Home News Wednesday Afternoon News, August 25th

Wednesday Afternoon News, August 25th

School Started At Le Mars Community And At Gehlen Catholic

(Le Mars) — Today is the start of school for both Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic. Dr. Steve Webner, the superintendent for the Le Mars Community School District says masks will not be mandated for students and staff.

Dr. Webner says if parents wish to have their children wear a mask during school hours that would also be acceptable. s

The school superintendent says new this year, students will not have the option to participate in classes through the internet on-line.

Webner says the students will be greeted by 21 new faculty and staff faces.

Across town at Gehlen Catholic, Amy Jungers serves as the Development Director.  She says everyone was excited for the start of school.

Jungers says Gehlen Catholic has several new staff and faculty members ready for the school year to begin.

Another new faculty member is Anita Collier who will head up the Elementary Success Center.  Gehlen Catholic has traditionally welcomed several foreign exchange students, and this year six students from other nations will be studying at Gehlen Catholic schools.  Jungers says there are a number of new families with children that will be attending Gehlen Catholic.

The Gehlen Catholic Development Director says there was a level of high energy as students walked into the doors to begin the new school year.

 

 

 

Plymouth County Honey Bee Observation Exhibit Featured At Iowa State Fair

(Des Moines) — The Iowa State Fair was again able to attract more than a million-94 thousand visitors.  Many, perhaps toured the Agriculture Building to see the state fair’s iconic butter cow sculpture.  Directly above the butter cow, on the upper level was the exhibit of the Iowa Honey Bee Association.  This year’s live working bee hive came from Plymouth County.  Dean Johnson of Merrill featured his bee hive at the state fair. It was the same display with the same bees that were on display at the Plymouth County Fair.

This was the first time Johnson has featured his live bee hive as an exhibit for the Iowa State Fair.

Johnson estimates that perhaps 50 percent of the bees from the hive may not have followed the hive to Des Moines, but he says the Queen bee is constantly laying eggs as new bees are able to replenish older bees.  Johnson says he was asked by several people as to how they can start a bee hive and honey business.  Roy Kraft is the president of the Iowa Honey Bee Association.  He says a common question at the state fair is how many bees does it take to produce one pound of honey?

Kraft says when bees find pollen and come back to the hive with the nectar, they communicate to the other bees in the hive by performing a bit of a dance.

Kraft explains the process that producers follow in order to separate honey from the honey comb.

Johnson says he will again be featuring his observation live bee hive at another fair.  He plans to display his live hive at the South Dakota State Fair held at Huron, South Dakota.

 

 

 

Crops Still Need Moisture Before Maturity

(Le Mars) — The weather forecast is calling for a chance of rain throughout most of this remaining week, and according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Crops Specialist, Joel DeJong that rain can’t get here fast enough for area crops.

“DeJong, Joel”

The area crops specialist says there is a possibility farmers could see lower test weights and perhaps some lower yields due to the extended dry conditions.

DeJong says some farmers within the area have already began chopping their corn for silage feed.  He says some soybeans have started changing color from green to yellow.

 

 

 

Floyd Valley Healthcare Board Of Trustees To Hold Special Meeting

(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting scheduled for Monday, August 30th at 5:00 p.m. at the administration boardroom.  The special meeting will be a closed session in accordance with the Iowa Code.  The board of trustees will discuss the potential sale of real estate.

 

 

 

“Scoop The Loop” Tri-State Classic Car Show Returns To Le Mars

(Le Mars) — This evening (Wednesday) is the annual “Scoop the Loop” Tri-state classic car cruise.  Antique cars, and other vehicles, will gather at the Le Mars YMCA at around 5:30 p.m.  They will then proceed down Central Avenue to the tear drop at 6th Street North. They will turn east for one block to 1st Avenue Northeast then turn right again, following 1st Avenue Northeast to the Olson Cultural Events Center and park to be on display.  Several different food selections will be available.  The Knights of Columbus will be serving Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches along with French Fries for ten dollars.  The Loaded Food truck will be set up in the parking lot of the Pride Group facility across the street from the Postal Playhouse.  In front of the Postal Playhouse will the WOW (Wells On Wheels) truck selling ice cream treats for one dollar with the proceeds going to benefit the Wet Nose Animal Shelter to be located in Le Mars.

 

 

 

Grassley Would Oppose Federal COVID Vaccine Mandate

(Washington, DC)  —  U-S Senator Chuck Grassley says Congress likely cannot ban private companies from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations among employees.  Grassley cites the lawsuit challenging a vaccine mandate for staff at a Houston hospital that was dismissed in June.  The federal judge said the hospital was making “a choice to keep staff, patients and their families safer.”  The Iowa Republican told reporters, “I imagine you’re going to have more employers, both hospital as well as other private employers, mandate it now that FDA has given permanent approval to some of the vaccines.”  Grassley says he’d oppose any bill that includes a COVID vaccine mandate.  The 87-year-old tested positive last November and has since been vaccinated.  Grassley says the shot is “the only way we’ll beat the virus and get back our way of life.”

 

 

 

Deadly Apartment Fire Under Investigation in Burlington

(Burlington, IA)  —  One person is dead and two are injured after a fire in a Burlington apartment.  Fire crews found flames coming from the front of the two-story house Tuesday morning.  The four-unit building suffered extensive damage and is considered a total loss.  Officials say two occupants were taken to a hospital for treatment and one resident escaped unharmed.  Firefighters found 44-year-old Samantha Hoenig during a search of the building.  Hoenig was taken to the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center where she later died of her injuries.  The cause of the fire is investigation and is not believed to be suspicious.

 

 

 

Man Found Dead of Gunshot Wound in Median of Waterloo Highway

(Waterloo, IA)  —  Police in Waterloo are investigating a shooting that left a man dead on the median of Highway 218.  Officers found a man with a gunshot wound at 4:40 Tuesday afternoon and he died the scene.  The victim hasn’t been identified and no other information been released.  Authorities say they were responding to reports of storm damage at the time of the shooting.  Anyone with a tip is asked to contact the Waterloo Police Department.

 

 

 

Driver in LeClaire Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries From Dump Truck Rock

(LeClaire, IA)  —  A Scott County woman is hospitalized in critical condition following an accident involving a dump truck.  LeClaire police say the 43-year-old woman was driving Tuesday morning when a large rock from the dump truck broke through her windshield.  Officers say the woman’s vehicle veered off the roadway and hit an embankment.  The victim was airlifted to U-I Hospitals and Clinics with life-threatening injuries.  Investigators say there was camera footage of the incident.