Tax Free Weekend
(Le Mars) — Parents of school aged children always look forward to this coming
weekend as a time the state of Iowa gives them a break for back-to-school expenses.
This Friday and Saturday, August 5th and 6th, is known as “Tax Free Weekend”.
State Representative Chuck Holz of Le Mars says several years ago, the state
legislature passed a bill allowing for the purchase of clothing and shoes, not to
be subject to sales tax.
Holz isn’t certain as to how much revenue the state forfeits from having the tax
free weekend, but estimates it could be in the millions of dollars. He believes it
is a good idea for the state. Iowa is one of only 17 states to offer a tax free
weekend for the purchase of clothing and shoes. The Iowa Department of Revenue
says only wearable clothing and shoes are eligible for the tax free weekend. It
does not include watches, jewelry, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, sporting equipment or
other recreational equipment, or footwear designed primarily for athletic acivity
or protective use and not usually considered appropriate for everyday wear. Holz
says the tax free weekend is only for Friday and Saturday. Sunday sales are not a
part of the tax free weekend. Holz says no one item can cost more than $100.
Airport Terminal Finishes Remodeling Project
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Municipal Airport Terminal building has a new look. Renovation and remodeling of the airport terminal is now completed.
Assistant Airport Manager Tom Mulally says the terminal has a fresh look that
offers visitors a better “impression” of Le Mars.
Mulally says the renovation took three months to complete, and he talks about the
specific changes and additions to the terminal lobby area.
The renovation was financed in part by the city of Le Mars, and also in part by
Well’s Enterprises. Mulally says the airport board has other ideas for the future
of the airport.
In addition to the terminal being updated and modernized, new signage, and a new
logo have been added.
Mulally says many people may be surprised to know how much air traffic uses the Le
Mars Municipal Airport.
The city will hold an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for
Thursday, August 18th beginning at 11:00 a.m.
City Council To Hold Special Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will hold a special meeting on Friday, August
5th at 11:00 a.m. The special meeting will be held in a closed door session so the
council can discuss a real estate transfer.
Total Motors To Acquire Motor Inn
(Le Mars) — A change of automobile dealerships will take place over the weekend.
Motor Inn of Le Mars has declared the sale of all assets and business entities to
Total Motors. Close of business at Motor Inn will be on the morning of August 5th.
Total Motors will take over and resume business on Monday, August 8th at 7:00 a.m.
Total Motors will continue to sell and service new and used Chevrolet, Buick, and
GMC vehicles along with collision repair. Questions abut the changes you are asked
to call (712) 546-4115.
Waterspout Tornado Seen Near Council Bluffs
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a waterspout that formed over a lake
in western Iowa’s Council Bluffs caused no damage or injuries.
The thin funnel could be seen clearly Thursday evening from much of the city
and from Omaha, across the Missouri River in Nebraska.
Meteorologist Cory Mead with the National Weather Service says the waterspout
and another twister that touched down earlier near Ashland, Nebraska, were
landspouts, a type of weak tornado that forms independent of supercells.
Regents Hire Firm To Assist With UNI President Search
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Regents has hired a Washington, D.C.,
search firm to help select the next president at the University of Northern Iowa in
Cedar Falls.
The board announced the hiring of AGB Search on Thursday.
Regent Katie Mulholland, who is leading the board’s presidential search, says
AGB has “a proven track record of assisting with successful searches in a timely
and efficient manner.”
The firm will be paid $85,000, plus expenses, for its work, which will include
identifying potential candidates and conducting background checks on applicants.
The search that culminated in the hiring last year of University of Iowa
President Bruce Harreld is the subject of two lawsuits that claim regents and
others violated state open meetings laws.
West Des Moines Insurance Company To Lay Off 70 People
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A West Des Moines-based insurance company is cutting
more than 70 jobs over the next 12 to 18 months. The Des Moines Register reports
that GuideOne Insurance says it’s going to stop providing home and auto insurance
and put more focus on its commercial lines for churches, nonprofits and senior
living centers. There will be severance packages for the people losing their jobs.
Museum Plans Cabin Tour In September
(Le Mars) — If you are looking for a one-day fall bus trip, the “Cabin Cruise and
More” at the Plymouth County Historical Museum may be the answer. The outing on
Saturday, Sept. 24, will focus on eight log cabins in Northwest Iowa.
Participants will begin with a quick look at the Museum’s two cabins – the Weber
log cabin that dates to the Civil War times and the Joy Hollow Log Cabin built at
the turn of the century. Joy Hollow had its fourth move last summer when it
travelled from the Plymouth County Fairgrounds to the Museum grounds.
The chartered bus will leave the Museum grounds, located at 335 First Ave. SW, at
8:15 p.m. with the first stop being Riverside Park. The Girls of ’68, the owners of
the cabin, will explain the structure.
Then the bus will travel along Hwy. 20 to Sac City where passengers will view the
Sac City Museum and Historic Village, a log cabin, and a 1908 Chautauqua building
that is the only complete one in the state.
Next will come Storm Lake, featuring the fourth largest glacier lake in Iowa, the
Prairie Log House, and Country School.
Sioux Rapids is the next stop. The pioneer house of Abner Bell, an early settler,
will be on display, along with a historic movie theater.
Next the group will travel to Peterson for a visit to Jim’s History Barn, the
Kirchner Log Cabin, two restored 1800 houses, and the Fort Peterson blockhouse, the
last remaining piece of the Northern Border Brigade Fort system. Other attractions
in Peterson are the Kirchner Farm Museum and the French Museum.
The final stop on the tour will be at Arnold’s Park for a visit to the Abbie
Gardner State Historic Site. This is where 13-year-old Abbie Gardner witnessed “The
Spirit Lake Massacre” of March 8, 1857.
After some shopping time at Arnold’s Park, the bus tour will head to Barb’s Place
near Everly for an evening meal before returning home at approximately 8 p.m.
Anyone wishing to obtain the early bird discounted bus fare should contact the
Museum by Sept. 1 at 546-7002 or pchmuseum@gmail.com.
