New Welcome Sign Being Erected In Downtown Le Mars
(Le Mars) — People perhaps have noticed a new steel structure spanning Central Avenue located in the downtown area that has been erected this week. That structure will serve as a new welcome sign for visitors. Mark Catton of Catton Incorporated of Le Mars helped design the structure and says the idea evolved from Wells Enterprises CEO, Mike Wells and his wife Cheryl.
Catton says in addition to having a welcome sign, the steel structure will also feature different banners to promote local events.
Catton tells of the dimensions of the new welcome sign.
He says the welcome sign consists of several tons of steel and is being erected by a reputable firm from Sioux City.
The advertising executive says the new welcome sign falls in line with Mike Wells’ goal of having Le Mars become a tourist destination site.
Catton says the new welcome sign structure did come with its share of engineering challenges.
Catton says he is proud to be associated with the project, and he can’t wait for people to see the finished product. He calls it “striking” and says the welcome sign will be a great introduction into the community of Le Mars.
Jeneary Comments On Recently Approved Redistricting Legislative Maps
(Le Mars) — Last week, the Iowa legislature met in special session to approve the second proposed redistricting maps as submitted by the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency. State lawmakers overwhelmingly approved of the second plan. However, Dr. Tom Jeneary, a Republican state house representative from Le Mars was one of two state lawmakers to turn thumbs down on the proposal. Jeneary tells why he was opposed to the new district plan.
The newly approved district splits Plymouth County in half with the northern half joining the southern half of Sioux County to become state house legislative district 3. The communities of Akron, Craig, Struble, and Le Mars fall into the new state house district 3. However, the towns of Remsen, Kingsley, Merrill, and Hinton will now be located in the new House district 13, which involves the southern half of Plymouth County, the eastern third of Cherokee County, much of the rural regions of Woodbury County, and the entire area of Monona County. Jeneary explains which townships will make up of legislative district 3.
Those Sioux County towns that do fall within the new District 3 include: Orange City, Alton, Maurice, Ireton, and Hawarden. Sioux Center, Hull, Boyden, and Rock Valley would be in the new House District 4. Many people are wondering as to what happens next, and when will the newly approved legislative districts go into effect? Jeneary says lawmakers will resume the legislative session in January of 2022 under the current existing maps, but the new district maps will begin in January of 2023.
Jeneary says next November of 2022 will be the general election as to when state legislative candidates will be elected to serve the new districts. In many instances, the new legislative districts have two current lawmakers within the same district. That is the case with Jeneary and fellow Republican House Member, Skylar Wheeler of Orange City. If both legislative lawmakers decide to seek another term, Wheeler and Jeneary would first face each other in a primary election. Jeneary offers an additional explanation about the number of people that contacted him, all with comments urging him to vote “no” on the second proposed redistricting maps.
Jeneary adds more to his comments.
Jeneary says each of the 100 state house legislative districts consists of approximately 35,000 constituents. Jeneary says he was pleased with the new configuration for the Congressional Districts, saying Congressman Feenstra, or who ever, will have a nice Congressional district for western Iowa.
Homicide Investigation Underway in Wright County Town of Dows
(Dows, IA) — Authorities are investigating the death of a man in the north-central Iowa town of Dows as a homicide. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says Wright County authorities received a report of an unattended death Tuesday. Deputies located Mario Salvador Lopez dead at the scene. His cause of death hasn’t been released. The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office is doing an autopsy. Anyone with information about Lopez is asked contact Wright County authorities.
Congresswoman Axne Undecided About Political Future
(Shenandoah, IA) — Congresswoman Cindy Axne hasn’t decided whether to run for re-election to the U-S House or another office next year. The redistricting maps approved by state lawmakers put part of the new 3rd District in Iowa’s current 2nd District, which is represented by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Axne won’t say whether she’ll run against Miller-Meeks. There is speculation Miller-Meeks may move into the new 1st District since there is no incumbent there. Axne may also be considering challenging U-S Senator Chuck Grassley or Governor Kim Reynolds. The West Des Moines Democrat is disappointed that her 3rd District lost counties along western Iowa’s border to the 4th District. Axne says she will announce her intentions for 2022 soon.
Reynolds Sets Special Election For Senate District 1 in Northwest Iowa
(Spirit Lake, IA) — There will be a special election in Senate District 1 in northwest Iowa on December 14th. Governor Kim Reynolds scheduled to the special election to fill the seat of Republican Senator Zach Whiting of Spirit Lake, who recently moved to Texas. G-O-P candidates Barbara Clayton and Dave Rowley are vying for Senate seat in Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Osceola and Palo Alto counties. No Democrats have announced intentions to run. The winner will serve the remainder of Whiting’s term.
Northeast Iowa Couple Charged After 1-Year-Old Tests Positive For Meth
(Peosta, IA) — A northeast Iowa couple is accused of exposing a child to methamphetamine. Peosta police say 34-year-old Zachary Brenner and 31-year-old Nicole Hicks were arrested on child endangerment charges. Officers say their one-year-old tested positive meth following a September 14th incident at the American Inn and Suites hotel.
Gov. Reynolds to Challenge Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate Rule
DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds released the following statement today in response to the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate rule:
“President Biden is taking dangerous and unprecedented steps to insert the federal government even further into our lives while dismissing the ability of Iowans and Americans to make health care decisions for themselves.
“Biden’s plan pits Americans against Americans, while forcing them to choose between making a living or standing up for their personal beliefs. Biden’s actions will only worsen the existing workforce shortages and supply chain issues that hinder our economic recovery.
“I believe the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19, but I also firmly believe in Iowans’ right to make healthcare decisions based on what’s best for themselves and their families, and I remain committed to protecting those freedoms. President Biden should do the same.
“We will take immediate legal action to challenge the Biden Administration’s rule on vaccine mandates for employees of companies employing 100 or more.”
