Vande Vegte Named As New Le Mars Police Chief
(Le Mars) — Le Mars has a new police chief. Officer Kevin Vande Vegte, a 20 year veteran with the Le Mars Police Department is the choice for the top cop post.
Vande Vegte’s name was submitted for approval on Wednesday for the Le Mars Civil Service Commission. He will still need to be approved by the Le Mars City Council during their July 18th meeting, before the position becomes official. Vande Vegte says his quest for leadership training and additional
education may have helped him become the city’s choice for police chief.
If given approval by the city council, Vande Vegte will begin his duties as the new Le Mars Police Chief on August 21st. One of Vande Vegte’s goals is to be visible and accessible to the public, and to continue good relations with the Le Mars community.
Vande Vegte says he was able to learn a lot from former police chief Stuart Dekkenga, and he wants to incorporate the success from Dekkenga’s administration, and combine it with his own personal touch.
Le Mars mayor Dick Kirchoff says Vande Vegte was the first choice among all of the 12 people who conducted the series of interviews with the police chief candidates last Friday.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Named To Becker’s List Of 62 Critical Access Hospitals To Know
(Le Mars) — Two area hospitals have been named to the Becker’s Hospital Lists of 62 Critical Hospitals To Know 2017. Both Floyd Valley Healthcare of Le Mars, and Orange City Health Systems of Orange City made the list. Mike Donlin serves
as the hospital administrator for Floyd Valley Healthcare. He says it is gratifying to be named to the list of 62 Critical Access Hospitals to Know.
(sot) Mike Donlin-Becker1
Donlin says being named to the Becker’s List goes along with other goals that have been established by the Floyd Valley staff.
(sot) Mike Donlin-Becker2
Four other rural Iowa hospitals were also listed. They include: Avera Holy Family Hospital at Estherville, Myrtue Medical Center of Harlan, Iowa Specialty Hospital of Belmond, and the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Critical access hospitals have 25 or fewer inpatient beds and the annual average length
of stay is 96 hours or fewer for acute care. These hospitals also offer 24/7 emergency care and must be located at least 35 miles away from any other hospital.
Sioux County Youth Fair Now Happening
(Sioux Center) — The Sioux County Youth Fair is now happening at Sioux Center.
According to fair officials, this year’s fair saw an increase in many of the 4-H and FFA exhibits, both with the animal projects, as well as with the static displays. The Sioux County Fair offers free admission, with the exception of the evening’s entertainment consisting of races and a country music concert by
the local popular group “Locked and Loaded” scheduled for Saturday evening.
Woodbury County Sheriff Says He Will Follow Court’s Order On Weapons
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Woodbury County sheriff says he intends to obey the Iowa Supreme Court and keep civilian guns out of the county courthouse. Sheriff Dave Drew said during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting that he plans to keep enforcing the courthouse security program, which includes use of metal detectors. On June 20 the high court banned weapons in courthouses statewide, saying it had a duty to
promote safety in the courts.
Officials in Woodbury and other Iowa counties have since wondered aloud whether the order conflicts with a new state law expanding gun rights. Board Chairman Matthew Ung said Tuesday the county supervisors’ stance is to ensure
that laws passed by the Legislature are followed, to avoid threats of lawsuits by gun owners.
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Corbett Raises $800,000 For Governor Campaign
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican candidate for governor Ron Corbett says he’s raised more than $800,000 since announcing his campaign less than a month ago.
The Cedar Rapids mayor, who’s called himself an underdog in his primary challenge of Gov. Kim Reynolds, says Wednesday that donors had promised to contribute another $219,000, bringing total fundraising to more than $1 million.
He says the figure allows him to run a strong campaign.
Corbett also pledged not to accept money from political action
committees, special interest groups or lobbyists from Washington. He asked Reynolds to do the same. A Reynolds spokesman declined to comment.
Reynolds announced in January she had raised more than $1 million for her campaign. Both she and Corbett say they will disclose more donor information next year when it’s legally required.
Des Moines To Restore Cemetery Stones And Monuments
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The City Council has decided to repair thousands of gravesites in Des Moines’ city-owned cemeteries.
Des Moines television station KCCI reports (https://bit.ly/2t6GTeZ ) that Des Moines Parks and Recreation will spend $50,000 to start repairs. Half the money will come from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.
Officials plan to clean old markers, repair broken monuments and straighten sunken stones.
Jen Fletcher, with Des Moines Parks and Recreation, says the city’s long- term goal is to restore the gravesites and make them last up to 200 years more.
The city hopes the program will help it better market city cemeteries.
Officials want to start the first repairs this summer and finish them by the end of November.
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