LCSD BUDGET AMENDMENT
The Le Mars Community School District Board approved a budget amendment for the current fiscal year. This amendment reflects increased costs for food, and technology upgrades in the school district. The amendment totals 300-thousand dollars. Superintendent Dr. Steven Webner says this will not trigger an increase in taxes..
FEENSTRA, VIRGIL WILL ATTEND EVENT IN CHEROKEE
Two candidates in the Republican primary for the 4th Congressional District will appear at a renewable fuels forum in Cherokee later this month.
Congressman Randy Feenstra and his GOP challenger, Kevin Virgil, have confirmed they will attend the event on Thursday, May 30, at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Cherokee.
The Rural and Renewable Fuels Issue Forum is sponsored by the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, the Iowa Biodiesel Board and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.
They say that during the forum, each candidate will have an opportunity to address a series of questions on several topics, including farming, livestock production, renewable fuels and rural life.
SENATOR GRASSLEY WELCOMES LE MARS STUDENTS TO WASHINGTON
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) this week met students from Le Mars Middle School in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center.
Grassley discussed with the students his path to becoming a senator, his annual 99 county meetings and his legislative priorities, including the Farm Bill and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
Grassley said “The students came well prepared for Wednesday’s meeting, asking thoughtful questions while showing a willingness to learn, Speaking face-to-face with the next generation of Iowans is one of the highlights of my work. I look forward to seeing what these students accomplish in their future endeavors”.
ORANGE CITY TULIP FESTIVAL OPENS WITH EXCLUSIVE TULIP
The 83rd Annual Orange City Tulip Festival begins today and it will have something unique this year. A brand-new tulip has been developed, and although it is not in bloom, the bulbs are available for sale. Tulip Town Bulb Company owner Keri Drescher says the Dutch Heritage Boosters asked if they could partner with her for the new tulip.
Heritage Booster member Jodi Vander Zwaag says they got the idea when the Consulate General from the Netherlands visited Orange City last year and told them something surprising.
After figuring out what this meant, they got in contact with a bulb company in the Netherlands that develops exclusive bulbs. They found out the process takes between seven to ten years, but there was a bulb available with orange in it if they wanted it.
The name means Orange City, Dutch Heritage Boosters; to honor the Dutch heritage and the Dutch Heritage Boosters. Vander Zwaag says that the final act is to baptize the tulip. Not knowing how that’s done, she learned one was just baptized this spring in Chicago.
The Oranjestad D-H-B tulip, is bright yellow with orange to apricot tips, and can be purchased at the festival which runs through May 17th.
TULIP QUEEN 2024
Tulip Queen Avery Kelch says today, she and her court meet up with the Pella Tulip court. They visited Pella two weeks ago for their festival.
It’s an exciting time for Avery
It’s been a great experience to get to know the members o the court.
The courts’ costumes are from the region of Walcheren. She describes what’s unique about them.
The festival opens at 9 this morning. There are two parades each day of the festival. The afternoon parade is preceded by a Straatfest, or Street festival. There’s also an evening parade at 6 pm. Each year a musical performance is put on. This year’s Night Show is “Footloose”, staged at the town hall.
GOVERNOR SIGNS ‘MEAT INTEGRITY’ BILL
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed legislation that creates new labeling requirements for meat and egg alternatives. Starting July 1st, any plant-based, lab grown or insect-based protein product sold in Iowa stores will have to be clearly labeled as something other than meat or eggs. Senator Dawn Driscoll, a Republican from Williamsburg who raises cattle, calls it a “meat integrity” law. Reynolds signed a second bill into law during her stop at a farm near Ladora. It extends a capital gains tax break on state income taxes for the sale of bulls, boars, rams and other livestock used for breeding.
REYNOLDS SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT FOR REPUBLICANS TO ATTEND TRUMP’S TRIAL
Governor Kim Reynolds has not spoken to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird since Bird attended former President Donald Trump’s trial in New York on Monday, but both Reynolds and Bird are using the word “travesty” to describe the proceedings. Reynolds says it’s important for fellow Republicans to attend the trial because the judge has ordered Trump not to speak about the jury, the prosecution or witnesses. Reynolds, who has two dozen bills left from the 2024 legislative session to review and sign, says she’s focused on that and has no plan to fly to New York for the trial — and the governor says she doesn’t have to travel out of state to let her constituents know how she views the case against Trump.
IOWA VIETNAM MEMORIAL TURNS 40
A ceremony on the state capitol grounds today (Tuesday) marked the 40th anniversary for the state’s Vietnam Memorial. Vietnam Vet Dan Gannon says 115- thousand Iowans served in Vietnam in all branches of the military and their average age was 19. He says 868 Iowans died in the Vietnam War and their names are etched in the black granite memorial. The state has annually recognized Vietnam Veterans in May for the last 17 years.
