Dobson To Retire As Plymouth County Treasurer
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Treasurer, Linda Dobson is packing her belongings at the county treasurer’s office as she is about to enter retirement. Monday is scheduled as the last day Dobson will serve as the Plymouth County Treasurer. She says she got interested in working for the county government when she was approached about a part-time position with the treasurer’s office.
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She says she will always remember the people of the county.
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The long-time county treasurer says a significant change occurred in the county treasurer’s office when the supervisors decided to continue offering driver’s licensing in the county.
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So, what is next for the retiring county treasurer?
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On Tuesday,during the county board of supervisors meeting, a new treasurer will be appointed by the supervisors and sworn into office. That person has not been named, will fill the remainder of Dobson’s term. The people of Plymouth County will elect a new treasurer during the next election.
Vanderloo Named School’s Employee Of The Month
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Schools has honored one of its bus drivers as the School District Employee of the Week. Carol Vanderloo has been driving the yellow school bus for 39 years. Gary Herman submitted the nomination for Carol Vanderloo. He says Carol started as most drivers do, as a substitute driver. She took a regular route going west of Merrill in the hills and back into Merrill picking up high school and middle school students. At the same time, Carol took the responsibility of transporting special needs students back and forth to Merrill from Le Mars. To this day, Carol Vanderloo transports special needs and pre-school students. Carol just has a way with these students, and they love her. Carol is always willing to help out. On occasions she has let bus 27 take her afternoon students so she could help out by doing another route. She is almost always willing to take a group on an out of town activity. Carol also volunteers at the elementary schools.
Sioux City Man Sentenced For Assaulting Daughters
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 23-year-old Sioux City man has been given 10 years in prison for slamming his two young daughters’ heads against a floor.
On Wednesday Christopher Schmidt pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangerment resulting in serious injury. Prosecutors dismissed another child endangerment count and three counts of willful injury in return for Schmidt’s pleas.
Court documents say Schmidt’s daughters were 2 years old and 7 months old when they were injured last October. Police say Schmidt acknowledged grabbing the girls by their faces and slamming their heads into the floor, fracturing their skulls.
Northey Hopeful EPA To Change Decision On Ethanol
(Le Mars) — Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says there is some hope the Environmental Protection Agency may pull back from its earlier decision to reduce the amount of ethanol in the Renewable Fuels Standard. Northey made an appearance in Le Mars on Thursday. He says the EPA is starting to realize they may have made a mistake with the decision.
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Northey, who has been a strong advocate of ethanol and other biofuels, since the time he held leadership positions with both the state and national corn growers associations, in the early 1990’s, believes the EPA may make an announcement sometime in the coming months.
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Fort Dodge Cause Of Fire May Go Undetermined
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Officials say they may never know the cause of a blaze that destroyed a travel center in Fort Dodge because the fire burned so hot.
Doug Ostbloom, the city’s fire marshal, says authorities can’t determine the cause of the Feb. 6 fire at the Ampride All-Round Travel Center because they’re unable to pinpoint the exact origin of the blaze.
The fire, which will be listed as undermined, caused extensive damage but no injuries. The building’s distinctive round shape was destroyed.
The building will be demolished and replaced. In the meantime, the business may start selling gasoline and diesel soon.
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Woman Charged With Kidnapping Wisconsin Infant To Stay In Iowa
TIPTON, Iowa (AP) – The defense attorney for a woman charged with kidnapping her half sister’s newborn from Wisconsin, says her client hopes her half-sister is doing OK.
Attorney Victoria Noel said Friday that her client, Kristen Smith, wants to express concern for her half sister because she understands “she has gone through an ordeal.”
Federal prosecutors have charged Smith with kidnapping Kayden Powell on Feb. 6 and leaving him at an Iowa gas station. She has been jailed in Iowa since her arrest last week.
Noel made the comments on Smith’s behalf to reporters after a court hearing in which Smith declined to challenge her extradition on a warrant from Texas.
