Plymouth County Emergency Medical Services Association Ask Supervisors For Help In Keeping Community Ambulance Service
(Le Mars) — Members of the Plymouth County Emergency Medical Services met with the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning to offer a proposal
that would designate community ambulance and emergency medical services as an “essential county service”. The Plymouth County Emergency Medical Services are concerned about the growing trend that leaves smaller communities without an
ambulance service. Kevin Rollins of the Remsen Ambulance Services spoke before the board of supervisors. Rollins proposed the idea requesting the county supervisors consider placing a tax increase on the fall ballot so money can be raised to maintain community ambulance services, and other essential Emergency
Medical equipment, education, and volunteers.
Rollins says the idea is new, and if nothing is done to correct the current problem of a shortage of emergency medical volunteers and financing for equipment and medical education, then more communities will be without an ambulance service.
Rollins says already some Plymouth County communities are in danger of losing their ambulance services.
Part of the problem, according to Rollins is that 60 percent of the calls are for either Medicare or Medicaid patients, which pay only about half of the expense.
The E-M-T Association is suggesting the supervisors approve a 25 cent tax on the property valuation which they say would generate at least $400,000 per year. No action was taken by the supervisors. Many of the supervisors asked the E-M-T
Association to study the issue further, and to return when more of their questions can be answered.
Plymouth County Democrats Elect Officers
(Le Mars) — At the recent off-year caucus meeting of the Plymouth County Democratic party held in Merrill, members of the Democratic party elected their officers for a two-year term. Mark Sturgeon of Le Mars was elected as the party’s chairman. Pat Ritz of Akron was elected as the Vice chair position. Kay
Luckett of Le Mars was elected as the Plymouth County Democratic party’s Secretary and Jim Anderson of of Le Mars will assume the duties as the party’s Treasurer.
Connor Wins $10,000 From Hy-Vee Promotion
Le Mars, IA (April 11th, 2017) — The Le Mars Hy-Vee recently presented Paul Connor of Le Mars with $10,000 after his name was drawn as the grand prize winner in Hy-Vee’s Cash and Grocery Giveaway promotion.
Between January 2 and April 2, each time customers swiped their Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks™ card at the checkout during their grocery store visit, they automatically received one entry for a chance to win the promotion’s $10,000 cash grand prize. Additionally, 10 winners were randomly selected each week
during the 12 weeks of the promotion to receive a $100 Hy-Vee gift card.
The Le Mars Hy-Vee’s $10,000 grand prize winner was randomly selected on April 3. Connor was notified shortly thereafter by a phone call from Greg Rottinghaus, store director at the Le Mars Hy-Vee.
Field Conditions Still A Bit Cool And Wet For Planting
(Le Mars) — Many farmers are wanting to start planting, but according to an Iowa State University crops specialist, farmers may want to wait at least another week, or until the weather and the soils begin to warm up. Joel DeJong says field conditions,including soil temperatures, are still a bit cool.
The soil temperature for northwest Iowa on Tuesday was listed at 42 to 46 degrees. DeJong says there were some farmers who had planted their corn by this time last year, and for some it worked out well, while others encountered some problems.
DeJong says although its suitable for planting corn, he says the ideal time isn’t for another week, and farmers don’t need to rush.
The Iowa State University Crops Specialist says sometimes if farmers till their ground during wet conditions, it could lead to soil compaction, and reduced yields.
Leopold Center In Jeopardy Following Legislative Budget Cuts
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A longtime Iowa research center for sustainable agriculture is on the chopping block in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
A GOP-led budget committee voted Tuesday for an education bill that includes cutting nearly $400,000 from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. The legislation will require more votes before it’s finalized.
The bill also includes cutting $1.5 million from the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa. The center studies flood prevention.
Staff for both centers say the cuts would effectively end their work.
GOP Rep. Cecil Dolecheck says the Leopold Center, which is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year, has completed its work. The center’s director disputes that.
Republican leaders say cuts are needed to balance the roughly $7.2 billion budget expected to take effect in July.
State Graduation Rates Increasing
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s Education Department says the state’s high school graduation rate has increased for the fifth year straight, even as dropout rates increased slightly for the first time since the 2009-10 school
year.
In a news release Tuesday, the department said 91.3 percent of students in the 2016 graduating class graduated within four years, up from 90.8 percent from the previous year. Iowa’s annual dropout rate was 2.8 percent last year, up from
2.5 percent the previous year. The latest dropout rate represents 4,154 students in grades 9-12.
Officials say graduation and dropout rates can increase simultaneously because they measure different groups. The graduation rate follows one class for four years, while annual dropout rates represent the number of students who
dropped out of grades 9-12 during one school year.
Des Moines Water Works Will Not Appeal Judge’s Ruling
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines Water Works’ board has decided not to appeal the dismissal of the utility’s lawsuit against three counties.
The lawsuit dismissed March 17 by a federal judge accused the counties of allowing agricultural drainage districts to send nitrate pollution into the rivers the utility uses for drinking water.
Water Works CEO Bill Stowe said in a news release after the board’s decision Tuesday that “central Iowa will continue to be burdened with expensive, serious and escalating water pollution problems.”
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2oWS5bQ ) that the board had originally agreed to spend $1.35 million to pursue the lawsuit.
Stowe says the board “views these resources would be better spent finding other avenues to pursue environmental protection rather than legal action, like trying to affect public policy through lobbying.”
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