Home News Friday News, March 17th

Friday News, March 17th

Floyd Valley Board Of Trustees Approve Replacing Air Handler Units

(Le Mars) — The Floyd Valley Healthcare Board of Trustees approved the replacement of air handling systems for the hospital during its last meeting held on Tuesday. Administrator Mike Donlin says the trustees accepted the bids from two contractors, and he explains why the air handlers are being replaced.

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Donlin says the replacement of seven air handler units with three new units will cost a little more than $500,000.

Donlin says the new air handling units will be far more efficient, and maintenance will be easier and not as costly.

The hospital administrator says the trustees were also informed of a new website that was introduced. Donlin says the new Floyd Valley website uses the same previous web address, but people will notice it is more focused on Le Mars and
the region.

Donlin says patients will find many of the previous services are still available on the new website, but additional services have been added.

 

 

Fire Department Issues Quarterly Report

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department has issued its quarterly report. During the past three months, the fire department responded to 37 fires, 22 rescue calls, 22 investigations, and had 25 requests for services.
The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department also provided mutual aid seven different times. All total, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department had 113 calls during September, October and November.

 

Library Board To Hold Special Meeting

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Public Library Board of Directors will hold a special meeting scheduled for Monday at 5:00 p.m. The Library board will consider a proposal from MultiVance Media of Le Mars.

 

Iowa House Passes Worker’s Compensation Bill

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republicans in the Iowa House have passed a bill that would overhaul how workers are compensated for on-the-job injuries, though they backed off on some key proposals.
The GOP-majority chamber voted 55-38 Thursday to revamp standards for hurt workers in Iowa, including reducing benefits for shoulder injuries and decreasing coverage for injuries tied to a pre-existing condition. The legislation will now be considered by the Senate.
Republicans scrapped some initial provisions, like a plan that would have changed the definition of a substantial workplace injury and a measure that would have ended permanent total disability benefits at 67.
Rep. Gary Carlson, a Muscatine Republican, says the changes came after concerns within the party over the legislation’s consequences.
Democrats say despite the changes, the bill still unfairly penalizes injured workers.

Republican State representative Chuck Holz of Le Mars says in the final outcome,
state lawmakers either dropped or corrected several provisions of the worker’s compensation bill.

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Holz says over the course of many years, that no longer became the case. He
says the original bill has been amended.

Holz talks about another change to the worker’s compensation bill.

 

 

Sierra Club Appeals To Iowa Supreme Court On Lawsuit Against Dakota Access Pipeline

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club and a group of landowners are appealing to the Iowa Supreme Court their lawsuits challenging the Dakota Access Pipeline.
In documents filed Thursday, the Sierra Club says the Iowa Utilities Board refused to consider whether the crude oil pipeline will promote public convenience and necessity, a requirement in Iowa law.
Sierra Club attorney Wallace Taylor says the utilities board did not discuss the need for, or benefits from, the service alleged to be provided Iowans by the pipeline originating in northwest North Dakota and carrying oil underground through South Dakota, Iowa and into southern Illinois.
The landowners challenged the board’s decision allowing the pipeline company to forcefully take their land under eminent domain.
A district court judge rejected the arguments in February.

 

West Des Moines Releases Park Proposal

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – West Des Moines has unveiled a $32 million parks plan that calls for linking city waterways with a trail loop and include features such an outdoor ice rink and an amphitheater.
A future park in the Raccoon River greenway north of Dale Maffitt Reservoir could be home to an “adventure park” with a zip line course or a tree canopy walk. There are plans for a campground that could have tiny homes for rent.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2ngtjls ) that the Five Waters Recreation Area could take 10 years to finish. The city has budgeted $250,000 next year to hire a consultant to refine the projects and cost projections.
Officials say a mixture of public money and private donations likely would pay for the improvements.

 

Jewish Synagogue Targeted

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police are looking into who has been targeting a Mason City synagogue with profanity-laced phone messages.
The Globe Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/2neVSzV ) that the most recent call came around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. The call to the Adas Israel synagogue rang through to the home of its president, Alan Steckman, who said a man told him Zionists need to get out of town. Steckman believes it was the same man who left
an anti-Semitic voicemail message on the Steckmans’ answering machine on March 5.
Mason City police are investigating both incidents and have stepped up security around the synagogue. They’ve also notified the FBI.
Federal officials have been investigating more than 120 threats against Jewish organizations in dozens of states since Jan. 9 and a rash of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.