Le Mars Businesses To Celebrate “Small Business Saturday”
(Le Mars) — Le Mars businesses are encouraging area shoppers to “Think Small”® this Thanksgiving weekend. Small business Saturday activities include the arrival of Santa Claus by fire truck, cookie decorating, and discount offers all over the “Ice Cream Capital of the World.”
Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. First observed in 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local.
Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at Piece of Cake on Central Avenue in Le Mars at 11 a.m. Saturday, special delivery by the Le Mars Fire Department. Piece of Cake owner Michelle Bomgaars is planning cookie decorating for kids while they give Santa their wish lists from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. Several Le Mars businesses are getting into the Small Business Saturday Spirit including Northwest Bank providing popcorn, Floyd Valley Hospital supplying apples, and Piece of Cake offering cookies.
Le Mars merchants will roll out the red carpet all weekend, offering discounts, promotions,and many providing refreshments and drawings for prizes.
This year’s events are sponsored by local merchants with support from the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau and Le Mars Main Street.
Eight People Indicted For Assisting Jamal Dean To Flee
(Sioux City) — Eight people have been indicted by a federal grand jury for assisting Jamal Dean from leaving Sioux City after shooting a Sioux City police officer last year. A total of 17 charges have been levied against the three men and five women. All eight face a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing or interfering with governmental functions. Following Dean’s shooting of a Sioux City police officer Kevin McCormick, the eight people were involved in hiding and transporting Dean with the hopes of going to Mexico. Dean was arrested just 70 miles from the Mexican border by a Texas Highway Patrol officer. Those indicted include Dean’s father, 55 year old Lavon Dean Sr, his uncle, 53 year old Steffan Dean, 50 year old Kimberly Smith, 21 year old Monica Rocha Contreras, 34 year old Evette Morris-Hernandez, 24 year old Anna Baker, 26 year old Ingmar Hernandez, and Esterban Hernandez.
Governor Branstad To Give Deposition Regarding Firing Of State Employee
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad will have to answer questions under oath about his administration’s treatment of a gay former state administrator.
A spokesman confirmed the governor will be deposed Wednesday by an attorney for Chris Godfrey, the former workers’ compensation commissioner.
Godfrey has filed a lawsuit against Branstad and aides alleging he was singled out for harsh treatment because he’s openly gay.
He contends that Branstad demanded his resignation in 2011, and the governor cut his pay by $40,000 when he refused to quit.
Godfrey had been confirmed by the Iowa Senate for a six-year term. He argued his job was independent from political pressure so that injured workers could get fair hearings.
Branstad has denied discrimination. His lawyers say the resignation request was routine and the pay cut was legal.
High Speed Car Chase
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say two men have been arrested after a car chase through Polk County that reached speeds of 100 mph.
A Sheriff’s deputy says the SUV driven by 28-year-old Brian Palm of Des Moines sped off on Tuesday after the deputy pulled him over for a traffic violation. Pleasant Hill police say the SUV drove through backyards and onto a trail during the chase before the driver crashed into a fence.
Palm’s charges include driving while barred, eluding and drug possession. Thirty-four-year-old passenger David Kirsch of Des Moines was charged with drug and drug paraphernalia possession.
Authorities say Palm was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. Kirsch was taken to the Polk County Jail.
It wasn’t immediately clear if they have attorneys.
Fort Dodge Teen Given Five Years For Drive-by Shooting
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – A Fort Dodge teenager has been given five years in prison for his involvement in a drive-by shooting.
Eighteen-year-old Xavier Rhone was sentenced Monday in Webster County District Court on a charge of going armed with intent. Judge Kurt Wilke said he would reconsider the sentence if Rhone undergoes counseling and shows improvement.
The Fort Dodge Messenger reports Rhone admitted earlier this year to firing two shots from a .22-caliber revolver in August at the home of a person who had allegedly threatened him. No one was injured in the shooting.
Rhode pleaded guilty to the going armed with intent charge as part of a plea deal that dropped several other charges.
Turkey Federation Answers Questions About Everything Turkey This Time Of Year
(Ames) — This time of year it is no surprise to learn the Iowa Turkey Federation headquartered in Ames, Iowa receives numerous phone calls and email messages inquiring everything about turkeys. Katie Olthoff serves as the Communications Specialist for the Iowa Turkey Federation, but she is also a turkey producer. She says her family utilizes turkey meat in a variety of ways beyond the traditional Thanksgiving meal.
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Iowa ranks ninth in turkey production, but fifth in the nation for turkey processing. Olthoff says turkey consumption has been on the rise for many of years, and she says besides your holiday meal, Iowa turkeys are found at your favorite fast food sandwich shop.
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The turkey official says the Iowa turkey industry was given some good news last week when the Hillshire Brand turkey processing plant, based in Storm Lake, was again able to resume production following a devastating fire last March.
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As for the questions relating to how you should cook a turkey, Olthoff says the answers to most questions may be found at the iowa turkey.org website.
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