Lunch And Learn To Focus On Abuse And Trafficking
(Le Mars) — Domestic abuse and sexual assaults will be the topics of focus during today’s Le Mars Chamber of Commerce “Lunch and Learn” session scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon at the Brown’s Central Avenue Events Center located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Plymouth Street southeast. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte will be joined by Cathy Van Mannen, coordinator with Safe Place and Stephanie Henrich with CAASA will discuss when domestic violence enters the work place, as well as what to look for. The trio will also spend time visiting with the lunch group about sex trafficking in Plymouth County. The meal is $15, and interested people should contact the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce office at 546-8821.
School Board To Convene This Evening
(Le Mars) –– Le Mars Community Board of Education will convene this evening for its monthly meeting at the Education Services Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. The school board will begin the meeting with a public hearing regarding the purchase of a new 72-passenger school bus, and two large SUV’s for the school year 2022-2023. Bids will be reviewed and action is expected. Each of the school principals will submit a report to the school board. School superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner will offer an update to the school board regarding the open enrollment in applications that have been approved. Ken Vigdal and Gabe Davis will provide information on the updated computer science programs at the middle school and high school levels. As for resignations and contracts, the school board will act on the resignation request from Amy Kelly, the Middle School Family and Consumer Science teacher who wishes to resign from her position at the conclusion of the school year. The Board of Education will consider approving the tentative agreement with the Le Mars Community Education Association for the 2022-2023 Master Contract. The Board of Education will also consider approving teaching and coaching contracts to be issued for 2022-2023. In addition to approving the faculty contracts for the school district, the school board will consider approving six contracts for recent new hires to fill previous teaching vacancies. In accordance with board policy 301.2 the Board of Education will consider approval of extending Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner’s contract for one additional year. The Board of Education will conduct a hearing, consider input received, and take appropriate action on a proposed calendar for the 2022-23 school year. RECOMMEND: Approve the 2022-23 school calendar with a start date of August 24, 2022. School superintendent, Dr. Webner will provide the 2022-23 Budget timeline, preliminary information, and estimate with the Board of Education. Publication of the proposed budget will be on March 28, 2022, with the hearing/certification set for April 11, 2022 at 12:00 noon. Curriculum Director, Rachel Leavitt will provide proposed changes for the Teacher Leadership and Compensation program.
Regan Peters Crowned As Plymouth County Pork Queen
(Le Mars) — Four young women competed for the title of Plymouth County Pork Queen during the Plymouth County Pork Producers banquet held Saturday evening. Avery Schroeder, Torey Tentinger, Emma Brennan and Regan Peters had participated in interviews and were judged on their knowledge of the pork industry. The new Plymouth County Pork Queen was given to a senior attending the MMCRU high school. Regan Peters was awarded the title and was presented a tiara crown. Emma Brennan was awarded the title of Plymouth County Pork Princess. As for the Little Miss Pigtails, Plymouth County will have three young girls that will share the title. Ivy Daum, the daughter of Jason and Cheri Daum, Greenley Schroeder the daughter of Russel and Abigail Schroeder, and Ava Welsch the daughter of Cayla and Robbie Welsch.
Jeneary Says Recent State Revenue Estimates Mean Good News
(Hinton) –– Last week, the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference released figures indicating the state would receive even additional funds than what was predicted last fall. Republican State House Representative, Dr. Tom Jeneary, from Le Mars says the state legislature uses the estimated revenue numbers to help determine the state’s budget. Jeneary says the numbers are positive and mean good news to the state.
Jeneary explains what it will mean to the Iowa legislature.
Three Children from Johnston Killed in Kansas
(Johnston, IA) — Three children from Johnston died in a weekend accident in southwestern Kansas. The Kansas Highway Patrol report says a car driven by 43-year-old David Clements of West Des Moines crossed the centerline on U-S Highway 54 near the town of Bucklin. The car was struck by a semi and three children in the car were killed. The patrol says 12-year-old Juno Clements, ten-year-old Arabella Clements, and seven-year-old Harper Clements from Johnston died. The driver, David Clements, was seriously injured. The semi driver was not hurt.
Charge Filed in Death at Bondurant Care Facility
(Bondurant, IA) — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has charged an employee in the January death of a resident at a care facility located in Bondurant. The Sheriff’s Department says 77-year-old Lynne Harriet Stewart died after being found outside in subzero cold at the Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing. Detectives charged 30-year-old Courtyard employee, Catherine Forkpa of Ankeny, with dependent adult abuse. Detectives say they reviewed hours of video, conducted multiple interviews, and examined other evidence including phone records in determining the charge related to this case.
Democrats Hosting Forums That Could Move or Replace Iowa Caucuses
(Des Moines, IA) — Democrats are considering a plan that could bump the Iowa Caucuses out of the first-in-the-nation position — and the party will be hosting three forums to give Democrats across the country a chance to weigh in on how the party picks its presidential nominees. Later this summer, the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is to recommend the sequence of voting events in 2024. National party leaders have been encouraging states to hold primaries rather than caucuses. The Des Moines Register was first to report national party leaders have developed a memo that outlines some new rules for which states have early voting contests in 2024, but the committee took no action on the matter this weekend. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Iowa REPUBLICAN Party says they’re poised to confirm that the Iowa Republican Party’s Caucuses are to be first in 2024, sending the message that Middle America matters to the G-O-P.
Hawkeye, Cyclone Men and Women Make NCAA tourney
(Iowa City, IA) — The Iowa men followed up the Iowa women and won the Big Ten Basketball Tournament title Sunday, and now prepare to play in the N-C-A-A Tournament. The Hawkeyes will play Richmond on Thursday at 2:10 p-m. The Iowa State men also made the tourney and play L-S-U on Friday at 6:20 p-m. The Hawkeye woman host Illinois State on Friday in the first round of the N-C-A-A tourney, while the Cyclone woman host U-T Arlington.
