Oath Of Office Administered To City’s Elected Officials
(Le Mars) — Mayor Dick Kirchoff performed the oath of office for Le Mars newest council member, Mike Donlin during a ceremony held Tuesday prior to the start of the Le Mars city council meeting. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the city council chambers. City Clerk Bev Langel performed the duties to swear-in Mayor Kirchoff. Also, administered the oath of office, was returning Councilman Steve Wick, along with two of the three Floyd Valley Healthcare Board of Trustees that were re-elected during the November election. Ralph Klemme, and Danna Schuster were given the oath of office, while Janelle Bixenman was unable to attend today’s ceremonies and will take the oath of office at a later date. State law dictates that all newly elected officials be given the oath of office prior to 12:00 noon on January 2nd.
Police Department Office Personnel Honored As “Employees Of The Month”
(Le Mars) — Two members of the Le Mars Police Department were recognized for their work and were honored as the Chamber of Commerce “Employees of the Month” during an award presentation ceremony held Tuesday afternoon. The entire staff of the Le Mars Police Department nominated Office Manager Wendy Cody and Office Assistant Amy Augustine. Both Wendy and Amy are dedicated employees who help the police department run smoothly and efficiently. They greet guests and visitors who are not always happy to have interactions with our department. They do this with a smile and kind words. Over the past year, the Police Department has seen many changes. The move to the new building was a huge undertaking considering every file, records, and report needed to be physically moved. Wendy and Amy helped make this move a smooth success. In 2019, the Police Department also made a change to a new records management system. Both Wendy and Amy made this transition and change as efficient as possible. Their work over the past year has been outstanding, and we are proud that they area member of our team. Thank you Wendy and Amy for all that you do for the city of Le Mars, the citizens, and your co-workers. Our congratulations go to Wendy Cody and Amy Augustine for being named the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce November “Employees of the Month.”
Le Mars Police Chief, Kevin Vande Vegt, far left, and Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale, far right share their congratulations to Wendy Cody, left center, and Amy Augustine, right center for being honored as the Chamber of Commerce November “Employees of the Month.”
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Held For New CPA Office
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Le Mars business located on Central Avenue in downtown Le Mars. Amber Thorson, CPA is now open for business.
Lobbyists Share Their Funding Wish List With Governor Kim Reynolds
(Des Moines) — Lobbyists from business groups used a public hearing in the governor’s office to tout proposals that would improve and expand affordable housing and child care options for working parents. J.D. Davis is a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.
Iowa Chamber Alliance executive director Dustin Miller says his group supports an increase in the state tax credits for workforce housing.
Others who spoke at Tuesday afternoon’s hour-long public hearing addressed issues like criminal justice reform and expanding the sale of bio-fuels. Kevin Kuhle of the Iowa Farm Bureau urged the governor to change the way mental health services are financed.
After the hearing, Governor Reynolds told reporters while she’d consider increasing state spending on the system, she believes property taxes should continue to support mental health services — and some counties may have to increase their levies.
Representatives of Des Moines University asked the governor to continue state funding for courses to help medical students recognize and treat mentally ill patients.
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Iowa Department of Human Services Director Asks D-C-I To Help With Investigation With Glenwood Resource Center
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The director of the Iowa Department of Human Services has sought help from state criminal investigators to look into allegations at the Glenwood Resource Center. The agency learned last month that federal officials were investigating whether the state is violating the federal rights of Glenwood residents by placing them at risk with uncontrolled human subject experiments. Federal officials also are seeking to learn if there have been practices causing needless injury. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Assistant Director Mitch Mortvedt says Tuesday his agency was called in to help and is evaluating information in the ongoing investigation.. Glenwood is home to people with developmental disabilities.
Convicted Felon Sent Back To Prison For Lying About Voter Registration
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) – A convicted felon accused of lying on his voter registration application and voting in the November election has been imprisoned. William Gibson, of Hazleton, was sentenced Tuesday in Independence to 30 years in prison. He’d pleaded guilty to two counts of election misconduct and a drug possession charge. Each felony count filed against Gibson was enhanced because he is a habitual offender. The prosecutors say Gibson lied on his voter registration application when he attested that he’d never been convicted of a felony. And prosecutors say Gibson cast a provisional ballot in the November election. Poll workers suspected he was a convicted felon.
State Official Say Iowa Charged Too Much For Alcohol Sales
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The former top accountant for the state agency that oversees Iowa alcohol sales claims in a new lawsuit that it marked up the price of liquor products illegally and excessively for years. Todd Halbur, former comptroller of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, alleges in the lawsuit that he was fired last year after questioning the illegal price markups and payments made under an improper no-bid contract. Halbur’s lawyer, Stuart Higgins, says his client is a “dedicated public servant” who was improperly fired for blowing the whistle. Division spokesman Tyler Ackerson says the allegations in the lawsuit are “untrue” but declined further comment, citing the pending litigation.
Authorities Release Identity Of Officer Involved With Fort Madison Shooting
FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have released the name of a Fort Madison officer who fatally shot an armed man at a warehouse. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation on Tuesday identified the officer as Cory Brown, a six-year-veteran of the police department. On the night of Dec. 10, Brown was called to a Scott’s Miracle-Gro warehouse in Fort Madison and encountered a man who was armed with a handgun. Brown shot the man, identified as 42-year-old Robert Allen Elfgen, of West Point. Elfgen died at a Fort Madison hospital. Brown is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of the shooting.
