Le Mars Community School Board To Hold Special Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education have scheduled a special meeting set for 12:00 noon on Wednesday, May 26th. The school board will hold a public hearing on a budget amendment for the school year 2020-2021. It is
expected the school board will approve the budget amendment. The school board will also act on several resignations including: Elaine Van Otterloo who is retiring from her position as a teacher associate at the middle school, effective May 28th. Toni Schwebach Jurgens is resigning from her position as
a teacher associate at the high school effective, May 27th. Ann Harms wishes to resign her position as a high school teacher associate at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year. Warren Bates is resigning his position as a bus
driver effective May 28th. Emily Beller has resigned from her position as a teacher associate at Clark Elementary effective May 26th. Nicole Decker is resigning from her position as a teacher associate at Clark Elementary effective May 27th. The school board is likely to approve a contract for Josh Fakkema as the assistant baseball coach. In other business, the Le Mars
Community Board of Education will discuss a propose agreement between Mid-Sioux Opportunities and the school district regarding transportation of Head Start students for the 2021-2022 school year.
State Senator Jeff Taylor Reflects On First Year As A Legislator
(Sioux Center) — State Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center has completed his first year of being an elected official when the state legislature adjourned for the year last Wednesday evening. Taylor, a Republican, says at the start of his being a lawmaker was somewhat overwhelming and at times even intimidating.
Taylor says it was a bit of a challenge just learning the names of his fellow colleagues in the state capitol building.
The freshman senator represents State Senate District 2 which includes all of Sioux County, O’Brien and Cherokee Counties, and the eastern edge of Plymouth County. Taylor says he was fortunate to be given the privilege to introducing a bill in the Senate.
Taylor says he was pleased to see both the Senate and the House pass the so-called “Life Bill.”
Semi-Trailer Honors Local Veterans
(Le Mars) — Memorial Day is Monday, but the American Legion Wasmer Post #241 of Le Mars along with some area businesses are already honoring our fallen veterans. A semi trailer showing the names of veterans that have had an American flag dedicated in their honor is parked at the Total Motors auto dealership near the flags of each military branch. Those flags honoring the
veterans will be on display at the Plymouth County Courthouse grounds during Memorial Day. Wayne Schipper is a past commander of the local American Legion. He says although the semi trailer has been around for a few years, many people haven’t had the opportunity to get a close-up look at the semi
trailer honoring local past veterans.
Schipper says more than 1400 names are listed on the semi trailer, although some recent names may not have been included as of yet.
Schipper asks people who have recently donated a flag in honor of a veteran to have patience, and the name will eventually be added.
Schipper says if a veteran is recognized in another Plymouth County community, it doesn’t necessarily mean that individual will be listed on the veterans semi-trailer.
The American Legion past commander says if family members don’t see a name listed on the semi-trailer from years past, they should notify either Jim Rolfes or himself.
Schipper says the semi-trailer also has the poem “Come Visit My Grave” by Jim Rolfes featured.
Schipper encourages people to visit Total Motors in Le Mars during this week leading up to Memorial Day to view the semi-trailer that honors our local veterans. He also expressed his appreciation to Total Motors for honoring veterans and the military all year with their display of the large American
flag along with each flag of the respective military branches.
Le Mars Kiwanis Club award Scholarships to area High School Students
(Le Mars) — The Kiwanis Club of Le Mars awarded $500 scholarships to three area high school students.
Jacob Heimgartner, Morgan Lee & Sarah Stegge were each the recipient of the Kiwanis scholarship. Jacob Heimgartner and Morgan Lee are both Le Mars Community High School graduates. Jacob is planning to attend South Dakota State University and majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Jacob is the son of Mark and Janell Heimgartner.
Morgan is planning to attend the University of Northern Iowa and majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. Morgan is the daughter of Harold and Tammy Lee.
Sarah Stegge is a graduate of Gehlen Catholic High School and is planning to attend the University of Northern Iowa and majoring in Communication Sciences Disorders (speech therapy). Sarah is the daughter of Joe and Sandy Stegge.
Congratulations and Best Wishes Jacob, Morgan and Sarah!
Tibbetts Boyfriend Questioned In Murder Trial
(Davenport, IA) — The boyfriend of Mollie Tibbetts spent the most time on the witness stand Tuesday as the defense tried to paint him as an alternative suspect to accused killer Cristhian Bahena Rivera. Defense attorney Chad Frese (freeze) questioned Dalton Jack about an affair he had during his relationship
with Tibbetts. Frese also questioned whether Jack was really away working on a construction crew at the time Tibbetts was abducted while out running in Brooklyn. Prosecutor Scott Brown followed up by asking Jack if he had anything at all to do with the disappearance or murder of Mollie Tibbetts– and Jack
said “No,” The testimony will continue today (Wednesday) in Davenport at 8:30 a-m as the defense continues its case.
Senate Approves Ernst Proposal To Ban Tax Dollars To China Labs
(Washington, DC) — The U-S Senate has approved a proposal from Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to ban U-S tax dollars from funding any of China’s state-run labs.
That would including the Wuhan (WOO-hawn) Institute where new reports suggest researchers were seriously ill before the first cases of Covid-19 were reported in 2019. Ernst says China continues to obstruct international efforts to discover Covid-19’s origins. The ban on sending federal funding to China’s
research laboratories is now included in a bipartisan bill designed to address China’s global ambitions.
IWD Warns Of Fraudulent Website
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Workforce Development says a fraudulent website that mirrors the agency’s claims portal is attempting to collect personal information from Iowans. I-W-D says anyone applying for unemployment insurance
benefits should only file an application through the official website at:
www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov. I-W-D says it has not suffered any data breaches, but says everyone must be vigilant in protecting their identity.
Denison Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement
(Denison, IA) — A Denison woman has admitted to falsifying records to hide the embezzlement of funds from the credit union where she worked. Sixty-eight-year-old Janine Keim pled guilty Monday to lying to auditors of the National Credit Union Administration when she worked as the C-E-O of Consumer
Credit Union. Keim and her sister, Brenda Jensen, were accused of taking one point-eight million dollars from the credit union. The loss of funds led to the credit union becoming insolvent. Jensen has pleaded guilty to embezzling from the credit union. Keim’s sentencing date has not yet been set.
Des Moines Tries To Entice Employees To Live In Des Moines
(Des Moines, IA) — The Des Moines City Council has voted to offer forgivable loans and reimbursements for city employees for housing costs to try and lure them to leave the suburbs and live in the Capital city. The city says only 38 percent of city staff now live in Des Moines. Of those employees — just 18 percent of police department employees live in the city.
