KLEM Expo Begins Today
(Le Mars) — Today begins the two day KLEM Expo which will be held at the upper level of the Le Mars Convention Center. More than 50 exhibitors will be featured consisting of several home improvement businesses, including windows, gutters, furniture, flooring, home appliances, roofing, clocks and grills. Several financial institutions will be on hand for the KLEM Expo.
Be sure to register for a free Traeger Tailgater pellet grill from Arnold Motor Supply. There is free admission to the show, and this evening starting at 6:00 p.m. Hy-Vee will serve free pulled pork sandwiches with potato salad. On Saturday, Hy-Vee will serve free brats and chips. Free Wells Blue Bunny ice cream treats will be available for both days. The hours of the KLEM Expo are from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday, the doors will open at 10:00 a.m. and will remain open until 3:00 p.m.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Hosts Students On “Experience Health Day”
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare hosted eleven high school students from various Plymouth County schools on Wednesday for an “Experience Health Day.”
Marlys Van Otterloo, the education coordinator with Floyd Valley says the day is set aside to offer students showing an interest in pursuing a health-related career, a behind the scenes look at the hospital. Van Otterloo says there are a wide variety of career jobs available at a hospital that goes beyond patient care. Van Otterloo says the day started with a mock emergency situation involving the Le Mars Ambulance staff.
Van Otterloo says the students were introduced to the emergency room, the duties of an EMT, as well as a pharmacist, and physical therapist.
The Floyd Valley Education Coordinator says the students were at the nursing unit where they practiced giving an injection to an orange. During lunch, the future health professionals met with current health professionals to discuss and inquire about the jobs responsibilities.
Van Otterloo says after the students’ visit, she notices their reaction is usually positive and even more enthused about entering a health care profession.
Van Otterloo says the students finished the hospital tour inside the surgery unit, where the students were asked to wear the scrubs, masks, and looked the part of performing surgery.
Le Mars Man Pleads Guilty To Vehicular Homicide From Accident
(Sioux City) –– A Le Mars man pleaded guilty to the charge of vehicular homicide recklessness at the Woodbury County District Court on Thursday following the death of his cousin following an auto accident that happened on July 1st on Old Lakeport Road in Sioux City. The vehicle rolled down a hillside and struck a tree. 39 year old Darrick Toel also pleaded guilty to the charge of driving intoxicated. He will be sentenced to serve 11 years in prison.
ISU Agricultural Economist Talks About China
(Le Mars) — With the spread of the corona virus and the recently signed phase one of a trade agreement, there has been a lot of focus of attention on China lately. An Iowa State University agricultural economist from China spoke about his homeland during a meeting held Wednesday in Le Mars. Wendong Zhang says many Americans don’t fully understand the size and population of China.
He says the virus may present complications of trading goods and products with China.
The Iowa State University agricultural economist calls the trade deal between China and the United States as being significant. He says the Chinese people are in desperate need for protein, which is why they are interested in purchasing soybeans and pork from U-S farmers.
Zhang says the Chinese have a different palate for foods, and the U-S needs to be aware of the differences when exporting food products to the Chinese. He says cheese is a great example of a food the Chinese generally will not consume.
He says there are some foods that are treated as a delicacy in China, but few American consumers would ever try.
Des Moines Police Investigating Latest Shootings
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police are investigating the shooting deaths of three people found inside a duplex on the southeast side of Des Moines. Officers and medics responding to a report about a shooting found the bodies around 11:20 p.m. Thursday. The victims’ names and other details about the shooting have not been released. No arrests have been reported.
Charges Have Been Dropped Against Courthouse Burglars
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Charges have been dropped against two cyber-security workers arrested after breaking into an Iowa courthouse in September as part of a security test conducted by state court administrators. A judge entered a dismissal order Thursday for Justin Wynn, of Naples, Florida, and Gary Demercurio, of Seattle. They work for Colorado-based Coalfire which had contracted with state court officials to conduct security tests at Iowa courthouses. The men were caught inside the Dallas County Courthouse in Adel on Sept. 11. They faced trespassing charges. Their attorney, Matthew Lindholm, says they are relieved but frustrated their reputations have been damaged.
