Justin Daale Promoted To Be New Police Department Assistant Chief
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte has announced the promotion of Senior Officer Justin Daale to the rank of Assistant Police Chief.
Daale will be sworn in on Tuesday, January 15th at 11:30 a.m. at the city council chambers. Daale replaces former Assistant Police Chief Jay King. King has retired from the Le Mars Police Department as of the end of December.
Firefighters Respond To Dairy Queen For Early Morning Call
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a call at the Le Mars Dairy Queen early Monday morning. The call was made at about 5:15 a.m. by a delivery driver who had noticed smoke inside the restaurant when he opened the building in order to make a delivery. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says apparently the deep fat fryers, used for making french fries, had been left on. Schipper says the grease was burning, causing smoke to fill the restaurant. Schipper says there wasn’t any damage, other than the smoke. He says firefighters used fans to ventilate the building.
Schipper says the restaurant should be able to conduct business today.
MMCRU School Officials Investigates Accusation Against Teacher
(Remsen) — A complaint has been filed from a parent from Remsen against a teacher of the MMC-RU school district, resulting in the teacher being placed on administrative leave, and an investigation. KMEG-TV of Sioux City is reporting that a MMCRU Middle School teacher has been suspended after he
allegedly picked up an eleven year old boy by his underarms, leaving visible marks. The student says he had been put in time out, for messing around in class with his peers, and that’s what led to the teacher picking him up. The student says after the incident, he walked into the men’s bathroom and called the police on his cell phone and described what had
happened. Remsen Police responded and went to the school to talk with the school officials and the student about the incident. The family has taken action and filed a complaint with the school, which is investigating the accusations. The Remsen Police confirmed they are also investigating the incident.
Iowa Lawmakers Return To Work Today
(Le Mars) — Iowa lawmakers have returned to Des Moines today for the start of the general session. One of the key issues expected to be debated will be a reform of property taxes. Republican State Senator Randy Feenstra of Hull was at Le Mars Friday evening. Feenstra is the chairman of the State Senate’s Ways and Means Committee, the committee which oversees tax policy.
Feenstra was the architect of the individual tax reform bill that passed during the last session. He says he expects the State Senate will approve a property tax reform bill.
Feenstra says when lawmakers go to approve the state’s budget, there is a little more money to work with since the state’s revenue did show a slight increase. However, Feenstra admits legislators may have a difficult time setting the state’s budget. The Hull Republican wants to make certain two areas are adequately funded.
During Friday evening, several people visited with the State Senator about his recent decision to run for the U-S Congressional 4th District. A position currently held by Republican Congressman Steve King. Feenstra explains his decision to challenge King.
House Republican Leader To Speak With Steve King
WASHINGTON (AP) – The top House Republican says he and Rep. Steve King will discuss King’s future in the party following the Iowa congressman’s remarks in defense of white supremacy.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tells CBS’ “Face the Nation” he intends to have a “serious conversation” with King on Monday.
The California Republican says King’s “language has no place in
America.”
The New York Times recently quoted King saying, “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization – how did that language become offensive?”
Recently re-elected to a ninth term, King has since insisted he is
an advocate for “Western civilization,” not white supremacy or white nationalism. King said it was a “mistake” to use phrasing that “created an unnecessary controversy” and he denied being racist.
Two Businesses Recognized For Donating To Football Stadium
(Le Mars) — Two prominent Le Mars businesses were recognized Friday evening during the Le Mars Community girls’ basketball game for their major donations to the new football stadium. Premier Communications and Total Motors have pledged $100,000 and $150,000 respectfully. Premier
Communications will have the naming rights to the Stadium Court Yard Plaza.
Kent Westphal explains why Premier Communications wanted to contribute to the new football stadium complex.
Premier Communications’ Angie Erdmann along with Westphal explains the features of the Premier Communications Court Y ard Plaza.
Total Motors of Le Mars is contributing $150,000 which will be used for the Tailgate Area. Mitch Christoffel says Total Motors wants to take an active role in the community.
Speaking on behalf of the Le Mars Community School District, Todd Lancaster, president of the Le Mars Community Board of Education says the school board is grateful for the contributions.
About a month ago, the Le Mars Community School District acknowledged the donations of Wells Enterprises for $2 Million, and Perspective Insurance along with American Bank for a donation of $100,000. Primebank also has contributed $100,000 for the new football stadium project. The total cost for the new football stadium is projected to cost nearly $5 Million.
Several Democrats Set To Announce Their Run For President
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – After months of speculation and secrecy, the 2020 presidential primary season is about to explode into public view.
Several Democrats are already in the race, but a half dozen more are locking down final travel, staffing and strategy preparations to launch White House bids in the coming weeks.
While plans may change in some cases, the announcements are expected to come in waves, the first featuring a group of ambitious Senate Democrats including New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. The second wave will likely include political heavyweights like former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke.
Interviews with senior aides for several top Democratic prospects reveal that the waiting game is almost over.
Error Caused Past Felons The Opportunity Not To Vote
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Errors in Iowa’s list of felons cost at least 20 people the right to vote in November’s midterm elections, and officials have known about problems in the list since 2012.
The Des Moines Register reports the list of roughly 69,000 people who aren’t allowed to vote includes several inaccuracies.
The newspaper reports that the list includes people who were charged but not convicted of a felony and some people who received a deferred judgment, which means their records were expunged after they completed probation.
The American Civil Liberties Union, NAACP and other civil rights groups have expressed concerns about the errors in the list.
Missouri River Water Release
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The amount of water being released into the lower Missouri River will remain elevated at the start of the year, but should return to normal levels throughout 2019.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the amount of water being released from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border was recently increased to help clear out excess water collected last year.
Those higher winter releases will help generate more power and clear out space for this spring’s rain and melting snow.
The 49.9 million acre feet of water that flowed into the Missouri River’s reservoirs last year was the third-highest level on record. This year, officials expect the amount of water to be close to the average amount of 25.3 million acre feet.
