City Officials Open Business Highway 75 – Phase 3 To Traffic
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials have announced Phase 3 of the Business Highway 75 overlay paving project is now once again open to traffic. Phase 3 extends from the 12th Street southwest intersection near the Hy Vee supermarket heading south to 18th Street southwest.
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor Honored By Tourism Organization
(Le Mars) — In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Iowa Tourism Office recognized the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor recently for contributing to the state’s $8.06 billion tourism industry.
National Travel and Tourism Week (May 7-13), now in its 34th year, unites communities across the country to celebrate what travel means to employment, economic growth and personal well-being.
Shawna Lode, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office, says “We value and appreciate our partners for the work they do year-round to enhance the state’s economy through tourism. We’re taking this special week to recognize communities, events, attractions, restaurants and lodging facilities in all 99 counties and thank them for those efforts.”
Gary Susemihl, senior manager, Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. said “We appreciate the Iowa Tourism Office taking the time to stop by the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor Tuesday evening, to recognize the importance of tourism to Iowa and Plymouth County during National Travel and Tourism Week.” He says, “We’re already experiencing quite a few tourists at the Parlor and expect even more during the upcoming ice cream season. We invite the community to bring family and friends to the Parlor anytime for a sweet treat!”
Travel is an integral part of the state’s economy because people who visit Iowa annually generate more than $450 million in state tax revenue that pays for programs that benefit residents. The industry also supports the jobs of more than 67,000 Iowans – jobs that can never be outsourced to another location.
There are 150 jobs supported by travel and tourism in Plymouth County, and Travel and tourism generates $180,000 in local tax revenue for Plymouth County.
Two Area Students Awarded Floyd Valley Auxiliary Scholarships
(Le Mars) — During this morning’s Chamber Coffee held at the Floyd Valley Healthcare, the Floyd Valley Auxiliary announced the names of their scholarship recipients. Two $1,000.00 scholarships were awarded to area students by the Floyd Valley Auxiliary. The presentation by the Auxiliary Board was made at the National Hospital Week Chamber Coffee on May 10, 2017 in the Conference Center at Floyd Valley Healthcare. The 2017 Auxiliary scholarship winners are Brooke Harpenau of Le Mars and Hannah Loutsch of Remsen.
Brooke Harpenau, daughter of Brian and Tonya Harpenau, is a senior at Gehlen Catholic School. Brooke plans to pursue a Biology / Pre-Med degree at the University of Iowa.
Hannah Loutsch, a senior at Remsen St. Mary’s, will be pursuing a Dental Hygeine degree at Kirkwood Community College. Hannah is the daughter of Gary and Kathy Loutsch.
The Auxiliary also donated $1,000 to the Floyd Valley Education
Department to be used for hospital staff training, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Provider.
Floyd Valley Auxiliary awards scholarships each year to students in the Floyd Valley Healthcare service area who are pursuing a health related career. For more information on the scholarship, please go to FloydValley.org and click on Auxiliary.
School Bus Driver Honored As “Employee of the Month”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District honored one of its bus drivers as the “Employee of the Month”. A small award presentation was made this morning at the school district’s bus barn. This month’s recipient is Marlyn Renken.
Marlyn has been driving a school bus for Le Mars Community for
the past 22 years. Four people jointly submitted a nomination for Renken. Neal Anthony, a substitute bus driver says Marlyn Renken is a dedicated employee, a true Bulldog, and a great ambassador to represent our district. He takes excellent care of his bus by keeping it very clean and organized. He enjoys his
daily route and the interaction with the students. They know and respect him, and he genuinely cares for each and every student. He feels honored to drive the varsity boys’ teams to away games. The coaches know the can count on Marlyn to get them back and forth safely, and to help with anything else they need or ask for. He is always proud to show his Bulldog spirit. I feel he is deserving to the employee of the month for the Le Mars Community School District. Trent Eckstaine submitted another nomination saying, Marlyn is always willing to help
the players while we are on the road, from giving a player money if he is short, to setting up our meals after the game, and even the occasional “This is the right thing to do” speech. I know it is a relief for me to get on the bus and not have to worry as Marlyn will have everything taken care of for me. Our congratulations go to Marlyn Renken for being named as the school district’s
“Employee of the Month.”
Escaped Inmate Now Being Held In Woodbury County Jail
(Sioux City) — The suspect accused of the murder of a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy is now in the Woodbury County Jail.
Major Tony Wingert says Woodbury County Deputies transported Wesley Correa-Carmenaty from Council Bluffs to Sioux City Wednesday:
They arrived with Correa-Carmenaty at 11:15 this morning under tight security.
Correa-Carmenaty will be held in the Woodbury County Jail until further notice.
Major Wingert’s not saying if the suspect will be held in a special cell away from the general jail population or if other accommodations are made:
Correa-Carmenatay allegedly fatally shot Deputy Mark Burbridge and wounded Deputy Pat Morgan in a jailbreak attempt earlier this month.
Arnold’s Park To Renovate Facilities
ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa (AP) – Officials of a city in northern Iowa have announced $12 million in upgrades to a historic amusement park on the shores of an area lake.
The Sioux City Journal (https://bit.ly/2pyXQcd ) reports the project on West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park includes construction of a new Roof Garden Ballroom closely resembling the historic two-story ballroom. Plans also include restoration of The Majestic Pavilion, expansion of the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum and a lakefront boardwalk.
An anonymous group of donors has already pledged $6 million to the Restore the Park campaign.
Historic Parks Inc. CEO Charley Whittenburg says another $2 million has been raised through contributions from the Historic Parks Inc. and The Park Foundation boards. He says a committee of current and past board members will spearhead the remaining fundraising.
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