Compensation Board Members To Make Salary Recommendation To Supervisors
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will hear a report from Larry Petersen and John Koley, members of the county Compensation Board, as they offer a recommendation to the supervisors as to what county elected employees should receive in terms of salaries for the upcoming fiscal year. Mid-Sioux Opportunity executive Director Dick Sievers will appear before the county supervisors this morning to submit his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. Attorney Chad Thompson will appear before the county governing board to inquire about information regarding vacating alleys and streets in the platted town of Quorn. County engineer Tom Rohe is scheduled to appear before the county supervisors to discuss and review plans for two bridge construction projects.
City Council Has Busy Agenda For Tuesday Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council has an extensive agenda as they will meet today in the council chambers. Newly elected officials for the city council and the hospital trustee board will take the oath of office this morning. The city council will hold a public hearing regarding the request from ICON Ag and Turf in obtaining property tax exemption for an expansion of a new building to be constructed on their property. The Community Foundation of Plymouth County will be awarding grants to various organizations and government entities. The council will consider awarding contracts to the three commercial solid waste collectors that include : Gill Hauling, Orange City Sanitation, and Van’s Sanitation. In action items by the city council, the council will have the second reading regarding all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles to be allowed on city streets. The council is scheduled to award contracts for the Business highway 75 water main project, the 12th Street southeast improvements, and the airport engineering services master contract. The city council is also scheduled to discuss the re-zoning of property surrounding Nor-Am cold storage at 6th Avenue southwest.
Hotel/Motel Sales Tax Grant Application Are Due Today
(Le Mars) — Today is the last day organizations can apply for grants under the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau hotel/motel sales tax funding. Applications must be returned to city hall no later than at noon today (December 15th). Projects must not begin prior to the start of the new fiscal year, July 1st, 2016. Multiple projects must be submitted on separate applications. Preference is given to projects with a tourism or event scope of work. Organizations that receive the CVB hotel/motel sales tax funds cannot request additional funding toward the same project from the Le Mars City Council.
Deans Foods, Hy-Vee, And Fareway Stores To Donate To Variety Children’s Charity
(Le Mars) — Dean Foods, Hy-Vee, and Fareway stores are partnering this week to brighten the holidays for local children. The Pure Comfort and Joy community campaign runs December 18th and 19th (Friday and Saturday) and will benefit the Iowa chapter of Variety – the Children’s Charity. Dean Foods will donate one dollar, up to $10,000 for every gallon of Land O Lakes Dairy Pure milk purchased at Hy-Vee and Fareway locations in Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
Dean Royer, the general manager of Deans Foods says “during the holidays, we believe its important to pause and think about how we can contribute to our communities Variety – the children’s charity makes a difference for kids every day. We at Deans Foods, are absolutely delighted to join Hy-Vee and Fareway, as well as the consumers, to make this donation.” Variety – the children’s charity is based in Des Moines and is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk, and special needs children throughout Iowa.
Local YMCA Is More Than “Gym And Swim”
(Le Mars) — Le Mars YMCA executive director Todd Lancaster informed the gathering at Monday’s Lunch and Learn session that the local “Y” is more than just a gym and a swim. Lancaster says the local recreation based center is expanding into other programs. He says the YMCA is helping with various age groups in three different categories of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Lancaster offers an example of how the Y is assisting children with reading programs.
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As for healthy living programs, the local YMCA is teaming up with Floyd Valley Healthcare Hospital with a diabetes awareness and education program.
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Lancaster says more and more health insurance companies are urging their clients to join a YMCA membership, in order to improve healthy living, and to lower health insurance premium costs. The YMCA executive says the local YMCA has been working with the staff of Schuster Trucking Company of Le Mars in performing healthy living programs.
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Lancaster says in terms of social responsibility, the YMCA tries to focus on many projects, including offering scholarships for people to obtain a membership, who otherwise may not be able to afford a membership.
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Another way the YMCA helps with social responsibility is to accept a canned good item as part of a payment for a class.
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Storm Lake Missing Children Have Been Found
(Storm Lake) — Two children missing from Storm Lake have been found, and are unharmed, according to Storm Lake Police. Those children, three year old Yimani Banks and one year old Yamir Banks were listed on a December 6th removal order issued by the Juvenile Court System for evaluation of their well-being. The children were not turned over to the Department of Human Services as ordered. The father of the children, 32 year old Scott Banks, was jailed on Contempt of Court Monday morning for failing to turn in the children at a court hearing. He has since been charged with two counts of kidnapping and perjury. He is being held in the Buena Vista county jail without bond. The children’s grandmother, 50 year old Dionne Pamon of Storm Lake, was arrested later on Monday on two counts of kidnapping. She is jailed on a $20,000 bond. Prior to the location of the two children, police were concerned they may have been in danger.
Former Legislative Aid Admits To Sending Threatening Letter
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former Iowa legislative clerk has admitted to writing a threatening letter addressed to a state legislator and opening an envelope containing the letter and white powder on the floor of the House, prompting a halt in debate and a lockdown of the Capitol.
Michael Dekota McRae pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Des Moines to conveying false information concerning a biological weapon.
The 28-year-old McRae was a clerk for Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, of Des Moines, in April 2012 when he wrote the letter, which used racial slurs and included threats against himself and the lawmaker. When he opened the envelope on the House floor, a white powder came into contact with McRae and Abdul-Samad.
Tests determined the powder was harmless.
McRae will be sentenced March 25.
Ames Police Investigate Fatal Hit-And-Run Accident
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Ames police are investigating the death of an Iowa State University student as a possible hit-and-run.
An Iowa State police officer found 18-year-old Emmalee J. Jacobs, of Urbana, Iowa, about 7 a.m. Monday on a street bordering the campus. The officer started cardiopulmonary resuscitation until medics arrived. She later died at an Ames hospital.
Ames police Commander Jason Tuttle says the nature of her injuries indicated she was hit by a vehicle that left the scene.
Tuttle says no one apparently saw what happened and there are no suspects. Officials are checking nearby security cameras to see if they recorded anything helpful.
Newton Women Charged With Child Endangerment After Kids Test Positive For Meth
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) – Two Newton women have been charged with child endangerment after four children in their care tested positive for methamphetamine.
Twenty-nine-year-old Cristy J. Clark and 28-year-old Somer M. Speer were arrested on Wednesday.
Newton police say children aged 2, 4, 6 in the care of Clark and a 9-year-old for whom Speer was responsible tested positive for methamphetamine.
Police say a couple caring for Clark’s three children living with Speer acknowledged using methamphetamine with the children in the home.
Clark is being held on a $7,500 bond at the Jasper County Jail. A court hearing is set for Wednesday.
Speer is free on bond and has a court date set for Dec. 29.
