Le Mars Woman to Be Sentenced Today in Sons Death
Sexlyn Tataichy is scheduled to be sentenced today at 2:30 p.m. at the Plymouth County Courthouse for the death of her child. The Le Mars woman faces up to 50 years in prison for the count of child endangerment resulting in death.
Tataichy was originally charged with murder in the second degree, child endangerment resulting in death and child endangerment-multiple acts, all Class B felonies, in connection with the death of her son SD Tataichy on April 29, 2024.
Under the plea agreement, Tataichy will plead guilty to one of the three counts, child endangerment resulting in death. The other two counts, second-degree murder and child endangerment-multiple acts, will be dismissed once the judgment and sentence are filed in Plymouth County District Court.
The plea agreement was written up back in May 2025 but wasn’t officially accepted by the court until Friday, June 20.
Improper Disposal of Fireworks Leads to Residential Fire
A Marcus, Iowa home and garage are a total loss, due to the improper disposal of fireworks.
Marcus Fire and Rescue firefighters were called to 113 South Locust St., on Friday, July 4, at 11:30 pm. The fire began when fireworks were improperly disposed of in a trash can. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the garage was fully engulfed, and flames began to spread inside the home.
The family was outside at the time of the fire, and no one was injured. The garage and home were determined to be a total loss. Firefighters remained on scene until 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. Marcus Fire and Rescue was assisted by the Cleghorn Fire Department, Meridian Fire Department and the Remsen Fire Department.
Students Participate in Iowa Boys State
Three young Le Mars students recently attended the 2025 American Legion Iowa Boys State. The three selected by Wasmer Post 241 included Karter Melvin, Jami Sitzmann, and Mason Pippett.
During the annual event that was held June 22nd through the 27th at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, Karter Melvin of Le Mars was elected as Lieutenant Governor. Karter, who will be a senior this fall at Le Mars Community High School, is the son of Tony and Kate Melvin.
He told KLEM that that Boys State provided hands-on learning about state and local government, civic engagement, and leadership skills.
Karter Melvin said the experience has influenced his interest in politics.
Eligible candidates for the annual Boys State program are students who demonstrate leadership qualities, academic success, and community involvement.
The other two attendees from Le Mars Community High School were Jami Sitzmann, son of Joe and Bobbi Sitzmann; and Mason Pippett, the son of Marty and Maria Pippett.
Iowa Will Soon End Mental Health Program
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a plan to sunset the Integrated Health Home (IHH) Program by the end of 2025.
That program provides care for Iowans of all ages facing serious mental and behavioral health challenges.
The plan is to transition from the IHH program to a new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model.
On July 1, the HHS began transition meetings for adults receiving care through the program. Meetings for children in the program will begin August 1.
The IHH program is scheduled to officially end on December 31.
This public notice for SPA 25-0030 is posted on the HHS website at the following link: https://hhs.iowa.gov/public-notice/2025-06-30/public-notice-state-plan-amendment-spa-ia-25-0030-public-comment-period-sunsetting-integrated-health
Code Talker Stories at the Plymouth County Historical Museum
The monthly meeting of the Northwest Iowa Genealogical Society will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 1:30 PM in the fourth-floor study hall of the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars. The group’s co-VP Karen Harrington will give a presentation on the renowned Navajo Code Talkers of World War II.
While in Arizona in recent years, Karen and her husband Vern attended several lectures by Laura Tohe, PhD, author of the book Code Talker Stories. Shortly before her father’s death, Tohe discovered his legacy as one of the Code Talkers.
