Jeneary Appointed To Serve On State House Agriculture And Natural Resources Committee
(Des Moines) — With the addition of two new Republican state lawmakers to the state House of Representatives, due to special elections, House Speaker, Pat Grassley has shuffled some of the committee assignments. Grassley announced on Wednesday through a news release that Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars, the House Representative for District 5, will now serve on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee. Jeneary says he is pleased of the new appointment, and he claims it will be a good learning experience.
Legion Awards Area Fifth Graders With Certificates For Essays
(Le Mars) — Last evening, (Wednesday) the Le Mars American Legion Wasmer Post #241 handed out certificates to the area’s fifth graders that participated in an essay contest. The fifth graders were asked to write: “What the American flag means to me.” From Clark Elementary school the top three placing winners included: 3rd place was awarded to Brooklyn Bock, 2nd place honors were given to Quentin Ranschau, and 1st place from Clark elementary was presented to Chase Larson. Franklin elementary top three winners were: 3rd place – Ava Mielke, 2nd place was Carter Morris, and 1st place was awarded to Jordan Kopperud. Kluckholn’s essay winners included: 3rd place was Cameron Pauling, 2nd place was awarded to Quinten Howell, and 1st place honors were given to Jonah Roberts. Taking the over-all first place honors, and who will move on to compete in the District level was Chase Larson of Clark Elementary.
School Board To Convene This Evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will meet this evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center. Tonight’s school board meeting will be the last for Scott Kommes, Todd Lancaster, and Dave Miller. The meeting will be the first for Lorraine DeJong and Aaron Tolzin as they were elected last week to the Le Mars Community Board of Education. Makenzie Lang will make a return to the school board as Lang was elected after having to resign her position due to moving in a different district. The new school board will elect officers for the next year. The school board will discuss the upcoming State School Board convention which will be held in Des Moines next week.
Plymouth County 4-H And Agricultural Society to Hold Annual Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County 4-H and Agricultural Society, better known as the Plymouth County Fair will hold its annual meeting this evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Le Mars Convention Center. The following director terms expire at the annual meeting: Terry Reuter, Micheal Beitelspacher, Tom Lehner, Keith Koerselman, Rich Benson, Tom Bainbridge, Jim Jauer, Ryan Schroeder, and Ben Vondrak. Membership to the Plymouth County 4-H and Agricultural Society is open to any county resident that pays a $5.00 one time membership. The membership request must be communicated to Loren Schnepf, Fairboard President, by calling 712-786-2904 by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the election to vote that evening. The regular monthly meeting of the fairboard will immediately follow the annual meeting.
Dordt History Professor Discusses Origins Of Veterans Day
(Sioux Center) — Most people may realize that today is Veteran’s Day, a day when we honor those who served our country in the military. However, many may not know the origins of Veterans Day. Dordt University History professor and department head, Dr. Paul Fessler says Veterans Day can be traced back to the end of fighting of World War One.
Mixed Picture On Iowa Snow For This Winter
(Des Moines, IA). — State Climatologist Justin Glisan (GLISS-an) says it’s difficult to forecast whether this winter will be snowier than usual. He says it’s a coin flip right now. That’s because the Pacific Ocean is currently in what’s called a “La Nina” (lah NEEN-yuh) phase when thunderstorms are pushed further west. That impacts the jet stream over the U-S. Glisan says the Pacific was in its colder, La Nina phase last winter, too – and Iowa had the 12th snowiest winter on record, nine inches above average. The National Weather Service forecast indicates there are chances for light snow in parts of Iowa tonight (Thursday) into Friday morning.
Winner Of Mayoral Election In Osceola Chosen By Random Drawing
(Osceola, IA). — A glass candy bowl from the Clarke County courthouse was used to help determine the winner of the mayor’s race in Osceola. The contest ended in a tie, with both candidates for mayor of Osceola getting 382 votes in last week’s election. The chairman of the county board of supervisors drew Matthew Stoll’s name out of the candy bowl, then all three supervisors voted to confirm Stoll as the winner. The incumbent mayor, Thomas Kedley, told reporters he may go to court to contest the results. Kedley says he’s heard from several people that a man who lives outside of city limits claimed a house in Osceola as his legal residence in order to vote in the mayor’s race.
Longest Serving Iowa National Guard Member Retires After 44+ Years
(Des Moines) — An Iowa National Guard member who joined after dropping out of high school had retired as the longest-serving soldier in the organization. Stephen Swisher retired in July as a Chief Warrant Officer Five — and was honored Wednesday in a ceremony in a repair bay where he worked for more than four decades. He joined the guard at the suggestion of a coworker. Swisher says he had quit school in 1976 and was working at a furniture company delivering furniture. He says the repairman who worked at the company told him he needed to go into the military. Swisher spent the next 44 years, seven months, and 18 days repairing all types of equipment to keep his fellow guard members going. He retired in July.
Former State Patrol Trooper Indicted By Federal Grand Jury
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — A former Iowa State Patrol trooper has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his actions during a 2017 traffic stop. Robert James Smith is charged with violating the civil rights of a motorcyclist by using unreasonable force. Smith could get up to 10 years in federal prison because the victim suffered injuries during the incident captured on dash-cam video. That video shows Smith pulling over Bryce Yakish for speeding at a gas station in West Liberty. The situation escalated with Smith hitting Yakish, knocking him to the ground, and putting his knee on the 20-year-old’s neck.
Congresswoman Miller-Meeks Plans to Move Into New 1st District
(Davenport, IA) — Second District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa plans to move and will seek re-election in Iowa’s new 1st District. None of the four Iowans who currently serve in the U-S House live in the new district. The freshman Republican said, “my connection to this district is extremely strong and I never wanted people in this district to feel that I was betraying them.” She told reporters she will continue to be an advocate for the people in her hometown of Ottumwa. State Representative Christina Bohannan of Iowa City and medical marijuana manufacturer Joseph Kerner of Knoxville are seeking the Democratic nomination in Iowa’s 1st District. Miller-Meeks could face a G-O-P primary challenge from Bettendorf businessman Kyle Kuehl.
Iowa Natural Resources Commission Approves Lifetime Fishing License
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Natural Resources Commission has approved the rules for a small increase in the cost of the lifetime fishing license. Fisheries Bureau Chief Joe Larschied says the change comes after they heard more 310 comments of public input. He says the comments suggested fees ranging from zero to 200 dollars and the vast majority suggested a total fee of 65 dollars or more Larschied says the initial proposal to raise the fee to 65 was lowered to 63 dollars. That 63-dollar license fee includes a two-dollar administrative fee for a total of 65 dollars. A lifetime license for those over the age of 65 now costs 61-50. The new fee begins in January.
