Governor’s Volunteer Awards
Cheryl Cronin of Le Mars received a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer during a special recognition ceremony held earlier this month in Urbandale. Cronin was nominated for her many volunteer hours given to the Floyd Valley Healthcare Gift Shop.
The Floyd Valley Auxiliary was also honored with a group volunteer award during the ceremony. The Auxiliary is celebrating 70 years of service to the hospital and community
Governor Reynolds said “those being recognized are the people who invest in others without expecting anything in return- except, of course, for the fulfillment that comes from doing their part to give back to their community.”
The Governor’s Volunteer Awards program is coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, a bureau within the Iowa Department of Health and Human services.
Iowa House Approves Call for A Special Session
Seventy members of the Iowa House are calling for a special session of the legislature to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have set new rules for carbon pipelines — but the veto will stand because there’s not enough support among Senate Republicans for a special session.
The Iowa Constitution requires that two-thirds of the members of the House AND the Senate sign a petition calling for a special session before one is held. The 70 signatures from Republicans and Democrats in the House meet that threshold, but Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says a majority of Senate Republicans would not be interested in any attempt to override Governor Reynolds’ veto.
House Speaker Pat Grassley says the veto was a major setback for Iowa landowners and for efforts in the House to safeguard property rights and ban the use of eminent domain for the private gain of pipeline owners.
Le Mars City Council Approves Annexation
The Le Mars City Council yesterday at its regular meeting gave final approval to the annexation of 35 acres of land near the south Highway 75 interchange. The city has a service agreement with ISG, a Sioux Falls, S.D, architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, to provide planning, design and construction-related services on the land. The council previously approved the annexation on May 20th its regular meeting. The land was purchased by the Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation (LBIC) for urban renewal development, including a hotel, restaurant, gas station and other commercial users.
The council also approved a plan to put a hotel/motel tax increase of two-percent on the city ballot, increasing the tax from five-seven-percent. If approved by voters, that increase would sunset in 2041. In addition, the council amended an agreement with Stanley Consultants to replace three traffic lights in downtown Le Mars. The vote was needed because more than 24 thousand dollars was added to cost of the project.
Also, after a closed session Tuesday, the council voted in favor of an $8,000 salary increase for the City Administrator Jason Vacura that would be effective July 1, 2025.
Ice Cream Days
Ice Cream Days begins today in downtown Le Mars and the celebration runs through Saturday. This year, Wells will also celebrate 25 years of the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor, a staple of downtown Le Mars.
Today’s festivities with a Community Coffee hosted by the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce and Wells Enterprises at the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor from 9:30–10:30 AM.
Then rev up your engines for the Car Show that evening! Enjoy a performances by the City Municipal Band at Foster Park and The Jammers at Olson Cultural Event Center.
Sioux Center Residential Growth
Sioux Center is poised for residential growth with a range of residential lots and options available for those wishing to live here, build here, and own a home here.
This summer, there will be more than 100 lots available in various locations in Sioux Center. Sioux Center has already seen 12 single-family construction permits this year, and in addition, 32 apartment units are under construction and another 32 more are planned, plus the cottages at Dordt University.
RiseFest This Weekend in Sheldon
The RiseFest Christian Music Festival features Christian artists and speakers, as well as seminars, activities for kids of all ages, ministry outreach, camping, and much more. For more information on this weekend’s RiseFest in Sheldon, you can go to https://www.riseministries.com/risefest.
