Home News Tuesday News, December 10th

Tuesday News, December 10th

Organizations Request Funding From County Board Of Supervisors

(Le Mars) — Several entities and organizations are scheduled to appear before the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors this morning to request funding for the upcoming fiscal year budget. Judy Bowman, representing the Plymouth County Historical Museum, Loren Schnepf representing the Plymouth County Fair, and Tricia Driesen representing the Center for Financial
Education will all appear before the county governing board. In other action scheduled for the County Board of Supervisors, Mark Marienau will present the salary requests from the Plymouth County Bargaining Unit for the Plymouth County Secondary Road employees. County engineer, Tom Rohe will appear before the supervisors to discuss a Right-of-Way project.

 

 

Gehlen Teacher Honored By McDonald’s

(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic’s 5th & 6th Grade Teacher, STEM & Math Club Moderator, Mr. Nathan Sexe (Sioux Center resident) was surprised on November 22nd when he was presented the McTeacher of the Month Award by McDonald’s.

In August, Abby Vogel, Marketing Specialist for McDonald’s, began accepting nominations for the McTeacher of the Month program. Ms. Vogel said in a flyer, “We know the importance of teachers in our communities. We want to say thanks to outstanding teachers who give back to the students, their
schools & communities.”

Mr. Sexe was selected because he invests time after school assisting students who need help, as well as planning fun, hands-on, & engaging lessons. Inspired by his math-related jokes, the 5th & 6th graders have a “blast” creating rockets, as well as preparing & presenting weather reports.

They also transformed the Kolker Library & Media Center into a petting zoo & mini-golf course through the Robotics Club. The students’ accomplishments have led to both group & individual honors with the 5th & 6th Grade Math Club.

An astonished Mr. Sexe said, he was not expecting to be honored. Saying there are so many great teachers at Gehlen Catholic. They are more deserving than me!”
Sexe says he enjoys teaching 5th & 6th graders because they enjoy being challenged academically. He is inspired by the progress students make in the classroom. The ‘Aha! Moment’ in learning is very rewarding. He is very proud of the students when he sees the results of their hard work, whether in Math
Club Competitions or projects in the classroom!

Mr. Sexe received McCafe’s free for a year, $100 in school supplies & a plaque recognizing his accomplishments from McDonald’s.

 

 

Le Mars Community Theater To Hold Auditions For “Orient Express”

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Theater will hold auditions for their next production of “The Orient Express” scheduled for Monday, December 16th and Tuesday, December 17th at 7:00 p.m.  at the Postal Playhouse.  Performance dates are tentatively
scheduled for February, 2020. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst,
detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again. The play has a cast of five men and five women. Danna Schuster will direct the play.

 

 

Floyd Valley Healthcare Board Of Trustees To Meet

(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Board of Trustees are scheduled to have their monthly meeting today, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the hospital’s board room.
The focus topic for the month will be disaster planning as Heather Podzimek, Floyd Valley’s Disaster Planning Coordinator will appear before the hospital’s board of trustees. The trustees will hear a medical staff report from Dr. Donald Odens, as well as a city update from Jason Vacura, and an Avera Update from Mark Vortherums. Trustee Ralph Klemme will report on the
Quality Improvement Board Quarterly Report, and CEO, Dustin Wright will offer a general update, as well as review capital acquisitions.

 

 

50 Vehicle Pile Up On Interstate 80

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A quick-moving snowstorm is being blamed for a pileup on Interstate 80 just east of Des Moines that forced police to close the freeway’s westbound lanes. Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla says about 50 vehicles were involved in the Monday morning crash between Altoona and the intersection with interstates 35 and 235. Police say I-80 remained
closed more than and hour later. Dinkla said at least one person was seriously injured in the crash. A snowstorm blowing through the Des Moines area created treacherous driving conditions Monday morning, forcing law enforcement agencies to respond to dozens of crashes.

 

 

Deere And Company To Have Layoffs

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Deere & Co. plans to lay off nearly 60 more workers at its Davenport Works plant. The company said Monday that it notified the workers Dec. 2 and said the cuts would be effective Jan. 6.
Deere announced earlier this fall that it was laying off more than 110 workers from the plant. Deere spokesman Ken Golden says the cuts were a result of reduced building activity that is expected to lower sales of equipment.

 

 

Judge Sentences Cedar Rapids Man To Prison With Violent Actions Over Internet Domain Name

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A judge has sentenced a Cedar Rapids man to 14 years in federal prison for having his cousin try to hijack an internet domain from another man at gunpoint. The judge sentenced 27-year-old Rossi Lorathio Adams II following his April conviction on one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force, threats and violence. Adams owned a
social media company and repeatedly tried but failed to buy the domain doitforstate.com from a Cedar Rapids man. In 2017, Adams convinced his cousin to break into the domain owner’s house, where he tried to force him at gunpoint to transfer the domain to Adams. During a struggle, Hopkins and the domain owner were shot but both survived.

 

 

Man Charged With Murder For Killing His Nephew

RIVERDALE, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa man has been charged with first- degree murder for a shooting that killed his nephew. The Quad-City Times reports that 51-year-old Brian Francisco Duque, of Riverdale, was being held without bond at Scott County Jail. Authorities say they were called to a
house shortly before 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Sheriff’s deputies attempted to revive 32-year-old Terry Warner, but he had already died from his wounds.
According to an arrest affidavit, Duque was arguing with Warner, his nephew who also lived at the house. Duque allegedly grabbed a 9-millimeter handgun from his bedroom and shot Warner once.

 

 

Iowa Corn Harvest Now 95 Percent Complete

(Des Moines) — “Warmer and dryer conditions over the past week allowed farmers to make significant progress in the field,” according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “With corn harvest at 95%, Iowa is nearing the end of harvest 2019.”

Iowa farmers had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending December 8, 2019. However, snow and mud remained issues in parts of the State and delayed some fieldwork.  The harvest still remains two weeks behind normal harvesting.

Ninety-five percent of the corn for grain crop has been harvested, over two weeks behind last year and the 5-year average. The Northeast and South Central Districts were able to make enough progress to reach at least 90 percent complete. Farmers in all Districts in Iowa have now completed at least 90 percent of their corn harvest for grain. Moisture content of field
corn being harvested for grain remained at 19 percent. Livestock producers continued to use hay for supplemental feeding. Feedlots stayed muddy with warmer temperatures and snow melt this past week.