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Thursday Afternoon News

Le Mars Sertoma Club Prepares For Annual Christmas Lighted Parade

(Le Mars) — Several holiday events are scheduled for this weekend in Le Mars, one of them is the annual Christmas Lighted Parade.  In recent years, the Le Mars Sertoma Organization has taken over the duties of coordinating the festive event.  Joel Johnson, is a past president of the Sertoma Club. He says this year’s parade promises to be as colorful as those from the past.

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Parade entries are still being accepted, and Johnson says the Sertoma Club would like to have parade entries begin to line up on 8th Street Blvd between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. with the parade to start promptly at 6:00 p.m.  Johnson says anyone can place an entry in the parade.

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The annual lighted Christmas parade got its start back in 1997.

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Johnson says the Christmas Lighted Parade is one of those events that people look forward to seeing.  He says it serves as the community kick-off for the Christmas holiday season.

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The Sertoma Club leader says the parade will feature many of the traditional lighted floats and entries, as well as several new lighted floats.
The Christmas Lighted Parade is scheduled for Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. and will travel north on Central Avenue past Foster Park, and continuing through downtown.

 

 

 

Regents To Raise Tuition At The University Of Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Regents for Iowa’s public universities have agreed to increase undergraduate tuition for resident students at the University of Iowa and keep tuition the same at two other universities.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen (https://icp-c.com/1MYp4zH ) reports regents approved Wednesday a 3 percent tuition increase at the University of Iowa. Undergraduate tuition for resident students at the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University will remain at the spring 2016 level for the 2016-17 school year. 
Tuition levels are dependent on legislative and gubernatorial approval of the regents’ funding request. The board agreed to request a 4 percent increase for general university operating support during its September meeting.
Regents President Bruce Rastetter said he would recommend a tuition increase review if the board does not get additional funds.
The board also approved a $500 tuition increase for international students at Iowa State University.

 

 

 

Republican Party Says Caucus Locations Are Ready

 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Republican Party of Iowa says it has confirmed all of its precinct locations for next year’s presidential caucuses.
The party announced Thursday that caucuses will take place in 1,681 locations throughout the state on Feb. 1. Party officials say they have opened three regional offices for the first time to help organize.
Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann says he wants to ensure a smooth and successful caucus to help preserve Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status.
Iowa Democratic Party Communication Director Sam Lau says Democrats have finalized more than 90 percent of their precinct locations and posted them on the party’s website.