Authorities Respond To Threat At Le Mars Community School
(Le Mars) — A 14 year old boy at Le Mars Community was taken into custody yesterday following an afternoon of tense moments when the teen left a threatening note inside a classroom. As a result of the threat, Le Mars Community High School and Middle School went into a “lock-out” which meant that nobody was allowed to either enter or exit the building. Classes continued while law enforcement officers searched the school premises. The Le Mars Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa State Patrol responded to
the school when the threat was first reported at around 1:00 p.m. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was called to have the fire trucks assist with blocking the streets surrounding the school. Some parents gathered around the perimeter of the school, obviously concerned about the safety of their children,
when they were notified of the incident either from social media or cell phone calls and texts. Within about an hour, the incident had been resolved. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte appeared before the news media and read a statement from Le Mars Community School Superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner.
In his statement, School Superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner says the school district is now functioning as normal. Webner thanked the Le Mars Police Department for their quick response and assistance in the matter.
Chief Vande Vegte informed the news media that a student had been identified as the person responsible for making the threat.
Following the conclusion of the incident, some parents came to the school to pick up their children and to offer comfort. Classes resumed and Chief Vande Vegte says the Le Mars Police patrols each of the schools on a daily basis.
The Le Mars police chief said officers were also sent to each of the other school buildings within Le Mars.
Chief Vande Vegte emphasized there were no shots fired inside or anywhere around the school. The students were safe, and an individual has been placed under arrest for making the threat against the school. That student was detained and transported to the Le Mars Police Department at about 2:10 p.m. He was later
transferred to the juvenile detention center in Cherokee and has been charged with Threat of Terrorism, a class D felony. Officers remained on scene at the school until the end of the school day. Classes will resume today as normal.
Huseman To Seek Re-election To Iowa House
(Des Moines) — Republican State Representative Dan Huseman of Aurelia has announced he will seek another term for re-election. Huseman is a farmer, and was first elected in 1994, Huseman represents House District 3 which includes
Cherokee and O’Brien counties, as well as parts of Plymouth and Sioux counties.In the House, Huseman serves as the Chairman of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Budget Subcommittee. He is also a member of the Appropriations, Natural Resources, and Transportation committees.
Library Staff Member Named Chamber “Employee of the Month”
(Le Mars) — An employee of the Le Mars Public Library was presented the Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month” award during this morning’s Chamber Coffee that was held at the newly renovated Le Mars Public Library. Robin Stevens
joined the library staff in July of 2001. Since that time, she has filled many roles within the organization, including assisting with children’s programs, customer service, processing new books, and organizing newspapers and magazines.
According to Library Director, Shirley Taylor, Robin is a book repair ninja! She can take a book that has been roughed up and with a little glue and “Robin Magic” return the item to almost like new condition. Robin’s greatest achievement has been spearheading the move of 30,000 items out of the library
before the renovation began. Robin researched the best method for packing books and labeling boxes for the 6,000 items that went into storage. She devised a plan to pack and label boxes so that the 24,000 items going to the Eagles Club would be moved to the correct floor and placed in the correct spot to be
unpacked. In addition to planning “How” the books would be stored or moved, she organized a program directing “Who” would do the work. Robin coordinated the volunteers that started boxing on March 21st. She organized 33 different
volunteers as they gave 329 hours of work to move the collection. This marked only half of the job since in November the collection again had to be boxed and moved back to the renovated public library building. She again organized 35
volunteers as they devoted 355 hours to box the collection and organize the books on the shelves before opening day. Robin also helped prepare for the sale of excess library property. She, along with assistance from Shay Gant and other staff members, raised over $3,000 for the building project with this sale.
Robin is a part-time employee and works between 24 and 27 hours a week. Our congratulations go to Robin Stevens with the Le Mars Public Library for being honored as the Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month.”
Le Mars To Host Statewide Mainstreet Conference
(Le Mars) — Le Mars has been chosen to serve as the host city for the statewide Mainstreet Organization workshop to be held April 25th and 26th. Mary Reynolds of the Le Mars Mainstreet Organization says the focus for the statewide conference will be on tourism. She says this will mark an excellent opportunity
for Le Mars to showcase our many attractions within the downtown region.
Reynolds says one of the downtown features to be highlighted will be the alley art projects.
The Le Mars Mainstreet official says the group will confine its focus only to the downtown area.
Pork Producers To Hold Annual Banquet Saturday Evening
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Pork Producers will hold its annual banquet this coming Saturday evening. The event is being moved back to the Le Mars Convention Center. Andy Schroeder serves as a director with the pork organization and tells when the event is scheduled to start, as well as ticket
prices.
In years past, the pork producers encouraged and invited local people to submit their pork appetizers as part of a contest. However, Schroeder says this year the pork appetizers will be prepared by the banquet’s key-note speaker. Chef
Kang Kuan is a culinary ninja with the Tyson Foods Innovation Lab. He will not only prepare the appetizers, but he will also prepare a special pork entree’ during his presentation. The banquet program will follow with the crowning of the 2018 County Pork Queen and Little Miss Pigtails youth ambassador.
Schroeder says when you attend Saturday’s annual banquet, he encourages you to come hungry. He says Remsen Processing will be featuring a pork loin. The Plymouth County pork producer says several door prizes will be given away during the evening’s program. Schroeder says last year the Plymouth County Pork Producers launched the “Adopt-A-Pig” program that allowed 4-H and FFA members
the opportunity to show a hog at the county fair, even if they don’t have proper facilities to house and raise the pig. Schroeder says the program was successful last year, and the county pork organization is planning to again feature the program this year.
