Governor Reynolds Declares A Public Health Disaster Emergency
(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds has just taken the extraordinary step of declaring a Public Health Disaster Emergency in Iowa. All public gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.
Bars and restaurants are to temporarily close to the public at noon today (Tuesday), but carry-out and drive-thru options can continue. The order also calls for the closure of all the state’s casinos, movie theaters and fitness clubs. In her proclamation, Governor Reynolds says the risk of COVID-19 transmission is substantially reduced by these kind of community containment actions. The governor’s directive also calls for closing all senior citizens centers and adult daycares to the public. Many of those facilities had already made that move.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Implements New Policies And Procedures Based On COVID-19 virus
(Le Mars) — Due to the spread of the COVID-19, coronavirus, Floyd Valley Healthcare has implemented some new policies and procedures. So far, there have not been any outbreak cases of the coronavirus in Plymouth County. Ann Cole-Nelson serves as the hospital’s Community Relations Director says the
safety of the patients and staff are the top priority. She says the
landscape of the virus is ever changing, so she suggests people frequently check the hospital’s standards.
Cole-Nelson says the hospital has also placed some restrictions with its cafeteria.
The Floyd Valley Community Relations Director says nurses will be staffed at the entrances to help monitor the situation.
Cole-Nelson says hospital officials have been meeting on a frequent basis to stay up to date on the latest information regarding the spread of the coronavirus.
Cole-Nelson wants everyone to know that as of today’s date, Floyd Valley Healthcare has not had anyone testing positive with the COVID-19 virus.
Jeneary Addresses Legislature’s View On COVID-19 Virus
(Des Moines) — The Iowa legislature met yesterday in an attempt to pass bills making it necessary for the state government able to continue with appropriate funding through September. The legislature finished its work at 12:30 a.m. and also granted Governor Kim Reynolds with powers to best handle
the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which included allocating $20 million dollars from the Emergency Fund. State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says we are living in some “unprecedent historic times.”
One item that was passed by the state legislature was to waive the requirement for schools to achieve at least 1,080 hours of education for the year. In other words, schools across the state will not need to make up the month of lost school days.
We will feature additional comments from State Representative Jeneary in future news updates as well as on the KLEM website.
Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department Has Two Promotions
(Le Mars) — Firefighters Steve Schwartz and Charlie Mohning took the oath of office Tuesday morning at Fire Station #1 as a result of their recent promotions within the fire and rescue department. Mohning is now officially the Battalion Chief, while Schwartz becomes the Assistant Chief. Both, the Assistant Chief and the Battalion Chief are city full-time positions. Prior to the official swearing of oath ceremonies, Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says it is rare and an historic time for the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department to have two promotions at the same time. Schipper read a poem, entitled: “The Special Breed” which he says was presented to him from a former fire chief from Estherville that explains the role of a firefighter.
Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff administered the oaths and swearing ceremonies, beginning with Charlie Mohning as the new Battalion Chief.
Fire chief Schipper then pinned the Battalion Chief Badge on Mohning. Next, was the oath of office for the Assistant Fire Chief position for Steve Schwartz.
On becoming the Le Mars Assistant Fire Chief, Steve Schwartz had Ken Ernst, a 30-year veteran of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, and step-father to Schwartz, pin the badge on his uniform. In offering an explanation, Schwartz says Ernst has always served as a role model to Schwartz, and was a main reason for him to pursue a career as a firefighter.
Firefighters Respond To Life Skills Training Center Fire
(Le Mars) — Firefighters responded to a fire at the laundry facilities of Life Skills Training Center at 1510 Industrial Road late Monday afternoon. Upon arrival on one staff person was at the facility and she had evacuated. Firefighters entered the building and located smoke and flames coming from a dryer in the laundry facility in the center of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished and firefighters then ventilated smoke from the work area in the building. Fire damage was contained to the dryer and the materials in the dryer.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. The most probable cause for the fire was spontaneous combustion of rags in the dryer that contained a grease product.
The facility was cleaned professionally by a company after the fire on Monday night and the laundry facility was ok to open and operate on Tuesday morning.
The dryer affected was a total loss and damage and cleaning estimates were at approximately $5000.00.
The Le Mars Fire-Rescue was assisted at the scene by the Le Mars Ambulance and Le Mars Police Department. Firefighters were on scene for about 40 minutes.
(photo contributed.)
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor Implements New Policy
(Le Mars) — Changes in service at The Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor:
Starting Tuesday, March 17th, the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Le Mars will only be serving ice cream “to go”. The in-restaurant dining facilities and interactive exhibits will be closed. Only debit and credit cards will be accepted. No cash payments will be allowed. These restrictions are being put in place to support social distancing recommendations by local and national health officials.
Fareway Grocery Stores To Change Hours Due To Virus
(Boone) — At Fareway, the safety and health of our customers and employees is of utmost importance. We have already activated internal protocols, which include increased sanitation measures, store-cleaning frequency, and the availability of hand sanitizer and wipes, among other measures. As we work to navigate the evolving situation, and provide for the needs of our customers, Fareway will adopt new store hours.
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, all Fareway stores and meat markets will be open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The early closure will provide for additional cleaning and sanitation measures in our stores, as well as time for restocking inventory. As part of these new hours, the first hour of business from 8 – 9 a.m. will be reserved for those customers who are 65 and over, expecting mothers, those living with a serious chronic medical condition, and anyone with an underlying medical condition that increases the susceptibility to serious illness from COVID-19. We appreciate the advance cooperation from our customers in respecting the hour reserved for those that are at higher risk.
Fareway continues to work closely with state, local, and healthcare partners on mitigation, and are following appropriate recommendations from these organizations. Please continue to check our website, as Fareway will provide additional information later today.
City Offices To Be Closed To The Public Through The End Of Month
(Le Mars) — City Administrator, Jason Vacura has announced all City of Le Mars facilities will be closed to the public effective March 18, 2020. All facilities will remain staffed and operate as usual. Any individual that has a question or is seeking information may still contact City Hall or any of the individual departments. This restriction will remain in effect through March 30, 2020. The City of Le Mars will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed. The public will be notified of changes to day-to-day operations as they arise.
Drivers’ License Office To Close
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Driver’s License station will be closed until further notice in an effort to slow the spread of Covid19. The IDPH and CDC have identified public spaces and group gatherings as potential transmission points for Covid19. Plymouth County Treasurer Shelly Sitzmann, and the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors believe that the safety of all Plymouth County residents as well as County staff should be first priority. Therefore, Plymouth County’s Driver’s License station will be closed. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Plymouth County Board Of Supervisors Letter To County Residents Regarding Coronavirus
Plymouth County Residents,
The Iowa Department of Public Health has now confirmed the existence of substantial community spread of Covid-19 in the State of Iowa. While there are no confirmed cases within Plymouth County, this remains a very fluid situation.
In response to these factors, the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are encouraging all residents to use online resources, to use the United States Postal service to mail documents and payments, and to use the telephone to call County Offices rather than in-person visits to any of Plymouth County Government buildings. The reasons for this are two-fold. First, IDPH and the CDC are strongly encouraging all Citizens to exercise “social distancing” to slow the spread of this infection in communities. Second, IDPH and CDC have identified public spaces and group gatherings as potential transmission points for Covid-19. The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors believe that the safety of all Plymouth County residents as well as County staff should be first priority.
Until further notice, the Plymouth County Courthouse and Annex will remain open to the public for services with enhanced cleaning efforts in county facilities.
Many of the county government services can be conducted with Plymouth County online. For a full list of services available to you online please visit: www.co.plymouth.ia.us
If you are unable to complete your county business online, please feel free to contact any of our County Offices via telephone and staff will be happy to assist you.
If, as a last resort, you need to conduct business in person at the Plymouth County Courthouse or Annex building, please only do so if you are not sick. We must work together as a whole community to protect those most vulnerable to this outbreak and take all precautions possible to slow the spread in our communities.
Plymouth County Office Directory:
Assessor: 546-4705 Engineer: 546-4559
Auditor: 546-6100 IT and GIS: 546-1260
Recorder: 546-4020 Treasurer: 546-7056 Tax
Attorney: 546-5019 546-7078 Auto
Conservation: 947-4270 546-1663 D. License
Emergency Mgmt: 546-8101 Env. Health/Zoning: 546-7516
Veteran’s Affairs: 546-7090 Clerk of Courts: 546-4215
Sheriff/LEC: 546-8191 Juvenile Court: 546-1642
