Le Mars Community School Board To Convene
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will gather this evening for its monthly meeting. Faculty members Adam Moss and Ryan Zittritsch will share information with the school board regarding the new science standards and
the implementation process in the middle and high school. The school board will discuss the Iowa State School Board Convention which was held in Des Moines November 15th -17th. Also, on the agenda for this evening’s meeting will be a
review of the ten-year facilitiy plan as approved by the school board in 2013.
The school board will review the food service procurement policy. School superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner will present his recommendations to the board.
The school board will also discuss and decide upon a student wishing to open-enroll into the Le Mars Community School District from Remsen-Union for the 2018-2019 school year.
BPI Receives 700 Applications For Employee Relief
DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota meat producer has received 700 applications for aid from former workers.
BPI, the Dakota Dunes-based company in September set up a $10 million fund for employees who lost jobs when the company closed three plants in 2012 over reports of a beef product that critics had negatively defamed.
BPI general counsel Rich Jochum says the applications will be reviewed to determine how much aid former employees will
receive.
The company laid off about 750 workers and closed plants in Texas, Kansas and Iowa in 2012, saying ABC’s coverage of the producer’s lean, finely textured beef product misled consumers into believing the product is unsafe. ABC stood by its reporting.
BPI sued ABC for defamation. Terms of a June settlement are confidential.
Mercy Medical Center and American Heart Association To Donate Playground Equipment To Sioux City Elementary School
(Sioux City) — Mercy Medical Center along with the American Heart Association will be donating playground equipment this afternoon to the Irving Elementary located at 901 Floyd Blvd. in Sioux City. About two-thirds of the students and half of the adults still don’t get enough physical activity. To further
complicate matters, school budgets are shrinking and many schools in our community are unable to provide the necessary recess and physical education equipment to support the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 60
minutes of daily physical activity. Research has shown that if a child is overweight by their 12th birthday, there is a 70 percent chance that the child will be overweight the rest of their life. The simple truth is that healthy and unhealthy behaviors form early. For decades, the American Heart Association has made strides to improve the health of children through their Jump Rope Heart and Hoops for Heart and Recess Reboot programs. It is the hope of the American Heart Association with the addition of these programs in schools throughout the countries, students can live healthier and stronger lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Prison Nurse Gets Beaten By Inmate
CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a patient beat a nurse at the Iowa Corrections Department medical center in Coralville.
The attack occurred around 10 a.m. Friday when the nurse was working at an office computer terminal at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center. The corrections department says the patient used a fist to strike the nurse several times. Other staffers heard noises coming from the office and seized the
patient, stopping the attack.
The nurse was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City for treatment and was released later Friday.
The names of those involved have not been released.
Des Moines Homeless To Move Out Of Camps
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Work on a huge Des Moines housing development is forcing homeless people out of longtime camps in a woody area and into more visible spots in the city’s downtown. The Des Moines Register reports that Hubbell Realty Co. has begun clearing 75 acres in the city to make room for Gray’s Station, a development that will have more than 1,100 housing units, retails shops and offices. Christine Hensley is the downtown area’s representative on the Des Moines City Council. She says she’s received numerous complaints about makeshift
campsites and homeless individuals loitering near businesses. The city has posted illegal occupancy notices at nine campsite
locations. Public works crews will soon start clearing the sites if the homeless don’t vacate them. The city is considering issuing notices to seven other locations. —
More Road Construction Workers Injured From Motorists
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials say a surge in construction projects and an increase in miles driven by motorists have led to a high number of people dying in road construction work zone crashes this year. The Des Moines Register reports that 10 people have died in work zone
crashes this year, compared to 13 deaths last year. Department officials say speeding and distracted driving are contributing factors. State officials say that the overall number of traffic fatalities across the state is declining. So far there have been 295 traffic fatalities this year,
which is 55 fewer than the same time last year. The Iowa Department of Transportation will spend $680 million on
construction projects this year, compared to $695 million spent on road projects last year. —
State Senate Releases Report On Sexual Harassment
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Senate Republicans have released findings from an internal investigation into alleged workplace misconduct that says state senators have made “sexually suggestive comments” or discussed “sexual
preferences” on the chamber floor. The three-page internal review released Friday spans a period between
the end of 2012 and half of 2017. It doesn’t break down how many senators took part in such activity or when. Several Senate GOP staff members also indicated they fear retaliation in reporting workplace misbehavior. Senate Republican leaders released the findings amid pressure from within the party, including from GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds, to disclose more
information about the in-house investigation. Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix says he didn’t provide more information earlier, because he wanted to protect employee confidentiality.
Worker’s Compensation Commissioner To Take Lawsuit To Trial
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s former worker’s compensation commissioner who alleges he was pressured by former Gov. Terry Branstad to resign because he’s gay plans to take his discrimination case to trial next year. Chris Godfrey is seeking money damages in one of the first cases trying to hold the state financially liable for actions of officials that infringed on the rights of an individual. The case is being closely watched by state
agencies across Iowa. Godfrey’s attorney says a similar federal lawsuit was dismissed after an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in June provided a path for him to seek increased financial damages in state court. The lawsuit alleges discrimination,
retaliation and extortion. Branstad has denied the allegations and says Godfrey mismanaged the office. Branstad is now the U.S. ambassador of China.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation To Hold State Convention
(Des Moines) — The farm organization, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, will celebrate the launch of its century anniversary at this year’s annual convention scheduled to be held in Des Moines, December 5th and 6th. This year’s theme is: “Born to Lead, the Will to Succeed.” Craig Hill serves as president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. The Warren County farmer talks about how the largest farm organization got its start.
Hill says during the 2018 state convention is when the organization will celebrate its 100th year as a state organization. Hill talks about some of the highlights to this year’s convention scheduled for next week.
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation president says another highlight to this year’s state convention is the Young Farmer Discussion Meet.
Hill is certain one topic that will be discussed by the members and delegates will be the new farm bill. He says farmers are interested in maintaining some type of crop insurance protection program.
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation state convention is scheduled for December 5th and 6th.
