Franklin Elementary Named “Blue Ribbon School”
(Le Mars) — Franklin Elementary School as part of the Le Mars Community School
District was named Wednesday as a “Blue Ribbon School” by the United States
Department of Education. Franklin is one of only four Iowa elementary schools,
and one of five Iowa schools overall receiving the designation. The Le Mars
Community elementary is one of 329 schools nationwide that received the honor.
Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. made the announcement. Blue Ribbon
Schools are given the honor based on their overall academic excellence, or their
progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Franklin Elementary
school will be formally recognized, along with the 279 other public schools and 50
private schools at an awards ceremony to be held on November 7th at Arlington,
Virgina. The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of
students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming
schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon
Schools flag is recognized as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Dr.
Todd Wendt, superintendent of schools for Le Mars Community congratulates the
students and faculty of Franklin schools.
Dr. Wendt says the process started when the Iowa Department of Education nominated
Franklin elementary for the recognition.
Although this is the first time a Le Mars Community school has received the honor,
Wendt believes there have been other years that all the elementary schools have
performed well, and perhaps were deserving of the recognition.
Pat Murphy, the president of the Le Mars Community Board of Education says, “This
is indeed a great honor, and we are proud of the students, parents, teachers and
administrative officials that helped bring this national recognition to the Le Mars
Community School District. It goes to show the high level of quality education
featured right here in Le Mars”.
Fire And Rescue Department To Hold Pancake Breakfast On Sunday
(Le Mars) — October is recognized as “Fire Prevention Month” and the Le Mars Fire
and Rescue Department will be holding its annual pancake and sausage appreciation
breakfast on Sunday, October 2nd. The pancake breakfast will be held at Fire
Station number 1 located at 45 1st Street southwest. The pancakes will be served
beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continue through 12:00 noon. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave
Schipper encourages people to look at the trucks and equipment, saying “they are
owned by the people”. This may be the first opportunity for Le Mars residents to
view the new brush and grass pickup truck rig, used primarily for rural fires.
The pickup truck was purchased exclusively through private donations.
The year is only three-fourths completed, and already the Le Mars Fire and Rescue
Department has responded to more calls than at the same time from last year.
Chief Schipper says that happens when you have a growing community.
(Le Mars) — “Don’t wait…check the date” is the theme and emphasis for this
year’s fire prevention month. People may want to check the date on their smoke
detectors. Fire Chief Schipper encourages people to change smoke detectors, if in
fact their smoke detector is beyond the expired life date.
Schipper says smoke detectors can be purchased from area hardware stores. Should
people have questions about their smoke detectors, or the placement of the smoke
detectors, Schipper says they can contact the fire department.
That pancake breakfast is again scheduled for this coming Sunday at Fire Station
number 1 beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing through 12:00 noon. It is a free-
will donation.
Woman Who Stole From Law Firm Given Probation
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A woman accused of stealing more than $38,000 from a
Sioux City law firm has been given four years of probation.
Online court records say 44-year-old Kristin Hermelbracht, of Hinton, made a
deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced theft charge. The
records say the judge gave her a suspended five-year prison sentence, told her to
perform 100 hours of community service and pay $7,600 restitution. That’s the
amount not covered by the firm’s theft insurance.
Authorities say that between July 2013 and November 2015, she stole the money
by forging a partner’s signature on the law firm’s checks while working as the
firm’s bookkeeper.
Some Cedar Rapids Residents Allowed To Return Home
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are allowing some residents to return to
their homes and other properties in Cedar Rapids’ flood evacuation zone.
Utility crews worked Wednesday to restore service to some areas near the
rain-swollen Cedar River, which rose to its second-highest crest on record a day
earlier.
Parts of downtown and the western side of the city were reopened after the
Iowa National Guard moved barricades, shrinking the evacuation zone. That gave
residents and business owners access to 2,500 properties, though some areas remain
closed.
Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Steve Keiller said Thursday there had been no
breaches overnight in the city’s temporary flood protection system.
National Weather Service data show that the Cedar River has dropped near 3
feet since cresting Tuesday. It’s expected to return below flood stage on Sunday.
Iowa State University Student To Be Sentenced Today For Sexual Assault
NEVADA, Iowa (AP) – A former Iowa State University student is expected to be
sentenced Thursday for sexually assaulting an unconscious female student after an
on-campus party.
A plea agreement calls for 21-year-old Patrick Whetstone to avoid prison but
be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
Under the agreement, Whetstone pleaded guilty to assault with intent to
commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor. Prosecutors dismissed three felony
sexual abuse charges.
A now-21-year-old woman from Texas told police she had become ill from
drinking alcohol at the party on March 30, 2014, and fell asleep on a couch. She
says she woke up to find Whetstone assaulting her.
The woman has filed a lawsuit accusing the university of botching its
handling of the case. Her complaint has prompted a federal investigation.
Des Moines Men Shoot Each Other
CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – Police say the two Des Moines men who were fatally shot at 7
Flags Event Center in Clive killed each other. Twenty-nine-year-old Johnny Lee
Ollie Jackson died in the center’s parking lot after the Sept. 5 shooting and 44-
year-old Kevin Lee Hall died on his way to a hospital. Clive Police Chief Michael
Venema (VEH’-neh-muh) said Wednesday that officers are still trying to find two
handguns connected to the shootings.
Hillary Clinton Urges Voters To Vote Early
WASHINGTON (AP) – Hillary Clinton is kicking off early voting in Iowa on
Thursday with a major effort to boost support in the battleground state. The
Democratic presidential candidate will deliver a speech in Des Moines focusing on
the childcare challenges faced by middle class families, according to a campaign
aide.
