Home News Saturday News, May 22nd

Saturday News, May 22nd

Jeneary Reflects On The Recently Completed Legislative Session

(Des Moines) — The Iowa legislature wrapped up its session late Wednesday evening at about midnight. State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says although the state lawmakers were able to get many important bills passed, he says unfortunately, there were some bills that were left on the table.

Jeneary says a medical malpractice bill was introduced, but also was not able to advance.

Jeneary says many state legislators were pleased with their accomplishments, passing many issues on their agenda.

He is especially pleased the legislature was able to pass what was known as the “life amendment.”

The Le Mars Republican says the life amendment issue was the topic he had heard the most correspondence from his constituents.

 

 

 

Area Schools Prepare For Commencement

(Le Mars) — Commencement graduation ceremonies will take place tomorrow for both of Le Mars schools as well as for MMCRU and Remsen St. Mary’s. Gehlen Catholic is first with its graduation scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. from the Vi Kellen Memorial gymnasium. Gehlen will give diplomas to 44 seniors. MMCRU and Remsen St. Mary’s will hold their ceremonies beginning at 2:00 p.m. MMCRU will present diplomas to 40 graduating seniors at the Marcus High School gymnasium. Remsen St. Mary’s is also scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. 19 seniors are graduating this year from Remsen St. Mary’s. Their graduation will take place at the Gib Schroeder Memorial Gym. Le Mars Community High School will present diplomas to 156 seniors, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Le Mars Community is hoping the weather will cooperate so they can hold the commencement outdoors at the new stadium. If not, they will move indoors to the new competition gym.  Le Mars Community are limiting the number of tickets to 10 people per graduating senior.

 

 

 

Orange City Teenage Driver Runs Into Back Of School Bus

(Orange City) — An Orange City teen was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital after an accident involving running into a school bus.  According to the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, at about 3:50 p.m. Friday afternoon, 17-year old Anneliese Vander Waal of Orange City was driving her 2012 Jeep Liberty heading eastbound on 370th Street, following a school bus.  The school bus was being driven by 74-year old James Keizer of Hull.  The school bus had stopped for other vehicles before attempting to turn the bus north onto Hickory Avenue when Vander Waal struck the rear of the bus.  There were no students on the bus at the time of the accident, however, Vander Waal was trapped inside her vehicle and required mechanical extrication.  The Sioux Center Fire Department performed the extrication.  Vander Waal was transported by Sioux Center Ambulance to Sioux Center Health.  Later, she was flown to Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for further medical attention.  Keizer was transported by private vehicle to Hegg Health Center Avera in Rock Valley for treatment of his injuries.  Officials estimate the school bus sustained about $15,000 in damage.  The Jeep, driven by Vander Waal, sustained an estimated $20,000 in damages.  Sioux Center Police, Sioux Center Fire and Rescue Department, Sioux Center Ambulance, an Sioux County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident.

(photo courtesy of the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.)

 

 

 

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 today, 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.

 

 

 

Iowa Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly to 3.8% in April

(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa’s unemployment rate inched up a tenth to three-point-eight percent in April. Iowa Workforce Development reports overall employment increased by 18-hundred jobs while total nonfarm employment decreased by 58-hundred. Construction lost 31-hundred jobs last month, and trade, transportation and utilities shed 25-hundred positions. The U-S unemployment rate was six-point-one percent in April. The state’s jobless rate peaked at 11-point-one percent last April during the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

 

Jury in Mollie Tibbetts Murder Trial Shown Graphic Photos

(Davenport, IA) — The jury in the Mollie Tibbetts murder trial is being shown graphic pictures in court. Cristhian Bahena Rivera is charged with first degree-murder in the death of the former University of Iowa student. Police say Rivera murdered Tibbetts with a knife while she was out for a jog and dumped her body in a corn field near Brooklyn in 2018. The prosecution today (Friday) showed jurors graphic photos of her partly decomposed body. Prosecutors say Rivera already confessed to the killing and actually led police to Tibbetts’ body.

 

 

 

Iowans Urged to Be Cautious With Fire in Drought Conditions

(Undated) — Even with all of the rain lately, the new map from the U-S Drought Monitor shows large sections of northern and central Iowa remain in moderate to severe drought while big swaths are abnormally dry. Maureen Brooks, wildfire prevention program manager with the U-S-D-A Forest Service, says Iowans who will be going camping soon need to take particular care if they plan to light a campfire. Brooks says to be sure to keep your fire small and never leave it unattended. Farmers and landowners who might be doing prescribed or controlled burns on their acreages need to heed any local burn bans or restrictions. Even those who are cutting grass or brush need to be especially watchful for potential fires. When the vegetation is this dry for months on end, Brooks says everyone needs to be vigilant for potential fire starters.

 

 

 

Urbandale Woman Charged With Attempted Murder in Stabbing

(West Des Moines, IA) — A woman from Urbandale is charged with attempted murder for a stabbing in West Des Moines that left a man in critical condition. Police say 24-year-old Daliah Brown stabbed a 22-year-old man with a fixed blade multiple times Monday night. Officers found the victim with multiple stab wounds to his torso and he was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The incident apparently began as a domestic dispute. Brown fled the scene and was arrested Thursday.