Home News Friday News, September 17th

Friday News, September 17th

Gehlen Catholic Holds Ground Breaking Ceremony For Expanded Cafeteria

(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic held ground breaking ceremonies yesterday (Thursday) on the expansion of the cafeteria facilities.  Gehlen Catholic school board president, Andy Schmidt told the gathering the project is one of the largest and most exciting for Gehlen Catholic for the last 20 years.  Schmidt informed the crowd that many Gehlen alumni have a helping hand in the renovation of the school’s cafeteria.

Schmidt says more than half of the funding for the project has already been raised.

Amy Jungers serves is the Development Director for Gehlen Catholic and tells of what the expansion project will involve.

Jungers explains some of the specific purposes of the expansion of the cafeteria.

Jungers says the hope is for construction to be completed by the start of next year’s school year.

 

 

 

Le Mars Community FFA Members To Be Awarded American Degree

(Le Mars) — Two of Le Mars Community FFA members have been notified they will receive the highest honor within the FFA during the national convention scheduled for next month.  Kaleb Koerselman of Le Mars and Camden Schroeder of Remsen will accept the American Degree at the National FFA Conference scheduled for Indianapolis, Indiana.  The American FFA Degree is rewarded to members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences!

 

(Pictured top photo – Kaleb Koerselman, bottom photo – Camden Schroeder.)

 

 

 

Redistricting Plan Delivered To Lawmakers

(Des Moines, IA)  —  The proposed plan for re-configuring Iowa’s legislative districts will see dozens of lawmakers now paired against each other.  If this first plan is approved — it appears as many as 61 current members of the Iowa General Assembly live in a proposed district where at least one other legislator lives. An initial count indicates 24 senators would have to decide whether to move, retire or run against another senator and 37 state representatives would face the same predicament.  There will be public hearings and then Legislators will vote on the plan October 8th.

 

 

 

3 School Boards Put Mask Mandates Into Place Based On Judge’s Ruling

(Des Moines, IA). —  Three more Iowa school boards have voted masks mandates in response to this week’s ruling by a federal judge temporarily blocking enforcement of the state’s school mandate ban. West Des Moines and Davenport will require students, staff, and visitors to wear masks starting Monday. The Linn-Mar Community School District in eastern Iowa will only require masks for preschool through 6th grade. The Waukee school board discussed a mandate Thursday night, but it didn’t pass.

 

 

 

Board Of Regents:  Funding Increase Needed For Faculty, Staff, Tech Updates
(Iowa City, IA)  —  The Board of Regents has approved a funding request from the state that if approved would be an increase of seven million dollars for Iowa State University, and four million each for the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.  I-S-U president Wendy Wintersteen says the increase is needed to retain faculty and staff. She says they also need technology updates.  U-N-I president Mark Nook says the school returns the investment to the state by supporting students. University of Iowa president Barbara Wilson says the increase will be targeted at student support.

 

 

 

Man Accused Of Killing Wife Found Not Competent To Stand Trial

(Nevada, IA)  —  A central Iowa man accused of stabbing his wife to death has been found not competent to stand trial.  The ruling by Story County Judge John Flynn came after two doctors gave conflicting testimony about Gary Pillman. The charges against Pillman have been increased from second-degree to first-degree murder.  Investigators say he stabbed Betty Pillman to death at their home in Zearing almost two years ago.  Police say he killed her in their front yard, went to a neighbor’s house to confess, then tried to kill himself.  The judge’s ruling means Pillman’s trial has been suspended indefinitely.