THE NEWSPAPER THAT SERVES ALL DECATUR COUNTY
12 PAGES
USPS 310-140
LEON, IOWA 50144, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
Home of the Free Because of the Brave
P.O. Box 580, 110 N. Main, Leon, IA 50144
anna Nopoulos. Arianna is the daughter of Chris and Micheala Lane of Leon. A keynote in his presentation included...you can break a single toothpick easily, but get a 100 together in a bundle-try breaking that. His point throughout his speech included we need each other...a single toothpick is easily broken. Following the guest speaker, a moment of silence was held followed by Taps being played by Kennedy Buckingham (CD Junior) and Mr. Aaron Comer, to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Next, the annual slide show of local Veterans was shared. In a moving finale, the High School and Community Choirs joined forces and sang “God Bless the USA.” At the conclusion of the assembly, Veterans were invited to lunch with elementary students. As a side note, this amazing annual Veterans Day Assembly has been occurring at Central Decatur for over 10 years. The assembly has grown in numbers of those Veterans and community members attending as well as the school recently allowing the entire 3rd - 12th grade student body to attend. The slide show honoring the local Veterans has increased in numbers as well. If you have a Veteran in your family or know of any local Veterans, contact the CD High School Principal, Rudy Evertsen at 641-446-4816, for information about how to have this Veteran included in the slide show. And I think we all can agree that a HUGE thank you goes out to everyone who has served, is serving, and plans on serving.
SFC Robert Mayhew was the keynote speaker for school’s Veterans Day assembly. He has 38 years of military service and is the grandfather to Arianna Nopoulos, a Central Decatur student. (photos by Keegan Bethards) erans stood up for recognition pearance. Mr. Mayhew has 38 by Keegan Bethards when their Branch of military years of active Army, Reserves, On November 11, students, was addressed in the song and and Active Reserve service and teachers, Veterans and families each one received an American was last stationed in Alaska. united in the Central Decatur flag by an elementary student. Mr. Mayhew is the father of High School Gym and together Keynote speaker SFC Robthree boys and grandfather to recognized Veteran’s Day, durert Mayhew (ARCC 8th Battaleight, including a local gal, Ariing the annual Veterans Day ion, ARCD) then made his apAssembly. Prior to the start of the assembly, Veterans were greeted and seated by members of the Central Decatur Student Council. CDHS Band then performed the Star Spangled Banner to open the assembly, under the direction of Mr. Aaron Comer, CD High School Band Director. Those in attendance all rose once again and recited the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the 5th grade students. Elementary Principal, Mrs. Amy Whittington, welcomed everyone then the band played “A Salute To Freedom.” Veterans were next honored in song by the 3rd - 6th grade elementary students who performed “American Heroes,” under the direction of Mrs. Beth Hall, CD K-12 Chorus Director. Student Council Representative, Lily Simon, then gave a speech to the audience. Following Simon’s speech, the elementary students came together in harmony singing the “Armed Forces Salute” song Turner Carroll is presented a small flag during the Armed Forces Salute song during the school’s anwhich includes each Branch of nual Veterans Day program. military. During this song, Vet-
CD School to Hold an ALiCE Walk Through and Talk Through with Students Central Decatur Community School District, in conjunction with the City of Leon Police Department and the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, is going to “Walk Through and Talk Through” their different lockdown procedures. As a follow-up to the previous meeting held a couple weeks ago for the parents and community members regarding ALiCE training, the administration felt it was also important to educate the students at all grade levels K-12 (at their level) and listen to their concerns and questions. “We will talk about three different lockdown options “Clear the Halls” (medical emergencies, building search, etc), “Exterior Lockdown” (any reason to keep everyone inside), and “Active Threat”,” stated Rudy Evertsen, CD High School Principal. “During “Active Threat” we will talk with students about the different options that ALiCE provides.” A Parent Information Eve-
ning on ALiCE was held Tuesday, October 25, at the high school commons. A small group of parents, community members, and CD teachers and staff were present for the one hour event. The focus of this session was on ALiCE, a crisis response framework the school will utilize. The components of ALiCE, which are highlighted below, were briefly reviewed and parents had the opportunity to ask questions about this response and practice in the district. A demonstration was held with the parents involved, where everyone in the room was asked to hide beneath the tables while Ben Stoner, the “gun shooter” was running around the room “throwing plastic balls at everyone under the tables.” This demonstration displayed why the old plans are not the best thought out or most beneficial for everyone’s lives at stake. The intruder was able to “shoot” 22 people in the (continued on page 8)
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VOLUME 85 - NUMBER 42
Officers Find Felon Hiding in Attic; Arrest Made In the early morning hours of November 10, after receiving a tip that a felon was seen at a local residence, officers were able to make an arrest. Dale Walker, age 47 of Leon was apprehended at the Patrick Wheelock residence at 502 NW 6th Street. Walker, who had several warrants out against him in both Wayne and Decatur counties, had eluded officers for the past five months. Officers from Decatur County, Leon Police Department, Ringgold County K-9, Osceola Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol converged on the Leon home and, according to officers, found Walker hiding in the attic buried up to his
nose in insulation. Officers, with the help of the K-9 dog, entered the attic area and ousted Walker and subsequently made the arrest. Through Wayne County, Walker had warrants of a felon in possession of a firearm, fail to appear OWI 1st offense, and probation violation. Decatur County had warrants against him for assault using a dangerous weapon and the Leon Police Department had one for fail to appear for driving with license revoked. Walker was booked into the Decatur County Jail and is currently being held.
Officers Investigating a Suspicious Death of a Leon Man The following information was released by Decatur County Attorney Lisa Hynden-Jeanes The Leon Police Department, with the assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating a suspicious death. At approximately 11:08 a.m. on Sunday, November 13, 2016, law enforcement was called to a home at 500 SE 2nd Street in Leon, Iowa, where the body of an adult male was found by two individuals. Officers and EMS arrived and the Medical Examiner verified that the individual was deceased. The body has been identified by law enforcement as that of 53 year old Steven Dabb of Leon. Dabb’s body was found in a home in which Dabb had resided, but had recently been
Local Area Happenings Ladies Night Out in Leon Nov. 17
This Thursday, November 17, many businesses in Leon are hosting will be hosting their 2nd annual Ladies Night Out. Refer to ad on page 8 for details.
Well Over 1400 Attend Craft Show -- Vendors Pleased with their Sales --
Keaton Minnick (center) a Central Decatur High School senior, and owner of Minnick Red Cedar Works, talks with Betty Deemer at his booth at the Craft Festival. Minnick was one of 150 vendors who sold their wares at this annual event. (photo by Maizee Lindsey)
destroyed by fire. An autopsy was conducted on Monday, November 14 at the Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa. The autopsy results found no major trauma to the body. The final cause and manner of death are pending final toxicology results. The final results are expected in 6-8 weeks. Decatur County Attorney Lisa Jeanes stated that there is no reason to believe that members of the public are in any danger. This matter is being investigated by the Leon Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. If you have information regarding this investigation, please contact the Leon Police Department at 641-446-6221.
Leon Boy Scout Chili Supper Fundraiser The Leon Boy Scout Troop 102 is having a chili supper and fund-raiser on Friday, November 18 at 5:00 p.m. at the Little Rive Lake Bur Oak Shelter. Free Will Offering. The money raised will benefit new flags for around the square and through town. A Flag Retirement Ceremony will also be held this evening.
The 32nd Annual Southern Iowa Crafts and More Festival welcomed well over 1400 participants, including vendors, shoppers, food providers, and entertainers. Show-goers saw many interesting and unusual items presented by over 150 vendors. Jewelry, wooden items, seasonal decorations, metal pieces and food were available for purchase. Customers were also able to purchase breakfast and lunch and listen to wonderful musical entertainment. This was another big event for Leon that attracted people from all over Iowa, Northern Missouri, and some from even farther away including Santa Claus, who made an early stop to check on Christmas lists. “We had a beautiful day for the show,” stated Jan Chambers, Chairman for the event. “Customers were smiling and chatting about their purchases and vendors were pleased with their sales. Our community works together on these events.”
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