SIDS Walk Scheduled For Saturday
(Le Mars) — This coming Saturday will be the annual SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome fundraiser walk to be held at the Willow Creek Golf Course and Le Mars Municipal Park. Pam Jeneary of Le Mars serves as the local chair person for the
event. Jeneary says this year’s walk will mark the third anniversary for the event held in Le Mars. She talks about what researchers now know about SIDS, and the fact that she and her husband lost an infant child due to the mystery condition.
Jeneary says around 4500 babies are victims of SIDS each year. However, she says medical researchers have been able to find ways to reduce the possibility of SIDS striking infants, based upon a baby’s sleeping position within the crib.
Registration is scheduled to begin at 8:30 with the walk to start at 9:30 a.m. Jeneary talks about what people can expect during Saturday’s walk.
The local SIDS fundraising coordinator says there will be three special guests to appear during the Le Mars event.
Jeneary says the event will take place rain or shine, and besides participating on the nearly 5K walk, Jeneary tells other ways how people can help.
The SIDS walk will feature a silent auction and raffle including a Green Bay Packers football, and a toy pedal tractor, among other items. People can register online at www.iowasids.org.
Le Mars Chamber of Commerce To Host Google Workshop For Small Businesses
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, along with the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau and SBDC will be hosting a Google seminar entitled: “Let’s Put Our Cities On the Map.” The free workshop is scheduled for Tuesday,
September 19th between 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Le Mars Convention Center Board Room. Lunch will be served, and pre-registration
is required. The workshop will assist small businesses when customers use a search engine, by showing small business owners how they can be listed on Google.
Studies indicate four out of five consumers use search engines to find local information nearby, yet only 37 percent of businesses have claimed their listing on a search engine.
Veterinarian Elected To Iowa House
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A veterinarian from southeast Iowa has been sworn in to serve as a state representative.
Phil Miller, a Democrat from Fairfield, took the oath of office Thursday afternoon at the state Capitol.
Miller won a special election on Aug. 8 to replace Democratic Rep. Curt Hanson, who died in June. The District 82 seat includes parts of Davis, Jefferson and Van Buren counties.
The election results mean Republicans still control the chamber 59-41. They also control the state Senate and the governor’s office.
Apple To Locate Data Center In Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has approved a deal to give Apple $208 million in state and local tax benefits to build two data storage centers near Des Moines and the promise to create 50 jobs. The deal approved Thursday by the Iowa Economic Development Authority includes a refund of $19.6 million in state sale taxes for Apple Inc. and a $188 million break on property taxes from Waukee, a booming suburb bordering Des
Moines. In addition to the promised 50 jobs, Apple has agreed to buy 2,000 acres of land for the $1.4 billion project. Apple joins Facebook, Microsoft, and Google in building Iowa data
centers. They are drawn to the state by its generous tax breaks, wind-generated electricity and relative security from natural disasters that could disrupt service.
Agency Cutting Back On In-state Nursing Care Visits
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa agency that advocates for the elderly and people with disabilities has halted nearly all nursing home visits because of budget cuts. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s
office has eliminated in-state travel after losing a quarter of its nearly $2 million budget this fiscal year. In-state travel can cost up to $85,000 annually. Data from the office says staff visited more than 5,000 care facilities in the 2015-16 fiscal year. Lori Smetanka is the executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care in Washington, D.C. She says it will be difficult to thoroughly investigate complaints without facility visits. Interim Long-Term Care Ombudsman Cindy Pederson says staff is using telephones and other technology to connect with residents. —
