News

(Le Mars) -- A volunteer gives freely of ones time, talents and resources.  If you have a little extra of any of those three things, listen up...there's a chance for you to get involved.  The first ever Le Mars Volunteer Fair is this Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the Plymouth County Museum's "Old Central" Gym.  There you'll have a chance to talk with 18 different organizations in need of your time, talents and/or resources. Some organizations simply couldn't exist without volunteers.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Siouxland is one such organization who will be participating on Saturday. Le Mars coordinator for the group, Teresa Magnussen, says that they are looking to expand their Lunch Buddy Program.

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The hope is to also turn those Lunch Buddy matches into community based matches where the Big Brother or Sister would spend time with their kid doing fun things not only at school but out and about around town. Sometimes organizations need people to volunteer for things that you wouldn't normally think of.  Teresa from Big Brothers Big Sisters explains...

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Other organizations registered to attend Saturday's Volunteer Fair are: Le Mars Art Center, Optimists, Le Mars Boy and Girl Scouts, Floyd Valley Hospital and their Auxiliary, North West Iowa Genealogy Society, Plymouth County Museum, Floyd Valley Model Railroad Club, Foster Grandparents, Pioneer Village Christmas, Friends of the Library and the Le Mars Lions.

Again the fair is from 10-2pm this Saturday at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Those who take the time to visit with organizations at each booth will be treated to a free lunch as a thanks for their participation.

(Le Mars) -- The Le Mars City Council heard testimony during a public hearing on the future of the Kime Science Center during their meeting held on Tuesday. Neighbors to the facility spoke in opposition to  Lucky 7 steel works operating the facility, and believes it will bring on unwanted truck traffic and unwanted noise.

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Former Fire Chief Wayne Schipper spoke before the council.  Schipper, who now serves as the chairman of the Veteran's Park, which is across the street from the Kime Science Center informed the council that they need to keep in mind the original intent for the buildings, may not serve for today's purposes.  Schipper asked the council not to disturb the nice park setting.

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The council decided to not to make a final decision during the meeting, and instead have chosen to continue the public hearing for the next council meeting scheduled for March 6th.

(Akron) -- A major house fire occured yesterday morning (Tuesday) in rural Plymouth County at 16236 298th Street near Akron.  Fire officials were called to the scene at about 11:30 a.m..  When they arrived on the scene, flames were visible coming through the roof of the residence, and the interior of the home was fully engulfed.  An exterior attack was made by fire fighters until the flames had been pushed back, and structure was safe for entry.  The house is listed as a total loss.  Fire fighters were on the scene for six and a half hours. Joining Akron in fighting the fire were Hinton, Le Mars, and Jefferson, South Dakota fire and rescue units, the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department, and the Siouxland paramedics of Akron.  There were no injuries to any emergency personnel.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

(Le Mars) -- Plymouth County's financial position as it compares with the other 98 Iowa counties was discussed at the Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting.  County Auditor, Stacy Feldman told the supervisors that Plmouth County is in admirable and envious position when compared to other counties.  Feldman shared some quick stats with the Board including, Plymouth County has the 7th lowest countywide tax rate including rural tax rate in the State of Iowa.  Plymouth County's outstanding debt is approximately $1 million and the constitutional debt limit is more than $110 million.  Feldman says the county is using only .44 percent of our debt capacity.  One area that could be controversial is that Plymouth County is the second highest county in the state of have a percentage of our valuation in Tax Increment Financing or simply, TIF.  This includes city and county property in TIF.

(Le Mars) --The Plymouth County Supervisors awarded seven employee anniversary service honors during their meeting on Tuesday.  Supervisor chairman Jack Henrich personally thanked the group and said that he has not heard many complaints come from the county residents.  He mentioned that when you work for the public, you aren't thanked very often.  Those honored for 15 years of service included Paul Betsworth and Scott Dorhout both are deputies with the sheriff's office.  Terry Hodgson of the Secondary Roads Department and Bev Hultquist of the Treasurer's office were honored for their 15 years of service.  Three county employees were recognized for their 20 years of service to the county.  They included Craig Christman and Ray Wilkens with the County Secondary Road Department, and David Erdman with the Engineers Department.  Also honored were Jessica Trobaugh and Erica Pepper for their work in organizing a wellness program for the county employees.  Chairman Henrich says the efforts of the wellness program has saved the county $30,000.  Trobaugh, who works in the county attorney's office indicated that nearly 100 percent of the courthouse employees were in compliant with the health program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Despite weeks of quiet bargaining, deep divisions remain about paying for an overhaul of the state's mental health system.
     Democrats, who hold a majority in the Iowa Senate, say Tuesday they have concluded the state can't afford to completely take over the system. They say counties must bear some of the cost.
     They plan to move ahead with a plan that would cost local property taxpayers about $131 million over five years. The state would kick in $93 million.
     Republicans, who control the House, says they're still discussing whether to leave a local property tax levy partially in place.
     Mount Pleasant Republican Rep. Dave Heaton says all sides agree on the need to overhaul the system. He says it's the question of paying for the change that is difficult.

DECORAH, Iowa (AP) - The president of Luther College in Decorah is stepping down.
     The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says Richard Torgerson, who has led the northeast Iowa school since 1999, says Tuesday that he's ending his tenure in the summer of 2013.
     Torgerson says that will mark the end of the school's 150th celebration, the fulfillment of the celebration's fund goals and the end of a five-year strategic plan.
     Torgerson's accomplishments include three new major facilities and additions and renovations to other buildings and all student resident halls on campus.
     Luther College was founded by Norwegian immigrants. Last fall, the school played host to the king and queen of Norway during an official visit to the United States.