Traffic Detoured In Merrill Today And Through The Weekend
(Le Mars) — Traffic in downtown Merrill will be detoured starting today, Thursday, May 4th. The Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department has announced that 5th Street in Merrill will be closed in order to repair some concrete pavement
north of Main Street. A detour will direct traffic west of Merrill on County Road C-44 to K-30, north on K-30 to C-38, and east on C-38 to K-42. It is expected the repairs will be completed by Monday morning, May 8th.
City Clean-Up Amnesty Week
(Le Mars) — The city of Le Mars wants to remind Le Mars residents that this week, May 1st through May 6 is the spring amnesty clean-up week. Each residential household must make their own arrangements for hauling waster to the Plymouth County Landfill during this Amnesty period. Items included are
furniture: couches, chairs, mattresses, carpet, garden hose, TV’s, humidifiers, computers and monitors; C and D items include wooden items such as fence post, scrap lumber, windows, doors, sinks, toilets, storms and screens. Also includes bikes, mowers, metal post, wire, swings, gutter, bed springs, bed
frames. Items not included tires, hazardous waste, white goods such as air conditioners, microwaves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, furnaces, dishwashers, hot water heaters and fluorescent lights.
Gehlen High School To Present “Annie”
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic High School Fine Arts Department will present the musical “Annie” beginning on Thursday evening starting at 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday evening. The story is about an orphan girl who is able to turn a staunchly, wealthy, gentleman into a man with a heart of gold when he adopts the
little girl. In the meantime, Oliver Warbucks offers a financial reward if the real parents of Annie can be found. Junior, Carlyn Bretey, the daughter of Keith and Terri Bretey has the lead role playing Orphan Annie. She talks about the character.
There are several familiar songs associated with the musical Annie such as “Tomorrow”, and “Its a Hard Life” but for Bretey she favors the opening musical number.
Kathrin Ripley, the daughter of Jerry and Ingrid Ripley plays Miss Hannigan, the role popularized by Carol Burnett during the movie version of Annie.
Ripley explains that Miss Hannigan supervises the orphanage, but doesn’t particularly care for the children, and especially doesn’t want to see Annie be happy. Ripley says rehearsals have been challenging at times, but she has enjoyed the experience.
The part of Miss Farrow, the private secretary of Oliver Warbucks, is played by junior Kaitlyn Norfolk the daughter of Robert and Lisa Norfolk. She explains her role has an integral part with the story-line’s plot.
As a junior, Norfolk is already experienced with the theater. She was in the spring musical “Anything Goes” and a year ago traveled to Orange City for the Tulip Festival to be in the musical “West Side Story.” Norfolk says she is working hard on perfecting her role featured in “Annie.”
Another young, but experienced actor, is Sebastian Buman. Buman has the role of Oliver Warbucks. The junior is the son of Richard and Angie Buman. He has previously been involved with plays featured at the Le Mars Postal Playhouse, and at the Orange City Tulip Festival.
Buman sums up his character as being a stoic businessman at the beginning of the play, but soon becomes a “big old softie” after meeting Annie. Buman says he tries to communicate in a conversational manner when rehearsing his lines.
Mark Morehead is directing the student cast musical. The curtain will rise at 7:00 p.m. at the Jason Puetz Memorial Gymnasium, and tickets can be purchased for $5.00
“Then Feed Just One” Meal Packaging Program Scheduled For Today and Friday
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic will be hosting the meal packaging program “Then Feed Just One” which is scheduled for today and tomorrow. Today’s meal packaging program will take place late this afternoon from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dick Sievers is coordinating the meal program that will benefit the people of Honduras.
Gehlen Catholic Announces Honor Society Members
(Le Mars) — 12 students from Gehlen Catholic School were inducted into the Gehlen Catholic Honor Society on (GCHS) in a ceremony on Wednesday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m. in the Jason Puetz Memorial Gym during the annual prayer service.
Gehlen Catholic School President, Rev. Kevin Richter, presided.
GCHS President, Stephanie Heuertz of LeMars, explained, to be eligible for GCHS, a student must be a junior or a senior with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. Each student meeting this qualification was invited to complete a student activity information form and essay which provided data
concerning involvement in school, extra-curricular, parish and community projects. Faculty members rated eligible students as to their demonstration of GCHS traits. The GCHS Faculty Board reviewed the data and selected the students who best exemplified the four qualities of GCHS.
Selection is an honor bestowed on those individuals who serve others through volunteerism, pursue excellence in learning, demonstrate positive character traits, and constructively lead both within and outside the classroom. Non- selection is not a sign of personal failure or disgrace. Rather it is a challenge to all to develop the whole person.
GCHS membership is earned by the effective demonstration of the four qualities held in high esteem by the Society – scholarship, service, leadership, and character. During the GCHS Prayer Service a candle were lit representing the light of knowledge. On each side of the candle were four unlit candles
representing the four qualities of the GCHS. Each of the traits was explained by the officers prior to the candidates’ induction.
Front row: Kayla Mayer, Kaylee Schmitt, Abbie Dickman, & Stephanie Heuertz. Second row: Melinda Zubrod, Megan Puhl, Claire Zubrod, Krista Lipp, Alexis Scheitler, Jordan Larson, Kathryn Ripley, Jenny Kwon, Justin Schmit, & Thomas Pohlen. Third row: Gabby Plagge, Catalina Uribe, Brooke Woerdehoff, Carlyn Bretey, Jade Goergen, Brooke Harpenau, Alec Langel, Adam Schuch, & Tyler Zenk. Fourth row: Dustin Schmit, Blake Feng, Cooper Davis, Lucas McCarty, Eli Ellensohn, Caden Kneip, & James Kellen. Fifth row: Kaitlyn Langel, Sage Goergen, Katie Peters, & Meredith Kellen.
Medica Health Insurance Company Considering Leaving Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The last carrier of individual health insurance policies in most of Iowa might stop offering them to residents.Minnetonka, Minnesota-based Medica announced Wednesday that its ability to stay in the Iowa insurance market “is in question at this point.”
The company echoed statements by two larger carriers that already have announced their intentions to leave the market: Aetna and Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield. All three cited instability in the market because of concerns
about the Affordable Care Act.
The Des Moines Register reports that the carriers’ exits would not
affect Iowans who obtain insurance through their employers or through a government program. But the exits could leave more than 70,000 Iowans who buy their own coverage without any options for next year.
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ACLU And Planned Parenthood Files Lawsuit To Prevent Three-day Waiting Period On Abortions
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood are suing to block a measure set to be signed into Iowa law this week that would impose a three-day waiting period on women seeking abortions.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Polk County District Court seeks an emergency injunction to block the waiting period that would go into effect immediately upon being signed by Gov. Terry Branstad. Branstad says he’ll sign
it Friday morning.
The ACLU and Planned Parenthood said Wednesday in a joint news release that the measure will interrupt already-scheduled abortion appointments and that some of those women could be near the point in which they can longer induce abortion through medication. The lawsuit says that would force them to
have a surgical abortion or carry the pregnancy to term.
Branstad To Sign Three Bills Into Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated he will sign a trio of controversial bills Friday that were hotly debated during the Iowa Legislative session.
One bill would prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in Iowa. It would take effect immediately on enactment. The ban was criticized for not allowing exceptions for rape, incest or fatal fetal anomalies. Abortion- rights groups have indicated they will file a legal challenge to fight the
restrictions.
Another bill would require voters to show identification at the polls and reduce the state’s early voting period, which advocacy groups say will suppress voter turnout. The ID requirement will go into effect in 2019.
The final measure would cap payouts to patients in some medical
malpractice lawsuits, though a jury may override the cap in some instances.
State Senator Announces He Will Run For Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state senator serving his first year in office says he’s running for governor.
Nate Boulton announced Thursday that he’ll seek the Democratic
nomination in 2018. He’s making a formal announcement in his hometown of Columbus and will embark on a six-day trip around the state.
He was elected to his first term last November. His District 16
includes Pleasant Hill and northeast Des Moines.
Boulton told The Des Moines Register that he’d emphasize support for education and worker training to make the state more economically competitive.
He’s joining a crowded Democratic field. Former party chairwoman Andy McGuire announced her candidacy last month and state Rep. Todd Prichard has formed a fundraising committee. Polk County Conservation Director Rich Leopold
and party activist Jon Neiderbach also say they’re running.
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Jury Deliberating University of Iowa Athletic Department Trial
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Jury deliberations have begun to decide a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former top athletics administrator against the University of Iowa.
Attorneys gave closing statements Wednesday in the lawsuit filed by Jane Meyer, a Hawkeyes administrator for over a decade. She filed the suit after being transferred to another department after the firing of Iowa field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum, her partner. Meyer’s job was eliminated in 2016.
Meyer alleges she suffered workplace discrimination as a gay woman in a relationship with a coach, that the school retaliated against her and that she was paid less than a male counterpart for similar work.
The eight-person jury, made up of five women and three men, heard 13 days of testimony that included football coach Kirk Ferentz and wrestling coach Tom Brands.
Funeral For Pottawattamie Deputy Scheduled For Monday
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Funeral arrangements have been announced for a western Iowa sheriff’s deputy shot to death earlier this week in what officials say was a jail break by a man who had just been sentenced to 45 years in prison.
The funeral for Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Burbridge will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It will be open to the public.
The funeral procession and its route haven’t been set. County officials say there will be no graveside service.
Police say Wesley Correa-Carmenaty was being transported to the Council Bluffs jail Monday when he attacked Burbridge and another deputy, grabbed one of their guns and shot them before fleeing in a jail van. He was recaptured in neighboring Omaha, Nebraska.
Branstad Orders Flags To Be At Half-Staff For Slain Law Enforcement Officers
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa governor has ordered all flags on the Capitol grounds to be flown at half-staff to observe the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony this week.
Gov. Terry Branstad ordered the flags lowered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, the day of the ceremony at the Oran Pape State Office Building.
During the ceremony, state leaders will honor four officers killed in the line of duty, including Urbandale Officer Justin Scott Martin and Des Moines Sgt. Anthony David Beminio, who were killed minutes apart on Nov. 2 in separate ambushes as they sat in their patrol cars.
Flags at the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial will be flown at half-staff from May 15-19 in honor of National Peace Officer Week.
