Le Mars Public Library receives $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York
The Le Mars Public Library received a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the library has announced. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States.
The library received the gift at the end of January, and, according to the Carnegie Corporation, may use the funds to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country, further the library’s mission, and to benefit the community. In a press release, library director Shirley Taylor says the library was still eligible for the grant despite moving out of the Carnegie building in 1976.
Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917, including one in Le Mars that was opened in 1903. Chapter CD of the P.E.O. helped to secure $10,000 for the library just two years after the chapter opened in Le Mars. Current members of the chapter were invited to the library on Monday in recognition of their continuing impact in the community.
The Le Mars Public Library is currently preparing for its 150th anniversary celebration, which will kick off with a Chamber Coffee on March 11th.
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City council holds regularly scheduled meeting
The Le Mars city council met yesterday afternoon for a regularly scheduled meeting, going over several agenda items.
During the meeting, the council approved rezoning Crossroads Commons from AG (agricultural) to B-2 (general business), as well as approving the first reading of rezoning 927 6th Ave SW from I-2 (industrial business) to B-2 (general business). A public hearing was also set for February 17th concerning a project to extend utilities and paving on Central Avenue by approximately 1,250 feet south of 18th Street South. Once specifications are finalized, bids are expected to be opened on March 11th for the project, with full completion projected for July of 2027.
The council also received annual reports from the Wastewater Treatment Facility, CVB, and the Le Mars Area YMCA. A special meeting of the council will take place on February 12th at noon inside of the Headline Event Space concerning a review to the Community Development Plan, with the next regular meeting of the council taking place on February 17th.
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Tax credit for elderly and disabled homeowners available before June 1st
Plymouth County Treasurer Shelly Sitzmann would like to remind individuals of a tax credit for elderly and disabled homeowners. Those who qualify must sign up before June 1st for credit on their 2026-2027 property taxes.
To qualify and receive the credit on your real estate taxes, Iowa residents who own their own homes must be 65 or older as of December 31, 2025, OR be totally disabled and at least 18 AND have total household income under $26,895 for 2025. If you are 70 or older but have a household income greater than $26,895, in 2025, and are still at 250% of the Federal poverty level, you may still be eligible for a credit on your property tax.
Applications can be filled out at the Treasurer’s office in the Courthouse. Bring your 2025 social security statement of earnings, any 1099’s you may have, and any other income that you received in 2025. The Treasurer and her staff will help in getting you signed up for this credit. June 1st is the deadline to sign up for credit on your 2026-2027 property taxes.
If you need additional assistance, need income guidelines or have any questions, please contact the Treasurer’s office at 546-7056.
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Fire-Rescue shares January reports
Le Mars Fire-Rescue answered 139 calls for service during the first month of 2026, according to their monthly report.
The department responded to 66 9-1-1 calls within Le Mars and the surrounding area. 21 investigation calls were answered, 17 special operation calls were received, and no requests for services were made to the department. 7 all staff Fire-Rescue calls were made in total.
During January, the department placed a new ambulance into service, installed new IV pumps in ambulances, set-up and hosted the Plymouth County EMT conference, and started a daily high school EMT class. Additionally, the department began planning their annual awards banquet, set for March 28th.
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