm with Sunday matinees at 2pm. Reservations can be made by contacting the Postal Playhouse between 11 and 2 Monday-Friday at 546-5788 or by emailing lctreservations@frontier.com.
