Home News Saturday News, September 5th

Saturday News, September 5th

Iowa State Patrol To Be Watching For Speeders During Labor Day Holiday Weekend

(Le Mars) — AAA of Iowa is predicting the upcoming Labor Day weekend traffic will be down from previous Labor Day weekends. But don’t think for a moment that will mean fewer law enforcement agencies watching the traffic on the state’s highways. Iowa State Patrol trooper John Farley says they will
be watching motorists during this holiday weekend.

 

One aspect of holiday travel the Iowa State Patrol will be watching closely is excessive speeding. Farley says the trend in recent months has seen a dramatic increase of motorists exceeding the speed limits.

Farley says the Iowa State Patrol has not been able to determine the reason why motorists choose to drive at excessive speeds. Farley says speeding is always a factor to all vehicle accidents.

In comparison with other three-day weekend holidays, Farley says the Labor Day weekend usually does not have as many vehicle accidents as does other holidays.

Farley reminds motorists to always buckle up, take your time and watch your speed, avoid distractions, drive defensively, and don’t drink and drive.

 

 

 

Two People Arrested And Charged With Sexual Abuse

(Marcus) — Two northwest Iowans are in police custody after being arrested last week on charges related to a sexual abuse case from earlier this summer.
The Marcus Police Department took 28-year old Dilon Leach of Marcus and 37-year old Heather Brangwin of Le Mars into custody at the scene of a single vehicle roll-over last Friday evening. The original warrants for both parties date back to late June when Brangwin is accused of allowing Leach, a registered sex offender, access to her minor child. Leach has been charged
with lascivious conduct with a minor and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse from the June incident along with public intoxication and interference with official acts following events at the scene of the crash. Brangwin was charged with child endangerment before both parties were booked into the
Cherokee County Jail. Authorities say the investigation continues and additional charges are pending.

(courtesy of KICD radio)

 

 

 

Le Mars Police K-9 Unit Performs Well At Certification Trials

(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Department’s K-9 unit recently performed well at the certification trials, taking home first place in the suspect search and tracking division. Ace, is nearly two years old and is a cross between a Belgium Malinois and a German Shepard. His handler is Officer Bob Rohlmiller, who says he has been working with Ace every day since he was just
nine weeks old. Rohlmiller explains the different categories which the Le Mars K-9 dog is now certified.

Rohlmiller says more than 30 dogs competed in the certification trials.
Rohlmiller says he was interested in working with police dogs ever since he was young and his parents raise German Shepards.

Officer Rolhmiller tells of a couple crime scene scenarios in which Ace would be called to duty.

In a few weeks Rohlmiller and his dog Ace will be attending a two-day conference to also become certified in drug detection.

(photo courtesy of Le Mars Police Department)

Rolhmiller constantly trains Ace to perform a series of drills which involves running through an obstacle course set up at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds.

In addition to the obstacle course, people may have also noticed a series of four-feet cube-shaped boxes just to the east of the roundbarn. Rohlmiller says they too serve as an integral part of the training of the police canine.

Officer Rohlmiller says he and Ace have been called upon to demonstrate their skills in front of school children at school assemblies and at civic service organizations.

 

 

 

Northwestern Colleges Sets New Record For Student Enrollment

ORANGE CITY, Iowa—For the second consecutive year, Northwestern College has set enrollment records. This fall’s enrollment is 1,546, up more than 9% from last year’s record of 1,412. The school’s previous record had been 1,342, set
in 2006.

This year’s figures include the largest ever number of graduate students—461, up from 351 last year. That includes a cohort of 24 students in Northwestern’s new master’s program in physician assistant studies as well as new records in the Master of Education program.

Northwestern’s vice president for enrollment and marketing, Tamara Fynaardt says, “To achieve record-breaking enrollment during a pandemic is immensely gratifying. We’re finding that due to their COVID-impacted education experiences last spring, undergraduates are more eager than ever for the
highly personal, standout classroom and campus life experience Northwestern offers. And our graduate programs continue to exceed expectations, with programs like our master’s in physician assistant studies attracting more than 400 applications for next year’s spots.”

 

 

 

Dordt University Names Sioux Falls Mayor As Distinguished Alum

(Sioux Center) — Meanwhile at Dordt University at Sioux Center, Paul TenHaken, the mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been named the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient by the Dordt University Alumni Association. This award recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves
in an extraordinary fashion, who give evidence of living out of a
Reformational worldview, and who demonstrate exemplary service to the community and the world.

 

 

 

Chamber Upgrading Fiberglass Ice Cream Cones

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce is coordinating an effort to get the fiberglass ice cream cones repainted.
The Godfather’s cone was has been repainted and was placed in front of the building this earlier this week.
The cone features a pepperoni pizza on top, sausage pizza on the cone and a taco pizza on the base.
The artist is Cheryl Bolser of Le Mars.