Westfield City Council members walk out of meeting on Monday
The Westfield City Council drama continued on Monday night, as by the scheduled 6:15 meeting time, council members Beth Terpstra and Dusty Brunsting had walked out of City Hall in protest of Michael Bohlke’s attendance, failing to meet quorum to conduct council business. At the last meeting, Bohlke was petitioned for removal as Mayor by a 3-0 vote, with one vote absent and one vote abstaining.
Under the Iowa Code, a two-thirds majority vote (66.6 percent) by a council is required to remove an elected official. Four out of five members of the Westfield City Council needed to vote for removal, but only three (60 percent) participated in the September vote. Westfield finds itself in a political deadlock after last night’s cancelled meeting.
When the crowded confusion in front of City Hall cleared, Bohlke could be seen going over paperwork with council member Nancy Pridie, who was the abstaining vote in September’s meeting. KLEM spoke to Bohlke as he was reviewing the paperwork. He plans to keep showing up to City Council meetings. After a phone call with council member Mike Tadlock, who was the absent vote in September, Pridie explained her side of the situation.
“Mike (Tadlock) and I ran because we wanna make it better for this place.” She also said that Westfield no longer has a city lawyer after he resigned in May due to harassment from citizens. Pridie is unsure of what will come next, as she looks to help Bohlke find legal representation in time for the next meeting, which falls on November 16th.
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Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office presents quarterly report
At yesterday’s Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Sheriff’s Office presented their quarterly report for July-September.
A total of 604 ambulance calls were received, as well as 188 fire calls. The Sheriff’s Office received 1,907 complaints and 1,759 E911 calls. Per the FCC website, E911 calls “automatically report the telephone number and location of 911 calls made from wireline phones in order to deliver emergency help more quickly and effectively.”
The Corrections report listed 276 inmates booked, with 271 being released. 40 transports were conducted, and 11,491 meals were served.
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Le Mars City Council approves funding for Façade Grant Program
At yesterday’s Le Mars City Council meeting, members unanimously approved the use of $50,000 of Economic Development funds for the Façade Grant Program, which encourages architectural restorations and improvements to commercial building fronts. Property owners are eligible to receive up to $15,000.
The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce requested the funding, citing that another $50,000 was granted to the Façade Grant Program and distributed to five recipients back in September of 2025. The new funding request will be allocated to three property owners.
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Knights of Columbus Phone-A-Thon making final push
The Plymouth County Knights of Columbus Phone-A-Thon is making a final fundraising push by reaching out to local businesses for support. Contributions help the Life Skills Training Center provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop skills, build independence, and participate in their communities. Donations also support Iowa Special Olympics.
Local businesses can make a monetary contribution in person or online by October 31st. Checks are payable to Life Skills Training Center. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at any bank participating in the Phone-A-Thon. Please note “KC Phone-A-Thon” in the memo line so your donation can be directed appropriately.
Mail donations to:
Life Skills Training Center
1510 Industrial Rd SW
Le Mars, IA 51031
You may also contribute online by following the link below:
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/life-skills-training-center/knights-of-columbus-phone-a-thon
