Home News Friday Afternoon News, June 5th

Friday Afternoon News, June 5th

Remsen Residents Will Be Without Power For A Short While Friday Evening

(Remsen) — The Remsen city clerk wants to remind Remsen residents that the town will be without power this evening, Friday, June 5th starting at around 6:00 p.m. City officials anticipate the loss of power will last between 15 and 30 minutes. If you have questions, you are urged to contact the Remsen
city hall offices.

 

 

Descendants Of Luxemborg Were To Celebrate Lux Fest This Weekend

(Remsen) — It was 150 years ago, back in 1870, when settlers from the small European nation of Luxembourg traveled to the United States and established their new home in northwest Iowa. Specifically the region extending from Remsen to Marcus and going north to include Alton, Granville, and Hospers became known as “Little Luxembourg”.  If not for the COVID-19
virus, people with Luxembourg heritage were prepared to celebrate this weekend with “Lux Fest”. However, the celebration was cancelled and will have to be rescheduled for another time. Ethel Heidesch of Remsen says everyone was looking forward to the celebration, and she explains what was originally
planned for the weekend events.

Another highlight, according to Heidesch was to be a visit from Gaston Stronck, the Luxembourg Ambassador to the United States.   Heidesch explains Peter Gehlen, of whom Gehlen Catholic school in Le Mars is named after, was one of the first from Luxembourg to come to this area. She
tells why the early Luxembourg settlers chose this area of northwest Iowa to establish as their new homes.

Still, today, there are several familiar names that are descendants from the early settlers with the Luxembourg heritage that reside in the area. Names such as Kass, Arens, Konz, and Heinrich can all be located within the region.

Luxembourg is a tiny nation tucked in between France, Germany, and Belgium, and is only about 990 square miles, or perhaps as large as Plymouth and half of Sioux Counties together.

Heidesch says Luxembourg has been over-run by each of its neighbors throughout the course of history, but was still able to keep its identity and language, though German and French are often spoken. As for when will the “Lux Fest” be
scheduled? Heidesch says officials are hoping they can celebrate next year.

 

 

State Officials Are Working With Long-Term Nursing Care Facilities To Again Allow Visitors

(Des Moines) — During Thursday’s daily COVID-19 briefing, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced that state public health officials are looking at ways to ease restrictions for long-term care facilities, and again allow for families and friends to visit their loved-ones.

State Public Health Medical Director, Dr. Caitlin Pedati, says residents of long-term care facilities may be older, or with underlying health conditions, and they are the most vulnerable to any diseases, not just COVID-19, especially since they live in a close setting. She says a new guidance system will be put in place to help people better determine the spread of coronavirus within a county and community, and to better assist long-term
care facilities on whether they can begin to allow visitors within their facilities.

Pedati says the public health department will continue to support and reinforce practices such as screening for symptoms, using appropriate personal protection equipment when needed, and grouping patients together when needed. Pedati says testing conducted at long-term care facilities will continue to be an important part of combating the spread of COVID-19.

Pedati says the state public health department will be working with long-term nursing care facilities in much the same manner as they do with hospitals across the state with influenza cases.

Pedati says the Iowa Department of Public Health hopes to implement the new plan within the next few days.

 

 

Legislative Leaders Ready To Address Police Brutality Issues

(Des Moines, IA) — The two top Republicans in the Iowa legislature say they’re preparing legislation to respond to the death of George Floyd and protesters asking for racial justice. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, a Republican from Ankeny says the voices of protesters have been heard and he has had conversations with the house speaker and the governor about taking a very positive step forward. Whitver says they will look at incorporating proposal Democratic lawmakers made Thursday — including banning most police chokeholds, making it illegal to hire officers with a record of serious misconduct and ensuring the attorney general can investigate police actions.
Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley says he met privately on Wednesday with the Democratic Leader of the House and an African American state representative from Des Moines to discuss positive actions the legislature might take now.

 

 

Lawmakers Ban Use Of Credit Cards For Sports Betting

(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa legislature has voted to forbid the use of credit cards for wagering on sporting events through Iowa-based casinos.
Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines says with a credit card, you can run a debt that can’t possibly be paid. He says the legislature never did legalize using credit cards to gamble — but it got to be interpreted that way by fantasy sports that they have been using credit cards that it was legal. The state has a ban on using credit cards for buying lottery tickets.

 

 

Man Charged In Waterloo Bowling Alley Fire

(Waterloo, IA) — Police have filed multiple charges in connection with a February 4th fire that heavily damaged a Waterloo bowling alley.
Investigators believe 29-year-old Kevin Cruz Soliveras was one of several people who forced their way into Maple Lanes Bowling Center and set the fire after stealing money from vending machines, video games, and an ATM. Police say an overnight maintenance worker was also robbed of his wallet. Cruz is
charged with first-degree arson, second-degree robbery, and second-degree burglary. He’s also facing charges linked to other recent crimes in Waterloo, including a March 5th robbery and fire at the popular Wishbone Restaurant and Bar and the attempted robbery of an armored car outside a bank on March 11th,
where one robber was shot and killed.

 

 

Storms With High Winds Leave Thousands Without Power

(Undated)— Thousands of Iowa homes lost power early this (Friday) morning as a strong band of storms swept across the state, packing near-hurricane- strength winds that toppled tree limbs and utility poles. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brad Small says there were no reports of injuries but many Iowa communities have messes to clean up. He says they had winds in central Iowa reports at 60 to 70 miles-an-hour. There are scattered reports of tree damage in multiple counties. Small says it was all from straight-line winds, no tornadoes. There were no reports of anyone being injured.