Le Mars Police Investigate Vandalism Graffiti At Foster Park
(Le Mars) — Vandals have struck again in our community, this time in the form of graffiti and the unfortunate target was Foster Park at the gazebo, rest rooms, and even the child statutes. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vander Vegte says city staff noticed the vandalism on Monday, and immediately reported it.
Vande Vegte is asking residents to keep their eyes open for any type of criminal activity.
The Le Mars Police Chief is confident the perpetrators will be caught, especially since each city park is equipped with video surveillance cameras.
It may be easy to blame youth for the acts of vandalism. Vande Vegte says the reason for the graffiti vandalism may be anything from vandals wanting to mark their territory, to want to deface public property, to just being bored.
Vande Vegte says city crews will either paint over, or remove the graffiti as quickly as possible.
Plymouth County Farm Bureau To Give $500 To Museum
(Le Mars) — In a related matter, Plymouth County Farm Bureau directors have voted to donate $500 to the Plymouth County Historical Museum for repairs to their broken windows as a result of vandalism that occurred last weekend. Farm Bureau officials say the the museum holds many of the farm organization’s
archives and records, and it is important to the the county farm bureau that these items be secured and preserved. Plymouth County Farm Bureau joins Total Motors who last week had donated $1,000 for the repair of the broken windows
and display cases. The Le Mars Eagles Club has established an awareness campaign called: “Not in our town and not on our watch.” The Eagles have decided to offer a reward of $1,000 to the positive apprehension of the individual or individuals responsible for the broken glass panes and display cases at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Farm Bureau officials says any money left over will be directed to improving the museum’s camera security system.
Group Of Iowans Meet At Congresswoman’s Office To Demand Action On Poverty
(Des Moines, IA) — A group of Iowans is demanding action on systematic poverty, saying passage of the third Reconstruction Resolution is needed.
Monday’s demonstration at Congresswoman Cindy Axne’s Des Moines office was put together by The Poor People’s Campaign. Associate Pastor Rushing Kimball of Plymouth United Church of Christ says we need to start closing the widening gaps between the rich and poor. Similar demonstrations have been held across
the country. Kimball says Congress should start focusing on solutions that address poverty from the bottom up “because nothing is trickling down.”
Former VP Pence Will Speak At Family Leadership Summit
(Des Moines, IA) — Officials with the Family Leadership Summit say former Vice President Mike Pence will speak at next month’s event in Des Moines. The Iowa-based conservative Christian Group will gather at Community Choice Credit
Union Convention Center July 16th. Other speakers include former U-S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. The summit has a history of being a platform for Republicans who might run for the presidency. Family Leader president and C-E-O Bob Vander Plaats says Pence is finding out that a lot of the party’s base still loves him. A spokesperson says it might be a couple of years before Pence decides if he will run for president.
Iowan Asks District Of Columbia Court To Release Him From Detention
(Washington, DC) — A Iowa native is asking a District of Columbia court to release him from detention. Doug Jensen is waiting for his trial to start on his role in the deadly attack on the U-S Capitol January 6th. Attorneys for Jensen say their client was led astray by Q-anon conspiracy theories and former President Donald Trump. Jensen is to be arraigned today (Tuesday). He says he came to Washington to witness what he calls “The Storm,” but not to take an active role in the insurrection.
Burlington Man Arrested When Police Find Drugs In His Possession
(Burlington, IA) — A 38-year-old Burlington man was taken into custody last weekend when responding Des Moines County Sheriff’s deputies found drugs in his possession. The deputies were following up on a 9-1-1 caller who said they could hear someone shouting for help. When they encountered Justin Tyler
Marshall it was determined he had two arrest warrants in his name. After he was placed into custody, he was found to be in possession of illegal drugs.
Marshall is being held in the Des Moines County Jail.
Grassley Wants President Biden to Be Tough With Putin Over Cyberattacks
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley hopes the recent cyber attacks are a point of discussion when President Biden meets with Russia President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders meet next week in Switzerland. Grassley said
“if we had criminals in the United States attacking Russia, they’d expect us to do something about it and vice versa.” The Iowa Republican says it’s perfectly legitimate for the president to bring it up and “be tough.”
Grassley is concerned that there’s nothing in the works in Congress to address the cybersecurity issue. Recent cyber attacks have shut down gas pipelines, meat packing plants and community colleges. Grassley also says there needs to
be greater cooperation between the government and private sector.
State Launches Campaign Encouraging More Iowans to Get COVID Vaccine
(Des Moines, IA) — State health officials launched a new public relations campaign to encourage more Iowans to get the COVID-19 vaccine. A pair of ads are now running on radio, T-V, and online. One features scenes of summer activities and a message targeted at pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults
who are now eligible for the vaccine. Iowa Department of Public Health director Kelly Garcia said as vaccine eligibility expands to young Iowans, it’s important to reach more diverse groups, including teens and their parents or guardians. The other ad features Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Ben
Corell, who got the virus in November and had to be hospitalized for a full week. Governor Reynolds said in a statement that “getting a Covid shot is apersonal decision unique to every individual and the goal of this campaign is to communicate how Iowans can benefit from getting vaccinated. ”
Sioux City Man Will Be Sentenced July 30 in Deadly New Year’s Shooting
(Sioux City, IA) — A Sioux City man will be sentenced July 30th for his role in a New Year’s Day drive-by shooting that left a teenage girl dead.
Eighteen-year-old Anthony Bauer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and three other charges in the death of 18-year-old Mia Kritis. A first-degree murder charged was dropped as part of deal with prosecutors. Sioux City police said 27 shots were fired into a home during a party where Kritis was
killed and three others were wounded. Brothers Christopher and Carlos Morales are also charged in the fatal shooting.
Students From 3 Iowa Schools Competing in American Rocketry Challenge
(Webster City, IA) — Students from three Iowa high schools are among 100 teams nationwide competing in this month’s American Rocketry Challenge. It’s the Aerospace Industry Association’s flagship program, designed to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Jayce Abens is one of six members of Webster City High School team which will compete in the finals in Dayton, Ohio. Abens said, “we compete to fly to a specific altitude and flight time, and this year we’re flying to 800 feet and 40 to 43 seconds.” Each rocket is carrying an egg that cannot be broken. The finals are ordinarily in Washington, D-C, but due to the pandemic they’re
being held in ten different cities between June 11th and 20th. Teams from Maharishi High School in Fairfield and Cedar Falls High School will compete in the challenge in Brighton, Wisconsin.
