Home News Wednesday News, May 27th

Wednesday News, May 27th

Property Taxes Are Now Due (updated information)

(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Treasurer, Shelly Sitzmann, reminds property owners that the second-half property taxes are still currently due. Governor Reynolds, in her COVID-19 Proclamation, waived all interest and penalty through June 25, 2020. Starting on June 26th, penalty will be assessed to any unpaid property taxes.

Taxes can be paid by dropping off at the courthouse in the drop box located in the entrance, paying online, or through the mail.

Delinquent interest of 1.5% per month rounded to the nearest dollar attaches to all unpaid taxes on June 27, 2020 and an additional 1.5% penalty each succeeding month thereafter.

Anyone who needs information on property taxes should contact the Plymouth County Treasurer’s office at 546-7056.

 

 

Le Mars Police Reminds Residents Of City Fireworks Ordinance

(Le Mars) — Fireworks can be sold in Iowa starting on June 1st, but residents of Le Mars need to know the city council approved a new ordinance last year that narrows the window for the discharge of fireworks. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says there are only three days surrounding Independence Day that allow fireworks to be discharged within the city
limits.

The Le Mars Police Chief says fireworks can only be discharged from private property.

Vande Vegte says other places forbidden to discharge fireworks would include school grounds and vacant lots. He says the Le Mars ordinance also sets a time frame in which fireworks are allowed.

 

 

Agriculture Educators Association Honors Danielle James 

(Le Mars) — The Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators is proud to announce Danielle James, agriculture teacher from Le Mars Community School as the Northwest District
Outstanding Young Member for 2020. This award was established as means to encourage young teachers to remain in the profession and to encourage and recognize participation in professional activities. It is awarded to an outstanding
young agricultural educator in each district in Iowa. James has earned this honor in 2020 for her work in building and sustaining the agriculture and FFA in her career at Le Mars. A plaque is typically awarded at the annual Iowa Association Agricultural
Educators Summer Conference in June, this year arrangements will be made for James to receive the award. Congratulations on behalf of the Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators.

 

 

Piece Of Cake Competes In The “Open 4 Business” Contest

(Le Mars) — Piece of Cake of Le Mars has now qualified for the next round in the “Open 4 Business” competition as sponsored by Main Street Iowa program through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The contest is to help promote expanding business projects of small businesses located in designated Main Street districts within Iowa communities. Piece of Cake’s owner Michelle Bomgaars will be interviewed on Thursday before six judges. The interviews will be done by video conference due to the COVID-19 virus. Bomgaars will be
given 15 minutes to make a presentation and be interviewed. She will compete in what is known as the “middle population” category. If selected as a finalist, Piece of Cake will move on to the state competition. Le Mars has had some success in the past with this competition as The Browns Century Theater, and Get Branded 360 have made it to the state level. The results
will be known on June 1st.

Michelle Bomgaars, center left, along with her daughter, Samantha, center right, hold a check after winning the local competition of “Open 4 Business”.

 

 

Reynolds Allows For Bars And Lounges To Re-open

(Des Moines) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she is ready to allow additional businesses to open later this week. During her daily briefing, Reynolds says bars and lounges will be able to resume business, although, like restaurants, they must maintain a 50 percent capacity.

Reynolds also is allowing for sports and recreational activities to resume as of June 1st.

The governor is also allowing spectators to watch sporting events, but with social distancing in place.

Reynolds says with the privilege also comes the responsibility to keep safe measures in place.

 

 

Reynolds Discontinues Waiver For Foreclosures And Evictions

(Des Moines) — Governor Reynolds says while many relief efforts will continue, the moratorium on foreclosures, evictions, and other debt activities will quit as of midnight Wednesday evening.

Reynolds says eligibility requirements will be provided in the near future, including income restrictions.

 

 

Wellmark-Blue Cross Employees File Class Action Lawsuit

(Des Moines, IA) — Employees of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Insurance are alleging discrimination in their five-million-dollar class- action lawsuit. They say they experienced racial discrimination on the job, then suffered retaliation after their complaints to management. They also argue African American employees were improperly denied promotions. The
company says it looks forward to the opportunity to fully vindicate itself.
Its formal statement included a list of awards it has received from organizations for the way it conducts its business.

 

 

Tornado Warning Sirens Fail In Johnston

(Johnston, IA) — At least four emergency weather sirens didn’t sound as a tornado approached Johnston Monday night during a storm. City officials are trying to determine why they failed to work. A fifth device is being checked out in case it malfunctioned, too. The city’s siren system is going to be
tested today (Wednesday) if the weather cooperates. A news release suggests the speed of the storm may have affected the response. When a threat is confirmed it can take up to two minutes to get the warning out.

 

 

Carroll Man Pleads Not Guilty To First-Degree Murder Charges

(Sioux City, IA) — A 45-year-old Carroll man has entered a not guilty plea to first-degree murder charges. Prosecutors say Gary Dains Junior is scheduled to go on trial in October. Investigators say Dains had stolen items from 65-year-old Paul Smith’s house when he returned in July and the two got into a fight. Dains told police Smith was breathing, but not talking, when he left the house with about 120 dollars and Smith’s car. He told detectives he stole the items so he could sell them and use the money to
buy methamphetamine.