JENEARY SUPPORTS MERIT BASED HIRING ON ALL IOWA COLLEGE CAMPUSES
State Representative Tom Jeneary last week voted in favor of a bill which eliminated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in colleges, universities and community colleges in Iowa.
Jeneary, representing House District 3 in the Legislature, thinks a merit based system is better for Iowa’s workforce.
This law covers even private colleges.
The bill ensures that any colleges receiving tax dollars through the Iowa Tuition Grant Program make merit-based achievement a priority in hiring.
LIFE SKILLS DAY PROM
It’s prom day at Life Skills Training Center in Le Mars
Missy Coffee-Gengler says clients have been getting ready for the event, which is taking place at this hour, at the Life Skills Adult Day Rehabilitation Center downtown.
25 clients and volunteers will take part in the fun.
Coffee-Gengler says the Day Prom turned into a community event.
The prom is held at the Adult Day Habilitation Center downtown. It could get a bit crowded.
This is the first of what Coffee-Gengler wants to become an annual event.
Missy gets to relive her proms, too.
TAX DEADLINE APPROACHES
Real Estate and Mobile Home taxes are due today. Plymouth County Treasurer, Shelly Sitzmann, says that property taxes can be paid in person at the Treasurer’s Office, by mail, or online. Taxes are delinquent tomorrow, and will draw a penalty.
Taxes that are mailed must be postmarked by today in order to avoid penalty. Online payments can be made at iowatreasurers.org. Payment can be made by e-check or credit card. Online tax payments can be made up to midnight tonight without penalty. The treasurer’s office can be reached by phone at 546-7056.
FRIENDS OF GEHLEN CATHOLIC BALL
Gehlen Catholic had what they described an “unforgettable” night Saturday. A Facebook post gave results from the 2025 Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball. The theme for the event was “A Run for the Roses, Kentucky Derby Style!”
The fundraiser brought in a grand total of 338,516 dollars. The total raised at the ball was 284,816 dollars. 53,700 dollars came from a Fund-a-Cause promotion.
Several individuals were honored at the ball Saturday. They included Co-Teachers of the year: Mrs. Patty Hatting & Mrs. Cheri Herbst. The Spirit of Peter and Catherine Gehlen Award was presented to Jeff & Jackie Arens. Student speakers Saturday were Addison Konz & Cole McCarty. The event, held at the Le Mars Convention Center, featured a dinner, a silent and live auction, and entertainment.
STUDENT-BUILT HOME UP FOR BID
A home under construction by local high school students at Sioux City’s Career Academy is open to tours and to bid upon by potential buyers.
Eric Kilburn is principal of the career academy:
This is the second year that the trades students have built two new homes: one for sale, and one for Habitat for Humanity.
Eighteen seniors and 26 juniors are building the homes.
Kilburn says the students who worked on last year’s homes as juniors are providing experience and leadership on this year’s home building as seniors:
The home features vaulted ceilings, Pella windows, and a primary bedroom with an en-suite.
Potential buyers can also suggest some changes if they are serious about purchasing it:
The buyer also must have a building lot on which to place the home.
Those interested in the home are encouraged to submit a formal offer no later than May 9th.
To submit a formal offer and view information on conditions of sale, individuals may contact the Sioux City Career Academy at 712-279-6668.
SIOUX COUNTY SEMI CRASH
A semi-trailer crash occurred Saturday night on Iowa Highway 60, two miles south of Hospers. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the crash at 7:44 p,m. Kody Upton, 34, of Ruthven, IA, was operating a 2017 Peterbilt semi-tractor pulling a tank trailer southbound on Highway 60. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which entered the west ditch, overcorrected and rolled; the vehicle came to rest blocking both southbound lanes of Highway 60.
No injuries were reported. Estimated damage to the vehicle was approximately $20,000. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Orange City Police Department, Hospers Fire Department and Hospers Ambulance.
SPOTTER TRAINING CLASS CANCELLED
The 2025 severe weather awareness/spotter training class scheduled for April 2nd at Western Iowa Tech has been canceled.
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls says it’s due to ongoing critical staffing shortages.
The weather service still plans on holding two virtual classes scheduled on April 28th and April 30th.
If in-person weather training classes become available in the future, Woodbury County Emergency Management will reschedule.
TRIAL DATE SET FOR MAN ACCUSED OF 1983 MURDER
A trial date has been set for a former Sioux City man charged with murder in the 1983 shooting death of a Sioux city woman.
A jury trial for 62-year-old Thomas Popp has been scheduled for June 3rd in Woodbury County District Court.
Popp’s attorney entered a written plea of not guilty to a charge of first degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Terri McCauley.
Popp was extradited from the state of Washington and brought to the Woodbury County Jail on March 8th.
He was arrested January 11th by Longview, Washington police after a Woodbury County grand jury indicted him January 10th.
Popp remains held on three million dollars bond.
