Le Mars Community FFA Members Earn American Degrees
(Indianapolis) –Two Le Mars Community FFA members are to receive their American Degrees today at the National FFA Convention being held at Indianapolis, Indiana. Kaleb Koerselman and Camden Schroeder will be awarded the FFA’s highest honor during the award ceremony. The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).
Kaleb Koerselman
Camden Schroeder
Saturday Is Filled With Halloween/Autumn Activities
(Le Mars) — Several activities are being planned for today, including the annual pumpkin races to be held at Total Motors beginning at 9:00 a.m. Later this morning, the All-Saints Catholic parish will hold a dedication ceremony of a statue of St. Joseph at the St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. There will be food trucks and inflatable games. That event is scheduled to begin at around 11:00 a.m. This afternoon and into the evening hours will be the 47th annual celebration of Remsen’s Oktoberfest to be held at St. Mary’s high school. The tapping of the Golden Keg is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. followed by the children’s crowning of the festival’s prince and princess contest. Bavarian style polka music will begin at 2:00 p.m. and the traditional German-Luxemborg meal will begin at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The festival will conclude at 9:00 p.m.
All Saints Catholic Parish Celebrates All Saints Day With Statue Dedication
(Le Mars) — All Saints Day is Monday, November 1st, but the All Saints Catholic Parish of Le Mars is celebrating today (Saturday) with a statue dedication ceremony. KLEM news visited with Father Travis Crotty about the dedication, as well as the significance of All Saints Day.
Police Say To Remain Safe During Halloween Activities
(Le Mars) — Halloween is Sunday, and the Le Mars Police Department wants to make certain everyone has a safe Halloween. Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte offers some tips to follow when the little ghosts and goblins are collecting candy.
Vande Vegte reminds the youngsters to always cross the street at designated crosswalks, and for parents to always be watching your children
The Le Mars Police Chief wants the trick or treaters to be clearly visible Sunday evening.
Vande Vegte reminds people to only visit those homes you know, and to check all candy and treats when you arrive back home, before consuming any of the candy.
Primebank’s Pumpkin Decorating Contest
(Le Mars) — Some of the employees of Primebank of Le Mars participated in a pumpkin decorating contest, of which the bank’s customers were allowed to cast their vote for their favorite pumpkin. Friday, the results of the contest were announced. First place was awarded to “Deer Pumpkin” created by Ashleigh Pederson. Second place with the “Margarita Pumpkin went to Ally Borchers, and third place with “Old Woman Pumpkin was awarded to Angie Penne.
Dubinski Running For City Council In Ward 3
(Le Mars) — For one candidate seeking a position with the Le Mars city council, he is hoping that the adage of third time is a charm, holds true. Dan Dubinski is running as a city council candidate for Ward 3. As mentioned, Dubinski has tried to run for the city council twice before. He believes this time, more people are familiar with his name.
Dubinski has been employed with Kolbeck Incorporated for the past 26 years, and is a member of the Le Mars American Legion Wasmer Post #241. Dubinski explains his interest in becoming a city councilman.
Dubinski says his interests with the city is to help with economic development and help local businesses, while at the same time improve the city’s infrastructure system.
Dubinski expands on his thoughts about attracting people and businesses to Le Mars.
The Ward 3 city council candidate says he would like to provide additional parks and recreational activities to be located within the northern portion of town.
One of Dubinski’s goals would to change the time of the city council meetings from noon to the evening. Dubinski believes more people may attend the city council meetings if they were held during the evening hours.
Pheasant Hunting Season Begins Today (Saturday)
(Des Moines) — Pheasant hunters have begun walking through Iowa’s forests and fields this Saturday morning shortly after sunrise. Today, marks the start of Iowa’s Pheasant hunting season, and Todd Bogenshutz, a wildlife biologist with the D-N-R in Boone, is predicting a busy morning as the forecast calls for a sunny fall day for much of the state.
Based on the agency’s roadside counts, northwest Iowa looks particularly promising for pheasant populations this year, while southeast Iowa may be lesser, though he says “they average out.” Iowa’s growing seasons are wrapping up just as hunting season begins, which Bogenshutz says is ideal.
Bogenshutz says there are some key rules to always follow during the hunt.
When hunting in groups, he says it’s vital to make a plan and follow it. Iowa’s pheasant season runs through January 10th. Learn more at www.iowadnr.gov.
(pheasant photographs courtesy of Don Poggensee)
Governor Signs Onto Lawsuit Against Federal Vaccine Mandate
(Des Moines, IA) — The State of Iowa has filed a lawsuit challenging the Covid-19 vaccination mandate President Biden has proposed all workers employed by a federal contractor. Governor Kim Reynolds says she believes the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19, but says no one should be forced to choose between making a living or standing up for their personal beliefs. Reynolds also on Friday signed the bipartisan vaccine mandate bill passed in the special legislative session yesterday that expands the rights of workers when companies institute vaccine mandates.
Rainy Week Helps End Drought In Some Areas
(Johnston, IA) — Some Iowa communities report breaking rainfall records this week that have stood for more than a century. State climatologist Justin Glisan says the new U-S Drought Monitor map for Iowa shows improving conditions, with fewer counties indicated as being abnormally dry or in drought. Glisan says it has been very beneficial in regions where we’ve seen the abnormally dry conditions. The entire southern tier of counties is in the clear, along with wide areas of western and southeast Iowa. The worst of the dry conditions, D-2 or severe drought, remain in central and north-central Iowa, with a small patch in the northwest.
Sunday Marks 30th Anniversary of Halloween Ice Storm
(Johnston, IA) — This weekend weather looks to be about average temperature-wise — unlike 30 years ago in what became known as the Halloween Ice Storm of 1991. National Weather Service Meteorologist, Andrew Ansorge, says the storm approached the state from the southwest and started as snow. Things transitioned into rain and freezing rain except for portions of northwest Iowa west of Hampton where things stay mostly as snow — making a blizzard type of situation. Portions of Hampton up towards Mason City definitely had an ice storm from the 31st into the first. The storm knocked out power to about 80-thousand homes in Iowa and a state of emergency was issued for 52 of the state’s 99 counties.
