County Supervisors To Convene Today
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will convene today beginning at 9:30 a.m. from the County Courthouse Board Room. The supervisors are expected to approve the hiring of a full-time cook at the Law Enforcement
Center. They will set Plymouth County Communication Center per capita charge to $3.75 per city effective to start on July 1st. The county governing board will appoint new Compensation Commission members, Carissa DeRocher and Doug Becker.
The county supervisors will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. to enter into a general obligation refunding loan agreement. They will hear from attorney, Dennis Brady regarding an extension to file minor subdivisions Brady Barn Addition, and R&S Miller Addition. Later in the morning, three representatives
from Akron Family Aquatic Center will appear before the county supervisors to provide information, and to request funds for the new swimming and water park center. The supervisors are continuing to work on the next fiscal year budget,
as they will review the Secondary Road Department’s annual budget as presented by Plymouth County Engineer Tom Rohe. Rohe will also give an update on the various construction projects.
City Council To Hold Two Public Hearings
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will hold two public hearings at 12:00 noon for today’s city council meeting. The hearings will focus on the Le Mars Historic Preservation Commission. At issue, is whether or not people living
outside the city limits can serve on the Historic Preservation Commission. The second hearing deals with the proposal to place an overlay paving on Central Avenue, extending from 3rd Street south to 3rd Street North. As for action items, the city council will decide on airport property, the new police department building project with phase 2, and an assistance request from Galles Enterprises. The city water department is expected to submit its annual report.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Reports Influenza Cases
(Le Mars) — Influenza has claimed 14 Iowa lives so far this year, and according to health officials, the flu has been detected in 49 of the 50 states. Bob Norfolk serves as the Infection Control Manager for Floyd Valley Healthcare in
Le Mars. He says Floyd Valley has seen more than 40 cases of influenza during this flu season.
Norfolk says a flu vaccination will cover both strains, and he explains the differences between type-A and type-B influenza strains.
Floyd Valley has not yet implemented any specific visitation restrictions.
However, Norfolk explains if you are admitted to the hospital with influenza, the hospital has taken steps to prevent the spread of the illness throughout the facilities.
The Floyd Valley official says the number of flu cases reported to the local hospital this year is running about at the same pace as this time last year.
Norfolk says there is still time to get vaccinated for the flu virus, but he also recommends keeping clean hygiene.
Norfolk says the flu contagious, and it is easily passed from one person to another.
Norfolk says the reported influenza cases to Floyd Valley Healthcare have been primarily with elderly citizens who has a weaker immune system, but he notes it has it across the board with all ages.
Area Catholic Schools Prepare For Catholic Schools Week
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic along with Remsen St. Mary’s and Spalding Catholic are getting prepared for Catholic Schools Week, which this year is January 28th through February 3rd. This year’s theme is: A Dozen Reasons to Choose Catholic
Schools. The dozen reasons talk about quality education with a Catholic focus, service to others, children are taught respect of themselves and others, high graduation rates along with a high percentage of students that pursue a higher education. Each of the area’s catholic schools will be celebrating Catholic
Schools Week with various activities that are planned for each day.
Le Mars Community Board of Education To Hold Special Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will hold a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 18th. The school board will convene at 5:00 p.m. and will submit its initial bargaining proposal to the Le Mars Education Association for the 2018-2019 contract. The school board will participate in the Administrator and Board retreat scheduled for January 22nd.
The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for February 12th at 7:00 p.m.
Woodbury County Supervisors To Ask Judge To Allow Guns In Public Areas Within Courthouse
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Woodbury County supervisors are scheduled Tuesday to consider asking a judge to let the public carry guns into some public areas of the county courthouse in Sioux City.
The draft of a letter to Judge Duane Hoffmeyer asks him to eliminate the weapons ban in the public areas but uphold
the ban for the second, third and fourth floors, which are considered court- controlled areas. Courtrooms, judge chambers and attorney offices are situated on those floors.
Hoffmeyer issued his order in August, after the supervisors voted to allow guns on county property in an attempt to comply with the state’s newly expanded gun rights law.
Hoffmeyer is chief judge for Iowa’s 3rd Judicial District, which
includes Woodbury County and 15 other Northwest Iowa counties.
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Iowa To Have Interlock Ignitions To Have 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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University of Iowa Caught In Legal FightÂ
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa is caught in a legal fight with a conservative Christian student group that denied a leadership position to a gay student.
The case pits a university policy barring discrimination based on sexual orientation against the religious beliefs of a 10-member group called Business Leaders in Christ.
The group sued in federal court after the state’s flagship university in Iowa City revoked the group’s campus registration in November. The group says its membership is open to everyone, but that its leaders must affirm a statement
of faith that rejects homosexuality.
The university says it respects the right of students, faculty and staff to practice the religion of their choice but does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
