Home News Thursday Afternoon News, July 8th

Thursday Afternoon News, July 8th

Volunteers Are Still Needed to Help With RAGBRAI

(Le Mars) — RAGBRAI Le Mars Committee is in need of volunteers to assist with the welcoming of the 20,000 plus bicyclers expected to arrive at the “Ice Cream Capital” when Le Mars serves as the kick-off to this year’s cross-state bicycle ride. Mitch Christoffel is on the executive committee for RAGBRAI-Le
Mars. He says during the past two weeks people have stepped forward to offer help. Christoffel says there are several opportunities still available for people to volunteer with the big event.

Christoffel is asking for volunteers to commit to a three or four hour shift.

The RAGBRAI executive committee member talks about the various duties and areas of responsibilities of the volunteers.

Christoffel recommends volunteers to sign-up on-line.

Christoffel says there are volunteer opportunities available that will financially go to help both Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic schools.
The local RAGBRAI committee member says residents of Le Mars can help by allowing bicyclers to set up a tent on their lawns. Christoffel says residents can acquire a small yard sign indicating that they are willing to allow bicyclers camp overnight on their lawns.

RAGBRAI is scheduled to start from Le Mars with bicyclers beginning to arrive on Friday, July 23rd, with all the events and activities scheduled for Saturday, July 24th, and the ride to officially begin on Sunday, July 25th.

 

 

 

Crazy Days Arrives In Le Mars

(Le Mars) — Crazy Days for Le Mars is going on now and will continue through Saturday. With the crazy days, shoppers will be assured of getting several discounts and bargains on their merchandise. Michelle Bomgaars with Piece of Cake is a committee member for Crazy Days. She offers an overview of the Crazy Days event.

Bomgaars says the Crazy Days has been around for only a few years, yet the event has grown substantially.

Crazy days is designed to stimulate shopping, as many small businesses and vendors will offer bargains on their sales.

Bomgaars says at present time more than 70 vendors have committed to being in Le Mars and located on Central Avenue selling their wares. However, the Crazy Days organizer says vendors are still asking if they can be included?

Bomgaars says Crazy Days will continue, rain or shine.

 

 

 

Car Sales in Iowa Top Pre-Pandemic Levels

(Des Moines, IA) — New vehicle registrations in Iowa are up 28 percent in the first six months of this year compared to the first half of 2020 when the pandemic hit. Iowa Automobile Dealers Association president Bruce Anderson says “we’ve caught up and surpassed last year’s sales.” The number of vehicles sold in Iowa so far this year is 17 percent above the pre-pandemic level of vehicle sales in the first half of 2019. There are about 300
dealerships in Iowa and Anderson said showrooms have turned into “empty dancefloors” and there’s no longer “a sea of cars” out in the lots. Dealers are getting up to 70 percent f the new vehicles they normally receive.
Anderson says because of supply and demand issues, there’s been a double-digit increase in the price of used cars and trucks, too.

 

 

 

ISU Employee Charged With Putting $115K on School Credit Card

(Ames, IA) — An employee at Iowa State University is charged with putting more than 115-thousand dollars in unauthorized transactions on an I-S-U credit card. Officials say 25-year-old Miranda Richmann used the school credit card for non-work related items and withdrawals at several banks, gas stations,
Target, Sam’s Club and Walmart in June. Police say Richmann admitted using the card to make transactions and pay attorney fees and other debt. She is facing three counts of unauthorized used of credit card. Richmann was arrested and has since bonded out of the Story County jail.

 

 

 

Marshalltown Middle School Teacher Facing Child Exploitation Charges

(Marshalltown, IA) — For the second time in a week, a teacher in the Marshalltown Community School District is arrested on charges of sexual exploitation by a school employee. Adam Edgington turned himself into Marshalltown Police on the charge Wednesday. The 42-year-old English teacher at Miller Middle School is accused of starting a relationship with a 13-year-
old student. Edgington was released pending a court appearance on Monday. A statement from the school district says Edgington has been placed on administrative leave. Marshalltown High School instructor Mark Esquivel was arrested on June 30th on the same charge.

 

 

 

Six Year-Old Injured in Davenport Shooting

(Davenport, IA) — Police in Davenport are investigating a shooting that wounded a six-year-old. Officers called to a report of shots fired Wednesday found multiple spent casings at the scene. Investigators say a six-year-old child suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital in
a private vehicle. No arrests have been made in the case. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Davenport P-D or Quad Cities Crime Stoppers.