Grassley Says FEMA Doesn’t Have Enough Money For Harvey Relief, But Congress Will Appropriate Needed Funds
(Le Mars) — U-S Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa made a visit to Bo-Dean’s Cone factory in Le Mars Wednesday afternoon. Following his tour, Grassley met with the news media and was asked if FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management
Administration, would be able to handle the requests for federal assistance to the people living in Texas who have been adversely affected by Hurricane Harvey, especially since there hasn’t yet been anyone named as FEMA Director?
Grassley says, at present time, there is not enough money in FEMA’s bank account to handle all the needs. However, Grassley feels confident the U-S Senate and U-S Congress will allocate the needed funding.
Grassley says, unlike with the funding of FEMA following Hurricane Sandy that hit the shores of New Jersey and New York, he doesn’t anticipate the discussion for Harvey funding will be political, saying those who made the funding for Hurricane
Sandy a political issue were later burned by it.
Hy-Vee and Fareway Helping With Hurricane Relief Efforts
(Le Mars) — Both Hy-Vee and Fareway Supermarket chains have stepped up to offer aid and assistance to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Hy-Vee, Inc. announced they will be accepting customers’ donations for those affected by Hurricane
Harvey. Hy-Vee will match all donations received from August 30 to September 30, up to $100,000. Funds will be provided to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts, including supporting volunteer efforts, opening shelters and
providing meals and other supplies.
Hy-Vee customers will have the ability to donate $1 or $5 amounts at the cash register of any Hy-Vee store. Customers will be able to add the amount to their purchase, or donate separately if they are not purchasing groceries. Hy-Vee will
match customer and partner donations up to $100,000. In addition, the company will partner with the American Red Cross to distribute the funds.
The American Red Cross provides volunteers, shelters and supplies for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. As of Sunday, August 27, the American Red Cross has mobilized material resources to shelter up to 52,000 individuals and expects to
have 4,000 to 5,000 workers on the ground by the end of the week as the weather improves. More than 40 volunteers from the Iowa Region of the American Red Cross have been assigned to Texas. Additionally, they have sent six Emergency Response
Vehicles from Des Moines.
Fareway corporate officials told KLEM news they are still organizing efforts, but gave assurance that Fareway will be assisting in some way with the relief efforts.
Additional Donation Centers and Relief Efforts Being Organized
(Le Mars) — Donations for Hurricane Harvey victims can still be dropped off at the Old School Signs location on 12th Street southwest. Melba Ter Horst of Remsen is wanting to fill a cargo trailer with items such as drinking water,
diapers, cleaning products, toilet paper, paper towels, pet food, and other necessary toiletries. Donations will be accepted through Friday. Exit Reality is also wanting to fill their Smart car with needed donations with the destination of the Texas Gulf Coast.
(Le Mars) — Helping Hands of Le Mars has contacted KLEM radio to inform us they are now accepting donations for Hurricane Harvey victims. Donations can be dropped off at the Helping Hands location at 127 1st Street Northwest between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, you
can call (712) 541-6432 for an appointment to schedule a time to drop off donations.
Hurricane Harvey And The Flooding Aftermath Affecting Grain Trade
(Le Mars) — The devastation from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey is now affecting the transportation of grain and other agricultural commodities. The region of the Texas Gulf coast serves as a major port for U-S farm goods to be shipped to other countries, and according to Mike Steenhoek, Executive
Director with the Soy Transportation Coalition, that region that is being flooded is causing an interruption for the shipment of grain.
Steenhoek says the effects of Harvey may be even worse if the storm moves further east and continues to dump rain on the delta region, causing additional flooding.
Steenhoek says Hurricane Harvey may have long term effects upon those commodities that travel through the Texas Gulf Coast terminals.
Many people wonder if it would be possible to ship those agricultural goods from another terminal port, such as the Pacific northwest near Seattle, or along the eastern coastal region?Steenhoek says that may have to happen. However, it would mean additional time to transport the farm goods to another region, plus it would add to the cost of the shipment, and finally, Steenhouck says it will place a huge burden on those other
ports, especially since they are preparing for the normal shipments as harvests approaches.
Kim Wick To Be Honored During Bishop’s Dinner
(Le Mars) — A Gehlen Catholic second grade teacher was informed she is the latest Gehlen Catholic faculty member to be the recipient of the “Education in Excellence” award as part of the Bishop’s Dinner. Kim Wick was told of the honor following the Mass service by Interim Superintendent of Catholic Schools
for the Diocese of Sioux City, Patty Lansink. Wick has been teaching for 39 years with the last 29 at Gehlen Catholic. In the nomination, Gehlen Catholic principal Lorie Nussbaum stated, “Mrs. Wick’s skill and expertise as a Catholic Educator permeate all academic areas. She strives for each child’s success,
spiritually, academically and behaviorally, setting high, yet realistic, expectations for them in each of these areas. Her classroom is one where learning is bell-to-bell, effective, collaborative, engaging, and purposeful.”
Wick’s teaching philosophy is having her students “to want to learn and to love to learn.” Wick talks about the importance of a Catholic-based education.
Wick shares her thoughts about being named to receive the “Excellence in Education” award.
The Bishop’s Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, October 1st at the Sioux City Convention Center.
Public Defender’s Office To Close
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – The Office of the State Public Defender is closing its Fort Dodge office.
The Des Moines Register reports that the office will close in late
September, after losing two lawyers and the office supervisor. There are 18 public defender offices statewide.
Kurt Swaim, first assistant for the state public defender, says the closure will “promote operational effectiveness.” He says the Nevada (nuh-VAYE’-duh) office will handle some of the cases, and private attorneys will assume additional work.
Ryan Baldridge is first assistant Webster County attorney in Fort Dodge, and he says he’s uncertain whether there are enough private attorneys to handle court appointments for the county’s criminal cases.
—
Reynolds Appoints Eight People To Medical Marijuana Board
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed eight people to a medical marijuana advisory board created under a new state law.
The Republican governor announced appointments to the medical cannabidiol board Wednesday, though one slot remains vacant. The positions are unpaid and not subject to Senate confirmation.
The board was one of several provisions in a medical marijuana law that went into effect this summer. It expanded Iowa’s existing cannabis oil program by allowing the sale and manufacturing of such oil within the state.
Iowa’s new law also allows use of cannabis oil for several ailments. The board can recommend adding or removing medical conditions and is expected to work with state officials on creating the new manufacturing system.
Iowa still bans smoking marijuana, vaporizing it or eating pot-laced food.
