American Legion Wasmer Post #241 To Participate In “Wreaths Across America”
(Le Mars) — Wreaths Across America is a nationwide event scheduled for Saturday, December 17th. It is a time when veteran groups honor those who have sacrificed their lives for this country with the placement of evergreen wreaths
at grave sites and memorials. The American Legion Wasmer post #241 of Le Mars will again participate in the event by holding a short ceremony at the Veteran’s Park, located near 10th Street and 3rd Avenue southeast in Le Mars. Wayne Schipper is a past commander of the local American Legion. He also serves as the
coordinator for the local Wreaths Across America.
Schipper says the Wasmer post of the American Legion will place a total of seven wreaths at the Veteran’s Park on Saturday morning.
Each of the wreaths originate from Maine. Schipper says the wreaths also serve as a way to remember those active military personnel that may not be able to come home for the holidays.
The theme for the Wreaths Across America is Remember…Honor…and Teach.
(Photos are from 2015 Wreaths Across America ceremony)
Senator Ernst Appoints Two Sioux County Students To Military Academies
(Washington) — U-S Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa has nominated two students from Sioux County to the military academies. Patricia King of Sioux Center has been appointed to attend the U-S Military Academy at West Point, while Jack Vander Voort of Orange City has been selected to attend the U-S Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Greene Pleads Not Guilty To Shooting Of Police Officers
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa man has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in ambush-style attacks that killed two police officers last month.
Scott Michael Greene submitted his written plea in a court filing
Wednesday in which he also asked for a speedy trial.
The 46-year-old has been jailed since he was charged last month in the Nov. 1 shootings of Urbandale officer Justin Martin and Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony Beminio. He faces life in prison if convicted of either count of first- degree murder.
The shootings took place about two miles apart within minutes of each other as both officers were sitting in their patrol cars. Authorities have said that Greene turned himself in hours later, and that a police dog later recovered a high-powered rifle used in the attacks.
Casino Does Not Have To Follow Open Records Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state board has ruled that an Iowa casino does not have to follow the state’s open records laws because it no longer owes a debt to the county where it operates.
The Iowa Public Information Board issued the opinion in response to a request from the Des Moines Register. Prairie Meadows
casino in Altoona lost its federal nonprofit status earlier this year and has declined to release records related to contracts of its top executives.
The casino’s board is appealing the IRS decision on its nonprofit status.
The casino had argued it no longer has to abide by Iowa’s open records laws because it’s no longer indebted to Polk County.
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Miller Appointed To Oversee Iowa Department Of Aging
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa lawmaker who has helped make key decisions on health care services in the state will lead the department that oversees aging issues.
Gov. Terry Branstad announced Thursday that Rep. Linda Miller, a Bettendorf Republican, will be director of the Iowa Department on Aging. She starts the job
Friday and replaces Donna Harvey, who resigned.
Miller was elected to the Iowa Legislature in 2006. In recent years she has led the House Human Resources Committee, which advances legislation on health care. Miller also served in a budget group that recently compromised with
Democrats to add more oversight of Medicaid, following its privatization in April.
Miller had been set to leave the House chamber in January, after she decided not to seek re-election.
Judge To Decide On Dakota Access Pipeline
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A group of Iowa landowners forced to allow a Texas oil company to put a crude oil pipeline under their farmland is asking the state courts to throw out what they consider “illegal easements” through their land
and some say if they win they want the pipeline dug up and removed.
A district court judge in Des Moines heard arguments Thursday in the lawsuit challenging the Dakota Access pipeline.
About a dozen landowners seek to overturn the project permit approved by the Iowa Utilities Board and they claim it was illegal for the board to take farmland when the pipeline provides no public service to Iowans.
The pipeline attorney argued the project is completed making the case moot.
He says Iowa law gives the utilities board authority to issue pipeline permits.
Any decision is likely to be appealed.
