Supervisors To Again Discuss Joint Urban Renewal Development Agreement
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet this morning at the County Courthouse Board room. The supervisors are again expected to discuss the joint urban renewal development agreement between the county and the city of Le Mars. Last week that action was tabled. The county supervisors will hear a report from Sara DeAnda with the Iowa Workforce Development. DeAnda will share with the supervisors information about the skilled Iowa program. The supervisors will also hear a request to approve a minor subdivision.
Supervisors To Accept Bids For Construction Projects
(Le Mars) — Today, may be considered the start of the county bridge and road construction season as the Board of Supervisors will be letting bids on four culvert projects and one bridge repair project. Bids from contractors will be opened at 11:00 a.m. by county engineer, Tom Rohe in the courthouse boardroom.
City Council Has Busy Agenda
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will meet today at noon at the city hall council chambers. The city council will again discuss the public works building, as well as the Plymouth County/Le Mars Urban Renewal Agreement. Today, will also be the third and final reading of the proposed city code ordinances, including enforcement of odd/even parking on streets during the winter months, regardless if there is snow. The city council is scheduled to discuss the solid waste collections contract with Van’s Sanitation. The city council will begin to decide the fees to be charged for wastewater. Improvements to the airport is also on the city council’s agenda for today.
Remsen-Union And West Sioux To Be Honored By Iowa College Aid Commission
(Des Moines) — Two area schools and their students will be recognized today during award ceremonies by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. Students and faculty at Remsen-Union High School will be formally honored for their work as being certified in over 600 core concepts of financial literacy. The students were able to complete an interactive web-based financial education course designed to empower young people with the essential skills needed to make sound financial decisions. Since it began in 2010, more than 30,000 Iowa students have completed the course. West Sioux High School of Hawarden will be honored as being the statewide winner of the Iowa Financial Literacy program video clip challenge. The West Sioux High School students created a video entitled: “Making Good Decisions” about the importance of making smart financial decisions. The school will be awarded a $1000 technology grant, and $250 will be awarded to the students involved in creating the video.
Farmers Trying To “Catch Up” On Corn Planting
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa and Nebraska farmers say they’re still on track to get their corn planted despite cold, wet weather that slowed their start to the planting season.
Numbers released Monday from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show 23 percent of Iowa’s corn crop has been planted. That’s up significantly from last week’s 15 percent planted.
The percentage likely will rise quickly this week, as farmers have several warm, dry days before rain returns to the forecast.
Chad Hart, an Iowa State University agriculture economist, says it’s crucial for farmers to get their crop planted in the coming weeks. He says corn should be in the ground by late April to early May.
Nebraska is closer to completion, with 44 percent of its corn crop planted.
Emergency Management Director Suggests People Be Prepared For Storms
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state’s top disaster services official says the death of two Iowans in April 27 storms highlights the need to develop a storm preparedness plan.
Mark Schouten, Iowa’s emergency management director recommends Iowans stay aware by keeping a battery operated radio or a cell phone with a storm alert application nearby. Families should have emergency plans and emergency storm kits ready.
Schouten says the Keokuk County storm in late April was not identified as a tornado by the National Weather Service until after a second person died. One woman was killed near Martinsburg, the other near Kinross. Both were caught outside when winds hit.
Schouten says Iowa has built an increasing number of school tornado safe rooms with 33 completed projects and funding approved for more.
Technology Worker “Sorry” He Sold U of I Computers
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former technology worker at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has been sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to stealing computers.
Brian Manary told Judge Mitchell Turner on Monday he was sorry for the thefts and was “committed 100 percent to paying restitution back.” He was then sentenced to probation with the possibility of a deferred judgment that would clear his record.
The specific amount of money owed by Manary will be disclosed at a hearing later this year. A state audit released last month found that Manary had sold hospital computers to staffers and friends, costing the institution more than $57,000.
Manary was placed on administrative leave last June and fired about a week later.
Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzeling $40,000 From Retirement Fund
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A former company official has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $40,000 from an employee retirement fund.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cedar Rapids says 42-year-old Anthony Bartleson, of Forest City, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to one count of embezzlement from an employee retirement plan.
In a plea agreement, Bartleson acknowledged that while working as vice president and treasurer of Bartleson Masonry in Forest City, he withheld money from employee paychecks that was intended for an investment account but that he used for personal and business expenses.
Bartleson embezzled over $25,000 from the employee benefit plan by not properly forwarding money withheld from paychecks. He also embezzled more than $15,000 from the investment plan by not paying employer matching contributions.
