LE MARS COUNCIL
The Le Mars City Council meets today at noon. Their agenda includes an award of contract for the Le Mars Interchange Track Project, the Main Street Façade Program, financing of Hospital Revenue Bonds, and an offer to purchase property in the city’s industrial park. The council will also go into closed session to discuss the sale or purchase of real estate.
CHAMBER AGRIBUSINESS LUNCHEON
The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee celebrates Ag Day today by hosting their 27th Agri-Business Luncheon today. The event is an effort to connect farm and business in the Le Mars area, to promote agriculture, and encourage future ag leaders. The keynote speaker is Larry Tranel, a dairy field specialist and psychologist. He will speak on Understanding Farm Personalities. The morning speaker will be Mike Kintner, an entomologist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. He will speak on issues surrounding the infestation of the emerald ash borer. The presentation of the 2024 Service to Agriculture Award, and a scholarship to an FFA member is part of the program today.
SENATE PASSES AEA REFORMS
The Iowa Senate passed their version of Area Education Agency reform Monday. This is a different measure than one passed by the House.
Governor Kim Reynolds, in a statement, thanked the Senate for their action. The Senate modified the Governor’s AEA reform plan.
State Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center was one of six Republicans to vote against the AEA reform bill. He preferred the House version of the bill.
The House has also passed an increase in teacher pay to at least $50,000 a year within two years, something on which the Senate has not yet taken action.
TAYLOR SAYS HOUSE CONSIDERING ALLOWABLE GROWTH
The Iowa legislature has not taken action on allowable growth of school budgets for fiscal 2025. It’s held up over discussions on Area Education Agency Reforms. House Education Committee Chair Jeff Taylor says increases of two to three percent are being discussed, but they have to know available funding levels before they make a decision.
It’s harder to know available funding, because these are ongoing expenses.
Taylor says the Governor’s proposed spending level for teacher pay is the highest, and Senate’s is the lowest, and the House is in between.
ACCIDENT LEADS TO ARREST OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY MAN
A Plymouth County man was arrested on several charges after a truck accident. A Plymouth County Sheriffs Deputy responded to the a single vehicle accident near C16 and Key Ave, northwest of Le Mars. The driver of the truck, Sergio Beltran, was trapped in the vehicle, which had rolled in the accident. After he was released by Le Mars Fire Rescue, Beltran was transported to Floyd Valley Healthcare. During the investigation into the accident, Beltran was found to be operating while intoxicated, carrying a firearm while intoxicated and also failed to maintain control of motor vehicle. Once cleared at Floyd Valley, Beltran was transported to the Plymouth County Jail to be booked on those charges.
BROWNS CENTURY THEATRE HONORED BY SENATOR ERNST
US Senator Joni Ernst announced a Le Mars business as the recipient of her Small Business of the Week. This week’s honoree is the Browns Century Theater. After touring the continent for 15 years, the Browns returned to Iowa and purchased the German-American Savings Bank in downtown Le Mars. They transformed the building into the Browns Century Theater. It now includes the Central Event Center for dining, the Inn on Central for visiting guests, and the Gift Shoppe. This year, the Browns celebrated the 24th anniversary of performing together and the 9th anniversary of the Browns Century Theater.
Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
SPRING ARRIVES TOMORROW, BUT A SNOWSTORM MAY ARRIVE THIS WEEKEND
Don’t put away those heavy coats, shovels and snow-melt just yet. Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks the first day of spring, but it’s possible a large area of Iowa will be digging out from a winter-weather storm in less than a week. Meteorologist Katie Gross, at the National Weather Service office in Omaha, says they’re following a developing weather system that may arrive over Iowa next Sunday, and could last into the following Tuesday. It appears the northern few tiers of Iowa counties may see snow, though Gross says if the system shifts south, more of Iowa could get snow, and if it shifts north, we’ll get heavier rain.
