Le Mars Public Works To Close Streets For Repairs
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Public Works have announced they have closed North Greenwood Drive between Greenwood Avenue and West Valley Drive. The street is closed due to sewer intake repairs. In addition, the city will close 12th Street southwest from Central Avenue to 6th Avenue Southwest beginning Tuesday, June 30th. The city will close one block at a time in between intersections to tar and seal the cracks in the street. All intersections will remain open.
Police Department Issues 3rd & 4th Quarter Reports
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has issued its quarterly report. During the 3rd and 4th fiscal year quarters covering the time period of December 23rd of 2014 to June 23rd of 2015, the police had investigated 566 complaints, the police had a total of 2,541 calls for service, issued 299 traffic citations, and 788 warnings. The police responded to 122 accidents and made 155 arrests.
June “Employee Of The Month” Named Today
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce awarded its June “Employee of the Month” this morning. Kevin Eekhoff representing the Chamber presented the honor to Richard Wilkins. Wilkins was nominated by Rust’s Western Shed. In the nomination, it states, Richard Wilkins is a dependable, valuable employee who handles a wide range of responsibilities at the store. He waits on customers, helps in the repair area, sells boots and other merchandise and is capable of running the store by himself when needed. He has a good understanding of how to meet the requirements of our shoe customers because of his knowledge of the store’s inventory. Fifteen years of experience have also enabled Richard to understand the shoe, boot, and other repair needs side of Rust’s Western Shed. He can answer customer’s questions about their needs and guide customers through the repairs options available to them. Richard provides friendly customer service and this loyalty and trustworthiness have made him a very valuable employee and asset to Rust’s Western Shed. That is why we are pleased to recognize Richard Wilkins as the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce June 2015 Employee of the Month. Our congratulations go to Richard Wilkins. By the way, Richard is celebrating his 80th birthday today.
Lady Of Assumption Catholic Church In Merrill To Hold Last Mass Service On Sunday
MERRILL, Iowa (AP) – A final mass is planned for the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, which has been in the small northwestern Iowa community of Merrill for more than 120 years.
Bishop R. Walker Nickless will preside over the Sunday closing mass.
A smaller membership at the parish and a shrinking number of priests had led to the forthcoming closure.
Nickless says closing a parish always is a painful experience for him. He says the decision to close a parish is made after consulting with the priest council, the parish directors and the finance committee.
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Iowa Universities Can’t Be Sued For Refusing To Pay Into Insurance For People With Health Risks
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s public universities can’t be sued for allegedly refusing to pay their share into a state program that subsidizes insurance for Iowans with health risks.
The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal Wednesday of a lawsuit that seeks millions in assessments from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.
The Iowa Individual Health Benefit Reinsurance Association contends that the universities, like other agencies that offer self-funded health insurance plans, are legally required to pay those fees.
ISU and UNI had paid them for years but all three universities refused to participate when the University of Iowa became self-insured in 2010. The Board of Regents contends the schools aren’t covered by the law.
The court says the program doesn’t have the authority to sue.
Fort Dodge To Move Creek
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Fort Dodge officials are moving ahead with plans to move a creek and shore up a bank to reduce erosion and improve water quality.
$2.1 million project at Soldier Creek is being done by Fort Dodge and Webster County.
Fort Dodge project engineer Tony Trotter outlined the project at a meeting Tuesday night, saying the work was needed because the creek has been moving north for 80 years, as it cuts into a steep bank at Snell-Crawford Park.
Crews will shift the creek back to an earlier path and place large rocks on the shoreline to reduce more erosion.
The project is being funded by the state and county.
Workers also will reduce pollution by adding basins to another part of the creek.
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Environmental Protection Agency Hears Comments Regarding Renewable Fuels
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Federal environmental officials say hundreds have signed up to testify on a renewable fuels proposal that ethanol supporters say would have stifling implications for their industry.
Last month the Environmental Protection Agency announced a plan to reduce renewable fuels requirements by 4 billion gallons in 2015 and more than 3 billion in 2016. The agency says volumes required by a 2007 law are impossibly high.
The EPA is conducting the hearings Thursday in Kansas City, Kansas, with plans to announce its final decision in November.
At least two governors, busloads of FFA members and farmers from several states are planning to rally against the proposal at a nearby park.
Ethanol backers say the EPA caved in to the demands of the petroleum industry, which is generally opposed to the standards.
