Le Mars Police Report Stolen Pizza Ranch Vehicle
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department is reporting that someone had stolen a vehicle from the Pizza Ranch restaurant Sunday evening,just prior to 5:00 p.m. The stolen car was blue in color and used for pizza deliveries, but according to local police officials the stolen car did not have any decals advertising the Pizza Ranch restaurant. Shortly after the vehicle was
reported stolen, and information was relayed to other law enforcement officials, the Pizza Ranch vehicle was located heading southbound through Hinton where the Hinton Police Department initiated a pursuit, but lost the vehicle in Sioux City. The vehicle was recovered later that night in South Sioux City, Nebraska, after another pursuit was conducted by the Sioux City
Police Department. The investigation continues, and charges are still pending for the theft. At this time, police officers are withholding the names of the suspect or suspects.
Chamber Of Commerce To Offer “Shop Where I Live”
(Le Mars) — Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, many local businesses were forced to close, but now they are being encouraged to look at opportunities to conduct business through on-line efforts. The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Northwest Iowa Development to
assist businesses getting started at offering their goods and services through an on-line platform. The program is entitled: “Shop where I live” and Neal Adler, the executive director with the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce explains the purpose of the program.
Adler says more and more purchases are being made on-line, and this program is designed to better assist businesses wanting to expand their commerce opportunities.
The chamber executive says a webinar will be featured to better assist people on the suggested way to present their goods and services on-line.
Adler reminds businesses the project encompasses four northwest Iowa counties, along with Le Mars, so up to 400 businesses may be featured on the marketplace website. The fee is waived for members of the Le Mars Chamber of
Commerce and only $35 for non-members. For additional information, businesses can contact the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce offices.
Public Health Officials Spell Out Restrictions For Restaurants To Open
(Des Moines) — On Monday, Governor Reynolds had announced opening businesses in 77 of Iowa counties. Today, during her daily briefing, Reynolds, along with officials from the Iowa Department of Public Health, offered some additional clarification about which businesses can open, and the requirements they must follow. Iowa Department of Public Health Deputy
Director Sarah Reisetter spelled out the guidelines for restaurants must follow for re-opening.
Reisetter says the measures are in place to protect employees at the opening restaurants, as well as the customers. She says restaurants will need to focus on a ritual of deep cleaning on a frequent basis.
The public health official offered additional provisions that employees of restaurants must follow.
Reisetter also gave some advice for Iowa’s many farmer’s markets, their vendors, and customers.
Reisetter had some suggestions for other businesses that intend to open on May 1st.
Laid-Off Employees Who Don’t Return to Work Will Lose Unemployment Benefits
(Des Moines, IA) — State officials say Iowans laid off due to COVID-19 who refuse to return to work will lose their unemployment benefits. Governor Kim Reynolds is allowing restaurants, bars, fitness centers, and retails stores
in 77 counties to re-open Friday at 50 percent of operating capacity.
Workers who have tested positive for coronavirus or have a diagnosed family member, and those without child care are still eligible for unemployment.
Refusing to return to work is considered a “voluntary quit” and would disqualify a claimant from receive the 600-dollar federal payment. Those recalled on a part-time basis may continue to receive some benefits. Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says the additional unemployment
payments under the CARES Act are meant to be temporary.
Sioux City Area Mayors Want More Information About COVID Cases
(Sioux City, IA) — The mayors of five cities in the Sioux City area are asking local public health agencies and state officials in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota to reveal more information about COVID-19 cases. The mayors of Sioux City, Iowa; Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; South Sioux City, Nebraska; North
Sioux City, South Dakota and Dakota City, Nebraska said in a letter to, “provide more comprehensive reporting data to include the specific locations where any outbreak or spread has occurred.” Local public health officials have refused to say whether a recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the region is
linked to a meat packing plant in Dakota City, Nebraska. It’s the largest employer in the Sioux City metro area. The letter from the five mayors directly asks any area business to publicly reveal if there’s been an outbreak of the virus among employees.
1-Year Annivesary of Shooting Death of UNI Softball Player Rettinger
(Waterloo, IA) — A 58-thousand dollar reward is offered for information about the shooting of former U-N-I softball player Micalla Rettinger one year after her death. Rettinger was driving between Waterloo and Cedar Falls on Highway 218 when she was shot and killed early on April 28th, 2019. A bullet came through the driver’s side window of her car and Rettinger was able to pull off on the nearby Greenhill exit where she later died. The bullet also injured her boyfriend, Adam Kimball. No arrests have been made in the case.
Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers and the Waterloo Police Department are offering the reward.
