Supervisors To Work On Budget During Weekly Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will be dealing with the budget during today’s meeting. The supervisors are expected to review and possibly approve the ISAC wellness program agreement for Plymouth County employees. The supervisors will also review and approve the 2015 Weed Commission annual report. Prior to discussing the budget for the next fiscal year, the county governing board will hear from Curt Sitzmann with the Secondary Road Department. The supervisors will review and are expected to approve the Plymouth County Road Bargaining Unit contract for the next three years. County engineer Tom Rohe will also appear before the county supervisors and will review the fence payment schedule.
City Council To Change Meeting Time For Today
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council will hold its meeting at a different time than usual today. Instead of convening at noon, the city council will gather at 4:00 p.m. The city council has a light agenda, however, the council will begin work on the next fiscal year budget immediately following the city council meeting. In action items, the city council will review a request to rezone property near the Nor-Am facility. The council is expected to approve a partial property tax exemption to ICON Ag and Turf.
School Board Submits Collective Bargaining Counter Proposal
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School Board and school administration has submitted its counter proposal on collective bargaining to the Le Mars Community Education Association. Superintendent Todd Wendt indicated to the faculty representatives that a final contract would not be able to be extended until the state legislature and the governor pass a school funding bill. Wendt also informed the teachers association that the school district did have a decrease of 3.59 students in the budget enrollment for 2016-2017 and that would have some impact on the budget proposal. Wendt said the school board and administration are prepared to age the salary schedule for the 2016-17 school year. Total package will increase the cost of salary and benefits to the district by $88,565 or .66 percent for 2016-17. Dr. Wendt indicated the current contract includes two middle school assistant lines in the schedule. He indicated that was not consistent with all other categories. Wendt says only one line is needed, however two positions will continue to be employed.
Authorities Investigate Juvenile Beer Party
(Akron) — Plymouth County authorities are investigating a juvenile beer party that was held Friday evening at 18742 Concord Avenue, of rural Akron.
The sheriff’s office asked for assistance from the Akron Police Department. Upon arrival, numerous people were seen running from the property and into the residence.
During this investigation, deputies located a total of 24 people, a large amount of alcohol, suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
As a result, the sheriff’s office has cited 8 people between the ages of 18 and 20 with possession of alcohol under the legal age, and 7 people under the age of 18 have been cited into juvenile court for possession of alcohol under the legal age. Several of those present were found to have not been drinking alcohol and they have not been charged.
The case remains under investigation and charges are pending on the owner of the property.
Hawarden Man Arrested For Drug Use
(Le Mars) — At approximately 1:00 a.m., Friday morning, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 180th Street and Granite Avenue in Plymouth County. During the investigation, the driver, Gabriel Mark Topete, age 18 of Hawarden, IA was transported to the Plymouth County Jail for testing by a drug recognition expert. As a result of the testing, Topete was arrested for driving while under the influence, drugged, 1st offense. Topete was held on bail. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Le Mars Police Department.
Struble Man Arrested For Outstanding Kansas Warrant
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Floyd Clifford Coates Jr, age 38 of Struble IA. Coates was arrested on a warrant issued out of Sherman County, Kansas for Possession of Stimulant Drug-Methamphetamine and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement. Coates was arrested at his residence in Struble and transported to the Plymouth County Jail. A complaint for Fugitive from Justice was also filed by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
National Spotlight On Iowa Caucuses
(Sioux Center) — Iowa has been placed in the national spotlight as the Hawkeye state prepares for the “first in the nation” caucuses. Both the Democrats and the Republicans will begin the political selection process on February 1st. Iowa Republican Party Co-chair Cody Hoefert attended the Marco Rubio rally that was held Saturday evening on the Dordt College Campus at Sioux Center. Hoefert says the state benefits in many ways to have the candidates meet personally with the people of Iowa.
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Hoefert says it is critically important that the candidates visit Iowa, answer the tough questions, and to learn what issues are foremost on the minds of Iowans. The state republican party official sees Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton as distancing herself from the people of Iowa.
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There has been discussion as to whether Iowa will retain its “first-in-the-nation status of selecting future presidential candidates. Hoefert believes Iowa will remain first, simply because we take the political selection process very seriously.
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Two more Republican presidential candidates have announced that they will visit northwest Iowa in the coming days. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is scheduled to visit Le Mars on Thursday morning. He will appear at the Habitue Coffeehouse and next door at The Living Center between 11:15 and 11:45 a.m. Business tycoon Donald Trump is scheduled to appear at the DeHaan Auditorium at Dordt College in Sioux Center on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.
Le Mars To Host Crop Advantage Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Convention Center will be the site of the next “Crop Advantage” seminar scheduled for January 26th, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the day-long seminar and Joel DeJong, ISU extension crop specialist says the focus will be on managing margins during this period of low commodity prices.
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Farmers have the opportunity to visit any of three programs during the break-out sessions. DeJong discusses the topics to be covered during the morning break-out session.
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DeJong says following lunch, farmers will have three additional sessions to attend.
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DeJong says farm management specialist Shane Ellis will lead the final breakout session.
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The crops specialist advises farmers to register early to take advantage of the cheaper registration fee.
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DeJong says everyone’s situation is unique and different as to how much the lower prices are affecting a farmer’s bottom line.
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