Home News Wednesday News, September 20th

Wednesday News, September 20th

Amber Alert Has A Good Ending

(Spencer) — An Amber alert that was issued Tuesday finished by having a good ending. Clay County Sheriff’s officials placed the Amber Alert after three young sisters, a set of eight year old twins, and a four-year old, were abducted from a relative’s home in Royal by their mother. The girls were later found safe in
Sanborn. Meanwhile, the mother identified as 25 year old Danica Noel Arzaga is still at large. She is believed to be operating a four-door Maroon colored 2003 Cadillac Sedan with Iowa license plate number561-XEY. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, State Fire Marshal, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Spencer Police Department, Iowa Department of Human Services, Sanborn Police Department, and O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office. Several law enforcement agencies in Minnesota were also assisting with the search.

 

 

Captain Tim Hop Honored As Chamber’s “Boss of the Quarter”

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has nominated retiring Captain Tim Hop as the Chamber of Commerce Boss of the Quarter. Hop began his career with the Le Mars Police Department on April 1st of 1985. He has served the community of LeMars and the staff of the Police Department for 32 years with compassion and dedication. He is a proven leader and respected by each member of the department.
Captain Hop has served the Police Department as a patrolman, Sergeant, Captain and most recently as the Acting Chief of Police after Chief Stu Dekkenga’ s retirement, and during the time of Dekkenga’s absence due to a health issue.
Captain Hop will be retiring on September 30, 2017 and will be greatly missed by not only the staff but the community of LeMars. It is with both appreciation and pride that the staff of the LeMars Police Department nominate Tim Hop as the LeMars Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 4th Quarter Boss of the Quarter. Our congratulations go to Captain Tim Hop of the Le
mars Police Department for being selected as the Chamber of Commerce “Boss of the Quarter.”

 

 

Senior Citizens Ask City Council To Make Pickle Ball Courts

(Le Mars) — A group of at least 20 senior citizens attended Tuesday’s city council meeting to ask if the council would consider changing a few of the city-owned tennis courts into pickle ball courts.  Pickle ball is a fast-growing popular sport using paddles and a ball, often played on tennis courts, but the
diminions are smaller.  Greg Mitchell spoke on behalf of the senior citizens that participate in local pickle ball activities.

He says back in 2015, several residents requested the city to paint pickle ball lines on the existing tennis courts.  Mitchell says more than 30 people in and around Le Mars are actively playing the sport.  Mitchell believes the tennis courts are being under-utilized outside the tennis season for Le Mars Community
and Gehlen Catholic, and by the city’s residents.  Le Mars has a total of 13 tennis courts, six that are located at Le Mars Community High School, and the other seven are city owned with two at the former Westmar College grounds, and
five that are located near the golf course.

The city council heard a couple of suggestions. One is to convert a couple of the present tennis courts into pickle ball courts, and a second idea was to add-on and construct new courts to be located next to the tennis courts located at the golf course.

The city council did not take any action on the matter, and instead referred the issue to be brought before the city’s community services committee.  Mitchell acknowledged to city council members there may be some concern with the noise
level with the pickle ball sport, especially at the former Westmar College location which sits among residential housing.

 

 

Sheldon Man Dies From Mower Accident

(Sheldon) — A man is dead following an accident at the Sheldon Golf and Country Club Monday morning.

The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office got a 911 call reporting an employee of the club was trapped in the river under a piece of equipment. Sheldon police, ambulance and fire crews, along with an O’Brien County Sheriff’s Deputy, were dispatched to the scene. They found a riding lawn mower laying on its side in the
river with a man who authorities identified as 66-year old Dean Seivert of Sheldon pinned under the machine.

Officials say a country club employee had located Seivert and was in the river trying to hold Seivert’s head above water. First responders got Seivert out the river and he was transported to Sandord Sheldon Medical Center by ambulance, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

 

 

Woodbury County To Improve Courthouse

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – County officials have approved emergency repairs to an aging Iowa courthouse with several deteriorating columns.
The Sioux City Journal reports that the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved the work Tuesday for the courthouse in Sioux City.
The work is scheduled for October and will take roughly a week to complete. It’s expected to cost roughly $22,000, less than the $50,000 originally predicted.
Cedar Rapids-based Vector Construction will try to stop corrosion on the columns by applying a coat of zinc that will meld with the existing steel-reinforcing bars.
Officials say column deterioration exposed rusty rebar within the column pilings, causing large pieces of concrete to break away.
The vote marks the third time in 18 months officials have ordered courthouse repairs.

 

 

Iowans May Have The Opportunity To See Lower Health Care Insurance Premiums

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The federal government continues to review Iowa’s short-term funding proposal to redirect Affordable Care Act money to lower some people’s health insurance costs.
A representative for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says Iowa’s application for a so-called stopgap measure is complete and a public comment period will run until Oct 19. The federal government says in a letter Tuesday that a decision will be made within 180 days.
Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says he’s more optimistic about an approval than he was earlier this month. He says he expects a decision after the comment period but before open enrollment for ACA health insurance coverage begins Nov. 1.
The proposal would use federal subsidies to offer a single, standard insurance plan for Iowa’s individual market under the ACA.

 

 

People Concerned About New Voter ID Laws

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Several voting advocacy groups in Iowa are expressing concern about proposed rules for the state’s new voter identification law.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, the League of Women Voters of Iowa and six other groups say proposed administrative rules that will govern how the law is followed will add unnecessary complications.
In documentation submitted Tuesday as part of a public comment period, the groups claimed the rules could negatively impact Election Day registrants, the use of voter registration lists and a signature verification provision.
The secretary of state’s office declined to comment on the specific concerns raised, noting there will be a period of time to respond. The office has previously disputed a separate claim that the rules could complicate how data is shared for voter registration drives.

 

 

Iowa City Hospital Issues Lay-offs

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa hospital has announced layoffs and staff hour reductions that will affect 65 employees.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that Mercy Iowa City will also eliminate 50 positions through attrition and planned retirements.
The Roman Catholic health care system says the reductions are a result of a “challenging health care environment” and a competitive Iowa City market.
Hospital officials say the reductions will primarily affect administrative and support workers.
Mercy Iowa City announced earlier this year that it would become affiliated with the statewide Mercy Health Network, headquartered in West Des Moines. It previously tried to negotiate a partnership with Cedar Rapids-based UnityPoint
Health, a move designed to increase operational efficiency. The hospitals later agreed not to pursue an affiliation.