News

PLYMOUTH CO. — For the first time in five years, the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors voted to go against the compensation board and not authorize the salary increase recommendation provided by them in December. During Tuesday’s budget discussions, the supervisors voted to approve a 3.25 percent increase for elected officials, and a 2 percent increase to their own wages...

REMSEN — An inquiry into an incident regarding a MMCRU middle school math teacher and a sixth grader has resulted in the teacher being put on administrative leave pending the completion of secondary investigations. The Daily Sentinel has chosen to not publish the teacher’s name until, if at the time, charges are filed...

LE MARS — Plains Area Mental Health (PAMH) proposed a change in how their program in the Le Mars Community School District is funded during the Le Mars Community School Board’s Jan. 14 meeting at the Education Service Center.

LE MARS — American Bank’s James Klein was named the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 1st Quarter Boss of the Quarter during a presentation on Monday afternoon.

LE MARS — As the Browns have traveled with their music through the years, ideas kept coming up for them and for the community.

LE MARS — The Le Mars Sesquicentennial Committee started making plans for the city’s 150th anniversary celebration in June of 2017. One of the key projects is the creation of a commemorative history book.

SIOUX CENTER — Eight student from Le Mars Community High School spent Monday, Jan. 14, at Dordt College in Sioux Center participating in Northwest Iowa Choral Director’s Association (NWICDA) annual 9-12th Grade Honor Choir.

AKRON — An Akron-Westfield Community School senior has earned an associate of arts degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College with one semester of high school left to go.

LE MARS — After a long, arduous application process, the Le Mars Police Department has finally chosen its new assistant police chief: Senior Officer Justin Daale.

LE MARS — Plymouth County swore in a new chief deputy for the sheriff’s office, Tuesday, Jan. 8, a position vacant since Craig Bartolozzi’s retirement in October. Stepping into the role is Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputy Lieutenant Jeff TeBrink. “He’s been third in command under myself and Bartolozzi for many years. TeBrink is a good leader and has proven to be a great supervisor,” said Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo. “I’m looking forward to having him in that position.”...

HINTON — Strap on your walking, running or snowshoes for the sixth annual Snow Scamper 5K event at Hillview Recreation Area in Hinton. The event, sponsored by the Plymouth County Conservation Board, is currently accepting registrations for the race...

LE MARS — As the end of the annual campaign nears, the Le Mars United Way has announced they have raised $316,000 to date, thanks to the generosity of thousands of supporters in the community. “It’s rewarding to know that we were able to raise this amount, but the true reward is the extent of impact that United Way will make in our community thanks to this campaign,” said Justin Freking with Perspective Insurance, and this year’s Le Mars United Way board chair. ...

REMSEN — The Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc., Head Start is presently recruiting children for the 2019-2020 school year. Head Start is a free preschool program for three- and four-year-old children. Head Start centers are located in AKron, Cherokee, Le Mars, Orange City, Rock Valley, Rock Rapids, Sioux Center, and a Child Development Center in Hawarden. Home-based opportuities are available for children in Ida County as well...

SIOUX CITY — The Food Bank of Siouxland has announced a change in the venue for Empty Bowls 2019. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the food bank’s 15th annual ‘Empty Bowls’ Hunger Awareness Event presented by Seaboard Triumph Foods will be held at the Sioux City Convention Center...

LE MARS — Make 2019 the year to pay special attention to diversity and inclusion, says Lori Hayungs, a human sciences specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Have you ever heard someone say something biased or demeaning and you didn’t know whether to speak up? Have you ever said something unintentionally offensive and wished you could take it back? How we respond in these situations is important,” said Hayungs, who specializes in family life issues...

DES MOINES — Picture yourself walking down Grand Avenue. You can feel the warm sunshine on your face. You hear music playing, children laughing, and animal noises coming from the barns. Your mouth starts to water as you inhale the unmistakable aroma of your favorite food-on-a-stick...

LE MARS — Two more major donors of the stadium renovation project were recognized during the halftime of the Le Mars Community girls basketball game on Friday, Jan. 11.

LE MARS — Young couple, Brian and Alyssa Bendickson of Le Mars, rang in the new year with the birth of their daughter, Libbi Marsha Bendickson. “We had some good expectations for 2019 — she definitely helped with that,” new mom, Alyssa shared. “We knew she would come at some point, it was just a matter of when.”...

PLYMOUTH CO. — After having various county department heads come before the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors with budget requests for the 2019-20 fiscal year, the supervisors held their first round of budget discussions Tuesday. Auditor Stacy Feldman noted property valuations increased 5.22 percent from the previous year, coming in at $1,751,262,232 for the 2019-20 budget year. That is an increase of $86,997,345 from the 2018-19 fiscal year budget...

LE MARS — Eight Gehlen Catholic high school vocalists have been selected for the Northwest Iowa Choral Director’s Association (NWICDA) annual 9-12th Grade Honor Choir on Monday, Jan. 14, at Dordt College in Sioux Center. They include: • Madeline Begnoche, the daughter of Ed and Tina Begnoche of Le Mars;...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Community Education Association(LCEA) submitted their Initial Bargaining Proposal for the 2019-20 school year to the school board during a special meeting, Monday, Jan. 7, at the Education Service Center. In their proposal, the LCEA mapped out a yearly salary increase of 3.19 percent, making the total package deal $444,534.69...

SPENCER — Clay County Fair families will save big at the 2019 fair with free daily admission for all fairgoers age 12 and under. “Being an affordable family destination is an important goal of the fair,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “While the fair has always allowed children age 7 and under to attend for free, expanding the age to 12 should help families in our region enjoy the fair.”...

LE MARS — The Knights of Columbus will hold its annual free throw contest at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 13, at the Gehlen Catholic Back Gym. The local level competition for boys and girls ages 9-14 will see doors open at noon for registration and warm-ups...

LE MARS — The Le Mars community can add another feather to its cap as it was recently named 24/7 Wall Street’s “Best City to Live In Every State” for Iowa. 24/7 Wall Street is a USA Today content partner which offers financial news and commentary. The overview of Le Mars states, “Le Mars, Iowa, is among the most affordable cities in the United States. ...

LE MARS — Education prepares students for the future, but in the current political climate, learning about American politics can be challenging. To ensure his students will be ready to participate in the political process when they come of voting age, one Le Mars Community High School Social Studies Teacher, Michael Bahr, challenged his students to a mock election...