Two Teens Arrested On Various Drug Charges
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County authorities have arrested two teenagers for various drug related charges. The incident dates back to late December when a Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputy made a traffic stop on a vehicle on Highway 75 near Merrill. As a result of that traffic stop, 19 year old Corey Peters of Le Mars was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Peters was also charged with an operating vehicle while intoxicated, first offense; and possession of a controlled substance, along with possession of drug paraphernalia. 18 year old Terril Henrich of Hinton was a passenger in the car, and was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Both individuals were booked into the Plymouth County jail.
MidAmerican Energy Suggests Businesses Conduct Energy Efficient Assessment
(Le Mars) — MidAmerican Energy officials are urging residents, businesses, and industries to have an energy assessment study conducted, which may result in having an energy rebate. Phil Ramsey spoke at Monday’s Lunch and Learn session. He says if consumers of energy are energy efficient, that in turn makes MidAmerican energy efficient.
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Ramsey says MidAmerican Energy has expanded it renewable sources for energy to help the utility company be more efficient.
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The MidAmerican official says once an energy efficient study has been scheduled, the timetable might take up to a month to get your business evaluated by an energy efficient engineer, but he says the process will be completed with in a day. Ramsey says the rebate structure may be less in 2016 than it was in 2015, but he offers an example of the rebate amount for businesses that change from an incandescent light bulb to the newer LED lighting.
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Ramsey says once a business conducts its energy survey, MidAmerican will present a detailed action plan report offering suggestions as to how best save energy, and then it is up to the business to initiate the plan. He says rebates are offered after new lighting fixtures and other energy efficient plans are ordered. Ramsey says businesses have six months to install the new energy efficient fixtures to qualify for the rebates.
Primebank Donates To Gehlen Catholic
(Le Mars, IA) – During halftime of the Gehlen Catholic boy’s basketball game versus Hinton Friday, Primebank President and CEO, Matt Ahlers along with Kelli Langel presented a check for $2,894.83. to Gehlen Catholic President, Fr. Kevin Richter, and Principals, Mr. Jeff Alesch and Mrs. Lorie Nussbaum.
Each year since the program started in 2000, Primebank has donated a percentage of total purchases made using the Gehlen Visa® Card to Gehlen Catholic Schools. In total, Primebank has donated $47,538.87 to Gehlen Catholic.
“Gehlen Catholic appreciates the continued support from Primebank with the Visa® program as well as our athletics, fine arts and the Friends of Gehlen Ball,” commented Alesch.
Proceeds from the card are used to enhance the local tuition assistance program at Gehlen Catholic, assuring a focus on faith, values, service and academic excellence to low and middle income students.
Iowa City Schools May Eliminate School Buses
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Community members say they have mixed reactions to the Iowa City Community School Board’s decision to eliminate a free busing service.
The school board’s Jan. 26 decision means that nine elementary schools will lose discretionary busing that serves nearly 1,000 students. The changes will take effect in the fall, at the beginning of the new school year.
Parents and school leaders say they understand the board’s decision will save money for classroom-related expenses, such as reducing class sizes. But they say they’re concerned about safe walking routes and families facing inconveniences.
School board President Chris Lynch says the decision will save about $400,000 annually.
The board seeks to maintain free and pay-to-ride routes at nine elementary schools where families face transportation barriers.
Domestic Abusers Are Forbidden To Own Firearms
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – More than 80 Iowans have been convicted of violating a state law that bans domestic abusers from owning guns in the five years since it went into effect.
A review by The Associated Press shows those convicted include people who used weapons to kill others, to threaten their spouses and to shoot at police officers.
The law signed by Gov. Chet Culver in 2010 bars individuals who are subject to protective orders and who have committed domestic violence-related misdemeanors from owning guns. Violating the prohibition is a felony that carries up to five years in prison.
Attorney General Tom Miller and other supporters predicted the law would save lives by keeping guns away from dangerous individuals. Critics, including some Republican lawmakers, warned that it could unfairly take away gun rights.
Skilled Labor Summit Scheduled For April
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An event in Des Moines about increasing skilled labor in Iowa has been scheduled for April.
The Future Ready Iowa Summit is aimed at closing the state’s so-called skills gap in the workforce. The all-day event on April 19 at Hy-Vee Hall is expected to include participation from business leaders, educators and students.
Gov. Terry Branstad has called for Iowa to increase opportunities for education and training beyond high school. He announced an initiative last year that seeks to have 70 percent of Iowans with that extra education and training by 2025.
Specifics about how much such an initiative would cost have been vague. Branstad said during a Monday press conference that the summit will be funded through grant money, private donations and a small registration fee.
