News

LE MARS — A resurfaced playground is in the works for Kluckhohn Elementary School. The Le Mars Community School District’s board of education received information about costs for resurfacing or replacing the cracked surface on the school’s playground...

LE MARS — As part of the Le Mars sesquicentennial celebration in 2019, laminated historic photos of buildings in the downtown area were put up in building windows to share a look at the downtown in the past. Now new permanent signs are being installed to share that history...

LE MARS — Floyd Valley Healthcare Foundation Manager Amy Harnack is looking forward to June and the return of the Foundation’s Helping Children Benefit Golf Tournament on June 8. An annual event for more than 20 years, last year’s tournament was scaled down and moved to July last year due to COVID-19...

PLYMOUTH CO. — Two Hinton Community School FFA members, Tate Linton and Nick Batcheller, have been honored with the FFA Iowa Degree. The presentations were made April 20 during the The Iowa FFA Convention. The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest degree the state can bestow upon a member. FFA members who qualify have met minimum involvement requirements in all components of the three-circle model: SAE, FFA and classroom/laboratory...

LE MARS — As authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Floyd Valley Community Health will begin offering Pfizer vaccine appointments to anyone 12 years of age and older beginning the week of May 17...

LE MARS — Vaccination for COVID-19 continues to go on although the pace has slowed down from last month. Floyd Valley Community Health Manager Tara Geddes said Plymouth County’s rate of vaccination falls in line with much of the rest of the state. “Our goal is just that the number increases every week,” Geddes said. ...

LE MARS — A Le Mars Community Middle School seventh grader has been selected as an alternate to the National History Day competition in June. Ian DeRuyter advanced as a Junior Alternate in the Junior Historical Paper category for Nationals. The competition was held virtually this year...

LE MARS — The Le Mars City Council dealt with several consent items which needed roll call approval at its May 4 meeting. The council approved a resolution to approve submitting an application for funding from the Iowa Department of Transportation, State Aviation Fund for two projects at the Le Mars Municipal Airport...

LE MARS — As part of the Le Mars Community School District Foundation banquet held each year, students in the Top 5 Percent of the senior class are honored for their academic achievements. In consideration of COVID mitigation strategies, the 2021 recognition program was held virtually instead of in-person. The program was made live on the school’s website on April 28, which would have been the banquet date...

LE MARS — Student fees in the Le Mars Community School District will remain the same for the 2021-2022 school year, with three exceptions. The school board considered the fees at its May 10 meeting. While the book fees of $35 remains the same, the fee will not be charged to pre-kindergarten students. The book fees will be for students TK-12...

PLYMOUTH CO. — Graduation ceremonies at Plymouth County high schools will take place on two weekends this year. Plymouth County has a total of 382 graduates in the class of 2021. Three schools will hold commencement exercises Sunday, May 16. Akron-Westfield High School...

LE MARS — Kylie Ritz has always been interested in the beauty field, and after six years of being in Le Mars with her family, she is pursuing her dream. Ritz opened Honey Pot Esthetics at 214 Plymouth St. S.W., in October 2020. “The beauty field is always something that keeps evolving and there are always new things being introduced,” Ritz said of her business. ...

LE MARS — The Le Mars City Council considered two applications for funding through the COVID19 Relief Recreational Trails Program Grant at its May 4 meeting. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently notified communities that $5 million in funding is available through the COVID-19 Relief Recreational Trails Program. Applications are due May 17, and if accepted, projects must be completed by Sept. 30, 2023. Projects must have a minimum $500,000 request...

LE MARS— A Le Mars Community High School senior has been named to the Iowa FFA state officer team. Kiley Allan, was named Northwest State Vice President, earning her a spot on the nine-member Iowa FFA state officer team. In this capacity, she will spend the next year serving the more than 16,000 Iowa FFA members and their chapters on the regional, state and national levels...

LE MARS — Kids can learn about bicycle safety and have some fun at the Le Mars Bicycle Rodeo on Thursday, May 13. The rodeo will be held from 5:30-7 p.m., at the parking lot on the north side of the Olson Cultural Event Center at the corner of First Avenue and Second Street Northeast...

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds continues to encourage Iowans to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. “More than 1.1 million Iowans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, protecting themselves from the impact of the virus and helping our state recover and again return to normal,” she said at her Wednesday press conference...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Farmers Market will hold its 2021 opening this Saturday, May 8. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon, at the green space by Cork It! at 769 Prospect St. in southwest Le Mars. Rob Scheitler, one of the vendors, said vendors are ready to see customers again this year...

LE MARS — Changes to two chapters in the city’s Le Mars Code of Ordinances in reference to parking on streets were on the city council’s agenda at its May 4 meeting. The topic of garbage dumpsters, campers and trailers being parked and placed on city streets has been discussed between council and staff recently...

LE MARS — Memorial Day is less then a month away but plans are already in place with Wasmer Post #241 American Legion. The post will conduct the Avenue of Flags program at the Plymouth County Courthouse Monday, May 31. “Dedication of veteran’s burial flags into the Avenue of Flags will highlight the program,” said Wasmer Post Adjutant Jim Rolfes. ...

LE MARS — Plymouth County Farm Bureau organization, along with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation recently presented a $2,000 check to the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee to be used for the “A ROUND the farm in the BARN” agricultural education exhibit featured inside the Tonsfeldt Round Barn located at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds...

LE MARS — The Le Mars City Council discussed the 2021 Central Avenue South PPC Overlay Project at its May 4 meeting, and considered execution of a Federal-Aid Agreement. Schlotfeldt Engineering has prepared plans and estimate of cost for the 2021 Central Avenue South PCC Overlay Project. Final plans will be submitted to the IDOT on May 18. The project is partially funded with Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program Federal-Aid Swap Funds...

LE MARS — American Legion Auxiliary Wasmer Unit #241 is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month. To honor the milestone, the Legion Auxiliary will host an open house from 4-6 p.m., Friday, May 7, at the American Legion Club, 110 Plymouth St. S.W., Le Mars. The open house will feature a number of historical items, scrapbooks, displays, and quilts made for veterans. Refreshments will be served...

LE MARS — It’s back to the stage for the actors of the Le Mars Community Theatre, but it won’t be at the Postal Playhouse. Instead, the group will present its first production since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, “Jake Revolver: Freelance Secret Agent,” on the stage of the Old Central gym at the Plymouth County Historical Museum...

PLYMOUTH CO. — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors received a letter from the Plymouth County Firefighter’s Association seeking assistance in the recovery of lost funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Don Kass read the letter scripted by Le Mars Fire-Rescue Chief and President of the Plymouth County Firefighter’s Association David Schipper to his fellow board members at last Tuesday’s meeting...

LE MARS — At 9:49 a.m., Sunday, May 2, the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department along with the Le Mars Ambulance and Police Department were called to 37 Sixth Ave. S.E. for a man who was suffering from burn injuries. Upon arrival, a male subject was found suffering from burn injuries from a fire that had taken place in the backyard. A gasoline can and fire pit were found on fire in the backyard...