Dave Hill Of Total Motors Honored As Chamber’s “Boss Of The Quarter”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce awarded its latest “Boss of the Quarter” honors Friday morning. Dave Hill of Total Motors was nominated by the employees of Total Motors. In the nomination, it reads: Dave Hill has helped shape what Total Motors is today. Not only through organizational
development, but through actual physical development as well. During the new facility building project, you could find Dave working tirelessly morning and night on making Total Motors what it is today. During these hours you could find him doing a variety of things from operating equipment, shoveling rocks,
sweeping floors, placing ceiling tiles, inspecting work, all while
transitioning to run dealership operations during the working day. His leadership example has never been to sit behind a desk and tell you what he wants done. Instead, his display of leadership has been to lead by example, which he has continued to do since his time with Total Motors. His years of experience and skills has been essential and has helped shape our culture
which has created a pleasant and welcoming experience for our employees and customers. Dave Hill displays selflessness outside of work with the Knights of Columbus, his local church and countless fundraisers and volunteer projects. It is nothing abnormal to see Dave helping someone out by organizing a fundraiser meal and cook for 200 plus people. At times, his
expectations may seem high, only because he is pushing us to become better versions of who we are able to become. Dave is a big reason why Total Motors has been able to grow and become who we are today. Our congratulations go to Dave Hill for being named the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce 3rd Quarter
Boss of the Quarter award.
Sioux County Health Officials Meet With Sioux County Educators
(Sioux Center) — Administrators from the four Sioux County health systems met with leaders from each of the county schools and colleges via a Zoom call on Friday to discuss the current status of the coronavirus outbreak in the region. Sioux County is currently experiencing a COVID-19 “positivity rate” of 30 percent, higher than any other county in Iowa. Positivity is the
percent of people who test positive among those tested for COVID-19.
The meeting was called to provide educators information regarding the status of hospitalizations in the county and the region, and to urge the schools to adopt or continue to maintain measures to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Each of the four Sioux County hospitals – Hawarden Regional Healthcare, Hegg Health Center at Rock Valley, Sioux Center Health, and Orange City Area Health Systems – are currently caring for COVID-positive inpatients. Some of the more acute patients who would typically be transferred to larger hospitals (in Sioux Falls and Sioux City) are being cared for locally due to
a full capacity in those hospitals. In addition, each of the county health systems is experiencing some level of staffing challenges because of employees being quarantined.
While the county health system administrators expressed confidence that the majority of COVID patients can receive the care they need in their local hospitals, they are asking for county schools and colleges to help slow the spread of the virus during this outbreak. The specific “asks” include:
1. Mandate facial coverings/masks at every possible level to help reduce the viral load/spread
2. Maintain recommended physical distancing protocols in all indoor facilities
3. Continue to promote hand hygiene, and measures to sanitize/clean surfaces.
Education leaders were also asked to adhere to public health guidelines, and to set a good example in their communities.
Hospital administrators affirmed that close contact during indoor activities presents the highest risk for spread of the virus. While that has always been the case – and public health guidelines have, for some time, included the use of face masks and social distancing – the current capacity situation in county and regional hospitals calls for a more urgent response.
State epidemiologists have looked at the positivity rate of COVID-19 cases in Sioux County and have not identified a specific source for the outbreak. To help slow “community spread,” healthcare leaders are not only urging schools
to enact measures including masks and physical distancing, but all churches, businesses, residents, and visitors in the county to observe them as well – with the ultimate goal to protect those most vulnerable to becoming ill and requiring hospitalization.
Man Put To Death For Murder Of Oskaloosa Couple
(Terre Haute, IN) — A man convicted of killing an Oskaloosa couple in 1999 was executed Thursday at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. Forty-year-old Christopher Vialva was one of five people involved in the June 1999 kidnapping of Todd and Stacie Bagley. The Bagleys were visiting relatives in
Killeen, Texas. They were held at gunpoint and then forced into the trunk of their car. The kidnappers took them to an isolated area on the Fort Hood military reservation, where Vialva shot Todd and Stacie in the head, then the car was set on fire. A jury convicted Vialva and Brandon Bernard of first-degree murder, carjacking, and conspiracy to commit murder. Bernard’s
execution date has not been set.
Juvenile Charged In Shooting Of Woman In Iowa City
(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa City police say a teen has been referred to the Johnson County Juvenile Court in what turned out to be the accidental shooting of a woman Sunday. The 17-year-old is charged with third-degree burglary and theft, trafficking in stolen weapons, and carrying weapons in connection with the shooting. Police say their investigation found the adult woman was accidentally shot with a handgun that was in the possession of the juvenile. The woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries from the single gunshot.
Juvenile Charged In Shooting Of Woman In Iowa City
(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa City police say a teen has been referred to the Johnson County Juvenile Court in what turned out to be the accidental shooting of a woman Sunday. The 17-year-old is charged with third-degree burglary and theft, trafficking in stolen weapons, and carrying weapons in connection with the shooting. Police say their investigation found the adult woman was accidentally shot with a handgun that was in the possession of the juvenile. The woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries from the single gunshot.
2020 Census Getting Close To End
(Undated) — Those who haven’t yet filled out a 2020 U-S Census form are being encouraged to do it now. State Data Center coordinator Gary Krob says the Census Bureau will only be collecting information through next Wednesday, September 30th. Krob says around 70 percent of Iowans have already responded. The Census Bureau is actually going door-to-door to all of who haven’t responded — trying to get their information. It’s still possible to respond either online or on the phone.
Fall Leaf Colors Starting To Show
(Undated) — Iowa’s leaves are starting to change color for the annual display of the changing of the seasons. Iowa D-N-R forester, Joe Herring, says the autumn colors are already showing up in northern Iowa. The color peak is usually in mid-October but Herring says it could vary by a week or so on either side. He says the derecho caused widespread tree damage in Iowa last month, and the drought that’s lasted much of the year has put a strain on trees. Herring says there are also several common leaf diseases that can also impact this year’s color show.
