Teen Welfare

Domestic Violence Awareness can protect victims (10/02/08)
This year in Iowa seven women, two men, four children and one bystander were murdered in Domestic Violence incidents. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to celebrate survivors and to honor those who have died at the hands of their abusers...

New feeding clinic may help children eat (09/19/08)
Some children don't like to eat or have difficulty eating. Floyd Valley Hospital's new children's therapy services will try to determine why and how to overcome those problems through its feeding clinic using sensory and motor equipment. Erin Schroeder, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, said those tools, like a trampoline, an obstacle course, a slide and a large ball, can help settle a child down in preparation for eating...

The drinking age debate: locals speak (09/12/08)
While a national group is urging university and college leaders to sign onto an initiative calling for a lower drinking age -- 18 years old -- locals aren't gung-ho about the idea. A project known as the Amethyst Initiative, launched this summer, is a group of more than 125 university and college presidents and chancellors urging elected leaders to support debate on the 21-year-old drinking age and reconsider laws related to that rule...

Community Foundation accepting grant applications (09/09/08)
Applications for grant funding from The Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County are due Oct. 1, 2008. The foundation is calling for grant applications from all communities in Plymouth County. Areas of emphasis include: Children, Youth & Families, Community Betterment, Health & Human Services, Education, Environment, and Arts & Culture...

When mommy is arrested: Police plan for children on the scene (08/18/08)
Patrol cars pull up to a house, looking for an adult suspect. They enter the house to make an arrest. There, on the couch, an eight year old is reading a book. Suddenly, the plan changes. "Kids are so impressionable," said Le Mars Police Chief Stu Dekkenga. "It's a big deal, removing a parent. You don't want to traumatize the child."...

Former Le Mars teacher has 'Great Expectations' for musical (06/06/08)
Remember orphan Pip's antics in the novel "Great Expectations?" A former Le Mars teacher, Margaret Hoorneman, liked Charles Dickens' classic story so much she transformed it into a musical -- writing its first script when she was 80 years old. Now Hoorneman's musical has been on stage and she is hoping it will eventually hit Broadway...

Nutritious snacks make playtime healthier (06/03/08)
Pickles, applesauce, fitness water, granola bars -- all are healthy snacks -- and all are now available at the Le Mars Municipal Swimming Pool. Angela Loutsch, director of Le Mars' outdoor pool, said this is the first full season for the healthier choices in the concession stand, but it's been in the works for longer...

Le Mars United Way awards funding to area agencies (06/03/08)
A teen pregnancy prevention program, meat vouchers for families in need, a fine arts after-school program and addiction recovery services are among 14 projects receiving grant money from the Le Mars United Way this year. Fourteen local agencies will be receiving a total of $58,500 from the nonprofit organization to provide area families with basic needs and services...

Teacher's actions credited with saving student's life (05/28/08)
Vicki Borchers saved 7-year-old Andrew Cummings life. That's what Andrew's parents, Colleen and Gary Cummings believe. When the Le Mars boy was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City May 19, Andrew's blood sugar had spiked into the 500s -- normal blood sugar levels are between 75 and 110...

Police tie two to longer string of burglaries (05/01/08)
Police are pinning 11 more burglaries on an 18-year-old already accused of being part of five other break-ins. A new suspect, a 16-year-old, was also tied to five of the burglaries after police interviews. The 18-year-old, Alexx Leo Conyers of Le Mars, faces 12 more felony charges for allegedly breaking in, stealing cash and vandalizing property. Conyers was already booked in the Plymouth County Jail...

DNR looks at extending bobcat hunting grounds (04/28/08)
Aiming to bag a big cat? Thinking of Africa? Try Woodbury County. If the Natural Resources Commission approves a new rule, area hunters and trappers could enjoy a bobcat season closer to home. "Last year was the first year there was a season for bobcats, the allowed hunters to get 150 of them in the southern two tiers of Iowa counties," explained Steve Grabel of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. ...

LCS students will compete state National History Day competition (04/24/08)
Le Mars Community Schools will send 11 students to the National History Day state competition in Des Moines on April 28. Forty-seven Le Mars Community Middle School students and one Le Mars Community High School student participated in the Northwest AEA National History Day district contest held on March 14, with the 11 chosen for advancement to the state competition...