Nominations for Chamber awards due tomorrow
Nominations for awards presented by the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce will be due by the end of the day tomorrow. Three awards will be presented during their annual dinner next month: Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Impact of the Year, with each award having different nomination criteria.
The Business of the Year award honors a business that actively contributes to community development by sharing their passion and expertise with all. Criteria includes: developing and growing an outstanding business in Le Mars, the business making contributions to the vibrancy of the community, contributing or volunteering their time or talents within the community, and that the business shows inclusivity to all and supports community growth.
The Citizen of the Year award highlights an individual who posses a profound sense of civic pride, motivating them to selflessly dedicate their time for the benefit of others in the community. Criteria includes: showing exceptional dedication to the Chamber of Commerce or the city of Le Mars, showing interest and commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens, consistent volunteerism with the Chamber or other community events, and striving to enhance the community by showing a passion for the people and life of Le Mars.
The Impact of the Year recipient exemplifies exceptional dedication through their time and efforts to giving back to the community, with their accomplishments making Le Mars a community where people aspire to live, work, and play. Criteria includes: exceeding expectations in their commitment to giving back to the community, understanding the importance of the community’s growth and prosperity and takes action to support it, and that their efforts are measurable and easily recognized by community members.
Nomination forms for all three awards are available at the Chamber of Commerce Office, and can be returned to the office or submitted by email. Forms must be returned to the office by the end of tomorrow.
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Le Mars Police reports released for November
The Le Mars Police Department announced they answered 627 calls for service during the month of November, a similar figure to reports from October.
Officers responded to 46 incidents and made 43 arrests in November, and 278 traffic citations and warnings were issued to drivers. 11 total accidents were reported, with 2 resulting in injury, and 9 resulting in property damage.
November was the first month of the current odd-even parking ordinance, with the first significant enforcement of the ordinance occurring on November 29-30th. During the Le Mars city council meeting on December 2nd, Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte reported that 34 citations were issued over the holiday weekend, with Vande Vegte saying those numbers were, quote “pretty good for the first weekend of a major snowfall.” The ordinance will be in effect until April 1st of next year.
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Wreaths Across America ceremony at Sioux City’s Memorial Park
A semi escorted by a Woodbury County Sheriff’s deputy delivered over 4,500 wreaths to Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City Wednesday. It’s for preparation of a Wreaths Across America ceremony there today.
Steve Ponder of Great West Casualty Company has helped spearhead the wreath-laying event, where community members will place a wreath on the grave of a person who served our country.
Ponder says it’s the second year his company has sponsored the Sioux City event, which is one of many “Wreaths Across America” memorial ceremonies taking place nationwide.
Trucking companies have voluntarily transported the wreaths, which are made in the state of Maine, across the country to cities conducting the memorials. Local American Legion commander Rene Lapierre (lah-pee-air) has helped recruit volunteers to locate and help place the wreaths on snow covered graves for today’s ceremony.
Lapierre says community members are welcome to take part and place a wreath on a family member’s gravesite.
Sponsorship groups have raised funds throughout the year to place wreaths on the headstones of the 4,500 veterans laid to rest there. The ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. with laying of the wreaths to follow.
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