Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Affects Two Homes Over Weekend
(Le Mars) — What was initially reported as an investigation of a possible gas leak odor, could have had much more serious consequences. The Le Mars Ambulance and the Le Mars Police Department responded to what they believed was a medical
related emergency Saturday morning at around 7:40 a.m. After arriving on scene, the residents seem to be nauseated. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was then called to the home to investigate a possible carbon monoxide concern. Fire Chief
Dave Schipper says when firefighters arrived and used a monitor to measure the amount of carbon monoxide present in the air, the monitor indicated very high levels. The residents of the home were transferred to the Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars for possible carbon monoxide poisoning. A family pet was
taken to a local veterinarian to be treated. Chief Schipper emphasizes the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors in a home. Schipper says carbon monoxide is oftern referred to as the “silent killer”.
That incident happened at the Armel Acres Trailer Court at Cherry Street #5.
The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was also called to a second incident involving carbon monoxide poisoning. This time it was a home on Greenwood Street. At the Greenwood residence, the fire and rescue department encountered another home with elevated carbon monoxide levels. Schipper says it
is important to equip your home with both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Gene and Betty Sitzmann Scholarships Awarded
(Le Mars) — Four Gehlen Catholic students were awarded the Gene and Betty Sitzmann scholarships Friday evening, between the varsity girls and boys basketball games. Gene Sitzmann was a 1978 graduate of Gehlen Catholic. His wife Betty graduated from Spalding Catholic. The two were servant leaders in
the Catholic church, their schools, and communities. The Sitzmanns were big advocates of Mission Honduras and the ideals it promoted, including leadership, service and humility. The Sitzmann scholarship purpose is to help fully fund
one student’s trip, including airfare, lodging, and food, to Honduras to further the Catholic Church’s and school’s mission by serving Jesus people and spreading his message. Eleven different Gehlen students submitted an application for the
scholarship. This year, the full funded scholarship of $1,384.55 was awarded to Claire Zubrod, the daughter of Dennis and Nancy Zubrod of Merrill. Other scholarships amounting to $100, $50, and $25 were awarded to Christopher Begnoche, son of Edward and Tina Bgnoche of Le Mars, Abbie Dickman, daughter of
Stuart and Donna Dickman of Le Mars, and Carlyn Bretey, daughter of Dr. Keith and Teri Bretey.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Reports New Year’s Baby
(Le Mars) — It took a little while, but Floyd Valley Healthcare is reporting its New Year’s Baby. Keaton Patrick Lariviere was born Sunday, January 14th at 9:17 a.m. He weighed five pounds-10 ounces, and is 17 inches in length. The parents are Taylor Lariviere of Le Mars. The attending physician was Dr. Sheila
Holcomb.
Legislature May Have Different Priorities Than Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted multiple priorities in her Condition of the State speech, but recent history shows plans can change.
Republicans have indicated strong support for several proposals in the Jan. 9 speech, such as reducing taxes and expanding workforce opportunities.
But topics not discussed such as the death penalty and immigration, or only briefly mentioned like abortion and school choice, could rise to the top of lawmakers’ agenda.
In last year’s Condition of the State address, former GOP Gov. Terry Branstad didn’t stress proposals that later dominated the session, including eliminating most collective bargaining rights for public workers, requiring voter identification at the polls and banning local minimum wage increases.
Republicans say lawmakers have different priorities than the governor. Democrats say looming budget cuts deserved more attention.
Two Year Old Dies From Council Bluffs Fire
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 2-year-old girl found unresponsive along with her mother in a Council Bluffs apartment fire has died.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that A’Nyia Patton died Friday night at Children’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was taken after being found by firefighters in the burning apartment Wednesday morning.
An autopsy has been ordered.
The girl’s mother, 37-year-old Michelle Patton, remained in critical condition at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Firefighters were sent to the blaze 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Within minutes, they had the fire under control and found the mother and child in a bedroom. At the time, neither had a pulse and CPR was started to revive them.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Ambulance Involved In Accident
WEST BRANCH, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say two crew members were injured when their ambulance flipped while taking a patient to Iowa City.
The accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 80 near West Branch in Cedar County. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver likely lost control of the vehicle on the icy roadway.
All three occupants were taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and the two crew members already have been released. No names have been released.
Iowa To Initiate Interlock Ignition Devices With Cameras
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa soon will require that ignition interlocks have cameras so drivers required to take breath tests don’t have other people start the drivers’ vehicles.
The vehicles would still start, but the drivers could lose their restricted driver’s licenses and be charged with crimes after the ignition interlock company notifies the state that other people blew into the devices.
Patrick Hoye is chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and he told The Des Moines Register that most nearby states already have the requirement.
All repeat drunken driving offenders are required to install the devices in Iowa. First-time offenders must install the devices if their blood alcohol figures were higher than 0.10 percent when they were arrested or if they were involved in accidents.
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New Kitchen To Help Launch Food Businesses
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new facility in the Omaha area will help cook up new food-related businesses.
The 2,500-square-foot Kitchen Council plans to open in early February. Its commercial kitchen and business development experts will help entrepreneurs launch food-related businesses.
The Kitchen Council’s director Holly Benson Muller says the facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is designed to make it easier for food businesses to get started.
The facility will work with entrepreneurs from around the region.
Bald Eagles Returning To Eastern Iowa
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Eastern Iowa is seeing the annual return of bald eagles, attracting area residents and tourists alike.
The raptors hunt over open water. So, as other rivers ice over, the eagles return to open waters along the Mississippi River in the Davenport area, an annual event that also draws countless bird watchers.
The Quad-City Times reports that LeClaire offers a prime spot to view bald eagles.
Wildlife photographer Burt Gearhart says Lock & Dam 14 is “probably the best place in the United States” to see and photograph bald eagles. Alaska has more bald eagles, he says, but “that’s an awfully long plane ride.”
Other good spots are dams, parks and marinas in Davenport and Rock Island, Illinois, as well as Illiniwek Forest Preserve in Hampton, Illinois.
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