Webner Sends Letter To Parents Regarding “Return To Learn”
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community School District Superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner has written a letter to parents regarding the decision to hold in-person classes for the start of school.
In his letter, Webner says the decision was initially made using the “return to learn” metrics provided by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Public Health. At the time of the decision, Plymouth County had a community transmission or positivity rate that was between zero and five percent. However, Plymouth County’s numbers of COVID-19 positive cases have risen in recent days to 16.9 percent which is the highest in the state at this time. Webner says this places our county schools within the 15 to 20 percent metric category of “substantial controlled.” Webner says, typically, this would mean that Plymouth County schools may be required to move to a hybrid style of learning, if the school also had an absenteeism rate of 10 percent, or potentially a remote learn model. However, at this point in time, the community of Le Mars does not have significant enough outbreak to warrant hybrid or remote learning, although Webner realizes the numbers are rising. As of Thursday, August 20th, Le Mars Community Schools will continue to plan to start school on August 25th with on-site learning for all students. Webner notes the situation may change quickly, and families must be prepared to have child care options in place if the school is required to move to a hybrid or remote learning model. Webner reminds parents that all students must cover their mouth and nose with a mask or face covering in public. They are to avoid close contact, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home if ill, clean hands frequently, clean and disinfect your belongings, and monitor your health on a daily basis.
City Council Hears Report On Plymouth County Memorial Veterans Park
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council heard a report regarding the Plymouth County Veterans Memorial Park during its meeting held Tuesday. Past Post Commander Wayne Schipper serves on the park’s board of directors and began by thanking the city and its leadership, along with the various city departments for their help in maintaining the popular park.
Schipper thanked the city for their annual financial contribution in helping with the park. He then proceeded to inform the city council most of the funding is through private donations.
Schipper says additional funding will be needed in the near future as the park will undergo some improvements.
The American Legion official says in addition to major improvements, funding is needed to constantly replace worn and faded flags. Schipper says earlier this summer the Veterans Memorial Park was the subject to some vandalism. Schipper says he is hopeful that large group tours will start up again visiting the Veteran’s Memorial Park. He says last year there were 14 different groups consisting of students and past veterans that toured the grounds.
City Council Orders Retaining Wall To Be Removed
(Le Mars) — After a lengthy discussion that lasted more than 45 minutes, the Le Mars city council on Tuesday voted 4 to 1 to have a homeowner remove a retaining wall constructed from rock. The residence in question is located at 469 20th Street SE. Apparently, there was miscommunication between the city, the developer, and the eventual homeowner. The wall had been constructed on the area designated as a utility easement. In other action, the city council approved the fourth addition of the KNS development, and they approved the final plat for the Anthony Addition.
Governor Reynolds Talks About Derecho And COVID During News Conference
(Des Moines) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds spoke about last week’s derecho wind storm, and about the current status of the COVID-19 virus during her news conference held Thursday morning. During her comments, Reynolds says that utility companies are still trying to restore power to thousands of Iowans that have been without electricity for more than a week.
Reynolds says the Iowa National Guard continues to assist with the clean-up in Linn County, and they have helped clear more than 300 city blocks within Cedar Rapids.
The governor says she has been in contact with many school officials regarding the start-up of classes after schools have been damaged. Reynolds says there have been 14 schools that have reported damage, and in Cedar Rapids, 20 of the 31 school buildings have suffered some type of damage. Reynolds says she is allowing for on-line courses to take place for schools with too much damage to allow students inside the buildings.
Initial Unemployment Claims Rise in Iowa, Continuing Claims Fall
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Workforce Development is reporting an increase in initial unemployment claims and a drop in continuing claims. Six-thousand-544 first-time claims were filed August 9th to 15th – an increase of one-thousand-644 from the previous week. The number of continuing weekly claims
was 83-thousand-610 – eight-thousand-490 fewer than two weeks ago. More than 23-point-four million dollars in unemployment insurance benefits were paid out last week. National unemployment claims increased to one-point-one-
million last week follow two straight weekly declines.
Fuel Tanker Crash Into House Evacuates Waterloo Neighborhood
(Waterloo, IA) — A fuel tanker crash this morning forced the evacuation of a residential neighborhood in Waterloo (Thursday). Police say the tanker lost control after hitting a minivan and then struck two parked S-U-Vs and crashed into a house. A resident sleeping in the house got out unharmed.
The truck driver was extricated from the cab and taken to the hospital.
Officers say a fuel spill caused a street closure in the area.
American Airlines Will Suspend Flights to Dubuque and Sioux City in October
(Fort Worth, TX) — American Airlines is suspending service to Sioux City and Dubuque this fall. The suspension is scheduled for October 7th through November 3rd at 15 smaller markets in the U-S. That will mean no service at the Sioux Gateway Airport and Dubuque Regional Airport for four weeks this fall. The move is being made as a result of low demand and the expiration of
the air service requirements associated with CARES Act. Skywest Airlines is set to begin daily flights from Sioux City to Denver on October 14th.
Indianola Man Charged In Alcohol-Related Death of Nevada Teen
(Nevada, IA) — An Indianola man is accused of providing alcohol that led to the April death of teen in Nevada. Twenty-four-year-old Austin McFall is charged with contributing alcohol to a minor resulting in the death of 18-year-old Taron Harmon. Police responding to a report of an unresponsive person found Harmon dead on a front porch. An autopsy has been completed,
but investigators have not released the results. McFall was arrested on a warrant Wednesday and booked in the Story County jail.
