Branstad Announces Special Election Date For House District 5 Election
(Des Moines) — Governor Terry Branstad has signed a proclamation directing a special election to be held on Nov. 3, 2015, for Iowa House District 5, following the resignation of Chuck Soderberg who recently announced his resignation after being named as the new executive vice president for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.
House District 5 is comprised of Plymouth and a portion of Woodbury counties. The district includes the communities of Akron, Hinton, Le Mars, Lawton, Moville, and Pierson. So far, only one person has filed nomination papers for the District 5 State House of Representatives position. Retired veterinarian Chuck Holz of Le Mars, a republican, has filed his nomination papers seeking to replace Chuck Soderberg.
Few Candidates Have Filed Nomination Papers For City Council And Mayor Positions
(Le Mars) — There is not much time for candidates wanting to file nomination papers for two city council positions and for mayor. Thursday, September 17th is the deadline to submit your name as a candidate. So far, Dick Kirchoff remains unopposed as he is the only person to file for the mayor’s position. John Rexwinkle is seeking re-election as an At-large district council member. As is the case with Kirchoff, Rexwinkle is currently running unopposed. Delana Irhke, who represents the city residents living in District Ward 2 has chosen not to seek re-election, and so far, no one has stepped forward to place a name for nomination to succeed Irhke.
Competency Hearing For Jonathon Neunaber Scheduled For October 16
(Le Mars) — A hearing has been scheduled for October 16th for the determination of competency of Jonathon Neunaber. Neunaber is being held in the Plymouth County jail after being accused of killing his mother Esther Neunaber at their rural Akron home a year ago in July. In a court order, Judge Steven Andreasen has ruled that both the State’s appointed psychiatrist and the defendant’s licensed psychologist have completed their evaluation of Neunaber.
Museum Applies For Non-profit Status With IRS
(Le Mars) — Earlier this year, the Plymouth County Historical Museum was notified by the Internal Revenue Service that the museum was no longer listed as a non-profit organization, since the museum failed to file such status requests for three years. On Tuesday, Judy Bowman, the administrator of the Plymouth County Historical Museum, informed the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors that the museum has now since taken the appropriate steps to rectify the oversight error. Bowman apologized before the county supervisors for the clerical error.
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Bowman explains what changes have been made in the museum’s accounting procedures.
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Bowman appeared before the county governing board to ask if the supervisors would consider sponsoring the museum, so expenses could be paid while the museum waits to learn if its non-profit status would be re-instated by the I-R-S. Appearing with Bowman before the supervisors was Rebecca Krohn executive director of Siouxland Community Foundation. Krohn explained to the supervisors that her organization would assist with the bookkeeping of payments and expenses. Krohn and Bowman said two accounts would be established, an endowment fund along with a renovation fund. Bowman informed the supervisors that approval for the non-profit status could be anywhere between two months up to 15 months. Bowman says the museum recently completed a window painting project which was to be paid using the foundation funds as a non-profit organization.
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Bowman told the supervisors that the museum is continuing to raise funds through various events including the upcoming Woof-stock program, Loess Hills Bus tour, and through the Garage Sale. The Supervisors approved the action to help sponsor the Plymouth County Historical Museum through the Siouxland Community Foundation, until such time the museum is able to regain its non-profit status with the I-R-S.
City Clean Up Week
(Le Mars) — This week has been designated as fall clean-up week for Le Mars. It is a week when the city offers amnesty for the city residents to dispose of wood, and metals. Bill Cole is the city’s assistant city administrator.
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Cole reviews what can and cannot be disposed at the landfill during fall clean up week.
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Cole says the program is only for city residents. Industrial and Commercial businesses are not allowed to participate in the amnesty clean-up program. Cole reminds residents that the city will not pick up any items, that in fact, residents need to make their own arrangements in disposing their waste products.
Bishop Nickless To Visit With Pope Francis
(Sioux City) — Next week Pope Francis arrives in America for his first visit since becoming Pope. Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Sioux City Catholic Diocese will be making the trip to Philadelphia and Washington D.C. to have an audience with the Holy Father during the world meeting of families.
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It will be the first time the Bishop has met Pope Francis. Bishop Nickless says while the Pope is perceived as more liberal than his predecessors, the teachings of the Catholic Church are not changing.
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Bishop Nickless says that includes comments from the Pope regarding abortion and gay marriage
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The Bishop says several members of the Sioux City Diocese had inquired about tickets to see the Pope, but he is unsure how many are actually travelling east next week. The conference runs September 22nd through the 27th. The Holy Father will first stop in Cuba before coming to the United States.
