As we reflect on stories that made the news in 2019, this time we examine those stories from the last quarter of October, November, and December.
In October, the Wise I brewing company held a ribbon cutting ceremony opening their local brewery, and was recognized as being the 100th brewery to start business in Iowa.
It was also in October when Le Mars acknowledged the completion of a Community Betterment Project, that being the new skate board park located at the O’Toole Park at the north end of town.
During November, we learned about Dean Foods filing for bankruptcy. Nothing was specifically mentioned as to what would happen with the Le Mars processing plant and the employees. For the first time city and school board elections were listed on the same ballot. In Le Mars, Dick Kirchoff was re-elected to the mayor position,
while Councilman Steve Wick retained his seat on the council,
and former Floyd Valley Healthcare CEO, Mike Donlin was elected to serve on the city council.
All three hospital trustees, Ralph Klemme, Danna Schuster, and Janelle Bixenman were re-elected to continue serving on the Board of Trustees for Floyd Valley Healthcare. At the school board elections, Angela Catton and Jane Arnold were re-elected,
while the school board welcomed new directors, Mackenzie Lang and Kyle Platte.
Perhaps the election that garnered the most attention and was thought to be the most controversial was the Orange City Mayor election between current mayor Deb DeHaun and Kurt Korver. The topic of gay and lesbian rights was front and center in the heated race. DeHaun was able to retain her seat as the Orange City mayor. In November area firefighters said good-bye to Remsen’s former fire chief, Kevin Ortmann. Ortmann died from brain cancer, and several firefighters, ambulance members, and local law enforcement officials attended his funeral.
In December we acknowledge the service of two civil servants. John Rexwinkel decided to retire from the Le Mars city council after serving for 20 years, and Le Mars Ambulance Services Director, Bill Rosacker has retired from the director’s position after 12 years.
Tragedy struck during the day of Christmas Eve as an auto fatality occurred on a rural Plymouth County intersection.
Those are the stories that made headlines during 2019.
