Home News Wednesday News, February 3rd

Wednesday News, February 3rd

Le Mars Police Department To Offer Youth Academy

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department is asking 8th grade through 12th grade school students interested in law enforcement to consider participating in the upcoming Youth Academy. Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale says the program will introduce various aspects of a police officer duties to the participants. Daale says the program will consist of a six-hour course.

Daale says students from both Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic are welcome to participate in the Youth Academy. Students will need to fill out an application, as well as complete a short essay. He says the program is modeled after the Citizens Academy that has been offered twice to adults within the community.

The Assistant Police Chief says a portion of the program will involve the students detecting when someone is under the influence.

Applications can be obtained at the Le Mars Police Department, with the deadline to enter set for February 19th. Daale says the course is free. He says the course will consist of “hands-on” projects, and Daale says the program will help students have a better understanding of what is involved with being a police officer. He says the Youth Academy will allow the officers a better opportunity to get to know the students.

 

 

 

Police Department Make Two Arrests For Methamphetamine Possession

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has arrested two individuals from Texas on charges of delivery of controlled substance, that being methamphetamine. The incident happened during the early morning hours of January 31st. The Le Mars Police Department, with the assistance of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office arrested the two subjects. They have been identified as 44-year old Larry Linton and 23-year old Madeleine Arseneaux. Due to the amount of methamphetamine that was delivered, they were both charged with a Class B Felony. Bond was set at $20,000. Arseneaux was also found to be in possession of marijuana as well.

 

 

 

Konz Joins Floyd Valley Therapies

(Le Mars, IA) — Floyd Valley Therapies announces the addition of Christin Konz, OTD, OTR/L. She began her duties last fall. Her specialties include working with pediatric patients and work with the LSVT Big Therapy program for Parkinson’s patients.

Konz brings excellent education and clinical experience to Floyd Valley Healthcare. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. She went on to receive her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Christin has received clinical internship experience with Immanuel Rehabilitation Center in Omaha, NE, Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO and Young Adult Transition Services Program also in Omaha. She returns to Floyd Valley Therapies after working at Orange City Area Health System.

 

 

 

Gehlen Catholic To Make Special Announcement On Thursday While Celebrating National Catholic Schools Week

(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic continues to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week this week. Development Director, Amy Jungers tells what’s on Gehlen’s agenda for Wednesday of National Catholic Schools Week.

Jungers says Gehlen officials will make a special announcement that is being planned to be unveiled on Thursday.

 

 

 

Feenstra Speaks On House Floor Against Democratic Plan To Fast-Track Budget Proposal

(Washington) — Iowa’s 4th District Congressman, Randy Feenstra gave his first speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday evening, rising in opposition to the House Democrats’ proposed budget rule.
This rule lays the framework for the consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 11, which is poised to be one of the largest spending bills in congressional history. The rule being debated and voted on will allow Democrats to fast-track the bill, leaving Iowans without a voice in the process. Feenstra says he opposes the proposed rule.

(photo contributed.)

 

 

 

Republicans Step Into Issue Of Student Transfers

(Des Moines, IA) — Republicans in the Iowa House have voted to no longer let the Des Moines, Davenport, Postville, Waterloo, and West Liberty school districts cite voluntary diversity plans as the basis for denying student transfers to enroll elsewhere. Representative Dustin Hite (rhymes with “kite”), a Republican from New Sharon, says the Des Moines School District denied 455 open enrollment requests this academic year. Hite says lawmakers are listening to parents who are saying: ‘We want other options in education.'” Democrat Representative Sue Cahill (KAY-hill), from Marshalltown, says being in a diverse school prepares students for adulthood.

 

 

 

Iowa Lawmakers Work to Address Child Care Shortage

(Des Moines, IA) — A committee in the Iowa House wants to create new tax incentives for expanding child care in the state. Representative Phil Thompson of Jefferson says one would go to property developers for constructing new child care centers or rehabilitating spaces. The second would offer tax breaks to business owners who promise to expand on-site day care for their workers or add new facilities. State economic development officials are seeking more guidelines on how businesses would qualify. Representative Lindsay James of Dubuque says “child care affordability, accessibility is a significant issue across our state” and these two bills are a start. Another proposal would increase the number of parents eligible to claim a state income tax credit for child care expenses.

 

 

 

Iowa Senate Bill Would Prevent City and County Dog Breed Bans

(Des Moines, IA) — A bill in the Iowa Senate would prevent cities and counties from having ordinances that ban certain dog breeds including pit bulls. Colin Grace of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa said aggressive dogs that bite are typically owned by someone who improperly trained or restrained the dog. Grace told lawmakers, “where you want to focus your energy is not on breeds of dogs, but on irresponsible owners.” Christopher Collins is a police officer who lobbied to get rid of a pit bull ban in Anamosa. He said breed-specific bans are often “based on prejudice” against the poor and racial minorities. Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh voted against his city’s ban on pit bulls, but now supports it. Walsh said, “unfortunately ‘bully dogs’ attract the wrong type of owner…that want a dog that will send a statement that they are a tough guy with a tough dog.”

 

 

 

Bill Would Make Contraceptives More Accessible

(Des Moines, IA) — Contraceptives like “the pill” could be available to adult women without a prescription under a bill that is now eligible for debate in the Iowa House. Governor Kim Reynolds announced her support of the move in 2018 when it had Senate support — but key Republicans in the House opposed the idea. If this year’s bill becomes law, Republican Representative Ann Meyer of Fort Dodge says women who show a photo I-D to a participating pharmacist could get a three-month supply of contraceptives and then another year’s worth after that. Democrat Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (WESS-ull kroh-SHELL) of Ames, says the bill will help women who can’t afford frequent doctor’s visits. It passed the House Human Resources Committee on a 15-to-two vote Tuesday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

Working In Agriculture Industry Increases Odds Of Developing Dementia

(Iowa City, IA) — A University of Iowa study finds people who work long-term in the agricultural industry have 46-percent greater odds of developing dementia than those in other fields. Professor Kanika Arora (KAHN-ah-kah ah-ROAR-ah) in the U-I College of Public Health, says hearing impairment, depression, and isolation can all be linked to dementia and to farm work. He says it’s possible pesticide exposure is also a culprit — but their data does not allow them to examine the role of pesticide exposure directly. The U-I research mined 16 years of data from a study of 20-thousand people over the age of 50. In addition to farming, similar results were also found for people who worked in the forestry and fishing sectors.

 

 

 

Iowa Man Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail For Deadly Boat Crash

(Lake Ozark, MO) — An Iowa man has been sentenced to 30 days in jail before going on probation for causing a deadly boat crash. Investigators say the boat operated by Kelly Wise slammed into the side of another boat on the Lake of the Ozarks in June 2019. The collision killed race car driver Jason Russell. Russell raced at the Lake Ozark speedway. Wise is from Atlantic, Iowa. He pleaded guilty last month to boating while intoxicated. His blood-alcohol content was measured at more than double the legal limit. Four other people suffered injuries in the accident.

 

 

 

Body Found at Dubuque Arboretum Identified, Ex-Boyfriend Suspected

(Dubuque, IA) — Authorities are identifying the body discovered at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Officers say 20-year-old Jennifer Lopez of Galena, Illinois was found dead Monday. Investigators say Lopez’s ex-boyfriend — 21-year-old Richard Forsythe, of Galena — is a possible suspect based on evidence at the scene. Forsythe was arrested on an unrelated charge Monday afternoon. A new arrest warrant was issued today (Tuesday) charging him with first-degree murder. Forsythe is in the Jo Daviess County Jail awaiting extradition to Dubuque.

 

 

 

Four Convicted in Poaching Investigation in Buchanan and Linn Counties

(Cedar Rapids, IA) — The Iowa D-N-R is reporting four convictions as a result of a yearlong investigation into poaching activity in Buchanan and Linn counties. Officers say Jason Webster of Quasqueton was charged with illegally taking wild turkey, abandoning dead or injured deer, fraudulent use of licenses and tags, and 19 other violations. He was ordered to pay 15-thousand dollars in civil damages and fines. Jeremy Pillard of Troy Mills pleaded guilty to illegally taking deer and rabbit, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He received a five-year suspended sentence and was placed on probation for two years. Kelly McCardle pleaded guilty to illegally providing deer tags to other hunters and Shelia Kisner admitted to hunting without a valid license and harassing an officer.