School Board To Certify Student Enrollment
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education is scheduled to meet this evening, and although the school board has a light agenda, they will hear a report from Assistant Superintendent, Steve Webner regarding the certified student count for this year. The school board will decide upon the contracts for two food service workers, Wanda Kneip and Patricia Lehner. The school board is also expected to approve classification changes due to graduate work completed by teachers.
Jimmie Johnson Helmet On Display At Le Mars Community School
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School Foundation Board will be showing off the helmet of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson at a photo ceremony scheduled for this afternoon. The helmet of the race car driver is on tour as part of the “Helmet of Hope” campaign. It is appearing at the Le Mars Community School since Le Mars was one of the winners of a $25,000 grant from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. The Le Mars Community Foundation Board will visit each of the high school English classrooms that received laptop computers as a result of the grant.
Rupp And Niebuhr Honored At Bishop’s Dinner
(Sioux City) — A Remsen St. Mary’s fourth grade teacher and a Development Director from Gehlen Catholic School were among the six people honored at last evening’s Bishop’s Dinner held in Sioux City. Cathy Rupp of Remsen received the Excellence in Education award, and Lisa Niebuhr of Le Mars was presented the Good Shepard award by Bishop R. Walker Nickless. THe Bishop’s Dinner is a major fundraiser event for catholic schools within the Sioux City Diocese. Last year, the Bishop’s Dinner raised more than $178,000 for catholic schools. Former NFL coach, and now ESPN commentator, Herm Edwards served as the key-note speaker at last evening’s event.
Sioux City Schools Apply For English Language Grant
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Sioux City School board is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to apply for a state grant that helps non-English speaking students learn the language.
The English Language Learner Literacy Grant would help develop programs to help English language learners develop their reading and writing skills. The district could receive $175,000 each for three years if it applies and the grant it is approved by the Iowa Department of Education
The program would focus on students in Bryant, Leeds, Loess Hills and Hunt elementary schools.
The district of more than 14,000 students has more than 2,600 students learning English. Nearly 30 different languages were spoken in Sioux City schools last year.
Democratic Congressional Candidate Jim Mowrer Talks Issues With KLEM
(Le Mars) — 4th District Democratic Congressional candidate Jim Mowrer stopped by KLEM on Friday afternoon. MOwrer is seeking the position being held by Republican Steve King. Mowrer hails from Boone, Iowa, and is a veteran of the Iraqi War, as well as a former Pentagon staffer. We spoke on various topics, but with regard to undocumented immigrants, Mowrer says Congressman Steve King has the wrong definition and wrong idea about amnesty.
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Mowrer says he favors raising the minimum wage level to $10.10 per hour as proposed by retiring Iowa Senator Tom Harkin. Mowrer was asked if the minimum wage can be increased and not affect either the unemployment rate, or the growth in the national economy.
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As mentioned, Mowrer is a veteran of the Iraqi War and a former Pentagon staffer, so what’s his opinion on the threat from terrorists groups like ISIS?
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The Democratic Congressional challenger says he does differ from both Congressman Steve King and President Obama about arming any militant groups.
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Mowrer believes if the U-S provides arms to the Syrian rebels, they in fact, in time would use those same arms against American troops, and American interests. He points to Afghanistan as his example, when the U-S provided arms to the Afghani rebels so they could drive out the Soviet Union after the invasion, but now those same rebels are shooting at Americans.
Romney Visits Iowa To Campaign For Ernst
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Mitt Romney is visiting Iowa for U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst as her battle with Democrat Bruce Braley enters its final three weeks.
The 2012 Republican presidential nominee planned to headline an event Sunday evening in West Des Moines with Ernst, a state senator running against the congressman for the seat held by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin.
A Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll published Saturday showed the race a dead heat, with Ernst holding a 48 to 47 percent lead over Braley, marking improvements by both candidates though more by Braley.
Romney’s visit, which also includes a stop in Cedar Rapids later today, comes on the heels of Braley and Ernst’s second debate Saturday. Their final debate is set for Thursday in Sioux City.
Missing Inmate Returns
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities say an inmate on work release has returned less than 24 hours after he was reported missing.
An Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman says 41-year-old Bryan McDaniel failed to report to work in Sioux City on Saturday. The spokesman says McDaniel went to the facility on Sunday morning after authorities initiated a search for him.
Authorities didn’t account for McDaniel’s absence or say if he faces additional charges.
He is serving a 75-year sentence for second-degree murder and has been incarcerated since 1995. He was placed in the work release program in July.
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84 Year Old Man Dies From Tractor Accident
GRUNDY CENTER, Iowa (AP) – Grundy County authorities say an 84-year-old man has died after being pinned underneath his tractor.
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office says Russell Katzer of Conrad was killed on Sunday. Authorities say he was driving on a gravel street when he veered off the road and the tractor flipped.
Katzer was taken to the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center where he later died.
It’s unclear what caused the crash. The sheriff’s office is investigating.
Woodward Woman Ran Over By Tractor
WOODWARD, Iowa (AP) – Dallas County authorities say a 31-year-old woman suffered severe internal injuries when she was run over by a tractor.
The accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Woodward. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says the woman was helping other people move two tractors when she fell down between the machines and was run over by a rear tire of one.
She was taken to a Des Moines hospital. Her name hasn’t been released.
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