The Abbey To Close By February 1st
(Le Mars) — A long-time nursing care facility in Le Mars has been instructed to close its doors and shut down by February 1st. The Abbey, has operated for 45 years. The reason for the closing is because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is terminating its contract with the Abbey, because of a
“history of serious quality issues”. Officials with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, say it is the first time a nursing care facility has been forced to close since 2009. The CMS, the federal agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid, says since March of 2014, has denied payments to the Abbey on six
different occasions. The Abbey houses 23 residents. According to statements from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Abbey, has been on C-M-S Special Focus Facility list since October of 2014. The Special Focus Facility was created as a special program to stimulate improvements in the
quality of care. The Abbey had been on the Special Focus Facility list for 29 months.
Two Auctioneers Given Jefferson Award For Public Service
(Le Mars) — Two area auctioneers were recently honored with the Jefferson Award for their charitable actions involving numerous non-profit organizations. Randy Stabe of Hinton and Clint Vos of Lawton were each given a medallion. The Jefferson Award was created by former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy Onassis in 1972, and it is designed to honor those individuals that promote the spirit of giving back. Often times the Jefferson Award is referred to as the Nobel Prize for Public Service. Seaboard Triumph Foods is the sponsor of the award and each
month, someone from the Siouxland area is nominated for their public service. Clint Vos says the dual auctioneers were nominated and selected based on their work with the Siouxland Boys and Girls Club.
Stabe says in the early 1990’s he had the idea of donating a pig to the Boys Club organization with the hopes that someone would purchase it through the fund raising auction. Stabe says since that first time, the money has ballooned.
Stabe says during some years the pig auction, along with other fund raising efforts would help raise more than a hundred thousand dollars for the Boys and Girls Club. Vos explains how the dual auctioneers got started helping the Boys
Club.
It is not just the Siouxland Boys and Girls Club that the two auctioneers lend their talents for charitable organizations. In fact, Randy Stabe had some difficulty remembering all the organizations they help.
The two have the opportunity to be selected to represent the Siouxland area and be given a trip to Washington D.C. for the national Jefferson Awards ceremony.
Abdinur Found Guilty Of Murder
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has convicted a Sioux City man in the stabbing death of a 43-year-old woman.
Judge Steven Andreasen announced Wednesday that Isack Abdinur was guilty of first-degree murder. The judge had presided over a three-day nonjury trial that ended Nov. 21.
Prosecutors say Abdinur stabbed Cornelia Stead 23 times in her Sioux City apartment on June 23, 2015. Police say the two were romantic partners.
Two psychologists testified that Abdinur is a violent schizophrenic. The defense expert said Abdinur didn’t know what he was doing when he attacked Stead. The prosecution expert said Abdinur knew he’d done something wrong and understood his actions.
Abdinur’s sentencing date hasn’t been set yet.
Woodbury County Courthouse Needs Repairs
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials estimate that it could cost $2.1 million to repair the exterior of the Woodbury County courthouse.County supervisor Mark Monson told the Sioux City Journal that the exterior condition of the nearly century-old building is so dire that entire bricks can be pulled from the foundation in places. Woodbury County building services department director Kenny Schmitz says the worst spots are higher up, typically from about the third to sixth floors on
the eight-story building. He says the north side is the most weathered part of the building.
County supervisors say they want the building renovated for its 100th anniversary celebration in 2018, and that it might be necessary to borrow substantial funds in a capital improvement plan to pay for the repairs.
News Makers Reflect On 2016
(Le Mars) — KLEM news continues our series of reports with news makers to ask what they will remember about the year 2016. Dr. Todd Wendt, the superintendent
of schools for Le Mars Community says he will fondly recall the academic performance of the students.
The school superintendent says he will also remember 2016 as the year Le Mars Community upgraded its science laboratory and classroom facilities.
Neil Adler serves as the executive director for the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce and for the LBIC. He says he will recall the various events that will have long-term benefits for the city.
Adler continues with his list of significant events from 2016.
Looking ahead to the next year, Wendt sees additional efforts to integrate technology in the classrooms, and Adler believes the city will continue to see additional economic development opportunities.
Body Found Near Fort Dodge Ruled As Homicide
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a man whose body was found in a field near Fort Dodge was a homicide victim.
The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner says 51-year-old Donald Preston, of Fort Dodge, was shot to death by someone.
The Iowa Criminal Investigation Division said Wednesday that Preston had last been seen by relatives in Fort Dodge on Dec. 22. The discovery of his body
was reported Monday morning, and authorities is appeared it bad been in the field overnight.
No arrests have been reported.
