Iowa State Bank To Start Accounts For Hy Vee Shooting Victims
(Le Mars) — Iowa State Bank of Le Mars has established accounts for the two Hy Vee female employees who were shot during an attempted robbery, that occurred earlier this week. Mike Dreckman is the branch manager and says he was approached about how individuals would be able to help the two victims.
Dreckman says the collected money would be available for both Hy Vee employees to help defer expenses as a result of the shooting.
Dreckman hopes people will continue to think about the two women for a long time following this week’s shooting.
He says Iowa State Bank will notify its other branches to also accept donations for the two Hy Vee employees.
The Iowa State Bank official asks people wanting to make donations to clarify on their checks as to which, or both, employees accounts the contribution should be directed.
Area Officials Watching Rising Rivers
(Le Mars) — Fortunately, today’s weather forecast is calling for sunny skies, because with all the recent rains area officials are concerned about the local rivers, creeks, and streams. Several rivers within northwest Iowa are under a flood watch. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper has been monitoring the Floyd River. Schipper says the Floyd has risen about five feet in the last few days.
In their most recent report, the National Weather Services doesn’t believe the Floyd River will exceed its banks, but based on past flooding episodes, Schipper has some doubts.
Schipper offers a report on the Willow Creek’s status.
Rain is back in the local weather forecast for Friday evening into Saturday morning.
Trotzig Honored As “Boss of the Quarter”
(Le Mars) — A long-time Le Mars attorney was honored during the Chamber Coffee this morning. Mat Trotzig of the Trotzig and Bauerly law firm was presented the Chamber of Commerce “Boss of the Quarter” award.
Trotzig plans to retire on June 1st, and will leave Le Mars where he has practiced law for the last 35 years. He will be re-locating to Colorado. Several people
attended this morning’s Chamber Coffee to congratulate Trotzig, and to wish him well during his retirement. Immediately after Chamber representative Kevin Eekhoff presented the plaque to Trotzig, he was greeted by his granddaughter and grandson who gave him a big hug.
Trotzig was nominated for the “Boss of the Quarter” by three employees of the firm, Tricia Ernst, Amy Berding, and Jill Young. In their nomination they state: “Mat is a dedicated and detail orientated attorney who gives 110 percent to each and every client. When Mat says “EXACTLY” to you that is the highest compliment one can receive and you know you have done an outstanding job. Mat has a great sense of humor. We will never forget his priceless reaction to our office antics. We will miss Mat dearly. We wish him a great retirement and hope he enjoys every minute in Colorado with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
With big hugs from your hardworking employees – Tricia Ernst, Amy Berding, and Jill Young.” Following Trotzig’s retirement, the law firm will have a name change, and will be known as Bauerly and Langel. Our congratulations go to Mat Trotzig for being honored as the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce 2019
2nd Quarter Boss of the Year.
Postal Playhouse To Feature “Our Town”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Playhouse theater is ready for its next production which is scheduled to begin on Friday. Angela Drake tells us about the play production of “Our Town.”
More Tornadoes Spotted In Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The National Weather Service has confirmed one tornado in southeastern Iowa on Wednesday that injured a man.
The Des Moines Register reports that the tornado hit Wednesday
afternoon near Barnes City in Poweshiek County. The name and medical condition of the man injured was not immediately released. The tornado also damaged a farmstead in the area.
The National Weather Service says the tornado was among a spate of reported tornado sightings throughout the state on Wednesday. Chad Hahn, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Des Moines, said reports of tornadoes east and north of the Des Moines metro began around 4 p.m.,
starting in Sac County.
Judge Stops Law Against Planned Parenthood
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state court judge has temporarily halted enforcement of a new Iowa law that would have blocked Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving federal grant money for sex education courses.
Judge Joseph Seidlin signed an order Wednesday prohibiting the state from implementing the bill that Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law on May 3 until the court can decide whether the law is constitutional.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a lawsuit for
Planned Parenthood on May 15 challenging the law as a violation of free speech, due process and equal protection rights.
Seidlin says Planned Parenthood is likely to succeed in its equal
protection claim and that it has demonstrated significant harm through loss of funding.
The law passed on the last day of the legislative session. It was the latest effort by conservative lawmakers to end streams of government funding for the organization, which also provides abortions.
The judge says it’s likely the court would not find the new law
rational.
Democratic Legislators Call For Special Session To Override Governor Reynolds Veto On Expanding Medical Marijuana Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Disappointed in Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ veto of a bill that would have expanded Iowa’s medical marijuana program, two Democratic lawmakers are calling for a special session of the Legislature to override the veto.
Sen. Joe Bolkcom and Rep. John Forbes called Wednesday for the special session, but that’s unlikely because it would require a request by two-thirds of lawmakers in the House and Senate. Republicans control both chambers.
House Speaker Linda Upmeyer says a special session is “ill-advised” since it’s unclear whether there’s enough support to override a veto. She supports Reynolds’ request for a new compromise bill next year.
Bolkcom and Forbes say Reynolds is wrong when she argues the bill she vetoed allowed too much THC, the chemical that produces a high.
Forbes, a pharmacist, says a lower THC limit supported by Reynolds wouldn’t help those who rely on capsules, oils and creams infused with a marijuana derivative to treat conditions like pain, nausea and lack of appetite.
Marion School District Settles Lawsuit Regarding Volunteer Charged With Sexual Abuse
MARION, Iowa (AP) – The Marion school district in eastern Iowa has settled another lawsuit with a family who alleged their child was sexually abused by a 15-year-old classroom volunteer.
Television station KCRG reports that the Marion Independent School District will pay $619,000 to the family, which was the fifth of six families to sue the district over abuse of kindergartners. The district has so far agreed to pay a total of more than $3.3 million to victims’ families.
The 15-year-old boy was convicted of sexual abuse in 2016.
The kindergarten teacher who oversaw the class was acquitted in 2018 of failing to report sex abuse allegations. Prosecutors had said two students at Starry Elementary told the teacher in 2016 that they were being abused by the volunteer and that she failed to report it.
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