USDA Food Distribution Program Scheduled For Saturday In Le Mars
(Le Mars) — Another food distribution program is scheduled to occur in Le Mars on Saturday. The program is sponsored by the U-S Department of Agriculture. Adri Riesch is serving as one of the coordinators of the free food distribution. She says the program is similar to the food distribution program that was held in Le Mars back in October.
Riesch says this time, the boxes are larger and contain additional food items.
Riesch says the food is free and the program relates to problems encountered by producers when they needed to market their commodity products during the early months of the COVID-19 virus.
Riesch says organizers have a better plan for the distribution process. She says people are asked to remain in their vehicles and go to the Le Mars United Methodist Church parking lot.
A total of 931 boxes of food will be distributed to the public. Riesch says there isn’t any qualifications as the food is for everyone.
The food distribution program is scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon, and people are asked to go to the Le Mars United Methodist Church parking lot. You will then be directed as to where to go to pick up your box of free food.
(photos are from the October food distribution program.)
Hometown Christmas Event To Be Featured On Local Television
(Le Mars) — While Hometown Christmas was unable to jumpstart a new tradition on Saturday, November 28,
2020, because of the COVID-19 virus, that is not stopping us from sharing some joy this holiday season. People can tune in to the airing of the 30-minute videotaped broadcast of the Hometown Christmas event on the following local broadcast stations and get yourself into the holiday spirit.
The program will be featured on KTIV Channel 4 – Saturday, December 12 at 6:30pm
and then on KCAU Channel 9 – Sunday, December 13 at 4:30pm and Sunday, December 20 at 4:30pm.
Hometown Christmas is a new event offered by the community of Le Mars, Iowa.
The overall goal of the event is to support local business and bring people together for Christmas joy during the most wonderful time of the year.
Learn more about the events taking place, COVID protocols and more by following us on Facebook at
/ChristmasInLeMars and @ChristmasInLeMars on Instagram.
Greg Thompson Honored As December “Employee Of The Month”
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Chamber of Commerce awarded the December “Employee of the Month” to an employee of Total Motors. The honor was presented to Greg Thompson on Wednesday. Back in August, Thompson marked his 20th year of
selling vehicles. However, Greg would likely describe those 20 years as more than just selling cars, it has been 20 years of building relationships, helping friends & family, watching families grow, and being there for others during their best and worst life situations. Throughout the working day, Greg is either seen with customers in person or over the phone. If you see a phone
call come in from Greg it is likely to see how you are doing or to wish you a happy birthday.
Total Motors is fortunate to have such a dedicated and hard-working employee like Greg Thompson. Greg works 6 days a week and is always the last one at work on a nightly basis. Greg has not had the easiest road in the last several years, as he has battled cancer and other health concerns. However, Greg’s relentlessness and determination will not allow him to take a day off unless it is necessary.
It is evident what means the most to Greg in his life, and that is his family and his support system. Greg might not show it, but when you hear him talk about his family, you can tell they share a special place in his heart and give him the drive to do what he does best.
Our congratulations go to Greg Thompson with Total Motors for being named the December Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month.”
Federal Court Blocks Iowa State Capitol Ban on BLM Protesters
(Des Moines, IA) — A federal judge says the Iowa State Patrol cannot ban five Black Lives Matters protesters from the State Capitol grounds. The court issued a preliminary injunction Thursday after agreeing with a lawsuit that claimed the bans are likely unconstitutional. The A-C-L-U filed the suit this fall on behalf of the five activists. Court records show legislative leaders asked the Iowa State Patrol to issue the bans following violence between protesters and authorities outside the Capitol in July.
Three of the protesters were banned for six months and the other two for one year.
Texas Man Convicted of Murdering Iowa Couple Executed
(Terre Haute, IN) — A Texas man convicted of murdering an Iowa couple in 1999 was put to death Thursday. Forty-year-old Brandon Bernard was 18 when he and four other teenagers abducted and robbed Todd and Stacie Bagley on their way from a Sunday service in Killeen, Texas in June 1999. The Bagleys
were youth ministers from Oskaloosa who were visiting relatives. The couple was held at gunpoint and then forced into the trunk of the teens’ car. The kidnappers doused the car with gasoline before Christopher Vialva shot Todd and Stacie in the head and then the car was set on fire. Vialva was executed for the murders in September. Reality t-v star Kim Kardashian was urging
President Trump to spare Bernard’s life.
Biden to Introduce Ag Secretary-Nominee Vilsack, Other Cabinet Picks
(Wilmington, DE) — President-elect Joe Biden will officially introduce U-S Ag Secretary-nominee Tom Vilsack and other cabinet picks this afternoon (Friday 1:30 p-m) in Delaware. Vilsack served as President Obama’s U-S-D-A secretary for eight years after two terms as Iowa governor. Vilsack’s nomination has been praised by several farm groups including the Iowa
Renewable Fuels Association and the American Coalition for Ethanol, and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley.
Winter Storm Brewing For Parts of Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The National Weather Service says rain will change to snow later today (Friday) and by mid-day Saturday parts of Iowa could have three to six inches of snow. The expected path cuts across Iowa from the southwest, through central Iowa, and on to the northeast corner. A winter
weather advisory takes effect at 6 tonight for several parts of the state.
