County Supervisors To Meet Today
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to convene this morning at the Plymouth County Courthouse Board room. The Supervisors are expected to fill some vacancies. The supervisors will appoint a trustee and a clerk for Portland Township. They are also expected to appoint Don Mathews to the Board of Adjustment. The supervisors will hear a report from County Engineer, Tom Rohe. Rohe will submit a permit from Premier Communications requesting to do work in the Hungerford Township near County road C-60. Southern Sioux Rural Water Association is also requesting a permit for Sioux Township on county road K-18. Rohe will also present a resolution to the supervisors attention regarding a traffic safety improvement program application for county road C-60.
Deputy To Assist Motorist Ends Up Arresting Him For Possession Of Methamphetamine
(Le Mars) — A Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputy who offered assistance to a motorist ended up arresting him for possession of methamphetamine. Saturday evening, at about 10:24 p.m. 58 year old Jeffrey Raby of Fort Dodge was expereincing issues with his vehicle on Highway 75, just south of County road C-38. The deputy started assisting Raby and became suspicious of criminal activity. Further investigation led to the arrest of Raby, as he was charged with possession of paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor and possession of a controlled substance with the third offense which is a class D felony.
School Board Hears Principals’ Year End Reports
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education met last evening, and were given updates from each of the district’s principals regarding the end of year reports relating to student achievement with test assessments. In most cases, Le Mars Community students have scored well on the assessment tests, showing improvement over the years, and reaching the assessment goals. Students were tested in mathematics, reading skills, and science. Middle School Principal Steve Shanks reported to the school board that in many cases Le Mars students ranked either first or second among the schools within the Northwest Area Education Agency in the assessment categories of mathematics, reading, and science. Shanks believes the improvement is due in part to the school’s emphasis on PLC SMART program which identifys goals focussed on essential learnings. In other action during the school board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Steve Webner reported to the board of education that for the most part, Le Mars Community is meeting the expectations of the federal program, “No Child Left Behind.” The school board approved three new policies to be included in the student handbook. The school board also approved an agreement with Remsen-Union School district allowing R-U students to participate in Le Mars Vocational Agricultural classes and FFA. The school board approved the contracts for eight different staff members, and they also approved open enrollment for six students wanting to attend Le Mars Community. The school board also awarded a contract to Langel’s Electric of Le Mars for the installation of new lighting in the small theater. The submitted bid was for $119,000 which was nearly $30,000 lower than the second place bid.
Hospital Trustees To Meet
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Hospital Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet this evening at the hospital board room. The trustees will begin their meeting at 6:00 p.m. and will review the community health advisory quarterly report. The hospital trustees will be given an Auxiliary Update, as well as a city update, and a report from Avera McKennan, Floyd Valley’s management partner. Hospital administrator Mike Donlin will brief the trustees on the latest developments regarding the North Addition Expansion project.
Gengler Awarded Musson Scholarship
(Le Mars) — Greg Gengler has been awarded the 2014 Steven H. Musson Memorial Emergency Services Education Scholarship. The Musson family established the Steven H. Musson Emergency Services Education Endowment in 2003 to recognize and honor Steve for his passion for emergency care. This year, the committee has been able to award a $500 scholarship.
Gengler is currently an EMT with the Le Mars Ambulance Service and will be attending the paramedic program in Sioux City. Gengler also leads the First Responder Team at Dean Foods where he works full-time.
He stated in his application, “My largest goal within EMS is to provide the very best care and leave a lasting impression of the care they receive to all I may encounter along the journey.” He also adds, “EMS is a very rewarding career and towns are faced daily with hard times of getting others interested in becoming part of the EMS family. I will do my part in trying to show others what a rewarding career EMS is and also volunteering to help your fellow neighbor.”
Le Mars Chamber To Host Business Builder Seminar
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce will hold its second Business Builder seminar today over the lunch hour. The program will feature Neil Adler, the executive director with both the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce and the Le Mars Business Inititative Corporation. That program will be held at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor.
Des Moines School District To Pay For All School Breakfasts and Lunches
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Des Moines school district says some parents want to pay for their children’s free meals at school.
District food director Sandy Huisman says that the parents made the offer after the district announced last month that all students at 35 of the district’s 60 schools would be offered free breakfasts and lunches.
Most of the 18,000 students at the 35 schools qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The district determined it was cheaper to provide free meals for all than keep track of students’ eligibility. The U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to the change and will pay the entire cost of the meals. Breakfasts cost $1.93 each and lunches cost $2.98.
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Iowa Crops Look Good
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A U.S. Department of Agriculture report indicates Iowa’s corn and soybean crops are looking good.
The USDA says Monday that 76 percent of the corn crop was in good to excellent condition, and 75 percent of the soybean crop was in good to excellent condition.
Topsoil moisture also was in good shape in most areas, with 71 percent of Iowa farmland rated as adequate, 23 percent short and 3 percent very short. The remaining 3 percent had surplus moisture.
Recent rains soaked some areas of Iowa while leaving others relatively dry. That’s reflected in the survey showing some areas had only three days suitable for field work while other had more than six days during the week ending Aug. 10
