Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department Issues August Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department had a relatively quiet month of August when compared to other months. The local fire department responded to six fires, five rescue calls, six investigations, five requests for services, and
four mutual aid calls, twice to Orange City, and once to Ireton, and one time for the Sioux County Dive Team. The total number of calls for August was 26. Fire Chief Dave Schipper reports that three new members have completed and passed their Firefighter One training.
Donlin Named To Top 60 Critical Care Hospitals CEO’s List
(Le Mars) — Becker’s Healthcare is pleased to recognize 60 CEOs, presidents and administrators of critical access hospitals.
The men and women included on the list are at the helm of organizations regularly recognized for safety and quality. Many led their hospitals through expansions, mergers and EHR implementations. The individuals on the list are also key members of the community, serving on corporate boards and state-level initiatives to improve access to care.
Featured on the list of the top 60 Healthcare CEO’s is Mike Donlin. Administrator of Floyd Valley Healthcare (Le Mars, Iowa). Donlin began his career as an orderly in a small Onamia, Minn.-based hospital before being commissioned to the National
Naval Medical Center in 1975. After serving in the administration of military hospitals across the country, Donlin became administrator of Floyd Valley Hospital in 1998, now known as Floyd Valley Healthcare. Donlin is a fellow of the
American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the board for Le Mars Area Dialysis Services and the Le Mars Community Betterment Foundation.
Donlin says the honor is flattering, but he credits the entire staff at Floyd Valley for the hospital’s success.
Donlin notes other Iowa hospital administrators that had also made the list of the Top 60 CEO’s of Critical Health Care facilities.
Two Iowa National Guard Helicopters Deployed To Texas
(Des Moines) — Eleven Iowa National Guard soldiers and two helicopters are heading to Houston today to aide in hurricane recovery efforts.
The two Iowa National Guard helicopters and the crews to run them are being deployed to move supplies, equipment and people around the hurricane zone.
photo by Wikipedia.
The massive Chinook helicopters have two engines, two sets of rotors and a loading ramp in the back. The helicopters have three hooks on the exterior which can raise and lower cargo and people.
The eleven soldiers who are being deployed with the Chinooks come from Iowa Guard units in Davenport, Johnston and Boone.
Iowa State Patrol Issues More Texting While Driving Tickets
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa State Patrol has responded to a new texting-while-driving state law by issuing 230 tickets in the past two months, far more than troopers issued all last year.
The Des Moines Register reports that troopers issued less than 175 tickets for texting in 2016.
The new law took effect July 1 and lets officers issue citations if they observe a motorist texting while driving. The previous law only allowed motorists to be ticketed for texting if they also committed another traffic offense.
Maj. Randy Kunert heads the state patrol’s field operations. He says officers are using unmarked vehicles and plain-clothed troopers to catch motorists.
The Legislative Services Agency says the fine for texting while driving is $30, but court costs bring the total cost to about $100.
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Another Baby Turned Over To Authorities Under Safe Haven Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say another newborn has been turned over to state custody under Iowa’s safe haven law.
The Iowa Human Services Department said in a news release Friday the child was born Aug. 21 but didn’t say where.
The department says it’s the 30th time the law has been used to protect the welfare of an infant since the law was approved following a 2001 case. In that case a teenage mother in eastern Iowa killed her home-delivered newborn.
The law lets parents hand over custody of babies up to 14 days old, without fear of prosecution. The infants are placed with foster or adoptive families.
