TREASURER’S REPORT
The Plymouth County Treasurer gave a year-end report on activity in the Motor Vehicle and Drivers License Departments,
Shelly Sitzmann told the Board of Supervisors that Motor Vehicle Department revenues for fiscal year 23-24 totaled 12.47 million dollars. Of that amount, Plymouth County retained 405-thousand dollars. The rest went to the state officials. Revenues were highest in two months, December and January, at 1.17 and 1.16 million , respectively. Revenues were lowest in June, at 903-thousnad dollars.
Drivers Licenses generated 42-thousand dollars in the fiscal year. That compares to 34-thousand, 900 dollars in 22-23, and 35-thousand, 300 dollars in 22-23. A new law which went into effect in the last fiscal year allows counties to charge non-residents a convenience fee. That raised 5-thousand dollars for the county. There were almost 73-hundred customers in the past fiscal year, ocmpared to over 74-hundred in the previous two years.
GEHLEN CELL PHONE POLICY
Gehlen Catholic Middle and High School will enact a new cell phone policy this school year.
Principal Bryan Paulson says they have restricted cell phone use before, but the old policy wasn’t working.
So this year, there will be no cell phone use by students during the school day.
This is how the cell ban will work…Middle and High School students will surrender their cell phones at the beginning of the school day. The phones will be locked away, to be retrieved at the end of the school day.
Paulson says cell phone use by students affected their behavior and attitudes toward learning.
Paulson hopes the policy returns student’s focus to their stdies and to faith formation
There will be exceptions to the policy for students who need their phones.
The new policy came out of discussions among school leaders, the school board, and administrators. They found that the use of cell phones and other devices created more noise, interruption, and a lack of inspiration.
Gehlen Catholic parents are urged to discuss the matter, and the new policy with their children.
LE MARS COUNCIL, SUPERVISORS MEET
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meets this morning. The county engineer will bring several permit applications before the board for their consideration. The county treasurer will present the latest quarterly report on the Drivers License and Motor Vehicle Department.
The city council of Le Mars meets at noon today. On their consent agenda is a change order to the Southview Industrial Park project. A revised final plat for the Overlook Addition will come before the council for approval. The council will also consider an engineer’s agreement for a drainage study on the storm sewer on the south edge of the city.
REMSEN PLANS A NIGHT OUT TONIGHT
For the fifth year, Remsen is taking part in the National Night Out. It’s designed to bring the community together and build up a partnership between law enforcement and the general public. Remsen Community Action Club is hosting a burger night fundraiser tonight. The event will take place on Main Street, from 5 to 7 this evening. Funds raised by the feed will raise money for new pickle ball courts in Remsen. Over these years, Remsen Fire, EMT and police departments, the Plymouth County Sheriffs Office, the Iowa National Guard, the Wings helicopter and tow truck companies have been represented. Activities have included a foam party, train rides, ice cream, and bingo. 46 communities across Iowa that will be observing National Night Out on August 6th. Le Mars will hold its Night Out in October.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY CRASH LEADS TO ARREST
A rollover accident near Kingsley has led to trhe arrest of a Woodbury County man. Last week, a citizen called the Plymouth County Communications Center with the report of a reckless driver on Iowa Highway 140 near Kingsley. While making the report, the witness saw the vehicle leave the roadway, resulting in a multi-rollover accident. The driver, Kristopher Moore Jr., 26, of Pierson, received minor injuries in the accident. He was transported to receive treatment. Moore was also cited for open container and failure to maintain control. Moore’s vehicle sustained totaling damages. The investigation continues and additional charges are possible.
FEMA ADDS MORE NORTHWEST IOWA RECOVERY CENTERS
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is opening four more disaster recovery centers, including one in Woodbury County. Others are in Buena Vista, Dickinson, and Palo Alto counties. The Woodbury County center will be located at the Siouxland Regional Transit System on Gordon Drive. FEMA and the Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs, and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications. The Woodbury center opens Wednesday at 1 p.m., and thereafter will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PLYMOUTH STREET REPAIRS
Plymouth Street is being shut down again, for additional street work. Starting today. Plymouth Street will be closed from Central Avenue, west to 5th Ave. On Monday, crews will start milling from Central east one block, and follow Iowa Highway 3 past Floyd Valley Healthcare east to 14th Ave. A pilot car will lead traffic along the highway from 1st St NE to 14th Ave.
RED CROSS ISSUES URGENT APPEAL FOR BLOOD DONORS
The American Red Cross says we’re now under a blood shortage emergency, as extreme heat, natural disasters and summer vacations are causing a critical drop in donations. Josh Murray, spokesman for the Red Cross’ Nebraska-Iowa Region, says Iowa has seen more than its share of destructive storms and flooding lately, and those elements combined with routine summertime activities are causing a serious problem.
Murray says the heat impacted almost a hundred blood drives during July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood, compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, like travel and summer activities.
Hurricane Debby made landfall Monday in Florida, which forced more blood drives to be cancelled in that state, and he says even a minor hurricane can cause significant, domino-effect troubles nationwide. Murray says -all- blood types are needed in Iowa, especially Type-O.
Anyone in Iowa who gives blood, platelets or plasma during August will get a $20 Amazon gift card. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
