Police Chief Vande Vegte retiring in May
Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte will retire from the department on May 5th, he confirmed to KLEM yesterday. He verbally told city officials of his plans in February and will formally file paperwork on April 2nd. Vande Vegte has served as Police Chief since August of 2017, and has been a member of the department since 1997, having previously worked for the Rock Valley and Sioux Center Police Departments.
From May 5th, Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale will serve as interim Chief while the city interviews prospective candidates, starting with internal candidates. Vande Vegte told KLEM he would release a statement on April 2nd detailing his decision to retire.
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Public hearing to be held over Highway 3 speed limit changes
During the Le Mars city council’s meeting on Tuesday, the council approved setting April 7th at noon as the date for a public hearing concerning changing speed limits on Highway 3 west.
The Iowa Department of Transportation offered recommended changes to the city’s Public Safety Committee upon request, with discussion centered around reducing the speed past the baseball fields and Parkview Terrace. The changes include reducing the limit past Parkview Terrace from 55 mph going west and 50 mph going east to 45 mph both ways, and then the limit past the ballfields from 50 mph going west and 40 mph going east to 45 mph going west and 35 mph going east. The speed limit on 5th Ave NW would similarly be reduced by 5 mph, while limits on Lincoln St NE would be unchanged.
The public hearing concerning these changes will be held during the council’s next meeting on Tuesday, April 7th at noon.
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Morningside interim president takes over full time
The interim president at Morningside University in Sioux City is now the full time leader of the school. Chad Benson, a Morningside alumnus, started his duties as 14th president of the school Wednesday. University Board of Directors chair Curt White says they were hopeful that Benson would go beyond the two-year interim term he was appointed to last June.
Benson says Morningside shaped his life when he enrolled 40 years ago this fall.
Benson guided the acquisition of St. Lukes College to expand the healthcare program during his interim presidency, and he says other programs will also expand.
Benson is the third alumnus to become the school’s top leader.
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