News

LE MARS — Wednesday’s announcement of the purchase of Wells Enterprises, Inc., by The Ferrero Group (Ferrero) of Italy brings together two family-owned companies with a commitment to their heritage. After meeting with employees Wednesday morning, Mike Wells, chief executive officer and chief engagement officer, spent time at the Wells Ice Cream Parlor talking with media about the change and how it came about...

LE MARS — The Ferrero Group (Ferrero) and Wells Enterprises (Wells) today (Dec. 7) announced an agreement for Ferrero to acquire Wells, its operations and its strong ice cream brands, which include Blue Bunny, Blue Ribbon Classics, Bomb Pop and Halo Top...

LE MARS — The 2022 Little Yellow Dog Auction pup has a special place in the hearts of a Le Mars family. Dan Ruden said he and his siblings have donated the soft-coated Wheaton Terrier puppy, named Cadillac, or Cadi for short, to honor the many years their father, Harold Ruden, served as auctioneer for charity event...

LE MARS — Three people were in the spotlight during the Wet-Nose Rescue shelter open house Saturday, Dec. 3, when rooms were named in their honor. Over 100 people attended the event to showcase the new shelter and the cats and dogs up for adoption. First came the naming of the clinic room after Dr. ...

LE MARS — There still time to participate in the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce/Main Street Shop for A Cause holiday promotion. Shoppers may still purchase a discount card for $5 and choose from three organizations to receive the donation. They are: CAASA, Wet Nose Animal Rescue and the Christian Needs Center...

LE MARS — Members of the Kiwanis Club and Kiwanis Aktion Club gathered together at the American Legion Hall in Le Mars on Nov. 30 to make popcorn balls to be handed out at the Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland. The clubs hand out the popcorn balls in Century Hall at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds...

LE MARS — A Le Mars church is transforming areas of its building into the village of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. On Sunday, Dec. 11, “Bethlehem Revisited” St. John’s Lutheran Church will be open to visitors from noon to 6 p.m., for them to experience the wonder, anticipation and excitement of the birth of a baby...

LE MARS — Members of the Plymouth County 4-H and Agricultural Society recently approved expanding the current Plymouth County Fair Board from 24 to a maximum of 28 members. The amendment to the society’s bylaws was approved at the annual meeting held Nov. 10 in the lower level of the Le Mars Convention Center...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Police Department utilized the CERT Team (Combined Emergency Response Team) as part of the execution of search warrant on Thursday which culminated in the arrest of two individuals. At approximately 4:15 p.m., the Le Mars Police Department executed a search warrant at 327 Sixth St. S.W...

LE MARS — Earlier this year the Le Mars Public Library Board of Trustees hired FEH Design to prepare a Space Needs Assessment to determine the future needs of the library. The completed document was presented to the Library Board at their Oct. 10, meeting...

LE MARS — The Holiday Art Market is open at the Le Mars Arts Center. “We have 14 local artists who have come in and set up shop here in the Arts Center. They will be selling their wares though Dec. 23,” said Le Mars Arts Center Director Don Trimble...

LE MARS — Looking for a special homemade holiday treat? It is that time of year for tasty goodies and what better place to get some than at the Floyd Valley Heathcare’s Holiday Goodie Sale.  This year’s event will run from 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesday Dec. 7, in the Community Education Room. Enter through the west entrance of the Floyd Valley Healthcare Clinic...

REMSEN — If you need something to get you in the Christmas spirit, check out the 19th annual Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration in Remsen from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5. The celebration is special for Remsen area residents, according to committee member Kendra Hajek, as it gives all a chance to welcome in the Christmas spirit with things to enjoy for all ages...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Community Theatre closes out its 2022 season with a classic mystery with a twist of comedy. “The One Act Play That Goes Wrong” opens on the Postal Playhouse stage at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, with evening performances continuing on Dec. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, and a Sunday, Dec. 4 matinee at 2 p.m...

LE MARS — Wet-Nose Rescue has a new shelter for cats and dogs after three and a half years of preparation. An open house is set for noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. During the event, more than a dozen cats and several dogs will be available for adoption...

LE MARS — The magic and glow of the Le Mars Lighted Christmas Parade will travel down Central Avenue this Saturday, Dec. 3, starting at 6 p.m. “Coming off of COVID (in 2021), we had great participation last year. It was a great parade, so we’re looking for even more this year, especially with the nice weather,” event coordinator Joel Johnson said...

LE MARS — What started as a traffic stop turned into a motor vehicle pursuit around Le Mars with the fleeing vehicle eventually striking a Le Mars Police Department squad car head on. On Nov. 25, at approximately 1:40 a.m., a Plymouth County Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motor vehicle in Le Mars. The suspect vehicle failed to yield to lights and sirens and took law enforcement on a motor vehicle pursuit around Le Mars going more than double the posted speed limit at times...

PLYMOUTH CO. — The Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland will be open this Christmas season for visitors on two weekends, Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11. The wonderland is open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., each Saturday and Sunday of the two weekends at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in Le Mars...

LE MARS — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Siouxland is asking for adults to step up and be matched with a child. Currently there are 25 active matches in Plymouth County, but there is a waiting list of 20-plus kids needing a match. In Plymouth County, there are two kinds of matches. Lunch Buddies is a program that allows a Big to eat lunch with a Little at school once per week for 30 minutes. There is also a community-based program where matches meet out in the community...

LE MARS — Brenda Phelan has done her share of scooping up ice cream at The Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor since 2003. On Tuesday, Nov. 22, Phelan was honored with the Boss of the Quarter honor for the fourth quarter of 2022. Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce member Kevin Eekhoff made the presentation in a surprise afternoon event...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Community School District Board of Education considered four resignations and seven contracts at its Nov. 14 meeting. The resignations were from Patty Mullally, bus driver, effective Oct. 12; Mary Beth Olson, middle school teacher associate, effective Sept. 22; Janet Padilla, teacher associate at Clark Elementary, effective Nov. 15; and Paul Fischer, T&I instructor and assistant high school wrestling coach at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year...

LE MARS — “Sounds of the Season” will be the theme for the annual Christmas open house at the Plymouth County Historical Museum Sunday, Dec. 4. The 2 p.m. concert by the piano students of Inez Hoogeveen of Le Mars will be in the museum’s Study Hall, among the hundreds of nativities on display...

IOWA CITY — When Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011, a rivalry game with Iowa was put on the schedule for the Friday after Thanksgiving every year. Dubbed the “Heroes Game” the contest honors local heroes who exemplify the goal of positively impacting the community and who stand as an inspiration to others. Fans of each school are encouraged to nominate everyday citizens of Iowa and Nebraska who have performed extraordinary acts of heroism...

HINTON — Homeowners in Hinton are setting up Christmas trees and sprucing their halls for the fourth annual Hinton Growth Organization’s Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dec. 3. This year five homes in the Marland Heights-Falcon Court area of Hinton will be on display during two tours at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. ...