Home News Tuesday News, February 12th

Tuesday News, February 12th

Barry’s Electric and Bartolozzi Honored By Remsen Chamber

(Remsen) — The Remsen Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet last evening. The chamber awarded two businesses and one individual. The “Up and Coming Business” honor was given to the Dollar General Store. The Dollar General Store employs five people, and since the fire to the community grocery store last August, Dollar General has served as the grocery store for Remsen. The honor for “Employee of the Year” was given to Karen Bartolozzi who has worked with the Farmer’s State Bank, and now named Iowa State Bank for the past 45 years.

Bartolossi says she is honored to be named Remsen Chamber of Commerce’s “Employee of the Year.”

The award acknowledging the “Business of the Year” was given to an electrical contracting business that started 21 years ago, and today employs 11 full-time employees. Barry’s Electric with owner Barry Galles was given the honor for “Business of the Year.” Galles talks about the decision 21 years ago to start up his own business, and the challenges that came with that decision.

Galles says he conducts electrical work for homes, businesses, industries, and farms.  He talks about today’s business challenges.

His business has expanded from Okoboji to Ida Grove.

 

 

Le Mars Woman Involved With Serious Accident Near Sioux Falls

(Sioux Falls,SD) — Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office confirms a Le Mars woman was involved in a serious traffic accident that happened Friday morning. 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.
47-year old Tonya Harpenau of Le Mars was driving a 2018 Chevy Suburban and 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.

 

 

Primebank Donates 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.

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(photo contributed.)

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.

 

 

Dollar General Store To Open 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.

 

 

Iowa State Fair Asking Food Vendors To Accept Credit/Debit 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.

 

 

Father Of Accused Murderer Testifies Saying His Son Has “Guns Everywhere”

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) – The father of a man charged with murder in the death of a deer hunter has testified that his son owned numerous guns and kept them “everywhere.”
The Daily Iowegian reports Jamison Davis testified Monday in the first-degree murder trial of his son, Ethan Davis.
Ethan Davis is charged with killing deer hunter Curtis Ross in November 2017 on public hunting ground near Rathbun Lake.
Jamison Davis says his son owned shotguns, pistols, knives and more than one AR-15 style weapon. Prosecutors say one of those AR-15 guns was used to kill Ross.
Jamison Davis says his son kept guns “everywhere,” including various spots at the family farm and in his vehicles.
Earlier Monday, Kenneth Brown, an employee of a nearby quarry operation, says he heard gunfire on Nov. 24, 2017. He called them “rapid fire shots that I was not familiar with.”
Prosecutors have accused Davis of perching on a hilltop and using an AR-15 to shoot Ross, who was also stabbed more than two dozen times. Officials say they don’t have a motive for the killing.

 

 

Gun Bill Moves Out Of Senate Subcommittee

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill that would eliminate the requirement to obtain a permit to buy or carry a gun in Iowa has been moved out of a Senate subcommittee.
The two Republicans agreed Monday to pass it up to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democrat Sen. Tony Bisignano declined to recommend moving the bill forward due to safety concerns.
Bisignano says he disagrees with allowing the sale of handguns at gun shows and person-to-person with no permit or background check. He says eliminating the permit also does away with the requirement for gun holders to take a safety course.
The Senate bill has the support of 15 senators, the National Rifle Association, the Iowa Firearms Coalition and Iowa Gun Owners groups.
It’s opposed by Catholic, Methodist and Episcopal church groups along with domestic violence and gun safety organizations.
Supporters say requiring permits and fees to own a gun contradicts the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Currently 14 states have so-called constitutional carry laws.
South Dakota’s governor signed a similar bill on Feb. 1.

 

 

Democrats Make Changes For Caucus

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Democratic Party is proposing the biggest changes to the state’s famed caucuses in nearly 50 years.
State party chairman Troy Price outlined a measure on Monday that would allow people to participate in the caucuses virtually by telephone or smart devices.
The idea is to open the first 2020 presidential caucus to people who cannot attend the local political meetings.
The move is a response to criticism that the caucuses are difficult for evening workers and the elderly to attend. The six virtual sessions would begin in the days immediately before and on caucus night.
The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Feb. 3, 2020. The proposal won’t be finalized until the spring.