Floyd Valley Healthcare To Feature Seminar On Vaping
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare will host a seminar scheduled for this evening entitled: “What You Can’t See and What They Don’t Want You To See. Terri Bos, a registered nurse will present on the effects of teen vaping. Bos will speak about how teenagers are becoming the target for vaping products, and how those products can be addictive. The program is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Floyd Valley Healthcare conference center. Bos serves as the public health nurse in Sioux County with Community Health Partners that serves six counties. Bos says there are many misconceptions relating to vaping.
Bos says there are other misconceptions with vaping, with people believing vaping isn’t as harmful as smoking.
Bos says the use of vaping products has dramatically jumped up with teenagers within the last few years.
In conjunction with the vaping seminar at Floyd Valley, the Le Mars Police Department has been able to secure a trailer from the Iowa Narcotics Officers Association that shows a typical bedroom that may contain drugs and other drug-related products. The trailer is called: “What You Don’t See.” Le Mars Police Assistant Chief Justin Daale says the trailer is used as an educational tool for parents and other adults.
Daale says police officers in Le Mars has seen an increase use of vaping products with Le Mars teens.
Daale says the trailer is open only to adults over the age of 18.
The interactive trailer will be at the Le Mars YMCA today (Wednesday) between 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. It will then be moved to Floyd Valley Healthcare north parking lot between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and back to the YMCA parking lot on Thursday between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
(photos contributed.)
Bike Rodeo Scheduled For This Evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Rotary Organization is teaming up with Plymouth County Cyclists and Floyd Valley Healthcare to offer a Bike Rodeo which is scheduled for Wednesday evening, May 1st beginning at 5:30 p.m. Jim Gergeni is a member of the Le Mars Rotary. He says the purpose for the event is to promote bicycle safety for young children.
Gergeni says the bicycle rodeo is for elementary students from Kindergarten through the sixth grade. Gergeni says the Le Mars Police Department will be assisting at the bike rodeo. He says students can utilize the opportunity to register their bikes, in case of their bicycles are ever stolen.
The annual bike rodeo will offer a free inspection of all bicycles.
Gergeni says this year those individuals that were recently awarded a “Josh’s Ride” specially designed bicycle built for handicapped children are being invited to participate in the annual bike rodeo.
The Bike Rodeo will feature free food, a skills course, and helmet fitting. The Bike Rodeo will take place on 2nd Street Northeast, on the north side of Bike Central and the former police station headquarters.
(photos from 2017 event.)
Hawarden Man Sentenced To Prison For Beating 11 Year Old Boy
ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) – A northwest Iowa man has again been sentenced to four years in prison for beating an 11-year-old boy.
Sioux County District Court records say 37-year-old Matthew Spaans was resentenced Monday.
The Iowa Appeals Court in December ordered a resentencing after ruling that the trial judge considered an improper factor a year ago when sentencing Spaans the first time.
Spaans and his wife, Nina Spaans, of Hawarden, pleaded guilty to four counts of child endangerment. She received a four-year suspended prison sentence and was placed on two years’ probation.
Court records say Matthew Spaans beat his stepson with his hands, a 56-inch sword and another item. The documents say the boy was told to make up stories about his bruises or his next beating would be worse.
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 today, May 1st with the meeting to begin at 12:00 noon. The purpose for the meeting will be to open bids received and take appropriate action for the disposal of the Church of Nazarene property excess buildings.
Wet Conditions And Cool Temperatures Prevent Farmers From Getting Into Fields
(Le Mars) — Wet conditions and prolonged cool temperatures are preventing many farmers from conducting field work. The latest crop progress and conditions report shows 21 percent of the Iowa corn crop and three percent of the state’s soybean crop has already been planted which is slightly ahead of last year’s pace. However, in northwest Iowa, many farmers are waiting for better field conditions. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach crop specialists for northwest Iowa, Joel De Jong and Paul Kassel both say farmers in their regions are anxious for the weather to improve. We begin with Joel De Jong.
As for Paul Kassel who is based at Spencer, he basically echoes De Jong’s assessment.
Kassel says this year, so far, farmers are ahead of last year, having suffered from delayed plantings due to extreme wet conditions a year ago. He says as of yet, there probably is no real yield lost. Kassel says the soil temperatures have mirrored the air temperatures being in the 40’s. De Jong says most of his region probably has less than five percent planted. De Jong noted that he has heard of some winter kill affecting some alfalfa fields. Both crop specialists say farmers are trying to be patient, and waiting for better weather conditions.
Jeneary Reflects On First Year As A State Legislator
(Le Mars) — The Iowa legislature wrapped up its business this past Saturday. State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars concluded his first year as a legislator. Jeneary says there is no better place to work than inside the Iowa Capitol Building.
Jeneary says he learned that being a a lawmaker means to have great patience.
Throughout the next few days, KLEM news will present State Representative Jeneary’s views on various bills that passed, and some issues that still remain unresolved.
Reynolds To Decide Whether She Will Sign Controversial Bills, Or Veto Them.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has some big decisions to make about several controversial measures approved by the Legislature. Topics include limiting duties of the attorney general, changing how judges are picked, sports betting, prohibiting the use of Medicaid funding to pay for sex-reassignment surgery and prohibiting the government spending on sex education courses offered by Planned Parenthood. Reynolds has signed nearly 50 measures passed by the Legislature so far.
Police Searching For Shooter With Woman Being Killed While Driving
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Police say there’s no indication a woman who was fatally shot while driving over a highway bridge in northeast Iowa was targeted. Investigators are seeking the public’s help in determining whether the gunfire came from nearby woods. Micalla Alexis Rettinger was shot about 2:30 a.m. Sunday as she drove on a bridge along the Cedar River in Waterloo. Rettinger pulled over and died after being hit in the neck.
