Home News Thursday News, May 20th

Thursday News, May 20th

Plymouth County Historical Museum To Hold Annual Meeting

(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Historical Museum will hold its annual meeting this (Thursday) evening, and according to Museum Administrator, Judy Bowman, this year’s meeting is a bit different from past annual meetings.

Bowman says there are six new candidates seeking a position on the board, along with one incumbent candidate.

In past years, the museum would host a banquet meal, as well as recognize many of their volunteers. Bowman says last year’s annual meeting was cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. She says this year will contain two years worth of reports.

Bowman says the Plymouth County Historical Museum recently added a couple new exhibits focusing on area agriculture that are located in the Study Hall room.

The museum is also featuring the collection of model tractors from the late Denny Lundgren.

The museum administrator says museum officials hope to be able to return to normal hours of operation sometime within the near future.

Bowman says the museum will hold special events during Ice Cream Days, as well as RAGBRAI.

 

 

 

Gehlen Catholic Prepares For Graduation Ceremonies

(Le Mars) — Both of Le Mars schools, Community and Gehlen Catholic will have commencement graduation ceremonies scheduled for this Sunday, May 23rd. At Gehlen, graduation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with 44 seniors to receive their diploma. Amy Jungers is the Development Director with Gehlen Catholic and
says the event will take place inside this year.

Jungers says the seniors selected a parent of one of their classmates as this year’s commencement address speaker.

Gehlen Catholic celebrated its awards program and Baccalaureate on Tuesday.
Jungers says many of the seniors will pursue a higher level of education, and many received scholarships.

Gehlen Catholic graduation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and Le Mars Community will start at 3:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Floyd Valley Federated Garden Club To Hold Plant Sale

(Le Mars) — Are you still looking for plants for your garden this spring?
The Floyd Valley Federated Garden Club may be able to offer some assistance.
This Saturday, at the Red’s Printing Company parking lot located on Business Highway 75, the local garden club will hold its annual plant sale. Carol Schneider is with the garden club and explains what will take place.

Schneider says the Floyd Valley Federated garden club will have for sale both annuals and perennials, as well as seedlings for some vegetable produce.

Many of the members of the garden club are also certified as Master Gardeners and are ready and qualified, to help answer any questions you may have with gardening in general, or if you have a specific question about a specific type of plant. Schneider says they are always welcoming new members.

The Floyd Valley Federated garden club official says people need to know and understand that different types of plants will grow in different types of conditions. Schneider says some plants may need to be in a shady area, while other plants do better in direct sunlight. She says there are many things to consider when growing plants or a garden.

The Floyd Valley Federated Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 22nd beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Red’s Printing Company parking lot. Schneider says people should get there early as the best plants are selected quickly.

 

 

 

 

GOP Leaders Reach Agreement on Proposed Abortion Rights Amendment

(Des Moines, IA) — Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate are taking a first step toward amending the Iowa Constitution to say it doesn’t protect abortion rights. The House approved language for the proposed amendment Tuesday night and the Senate approved it Wednesday. Senate President Jake Chapman called it a necessary response to a 2018 Iowa Supreme Court
ruling. The Republican from Adel said, “regrettably, five unelected judges with the stroke a pen fabricated a constitutional right to an abortion under Iowa’s Constitution.” He says the amendment will allow the people to decide who’s going to make laws regarding abortion. The measure must pass the
legislature in 2023 or 2024 before it’s presented to Iowa voters. Christina Bohannon, a Democrat from Iowa City who is a University of Iowa law professor, called the amendment an attempt “to turn back the clock to some imaginary time
when there were no abortions.”

 

 

 

Governor Reynolds Signs Charter School Bill Into Law

(Des Moines, IA) — A bill signed into law today (Wednesday) by Governor Kim Reynolds makes it easier to form publicly-funded charter schools in Iowa. The governor said, “Iowa needs schools as diverse as the needs of its students and that’s exactly what this law aims to deliver.” There are currently two public
charter schools in the state. Under the new law, groups planning to start a charter school can apply to the State Board of Education. If the charter is granted, taxpayer funding for students in Iowa’s public districts who enroll in the charter school would shift over. This charter school bill was among the governor’s priority issues for the 2021 legislative session. The head of the Iowa State Education Association calls the law “an unfortunate experiment” that will divert resources from creative and innovative programs in public schools.

 

 

 

University of Iowa Lifting Mask Mandate Thursday

(Iowa City, IA) — The University of Iowa is lifting its mask mandate following recent guidance from the C-D-C. Fully vaccinated people will no longer need to wear a mask or social distance on the Iowa City campus beginning Thursday. The move also comes after Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague ended the city’s mask requirement. Those who are not vaccinated against COVID
are encourage to continue wearing a face covering and practice social distancing.

 

 

 

Tyson Selling Independence Pet Manufacturing Plant to General Mills

(Independence, IA) — A northeast Iowa manufacturing plant will likely be operating under new ownership by the end of this year. Tyson Foods, Incorporated announced plans to sell its pet treat production facility in Independence to General Mills for about one-point-two-billion dollars. The sale is expected to be complete by October, pending regulatory approval and
other customary closing conditions. Once the transaction is finalized, Tyson Foods’ pet treats business and the nearly 300 people who work at the Independence plant will become part of Minnesota-based General Mills. Tyson officials say their company will continue to provide meat ingredients for the
pet treats business after General Mills assumes ownership.

 

 

 

Iowa Legislature Ends 2021 Session Wednesday Night

(Des Moines, IA) — The last day of the 2021 Iowa legislative session was a long one, ending late Wednesday night. Republican priorities on voting, guns, police, education, abortion and tax cuts were all passed. The tax cut package was a priority, keeping lawmakers at work 20 days past the session’s target
end date of April 30th. The package of bills will shift mental health funding from property taxes to the state, accelerate income tax reductions, and eliminate the state’s inheritance tax. The wide split between Republicans and Democrats was present from start to finish.

 

 

 

Brother Of Mollie Tibbetts’ Boyfriend First To Be Called By Prosecution

(Davenport, IA) — The brother of Mollie Tibbetts’ boyfriend was the first witness called by the prosecution Wednesday. Christhian Bahena Rivera is charged with first-degree murder in the death of the 20-year-old University of Iowa college student three years ago. Tibbetts was living at Blake Jack’s home the summer she went missing. He recalled the day his brother Dalton Jack
asked him to check on Tibbetts because she hadn’t showed for work. Jury selection and opening statements have taken up most of the time in the high-profile murder case being tried in Davenport this week. Blake Jack denied his brother had anger issues when questioned by the defense.

 

 

 

Des Moines Superintendent Could Lose His License

(Des Moines, IA) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school system could lose his license today (Thursday). Thomas Ahart will attend a hearing before the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Ahart is in trouble for violating an order from Governor Kim Reynolds to reopen classrooms. Members of the Des Moines Board of Education have issued a statement defending Ahart, saying he shouldn’t lose his job for carrying out the board’s decisions about returning students to class. Des Moines was in violation of the governor’s order for two weeks – until the district gave parents a choice.

 

 

 

Iowa DMV To Begin Pilot Program For Digital IDs By End Of 2020

(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Motor Vehicles plans to begin a pilot program for digital I-Ds by the end of the year. The idea was first tested five years ago. Drivers would still get a physical license or I-D in the mail, but they would be allowed to download an app so they could view the card and change the information right on their phones. The state says this is driven by convenience. Most people have credit cards, banking information and other credentials on their phones right now. But, like anything on a cell phone, there are still questions about security and privacy. The app would be free the first year, then would cost five dollars-a-year after that.