News

AKRON — Movies will be the center of Akron-Westfield’s homecoming week celebration this year with the theme, “Lights, Camera, Action” directing the students. On Monday, the 1985 film “The Breakfast Club” will give students the option to lounge around in their pajamas for the day...

LE MARS — Le Mars City Council members conducted the second reading amending Chapter 160, “Floodplain Management” of the Le Mars City Code of Ordinances at its Sept. 20 meeting. The amendment is needed as FEMA and the IDNR have completed the process of updating flood hazard determinations for Plymouth County which includes the City of Le Mars Corporate Limits...

LE MARS — The Friends of the Le Mars Public Library will host a one-day used book sale from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28. The sale location is 520 Fourth St. S.W., just south of Kwik Star. Fiction genres available for sale include mystery, thrillers, romance, westerns, science fiction, large print fiction, youth fiction, easy readers, picture books, and board books...

LE MARS — Plymouth County Farm Bureau presented its Service to Agriculture Award at its annual meeting Sept. 6, at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Farm Bureau Secretary/Treasurer, Tyler Meyer presented the award to Dennis Morrice, former news director at KLEM Radio in Le Mars...

LE MARS — The 3rd annual Jaywalk-a-thon based on prayer and the special intentions of our Le Mars community returns to the Gehlen Catholic practice track on Friday, Sept. 23 as the school’s second largest fundraiser. Each student is encouraged to raise $75 and the school goal is $40,000 which will go towards art and teaching supplies, technology, educational field trips, and so much more...

LE MARS — After a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, a fundraiser to benefit the Le Mars Community School District’s Trades & Industries program returns. The 12th Annual Trades and Industries Booster Club meal will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Trades & Industries building at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street Southeast, across the street from Franklin Elementary School...

LE MARS — Le Mars Community will celebrate homecoming week Sept. 26-30 with the theme of “Dogs Through the Decades.” The dress up days for the week will follow the theme. On Monday, “Sock hop” with attire from the 50s and 60s will be on display. Tuesday marks disco days with 70s attire. Wednesday will see students pump it up in the 80s. On Thursday, 2000’s Icon will be the directive...

LE MARS — Two people were arrested after what started as a traffic stop in Le Mars turned into a pursuit and ended in Sheldon. At approximately 2:04 a.m., Monday, Sept. 19, a Le Mars Police Officer initiated a traffic stop at Hawkeye Avenue and 18th Street Southwest for a traffic violation. The vehicle failed to yield to the officer’s emergency lights and sirens...

LE MARS — Plymouth County entered an open burn ban starting at noon, Tuesday, Sept. 20, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The ban follows a request from Le Mars Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services Chief David Schipper, representing each fire department having all or some of their fire district in Plymouth County, which made the request citing conditions in Plymouth County are such that open burning constitutes a danger to life or property...

PLYMOUTH CO. — A county-wide effort by Knights of Columbus councils during the 42nd annual KC Phonothon for Persons With Disabilities, surpassed its $55,000 goal. Life Skills Training Center’s Marketing and Development Coordinator Shelly Thomson said as of closing the phonothon on Wednesday evening, $56,955 had been tallied in donations...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Rotary Club recently honored member Ryan Odor as its 2022 Rotarian of the Year. The award was presented at a Rotary meeting by Rotary President Steve Albert. Odor has been a member of the Le Mars Rotary since 2021 and currently serves as the Sergeant at Arms...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Community Schools Board of Education approved 13 teacher associate positions and several coaching contracts, as well as three resignations at its Sept. 12 meeting. Those submitting resignations were: Mackenzie Riemenschneider as a middle school teacher associate effective Aug. 18, 2022; Rhonda Taylor as a middle school teacher associate effective Aug. 17, 2022; and Megan Swanberg, as a high school teacher associate, effective Sept. 30...

LE MARS — The Le Mars City Council took action on the Destination Iowa Grant Agreement at its Sept. 6 meeting. The City of Sioux City, along with the City of Sergeant Bluff and the City of Le Mars, applied for a Destination Iowa Outdoor Recreation Grant for the development of the Siouxland Regional Trail System...

PLYMOUTH CO. — Less than two hours after closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury in the first degree murder trial of Thomas J. Knapp, 84, of Merrill, came back with a verdict of guilty. Knapp was found guilty of first degree murder, a Class C felony, in the shooting death of his stepson, Kevin Juzek, on May 10, 2020, at the family’s home at 20139 Echo Road, rural Merrill...

BRONSON — After a successful inaugural spring fashion show in Hinton, Babes Unite will be hosting a fall event for women with the theme, “Fall into Fashion.” “For the spring show we sold out of the event with over 180 attendees so we added an additional show,” said Sara Pippett of Bad Habit Boutique, one of the small businesses helping to organize the event. ...

LE MARS — Three changes to board policies were made by the Le Mars Community School District Board of Education at its meeting Monday, Sept. 12. Two of the changes regard open enrollment of students out of and into the district. A bill signed into law lets Iowa parents enroll their children in any public K-through-12 school at any time. The bill was approved in the final days of the 2022 legislative session...

MARCUS/REMSEN — Students, faculty, and staff at MMCRU Schools are ready to get their “Game On” for this year’s homecoming festivities. This year, homecoming will be celebrated the week of Sept. 18-23, with the theme following board games. The week’s activities will include dress up days for grades PK-12. ...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Arts Center will host a public opening reception for watercolors artist Richard Russell Sneary, from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15. Sneary’s works will be display from Sept. 13 to Oct. 15 at the arts center. “We have a watercolor artist coming in who used to be an architect and an architectural illustrator,” said Le Mars Arts Center Director Don Trimble...

(Sentinel Photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) The Le Mars Arts Center welcomes Don Trimble as its new art director. Trimble began at the center in August and is excited about the arts in the community.

PLYMOUTH CO. — Less than two hours after closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury in the first degree murder trial of Thomas J. Knapp, 84, of Merrill, came back with a verdict. Knapp was found guilty of first degree murder, a Class C felony in the shooting death of his stepson, Kevin Juzek, on May 10, 2020, at the family's home at 20139 Echo Road, rural Merrill...

PLYMOUTH CO. — A video of Thomas Knapp in a Merrill police car was part of the evidence viewed by jurors Friday, Sept. 9, in the first degree murder trial of Knapp. Knapp is charged with killing his son-in-law, Kevin Juzek, at their home on Echo Road on May 11, 2020...

PLYMOUTH CO. — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has a new member on their team. Zeke, a Belgian Malinois, recently passed his first round of certification through the United States Police Canine Association and will work with handler Deputy Kyle Petersen...

PLYMOUTH CO. — Testimony from witnesses began Thursday, Sept. 8, in the trial of Thomas Knapp, who is charged with first degree murder in the death of his stepson, Kevin Juzek, on May 11, 2020. The first witness was Plymouth County Law Enforcement Center dispatcher Brenda Arens...

AKRON — Fun for all ages is in store at the 22nd Annual Great Akron Scarecrow Festival Saturday, Sept. 17, in the Akron City Park in Akron. The event has become a tradition for families throughout the area to kick off the fall season with the scarecrow decorating contest, homemade food and baked goods, kids’ games and activities, a petting zoo, and dozens of...