Smoke Detector Alarm Sounds At Le Mars Community Middle School, Sending Students to Evacuate Building
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was called to the Le Mars Community Middle School for an alarm that sounded. The incident happened at about 9:30 Thursday morning. Fire Chief Dave Schipper says both the Middle School and the High School had evacuated the buildings while
firefighters went inside to investigate.
Schipper says a smoke alarm had sounded near the Middle School cafeteria area.
The Le Mars Fire Chief says both the Middle School and the High School are connected to the same alarm, so when one is activated, it triggers the alarm for both schools.
Schipper suspects dust may have been the factor that activated the smoke and fire alarm.
Students, faculty and staff remained outside for nearly 45 minutes.
Donlin Named As One Of Nation’s Top Health Administrators
(Le Mars) — A local hospital administrator has been recognized as being one of the top healthcare administrators to know within the United States. Mike Donlin with Floyd Valley Healthcare of Le Mars was recently named to the Becker’s Healthcare Top 71 C-E-O’s, presidents, and administrators of critical access hospitals. The list includes men and women who lead organizations that are regularly recognized for patient safety and quality.
Several have overseen hospital expansions, mergers, and Electronic Health Records implementations, as well as the construction of satellite clinics and strategic partnerships with local healthcare organizations. Becker’s Healthcare compiled the list based on nominations and editorial research.
Mike Donlin began his career in healthcare as an orderly at an Onamia, Minnesota, based hospital before he joined the Navy and was assigned to the National Naval Medical Center, now the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in 1975. After serving in administration for military hospitals across the country, Donlin became administrator for Floyd Valley Hospital in
1998, which is now known as Floyd Valley Healthcare. Donlin is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and serves on the board for the Le Mars Area Dialysis Services, and is the chairman of the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation.
Sioux Falls Billionaire Named To Forbe’s Wealthiest List
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota billionaire known for making significant charitable contributions to health care, education and other causes is continuing to accrue wealth.
T. Denny Sanford’s net worth jumped $400 million in a matter of months, according a Forbes ranking of billionaires.
The Argus Leader reports the credit card magnate’s net worth is listed at $2.6 billion, landing him at number 316 on the list. He is the only South Dakotan on the list.
Sanford’s lifetime giving total is $1.6 billion, which equals 38
percent of his net worth.
Sanford owns First Premier Bank and First Premier Bankcard. His
contributions to a Sioux Falls-based hospital system in 2007 prompted the system to change its name in his honor. Sanford Health has benefited from about $1 billion in donations from the philanthropist.
Marshall County To Renovate Courthouse Following Tornado
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – Officials in central Iowa are considering plans to repair a county courthouse that sustained damage when a tornado swept through the area this summer.
The Times-Republican reports that only a few Marshall County employees have been allowed into the 132-year-old courthouse since the July 19 tornado.
Most of the internal damage occurred on the courthouse’s east side. The small courtroom’s wood furnishings were also heavily damaged. None of the records stored in the building sustained serious damage.
Marshall County Auditor and Recorder Nan Benson says maintaining the historic building’s structural integrity during the repair has been complex.
Benson says work will continue into the winter. The project is expected to take a year to complete. The $15.5 million renovation cost will be covered by insurance.
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Governor Candidate Debate
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell will meet in the Des Moines area for their first debate.
The candidates for governor will debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ankeny campus of Des Moines Area Community College.
The debate is being organized by KCCI-TV and The Des Moines Register. It will be aired live on KCCI.
The campaigns also have agreed to debates Oct. 17 in Sioux City and Oct. 21 in Davenport.
