Fire Department Issues October Monthly Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department had a busy month in October, responding to a total of 59 calls. The break down includes 13 fire calls, nine rescues, seven investigations, once called on a mutual aid with Merrill, and had 29 requests for services. Some notes about the month of October…there were 550 people that attended the pancake breakfast that kicked off fire prevention week. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was awarded $4,400 grant from the Community Betterment of Plymouth County. The fire and rescue department also conducted 25 fire prevention talks and programs to over 500 children and some parents. Chief Dave Schipper was awarded the Roger Mooty award during the annual Iowa Fire Chiefs Conference.
Tree And Grass Disposal Site To Remain Open During November
(Le Mars) — The city of Le Mars is going to keep the Branch and Grass drop off site open through November , weather permitting. The new hours for Wednesday starting Nov. 2nd will be moved back to 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. because of the time change this weekend , the hours for Saturday will stay the same which is 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
City Council Approves Funding For Westmar College Alumni Association
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council had a short meeting on Tuesday. The city council gave funding approval for the amount of $6,000 for the Westmar College Alumni Association and Friends of Westmar to erect a granite monument marker on the former grounds of Westmar College. Jan Kooiker addressed the council regarding the request for funds.
The city council also approved Floyd Valley Healthcare’s request from the city to approve the issuance of the Series 2016 Taxable Bonds to the U-S-D-A to complete the permanent financing for the hospital’s improvements. Floyd Valley officials indicate this is the last resolution for the U-S-D-A loan that closes in November. The city and the hospital are receiving a low loan rate of 2.375 percent. The resolution requires Floyd Valley Healthcare to comply with the
U-S-D-A loan documents and the repayment of the bonds.
Odd/Even Parking Begins
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials want to remind residents that the odd/even parking ordinance is now in effect. Regardless of not having any snow or ice on the streets, city officials still want to people to follow the ordinance and begin parking on the even side of the street on even numbered days, and park on the odd side of the street on odd numbered days. Police Chief Stuart Dekkenga informed the city council that police officers will issue warnings to residents with vehicles parked on the wrong side of the street for the first two weeks, but after the warning, citations will be issued.
Chamber of Commerce Accepting Nominations For Business and Citizen Of The Year
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for both the “Business of the Year” and for the “Citizen of the Year”. All chamber member businesses are eligible regardless of size or type. Recognition will be awarded based on one or more of the following criteria: community involvement, job creation, innovative practices, employee benefits, major expansion or over coming an adversity. Businesses may self nominate or be nominated. Nomination forms are available at the Chamber office and must be filled and returned to the Chamber office no later than December 4th at 5:00 p.m. The award presentation will take place at the Chamber Annual Dinner scheduled for Saturday, January 8th at the Le Mars Convention Center.
County Supervisors Approve Agreement For Haz-mat Clean Up Services
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Emergency Management Services Director Duane Walhof appeared before the county board of supervisors on Tuesday to encourage the county to continue with an agreement with SIMPCO and the Sioux City Fire Department regarding the clean up and disposal of hazard materials should the county ever encounter a major haz-mat problem.
Walhof says the Sioux City Fire Department is proposing an increase for the ten-year contract.
Supervisor Craig Anderson, who sits on the regional committee, echoed Walhof’s suggestion.
During the county supervisor meeting, the county governing board discussed the possibility of vacating some county roads as proposed by Plymouth County Engineer, Tom Rohe. No action was taken during the meeting regarding the proposal, as a series of public hearings will first need to happen. Rohe also informed the county board about an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Chicago, Canadian Pacific Northern railroad to install a new railroad crossing with gates on Marble Avenue between Highway 3 and Willow Creek.
Rohe says early estimates from the railroad compnay indicate the new crossing with cross arms could cost a total of $248,469 with ten percent of the estimated cost would be covered by both Plymouth County and the city of Le Mars. Rohe says the county and city would split the installation costs, since Marble Avenue serves as a city border with the county. Rohe projected it may take up to 18 months before installation would be completed.
Le Mars Community School District Sends Out Community Report Card
(Le Mars) — Residents living within the Le Mars Community School District will notice in their mailbox the latest copy of the “Report Card to the Community”. Dr. Steve Webner is the Assistant Superintendent for the Le Mars Community School District offers an overview of the information contained within the school’s report card to the greater community.
Webner says people will want to take particular notice to the student assessment scores. He says Le Mars Community has consistently ranked higher than most other school districts.
The assistant school superintendent gives specific examples of the high performance of education within the assessments.
Webner says Le Mars Community school district has always excelled in the Science category. As another example, he highlights the present-day fifth graders. Last year, as a class, the students were 91 percent proficient in Science. Another area in which Le Mars Community students generally perform well is with the college entrance exams, known as A-C-T’s.
Webner says Le Mars Community is fortunate to have a high percentage of seniors choose to pursue a post-secondary education.
Two Police Officers Killed At Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers have been shot and killed in ambush-style attacks.
The Des Moines Police Department said in a news release that the shootings took place early Wednesday. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 1:06 a.m. and found an Urbandale Police Department officer who had been shot.
Des Moines officers responded to assist. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot. Both officers have died.
The Des Moines Police Department said suspect information is being developed. The agency didn’t immediately release any other information but said a news conference was planned for 5 a.m.
