Le Mars Police Department awards Blue Line Award
The Le Mars Police Department has awarded their annual Blue Line Award to David Skou, owner of Beginners Luck Tackle and Supply.
In a Facebook post, the department says “David plays a role in organizing and supporting youth fishing events, not only in Le Mars but throughout Plymouth County. He gives the kids the opportunity to learn, have fun and create memories in the outdoors.”
Congratulations to David Skou for winning the Blue Line Award!
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Le Mars YMCA to host annual Mother Son party next month
Following up on the Le Mars YMCA’s Daddy Daughter Dance, the Y will host a Mother Son Glow Party next month, with a night of games, music, and unforgettable memories planned.
The event is designed for all mothers and an important young man in their life, including sons, nephews, friends, and relatives. According to the YMCA, Glow Party is about “connections, joy, and creating moments that will shine brightly long after the night ends!”
Those interested are asked to register ahead to ensure enough food and supplies will be available. The dance will cost $25 per mother and son, with a $5 fee for an “additional son,” meaning another nephew, friend or relative. Registration is open now in person or at lemarsymca.org; for questions or concerns call 712-546-6655. The party itself will take place on Friday, March 13th, from 6pm-8pm inside of the YMCA Gym.
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American Legion to host steak dinner tonight
The Le Mars American Legion will host their “Fabulous February” steak dinner tonight, starting at 5:30pm.
Meals will be served inside Legion Hall at 110 Plymouth Street SW, or by drive-thru. The dinner includes a ribeye steak, a baked tater, veggies, and Texas toast. Meals will cost $22 to dine-in, or $19 by drive-thru; those dining in will also have a salad bar and ice cream available.
The dinner will take place tonight, from 5:30pm until 7:30pm.
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GOP lawmakers strike deal on general state funding for schools
Governor Reynolds and her fellow Republicans in the House and Senate have agreed to raise general state support of public schools by 160 dollars per student. Republican Representative Dan Gelbach of Urbandale says it will amount to nearly 82-hundred dollars per student.
The plan is slightly more than Senate Republicans originally suggested and slightly less than House Republicans proposed. It will provide the two percent per pupil spending increase Governor Reynolds called for in January. House Democrats say this is the 9th year out of 10 that state funding for public schools fails to keep pace with inflation. Representative Heather Matson of Ankeny says a two percent increase won’t provide enough to cover schools’ operating costs — including the state-required minimum salaries for teachers.
Representative Mary Lee Madison, a Democrat from Des Moines, says this level of funding won’t lead to world class results in classrooms.
Gehlbach was the only Republican to speak during Thursday’s House debate. He says the demographic reality is there’s been a more than five percent decline in public school enrollment in the past decade, while the number of school staff has grown by 11 percent.
Gehlbach and 57 other House Republicans approved the plan, while five other Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it. The two percent per pupil spending increase will apply to state-funded Education Savings Accounts for private school students, too.
(Story via Radio Iowa)
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