City Council Approves Contractor And Bid For Work On Plywood Recreational Trail
(Le Mars) — The city council approved the contractor with its bid for the construction of the Plywood Trail Phase 1-A. The council approved a bid of$1,513,754.24. Godberson-Smith Construction Company of Ida Grove was awarded the contract. Construction on the recreational trail from Merrill extending to Le Mars is scheduled to begin on April 15th of 2022, with
construction to be completed by mid-June of 2022.
City Council Discusses Salaries
(Le Mars) — During the city council’s discussion focusing on future city council and mayor salaries, talk turned to the possibility of changing the form of government. Councilman Rex Knapp wondered if Le Mars would be better if all five council positions would be designated as a “At-large” positions, rather than the specific three wards and two “at-large” positions that is
currently being used. City attorney Mike Murphy told Knapp of some of the concerns he has heard with regard to having all five council positions listed as an “At-large” position.
Knapp then clarified his position.
Knapp offers a scenario that he sees could evolve into a possibility.
Both Murphy and City Administrator Jason Vacura said in order to have a change of form of government a petition would first need to be completed before the issue would be brought to the attention of voters on a city election ballot.
No further action was taken, other than the city council directed city administration to set July 20th as a date for a public hearing on the topic.
Grassley Concerned About Out Of Control Spending
(Washington) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley is still concerned about inflation running rampant throughout the nation’s economy. Grassley says when he first entered Congress inflation was at that time was running at about 12 percent.
He says he sees similar events today, especially with the Biden’s
administration proposed spending. Grassley says a bi-partisan effort was made with an agreement with regards to spending for the nation’s infrastructure system. However, Grassley says Democrats want to load up so many of their desired programs that it will become too costly, and it will be difficult to
get Republican support, if the bill doesn’t exclusively focus on the infrastructure.
Grassley says President Biden should at this time focus only on the infrastructure spending.
The Iowa Republican Senator says Biden has switch his original position regarding the infrastructure bill. Grassley says the president is now feeling some pressure from big name Democrats.
Prayer Service in Cedar Rapids For Boy Killed on Adventureland Ride
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — There’s a prayer service tonight (Wednesday 7 p-m) at Christian Life Church in Cedar Rapids for the 11-year-old boy who died on a ride at Adventureland. Michael Jaramillo was student in the Linn-Mar Community School District and his family attends the church. Michael and five
others were on the Raging River when their raft flipped over Saturday. His older brother, David, is in a coma. The public is invited to the memorial service this evening.
Businesses Operated By Iowa Kids Don’t Have to Pay City, County Fees
(Des Moines, IA) — Kids in Iowa who mow lawns, walk dogs or do other temporary business won’t have to pay city or county fees under a new state law. Representative Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs calls it the Youth Entrepreneurship Act. Jacobsen said during House debate that the law “encourages problem solving, the desire to earn money is fostered, how to sell
is inculcated, customer service, tenacity, creativity, leadership and networking.” Cities and counties cannot require permits, license or any fees for businesses run by Iowans under age 18 – as long as they operate for no more than 89 days each year. Lawmakers who voted against the bill said it was unnecessary because local governments aren’t imposing fees or requiring kids
to get licenses or permits.
Iowa DNR Names 5 People in Capsized Boat on Saylorville Lake
(Polk County, IA) — The Iowa D-N-R is naming the five people who were on a boat that capsized on Saylorville Lake. Conservation officers say 38-year-old Steven Starrett of Pleasant Hill was driving the boat that struck a pillar under the Mile Long Bridge Monday night. All five onboard were treated at a
hospital for minor injuries. The D-N-R says the four passengers are 30-year-old Thorne Glasgow of Indianola, 19-year-old Clayton McKenzie from Prole, 23-year-old Mattie George of Norwalk, and 30-year-old Alexander Buck from Des Moines.
Cedar Rapids Man Arrested for Abusing 5-Pound Dog
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Police in Cedar Rapids say a man was arrested Tuesday for throwing his girlfriend’s dog against a wall or door of their apartment.
Twenty-one-year-old Michael Constant is facing one count of animal abuse.
Constant told officers he lost his temper and threw the five-pound Yorkshire terrier in the hallway last Wednesday. He believed the dog was severely hurt or dead because it wasn’t moving. The dog was still alive and taken to a veterinarian for care. The vet said Princess had neck pain and a build-up of
fluid on the brain. The dog is recovering in an animal shelter.
