Home News Friday News, June 5th

Friday News, June 5th

City Releases Cleveland Castle Park Playground Rendition

(Le Mars) — City officials have released the architect’s rendering for the new proposed Cleveland Park Castle playground. City administrator, Jason Vacura says, by intention, the new playground set features many of the familiar structures that were a part of the old playground set.

Vacura says the new castle playground will be accessible for all ages and all abilities. He says the city received several comments and suggestions from community residents as to what the new playground set should look like.

Immediately following the destruction of the old playground set, Vacura says city officials began planning for the new playground. The city administrator says the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation stepped forward to help finance the new project.

Vacura says the city will also help finance a couple of the playground features including a mini zip-line and a playground equipment specifically constructed for handicapped children.

Vacura describes the new Cleveland Park Castle, as well as mentions its various features.

The city administrator says the new playground set is comparable in size to the old structure. The new playground has an area of 10,600 square feet.
Construction is scheduled to begin within the next few weeks. Vacura says it will take approximately five weeks to complete. Vacura says if construction proceeds as scheduled, sometime by mid-August Le Mars will have its new Cleveland Castle Park. Vacura says the public can view the renditions at city hall, and soon at the public library.

 

 

Vacura Discusses Splash Pad And Dog Park

(Le Mars) — Discussions surrounding the new Cleveland Castle Park playground area, also prompted questions about a new restroom facility, and whether the city is still considering installing a possible splash pad, as well as a proposed dog park. City administrator Jason Vacura says those plans are
still being talked about.

As for a proposed splash pad, Vacura says instead of Cleveland Park, the idea is to install a future splash pad at O’Toole Park.

With regards to the proposed community dog park, Vacura says it is tied with the Industrial Park grading project that was approved by the city council this week.

(photos contributed.)

 

 

Iowa Hospitals Are Losing Money Due To COVID-19

(Des Moines) — A new report projects Iowa hospitals could lose one-point-four billion dollars between March and September due to COVID-19. The report found 90-percent of the state’s hospitals operated in the red during March and April, largely due to not being able to perform non-essential procedures.
Marty Guthmiller, C-E-O of the Orange City Area Health System, says even with millions in state and federal support, some rural hospitals will close.


Guthmiller says the CARES Act funding his rural hospital has received so far has only covered operating expenses for 36 days. While much of the financial impact is tied to revenue lost when the state halted non-elective procedures, there are other expenses. UnityPoint Des Moines C-E-O David Stark says his
hospitals are still losing a lot of money due to COVID-19 from doing things like staffing entrances to screen for the virus.

Stark says his hospital is losing revenue as it continues to limit
procedures and set aside beds for COVID-19 patients. The report was done by a Minneapolis accounting firm and was commissioned by the Iowa Hospital Association.

 

 

Democrats Call For Specific Law Changes Linked To Police Brutality

(Des Moines, IA) — A group of Democrats in the Iowa legislature is urging the governor and Republican legislative leaders to immediately pass three items: a ban law enforcement from using chokeholds, giving the state attorney general and county attorneys clear authority to investigate cases of police
misconduct, and a ban on the hiring of police officers with a history of serious misconduct. State Representative Ras Smith of Waterloo, spoke on the steps of the State Capitol Building and said “This is where we turn our outrage into organizing. This is where we turn our organizing into ordinances that make sure that our state, our union are more fair than they’ve ever been.” Smith says no one law will end racism or end the inequities — but says they can begin to respond to the crisis — to bring
justice for George Floyd and work for the day where no Iowan has to live in fear of becoming another hashtag.

 

 

New State Guidelines on Iowa Re-Opening Nursing Homes to Visitors

(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds says state officials are providing new guidelines so nursing homes may re-open to visitors. In early March, long-term care facilities were closed to visitors to reduce the risk that residents would contract COVID-19. Reynolds says this time of separation has been extremely difficult for residents of long-term care facilities and their loved ones. The governor said she’s heard stories of spouses that have been married for over 60 years who have rarely spent a day
apart until these last three months, of sons and daughters who worry they’re missing precious time with an elderly parent. State Medical Director Caitlin Pedati says facilities will get advice from the state on how to handle easing some of the COVID-related restrictions. Doctor Pedati says facilities will be advised to consider virus activity in the area before making changes.

 

 

Reynolds Signs Bill Felon Voting Rights Bill

(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill for a
constitutional amendment that would restore felon voting rights upon the completion their sentences. It would take effect only if voters pass the constitutional amendment. The measure requires full payment of victim restitution before felons can regain their voting rights. Those convicted of homicide, sexual offenses, child endangerment causing death and election misconduct would not have their voting rights automatically restored. They would have to apply to the governor individually. Iowa is the only state in
the nation where all convicted felons lose their right to vote unless they apply to the governor for restoration.

 

 

Iowa Board of Regents Pass Freeze on Fall Semester Tuition

(Urbandale, IA) — Tuition will not be going up on Iowa’s three state-supported universities this fall. The Board of Regents passed a fall semester freeze on tuition on Thursday. The vote came after the board heard from representatives of each school. University of Northern Iowa student body president Elle Boeding (el-EE Boh-ding) thanked the board for the freeze
and asked them to consider extending it through the spring semester. She say the economic impacts of COVID-19 will extend far beyond the fall. Iowa State University student body president Morgan Fritz agrees the students will continue to face issues. She says state lawmakers should also act and make
funding of the regent universities a priority when considering budget cuts through the remainder of their session.