Le Mars Chamber Shifts Focus From Pioneer Village Christmas
The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that it will not organize the beloved Pioneer Village Christmas event this holiday season. The Chamber is actively seeking a non-profit organization to take over the traditional community celebration.
Pioneer Village has been a cherished holiday tradition in Le Mars, offering families an authentic old-fashioned Christmas experience complete with live music, beautifully decorated historic buildings and trees, horse-drawn carriage rides, festive food, and numerous seasonal activities.
Lori French is the Executive Director for the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce. In news release Monday, French explained why the chamber decided to change gears this holiday season. She noted that it was a difficult decisoin to refocus chamber resources on supporting local businesses during the crucial holiday shopping season.
Non-profit organizations interested in continuing the Pioneer Village tradition are encouraged to contact the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce to discuss opportunities for taking over the event. The Chamber is prepared to share information and insights from past events to help ensure a smooth transition. The deadline is June 30th.
Sand Runs for Govenor
State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Democrat in statewide elected office, is running for governor in 2026.
Sand is an attorney and former prosecutor in the Iowa attorney general’s office. He has been state auditor since 2019. During an interview with Radio Iowa, Sand said it’s time for new leadership in the governor’s office.
Sand calls the state budget Republicans have developed a ticking fiscal time bomb because it relies on withdrawals from the state’s reserves.
Republican Terry Branstad returned to the governor’s office in 2011 and Kim Reynolds took over as governor in mid-2017. She’s signed five tax cuts into law over the last seven years. Sand says the state’s current flat income tax is of tremendous benefit to the wealthiest people in Iowa.
Sand also says it’s time to tax marijuana at the same rate alcohol is taxed.
Illinois collected nearly half a million dollars in taxes from marijuana sales last year. Missouri took in 241 million dollars in tax revenue during the first year marijuana was legalized there. In a clear signal Sand was considering a run for governor, he raised over eight-and-a-half MILLION dollars in the last calendar year. Republicans say the paperwork shows Sand’s family is trying to buy his political future. His wife and inlaws accounted for seven million dollars of his 2024 fundraiser. Sand says he has more small dollar donations than Governor Reynolds has ever had.
Sand, who is 42 years old, grew up in Decorah and earned a degree in political science from Brown University. He got his law degree from the University of Iowa. As an assistant Iowa attorney general, he won a conviction in the case against a man who rigged Hot Lotto Jackpots in five states.
FLOYD VALLEY AUXILIARY AWARDS THREE SCHOLARSHIPS
Three $2,000.00 scholarships will be awarded to area students by the
Floyd Valley Auxiliary. The 2025 Auxiliary scholarship winners are: Addison Konz will be graduating from Gehlen Catholic High School. She will be attending South Dakota State University and pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Addison Arens will be attending South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy. Reagan Peters is currently attending Morningside University pursing a bachelor of science nursing degree.
The Auxiliary will also contribute $1,000 to the Floyd Valley Education Department to be used for staff and community training, including basic and advanced cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation and trauma nursing courses.
