Home News Wednesday Afternoon News, March 18th

Wednesday Afternoon News, March 18th

Le Mars Police Department Responds To Coronavirus

(Le Mars) — The outbreak of the coronavirus is affecting everyone, including the Le Mars Police Department. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says officers are still on patrol, but they are limiting their direct contact with people.

Ever since being named as the Le Mars Police Chief, Vande Vegte has set a goal for the police department to have community contacts, and establish good relations with the Le Mars community. Vande Vegte says unfortunately, the
spread of the coronavirus puts the brakes on those efforts. However, Vande Vegte says the local police officers will be visible.

Vande Vegte says if the isolation period prolongs, the nation may see an increase in crime activity as people become stir-crazy.

Following the directive by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to have restaurants and bars as well as other entertainment venues to be closed, Vande Vegte says police officers visited with many of the town’s restaurant owners to see their reaction to the news.

Vande Vegte acknowledged we are living through some unusual times. However, the Le Mars Police Chief says he has seen several instances where the panic of the pandemic virus has brought out the best in people.

 

 

Senator Ernst Says Congress Is Working On A Financial Package To Help Small Businesses With The Spread Of COVID-19

(Washington) — U-S Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa told news reporters Wednesday that Congress and the Senate are working feverishly to come up with an economic stimulus package to offer help to small businesses forced to
close and adversely affected by the spread of the coronavirus. Ernst says elected government officials are looking at many ways to help.

Ernst says the Senate is attacking the situation in different phases.

According to Ernst, the bill will provide a 100 percent tax credit to those employees that are away from work, either due to being infected with the virus, or for parents needing to miss work by staying home with their children. The Iowa Senator says the bill also provides funding for COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Ernst says when the phase two of the bill is approved, she will be pushing for a phase three.

Ernst says child care centers, like other small businesses, may also need some financial assistance in order to continue doing business. Ernst says it is also important for our grocery stores and supermarkets to be adequately supplied with food, and to keep the supply chain moving.

Ernst says it will take everyone’s part to control the spread of the
coronavirus, and she urges Iowans to take the situation seriously.

 

 

Food Banks Anticipate Large Demand Due To Coronavirus

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Food banks and pantries across the U.S. are scrambling to meet an expected surge in demand as the coronavirus causes many people to at least temporarily lose their jobs. This is happening even as older volunteers have been told to stay home. Also, calls for social distancing are complicating efforts to package and distribute food. Pantries
are shifting from letting people select items to giving them a sack filled with food to limit interaction and lessen the chance of passing along the virus. Officials say it makes them less efficient, but they don’t have better options.

 

 

Craig Residents Being Urged To Vote Absentee Ballot

(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Auditor, Stacey Feldman, is urging Craig residents to vote by absentee ballot through the postal mail for the special election for a new city council member. Feldman says, at this time, the City of Craig Special Election to elect a city council member, is still being held
on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 from 7 am to 8 pm at the Craig City Hall.

However, the date and time could possibly change, as the COVID-19 virus is still a very serious and fluid situation. As required by law, a voting precinct must be available in the City of Craig on election day, for new voters (election day registration voters) or anyone who was unable to absentee vote prior to election day. Due to the attempt to stop the spread
of COVID-19 the Iowa Secretary of State has granted the Auditor’s office permission to extend the deadline to mail out absentee ballots to voters to March 27th, 2020. This extension will allow for more days to facilitate voters of the City of Craig to return this absentee ballot request form to the Auditor’s office by mail and for more days for an absentee ballot to be mailed to Craig residents. To reiterate, the last day the Plymouth County
Auditor’s office can mail out an absentee a ballot is March 27th, 2020.

An absentee ballot must be postmarked on or before Monday, March 30th, in order for your ballot to count.

 

 

Plymouth County Treasurer’s Office To Close Due To Coronavirus

(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Treasurer, Shelly Sitzmann has announced the Plymouth County Treasurer’s office will close to the public Thursday, March 19 at noon until further notice due to Covid-19 concerns. The office will continue to process property tax payments and motor vehicle transactions at this time, but customers will be required to conduct their transactions
through the mail, online at www.iowatreasurers.org, or by using the drop box in the lower level entryway of the Plymouth County Courthouse.

Sitzmann says property taxes are still due now and will be considered delinquent April 1st. Customers who choose to pay by mail should send payments to 215 4th Ave SE, Le Mars and mail must be postmarked by March 31st to avoid penalty.

Customers can drop off property tax payments or motor vehicle registration renewals at the courthouse in the dropbox located in the lower level entryway from 8:00 – 5:00, Monday through Friday.

Customers paying online can visit www.iowatreasurers.org. Paying by e-check or credit card are 2 convenient options. Echeck costs $.25, while a card is a fee of 2.25%.

Online payments for property tax or motor vehicle will require a receipt number or PIN that is included on the respective billing statement.
Treasurer’s staff will be available to assist with transactions, including finding your Receipt number or PIN. Property tax staff can be reached at 546-7056. Motor Vehicle staff can be reached at 546-7078.

The Driver’s License office is closed to the public. If your driver’s license has an expiration date of January 16, 2020 or later, you do not have to renew your license at this time. It will remain valid until the declared disaster is lifted.

If your vehicle registration expired January 16, 2020 or after, it will be considered valid until the declared disaster has ended.

If you purchase or transfer a vehicle, you will not be required to obtain a title and registration within 30 days. This will remain in effect until the declared disaster is over.

If you purchase a vehicle from a dealer, you will not be required to obtain license plates within 45 days. This will remain in effect until the declared disaster is over.

 

 

Sioux Center Police Chase Ends With Vehicle Crashing Into House

(Sioux Center) — Sioux Center Police Officers were involved with a vehicle chase that ended with the suspect vehicle losing control and crashing into a house. Sioux Center Police Chief Mike Halma says the chase began at around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday evening after officers were notified of a hit-and-run accident.

Halma says the subject was a male described to between mid-20’s to mid 30’s.
Fortunately, no one inside the home was injured, but the suspect did sustain injuries.

The Sioux Center Police Chief says the vehicle penetrated the wall of the home, causing structural damage and ending up in the kitchen area. Halma says the chase and accident are still under investigation.

(photo contributed.)

 

 

Roman Catholic Priest Is Suspended

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Roman Catholic college in Iowa has suspended a longtime priest and faculty member after church officials received an allegation of sexual misconduct dating to the 1990s. St. Ambrose University in Davenport said that it was recently made aware of the complaint against the Rev. Robert “Bud” Grant and is taking the report seriously.The school
said the suspension would last until the outcome of an investigation by the Diocese of Des Moines, which ordained Grant as a priest in 1984. The Diocese of Davenport also said that Grant would also be temporarily removed as the
sacramental minister at St. Andrew Church in Blue Grass.

 

 

Des Moines Man Replaces Books With Wet Wipes 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A man has removed the books from the little free library he erected at his Des Moines home and replaced them with newly treasured items: toilet paper, wet wipes and medical gloves. Bob Meeley stocked those mundane products last week as the coronavirus spreads and people heed officials’ advice to stay home. He told The Des Moines Register
that after he posted the library’s location on the neighborhood app Nextdoor, several items were taken and replaced within two days. His goal is for others with little free libraries to fill them with supplies that other people can’t get due to shortages.