Supervisors Discuss Mental Health
(Le Mars) — May is recognized as “Mental Heath Month” and the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet again this morning and hear from Sharon Nieman, Plymouth County’s CPC and General Relief Director. She will visit with the supervisors regarding the current mental health status. It is expected that the supervisors and Nieman will discuss the local funding of mental health services. You may recall the Iowa legislature passed some legislation that changed the way mental health is to be supervised, as well as funded, with more of the funding to come from the county level. Many people simply don’t realize that mental health services rank second only to road and bridge maintenance in terms of county expenses. Later in the day the supervisors will share lunch with the staff of Plains Area Mental Health Center. The purpose of the luncheon is to have the supervisors be better informed of the many services and programs available at Plains Area Mental Health.
Fire at Rock Valley Group Home
ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (AP) – No injuries were reported in a fire at a group home for people with disabilities near Rock Valley in northwest Iowa.
The Sioux County sheriff’s office says part of a building at the Hope Haven Niessink Home was damaged in the fire that broke out Monday morning. The fire was contained to an office and a fitness
room. All staff and residents escaped safely.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Main Street Iowa Discusses Downtown Le Mars
(Le Mars) — A group of concerned community citizens met Monday afternoon to discuss Le Mars downtown. It is all part of the Main Street of Iowa analysis of Le Mars as the city hopes to revitalize the downtown district. Discussion focused on what are the good aspects of downtown, and what areas are in need of improvement? Officials from Main Street of Iowa remain in town today and will work with focus groups, all with the intent of identifying ways to improve the downtown district of Le Mars.
Floyd Valley Hospital Acknowledges EMT’s
(Le Mars) — This week is National Emergency Services Week and Floyd Valley Hospital acknowledged the services of area ambulance crews, fire fighters, law enforcement, and others involved with the saving of lives. A dinner was prepared in their honor. After thanking and praising the efforts of the area EMT’s, Floyd Valley Hospital Administrator, Mike Donlin spoke of the goals that Floyd Valley hopes to achieve. Donlin informed the group that steps are being taken to explore the possibility of expanding the hospital facilities. He also spoke about the transition of incorporating electronic medical records, and how that transition will eventually be a better system. Mary Jo Clark, Floyd Valley Trauma Center Coordinator spoke to the group about computerized charting.
Listen here
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Clark acknowledged that the new system may be in need of improvements, and she asked for the EMT’s patience while the new system is updated with the needed information. The group of EMT’s also heard from Anita Bailey of Milford. Bailey serves as an EMT education coordinator and state inspector. She offered an explaination as to what type of people are EMT’s.
Listen here
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USDA Issues Weekly Crop Update
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Corn is high, healthy and way ahead of schedule, the government says in its weekly assessment of the growing season.
The nation’s corn crop is 96 percent planted, way ahead of last year’s 75 percent and the 81 percent average of the last few years. Iowa is 98 percent planted.
The USDA says 76 percent of the crop has emerged nationally. The average is 48 percent. Iowa is at 81 percent.
The government says 62 percent of the crop is good, 20 percent fair and 15 percent excellent.
It’s also a good start to the soybean season with 76 percent of the crop planted. Normally, it’s about 42 percent. More than a third has emerged, better than the 13 percent average.
An early spring and good weather gets the credit.
Farmers Planting Crops Too Close To Roadways
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Cerro Gordo County official says crops planted too close to county roads pose safety and other hazards.
The Mason City Globe Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/JatQqy ) that some farmers have pulled up their fences so they can plant more ground closer to county roadways.
County engineer Mary Kelly she understands the farmers’ desire to “get the biggest bang for their buck.”
But Kelly says planting in the county easements on ditch sides and bottoms can create drainage and erosion problems. Also, as crops grow they can obscure a driver’s vision.
Kelly says a tall crop of corn near a road might prevent a driver from stopping in time for a deer coming out of the field.
