Le Mars Dog Park Is Now Open
(Le Mars) — It may have taken a while, but pet owners can now visit the new Le Mars Dog Park which is now open behind the Walmart building. City Administrator, Jason Vacura says with the completion of the Dog Park, Le Mars has now finished with its ten projects as identified in the Community Betterment Projects.
Vacura says the new dog park is actually separated in two parts for smaller dogs and for larger dogs.
The city administrator says although the park is designed to allow dogs to run, pet owners are expected to remain at the area. Vacura describes the features found at the new dog park.
Vacura says he conducted a fair amount of research when designing the new dog park.
Vacura says the dog park is anticipated to remain open all year round. He adds that there are some rules with the new dog park, and that everyone is expected to abide by those rules. The city administrator says the total cost of the new dog park was listed at $205,000 which $175,000 was financed through the Community Betterment Foundation.
Northwestern College Sets Enrollment Record
(Orange City) — For the third consecutive year, Northwestern College of Orange City, Iowa, has set enrollment records. This fall’s enrollment is 1,585, up more than two percent from last year’s record of 1,546. This year’s figures include the largest ever graduate students…500 enrolled in Northwestern College’s Master of Education program and on-campus master’s enrollment program in physician assistant studies…up from 461 of last year. Northwestern also had 82.8 percent of last year’s freshman class return to college this year, a record retention rate. More than six percent of the college’s residential undergraduate students are Latino students, also a record high.
“We are thrilled to continue to be setting enrollment records, especially at a time in which many other schools are seeing declining enrollments,” said Tamara Fynaardt, Northwestern’s Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing. “Our high retention rate shows that we are providing the standout academic preparation, integration of faith and learning, and experience of belonging that our students expect. Our graduate programs continue to exceed expectations because of their great reputation for highly applicable content, personal attention, affordability, and flexibility. We’re glad to see progress on enrolling more students of color as we seek to live out our Vision of Diversity.”
Big Bucks Donated to Iowa House Special Election
(Des Moines, IA) — Campaign finance reports filed last week reveal hundreds of thousands of dollars have been contributed to the Iowa House special election being held Tuesday. Democrats have spent more than 350-thousand dollars and Republicans about 250-thousand. Republican Mike Bousselot and Democrat Andrea Phillips are running for the seat vacated by the death of Republican State Representative John Landon in July. House District 37 includes Ankeny and a big portion of northern Polk County. Phillips ran against Landon in 2020 and lost in one of the most expensive Iowa House contests held last year.
Wounded Man In Cedar Rapids Charged With Assault In Domestic Violence Case
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — A wounded man in Cedar Rapids has been charged with assault in a domestic violence case. The incident happened Sunday at about 5:15 a-m. Nine-1-1 calls told dispatchers a woman was being assaulted by a man and gunshots had been fired. Cedar Rapids police arrived to find a 21-year-old woman suffering from injuries. While officers were on the scene, they were informed a man had arrived at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. Thirty-four-year-old David Walker has been charged with assault causing bodily injury. After being treated at the hospital, Walker was taken to the Linn County Correctional Center. Witnesses say an 18-year-old relative of the victim shot Walker during the assault.
Judge Declines To Halt Enforcement Of Iowa Law On Mask Requirements
(Des Moines, IA) — A judge in Polk County District Court has declined to halt the enforcement of an Iowa law on mask requirements in public schools. Frances Parr of Council Bluffs had sued the state of Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds, and several state officials. The suit was filed last month in Des Moines. Parr was seeking an order that would halt the enforcement of the law. She argued that it violates her constitutional rights. The judge determined there was no evidence any school board would immediately impose a mask mandate if the prohibition hadn’t been signed into law.
Des Moines Dies When Crashing His Car Into House
(Des Moines, IA) — Des Moines police report a 21-year-old man has died while crashing his car into a house on the city’s south side. The accident happened at about 1:00 a-m Sunday. Police say Jose Fernando Jimenez Junior lost control, hit a utility pole, and sheared it off. The impact launched the car into the air until it hit the house. Investigators say excessive speed was a factor in the wreck that happened along a street with a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit. The debris field was reportedly 50 yards long. People inside the home weren’t injured. The two utility poles that were damaged were replaced.
