Le Mars Public Library to host talk on “Andrew Carnegie’s Riches in Iowa”
The Le Mars Public Library will host the first of several events celebrating the library’s 150th anniversary with a special talk next month about the Carnegie Library building in Le Mars.
“Andrew Carnegie’s Riches in Iowa: Le Mars” will explore how the city came to acquire a library building that was funded by famed 19th century industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Attendees will learn who was involved and how the grant was acquired, as well as information on the grants themselves, the architectural styles of the buildings, and how Le Mars’ experience fits in with other Iowa Carnegie Libraries.
The presentation will be given by Dr. Shana Stuart, a visiting faculty at Cornell College and the director of the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project, and will take place at the library on April 23rd from 5:30-6:30pm. Admission is free and open to the public.
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Board of Supervisors holds regular meeting, primary candidates announced
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meet yesterday for a regularly scheduled meeting, covering several agenda items.
The Board approved the appointment of Brad Feuerhelm to the Zoning Board Commission during the meeting, as well as holding a bid letting for four Secondary Road System projects and declaring a currently-unused generator as a surplus item.
Primary candidates for three seats on the Board, as well as for County Attorney, Treasurer, and Recorder, were announced on Monday. The only contested race is in district 4, with Randy Kroksh running against incumbent Craig Anderson in June 2nd’s primary.
The Board is scheduled to meet next on Tuesday, March 31st, at 9am.
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Le Mars Community School Board sets tax levy hearing date
The Le Mars Community School District Board will hold a special meeting next week concerning a proposed property tax levy for the next fiscal year. The public hearing will take place next Wednesday, April 1st, inside of the High School Little Theatre.
For FY 2027, the proposed tax rate is at $11.57 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which is based on a 0.6% increase in state supplemental aid. This is less than the FY 2026 rate at $11.87 per $1000. Total revenues for all funds during FY 2027 is projected by the district to be at $66.2 million, with expenditures projected at $83.2 million.
Next Wednesday’s hearing will take place at noon, while the Board’s next regular meeting will take place on April 13th at 6pm.
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Feenstra launches farmer initiative on National Ag Day
Tuesday was National Agriculture Day, with Congressman Randy Feenstra launching what he calls his “Farmers for Feenstra” coalition, as part of his campaign for governor.
Feenstra says he hopes the full House will pass the Farm Bill that has passed out of the Ag Committee that he serves on.
Feenstra says agriculture is the backbone of our economy and rural communities. The Iowa Democratic Party released a statement critical of Feenstra for voting to continue the war in Iran and then admitting that it is causing a “massive” increase in fertilizer and fuel prices, which will “be catastrophic for our farmers.”
(Story via KSCJ and Radio Iowa)
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