Nothing New On The Search For Accused Homicide Suspect
(Le Mars) —The Le Mars Police Department has indicated that there has not been any new developments regarding the whereabouts of Jared Stone, the suspect thought to have killed 28 year old Baptise White Eyes outside a Sioux Falls casino on Friday. Stone was thought to be in Le Mars early Tuesday morning when 26 year old La Chara Bordeaux notified authorities that she had been assaulted by Stone at the Le Mars Truck Stop and was threatened with a hand gun. Bordeaux was traveling with Stone, and was placed under arrest as an accessory to the Sioux Falls homicide. She remains in custody at the Plymouth County jail, with bond set at $1 million dollars. Stone remains at large, and the vehicle in which he was operating has not been located. The vehicle is described as a dark blue 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, bearing South Dakota license plates 52DC99. An arrest warrant for murder in the first degree has been issued for Stone. He is considered armed and dangerous and the public is warned not to approach but to call law enforcement immediately. Stone is described as 20 years old, 5 foot 7 inches and 150 pounds with black hair and was last seen wearing a black tank top t-shirt, dark colored sweat pants and tennis shoes. Stone was wearing a “bennie” type stocking cap. Any information concerning the whereabouts of this subject should be forwarded to the Plymouth County Sheriff, Le Mars Police Department, or the Sioux Falls Police.
Gehlen Catholic High School Ready To Perform Comedy Play
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic High School drama members are prepared to present their stage production of “The Dearly Undeparted” scheduled for Thursday and Saturday evening at the Ronald Fox Memorial Gym beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mark Morehead serves as the director of the play that features 17 cast members. He says the cast is ready to perform the comedy which contains several one-liners that are amusing.
Morehead says Thursday evening will only be the performance, but on Saturday, attendees have the option to also enjoy a dinner prior to the start of the play.
The dinner will be served beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the All Saints St. Joseph’s parish social hall. Morehead says rehearsals began in February and he says the cast is ready.
Morehead is in his third year of helping Gehlen Catholic with its stage productions, and he tells who is featured in the three-act comedy.
The play’s director says the character of the son or uncle has a lawyer which makes for some enjoyable scenes within the play. Morehead continues with some of the other cast members.
Reservations for the Saturday evening dinner theater should be made with Gehlen High School by calling (712) 546-4181.
Interstate 35 Closed Due To Washout
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say southbound lanes of Interstate 35 have been closed near Ames because the roadbed has been compromised.
The roadbed has been undermined and washed away in a construction zone about two miles south of U.S. Highway 30. Iowa Transportation Department officials are on the scene to check on repair options.
Traffic is being detoured west on U.S. 30, then south on U.S. Highway 69 and then east on Iowa Highway 210 for a return to the interstate.
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Former Sioux City Band Leader Pleads Guilty To Sexual Case With Student
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former Sioux City band teacher has pleaded guilty in a student sex case and likely will serve 30 days in jail under a plea agreement with prosecutors.
34-year-old Lucas Sursely pleaded guilty Tuesday to an aggravated misdemeanor charge of sexual exploitation by a school employee. The charge was reduced from a felony.
The plea and sentencing needs a judge’s approval. The agreement says Sursely must also serve two years of probation and register as a sex offender.
He was arrested in December after authorities say he texted a 15-year-old student about having sex with her and sent the girl a picture of himself in his underwear.
Sursely has resigned from his position as Sioux City North High School band director.
Drake Student Senate Refuses To Recognize Conservative Student Organization
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Drake University student senate has refused to recognize a conservative group’s chapter as a student organization.
The senate voted 15-3 on April 21 to deny a request by Turning Point USA. The organization says it was founded in 2012 to educate and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government.
Amy Samuel has been helping organize the Des Moines campus chapter, and she says she and Turning Point’s regional director will meet next week with university officials to learn why the application was rejected.
Associate dean of students Jerry Parker says the Turning Point USA members will need to go through the approval process again.
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Regent Board Director Resigns
URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) – A member of the Iowa Board of Regents has announced she is resigning.
Regent Mary Andringa will leave the board that oversees Iowa’s public universities at the end of April. Her term began less than a year ago, in May 2015.
In a Wednesday news release Andringa says she underestimated the time needed to serve on the board given her other duties. She also serves as a board chair for Vermeer Corporation. The release says she holds several other board positions and national government relations roles.
The governor makes appointments to the Board of Regents, subject to Senate approval.
Branstad Simplifies Felon Form To Restore Voting Rights
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has simplified the form convicted felons use to seek restoration of their voting rights.
Branstad says the new one-page document reduces the number of questions from 29 to 13 making the process easier.
Still, Iowa remains one of three states to disenfranchise convicted felons for life unless an official restores the voting right.
Branstad says offenders must prove fines and restitution are paid before they can vote.
The Iowa Supreme Court is considering a case voting rights advocates hope narrows disenfranchisement to a few crimes like bribery of an official or corruption. State prosecutors want to keep rights revoked for all felons.
The issue has become important this presidential election year.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe restored voting for 200,000 convicted felons last week in an executive order.
