Dollar General To Open New Store In Akron
(Undated) — Dollar General’s newest store at 301 Highway 12 North in Akron is now open! In its new location, Dollar General will offer area residents a convenient new place to shop for everyday essentials at low prices.
Dollar General will celebrate the store’s official grand opening on Saturday, February 16 at 8 a.m. with free prizes and special deals. Additionally, the first 50 adult shoppers at the store will receive a $10 Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag with complimentary product samples, among other giveaways.
Dollar General stores offer convenience and value to customers by providing a focused selection of national name brands and private brands of food, housewares, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, basic apparel and health/beauty products. The store’s fresh layout is designed to make shopping simple for customers. Seasonal products are displayed in the center of the store, departments are easily recognizable with visible signage and coolers are conveniently located at the front of the store.
Primebank Presents Check To Gehlen Catholic
(Le Mars, IA) – Officials with Primebank of Le Mars presented Gehlen Catholic with the funds raised through the Primebank, Gehlen Catholic Visa® credit card program in 2018. The presentation was made Thursday evening, January 31st, during the Gehlen Catholic basketball game.
Primebank, Le Mars President Josh Kovarna, Customer Service Representative Kelli (Ruhland, ’78) Langel and Assistant Vice President Jordan Sitzmann (’10) presented a check for $3,084.76 to Gehlen Catholic.
For eighteen years, Primebank has donated a percentage of total purchases made using the Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card to the school. With this year’s gift, Primebank has donated $56,437.90 through the program.
“Gehlen Catholic is blessed by the continued investment from Primebank with the Visa credit card program as well as our athletics, fine arts and the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball,” commented Rev. Lawler.
Proceeds from the card are used to enhance Gehlen Catholic’s local scholarship program, assuring a focus on “Excellence in Education. Leadership Through Christ.” to low and middle income students.
“Primebank is pleased to offer the Primebank, Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card program,” said Primebank CEO, Matt Ahlers (’79). “Primebank has a long history of supporting educational opportunities in Le Mars and we are proud to provide ongoing support to Gehlen Catholic.” Ahlers continued, “I encourage friends of Gehlen Catholic to participate in this program because it provides funding for Gehlen Catholic when cardholders simply make normal, every-day purchases with their Gehlen Visa credit card.”
Also, the Primebank, Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card is part of UChoose Rewards® which provides card holders with great reward opportunities ranging from merchandise to travel and more.
To receive information regarding the Primebank, Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card program, contact Primebank, 546-4175 or Lisa Niebuhr in the Gehlen Catholic Development Office at 546-4181 x237.
Le Mars Woman Involved With Serious Accident Near Sioux Falls
(Sioux Falls) — Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a traffic accident that occurred Friday morning on South Dakota Highway 42 involved a woman from Le Mars. One person was seriously injured when her suburban was struck by a semi just east of Sioux Falls on Friday morning. The crash was reported just before 8 a.m. Friday near Highway 42 and East Willow Ridge Place. A 2018 Chevy Suburban, being driven by 47-year old by Tonya Harpenau of Le Mars was trying to cross Highway 42 when it turned in front of a semi pulling a livestock trailer, according to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. The semi hit the driver’s side of the suburban, according to the sheriff’s office. Harpenau received serious injuries. She was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. The 54-year-old male driver of the semi was not injured. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, the Sheriff’s Office said. The sheriff’s office is investigating. Sioux Falls Police, the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue and Paramedics Plus assisted. (Story contributed by Sioux Falls Argus Leader.)
Iowa State University Economist Says “Bottle Bill” Needs Fixing
(Ames) — An Iowa State University economist says after four decades, it’s time to update the state’s bottle and can deposit law.
Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes says the nickel deposit on plastic, glass and aluminum containers of alcohol and soft drinks should have been indexed for inflation. The deposit should be at least 17-cents today if that had happened, and the one-cent handling fee for redemption centers would be three cents. Hayes says raising the deposit to that level — and making other beverage containers subject to the deposit — would
increase recycling.
Late last week, Hayes addressed members of two key legislative committees that are considering changes to the bottle deposit law. One proposal would place the five-cent deposit fee on water bottles, sports drinks and other non-carbonated and non-alcoholic beverage containers. Two other proposals
would double the fee redemption centers get, in hopes of expanding the number of non-retail locations where Iowans may take their empties and get their deposit money back. Hayes is urging legislators to take action.
According to the Container Recycling Institute, more than 10-thousand TONS of plastic water bottles and other non-carbonated drink containers that could be recycled is thrown into Iowa’s landfills each year.
Discrimination Lawsuit Against State Grows To $1.27 Million
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state’s bill for defending a lawsuit against a former official who claims he was discriminated against because he’s gay has surpassed $1.27 million.
Iowa Solicitor General Jeffrey Thompson updated the Iowa Executive Council on Monday in response to a request by Auditor Rob Sand. The council, which includes the governor and other state elected officials, approves state litigation expenses.
Former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey filed the case in 2012. It accuses former Gov. Terry Branstad, current Gov. Kim Reynolds and others of discrimination, retaliation and violation of Godfrey’s constitutional right to due process.
Branstad, a Republican, pressured Godfrey, a Democratic appointee, to resign in 2010. When Godfrey refused, Branstad cut his salary by $39,000 a year. Godfrey says he was targeted because of his sexual orientation.
Branstad asserts he didn’t know Godfrey is gay.
A trial is scheduled for June 3 in Des Moines.
Iowa State Fair Asking Food Vendors To Accept Debit/Credit Cards
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Starting next year, those pork chops on a stick can be put on your card.
The Iowa State Fair says it will require all food and drink vendors
to accept credit and debit cards beginning in 2020.
Cash has long been the dominant method of payment for the fried cheese curds, corn dogs and other foods bought by fairgoers. Thirty ATM machines are located on the fairgrounds.
But the fair recently informed vendors that they will be required to use Clover cash registers starting next year that accept credit and debit payments. They can begin using them this year.
In a letter to vendors, concessions director Mike Nye says research shows people spend more per transaction when using cards and prefer cashless payment options.
Fair spokeswoman Mindy Williamson says the system will still allow for cash purchases. She says the change is being implemented over two years to allow vendors to spread out expenses and train employees.
Eastern Iowa Could See Heavy Snowfall In Latest Storm
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Forecasters say a winter storm pushing into Iowa could leave behind 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) of snow on the eastern side of the state.
Less snow is expected Monday and Tuesday in central and western Iowa.
The National Weather Service warnings say travel could be hazardous, with several eastern and northeastern Iowa highways still covered with snow from earlier storms. Winds gusting to 40 mph (64 kph) are forecast as well, hampering visibility. Fortunately, for us in northwestern Iowa, the prediction is calling for about one and a half inches of snow.
Grassley Answers Questions About Another Possible Government Shut-down
(Washington) — Will the U-S government be able to avoid another shut-down? U-S Republican Senator Chuck Grassley was asked that question during his weekly news conference with reporters.
Grassley says there are three items that separate an agreement and another government shutdown.
Grassley says the real issue holding up an agreement is with how many detention beds should be allowed for illegal immigrants that enter our country, and the dollars to be allocated. Grassley says Democrats have advocated a lower number than is currently used, while President Trump wants to increase the number of detention beds and funding.
The Iowa Republican says President Trump could declare a national emergency, but Grassley says he would advise against that action.
Grassley says he hopes the conference committee can resolve their differences, because he wants a solution and not another extension.
Friday is the self-imposed deadline Congress has created to reach an agreement, otherwise the federal government will shut down again. The last shut down was the longest lasting over a month.
