U-S Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Visits Dordt University
(Sioux Center) — U-S Secretary of Education Betsy De Vos visited Dordt University Friday afternoon to see how the four-year college has implemented its Pro-Tech program which allows a student to get a two-year degree with incorporating job skills with local employers. The Secretary of Education met with Dordt University officials and spoke with some students enrolled in the Pro-Tech program, then held a round table discussion consisting of various college officials and private company officials. Dordt University president, Eric Hoekstra says he invited the Education Secretary to visit the Sioux Center college some years back. De Vos told reporters that she is impressed with what Dordt University has done to create additional opportunities for students.
Dordt University president Hoekstra says under the Education Secretary’s leadership, several regulations have been lifted, allowing Dordt to transition into the new Pro-Tech program.
Hoekstra then further clarified some of the restrictive regulations and how it applies to religious institutions and education that are not affiliated or owned by a church.
DeVos says she appreciates visiting with an array of educational institutions, like Dordt University, to get a better understanding of the many innovative programs that are being implemented.
Prior to visiting Dordt University, U-S Education Secretary made a stop in Pella.
Gehlen Catholic Raises More Than $50,000 During Jaywalk-a-thon
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic school was able to raise more than $50,000 from yesterday’s Jaywalk-a-thon. Gehlen Catholic’s Development Director Amy Jungers says the Jaywalk-a-thon occurred because the school wasn’t able to conduct other fund raisers.
Jungers says the students exceeded the financial goal that was established.
Jungers says the students dropped off a prayer request or concern inside a transparent cross after completing a lap around the Gehlen Catholic practice track.
Each grade level participated in yesterday’s fund raiser with the walk consisting of a half hour. The event took place throughout the entire day.
Pork Producers Announces “Iowa’s Best Pork Tenderloin”
(Des Moines) — Are you feeling hungry? Would you like to have a taste of Iowa’s Best Breaded Porktenderloin? Then you may need to travel to eastern Iowa to Prairieburg, about 30 miles northeast of Cedar Rapids. As part of the October Pork Month celebration, the Iowa Pork Producers Association has announced the winner of this year’s Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin belongs to the Prairie Moon On Main.
This is the 18th year for the honor of awarding the best pork tenderloin sandwich. Owners Loren and Amy Lacy say they soak tenderloins for 24 to 72 hours in buttermilk, that helps further tenderizes the pork. The never-frozen meat is then dredged through an unseasoned dry, fine cracker meal, and fried to order. Loren Lacy says a good tenderloin is not so much about the breading, but rather the flavor and tenderness of the pork. PrairieMoon has a local grocer cut loins into half-pound slices before twice running each piece through a tenderizer. Amy Lacy says “Iowans take their tenderloin really seriously, so when we found out we ranked in the top 40, I think I cried…we were so excited.”
Iowa Pork Producers received more than 4500 nominations for 390 different establishments. “Birdies, Burgers, and Brews” located at the Hillcrest Golf Club in Graettinger was awarded second place. “Bents Smokehouse and Pub” in Westgate, “The Blind Pig” at Cedar Rapids, and “Sasquatch Jacks Hideaway Barroom Grill” in Waverly rounded out the top five.
Tax Breaks Approved For Businesses in Manly, Norway, Des Moines
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board has awarded state tax breaks to three Iowa-based companies. Grain equipment maker, Sukup Manufacturing, plans to spend four-point-seven million dollars to expand its facility in Manly. The company promises to hire 10 more employees once it’s done. The Frontier Co-op in Norway plans to spend more than seven million dollars to expand its warehouse and hire two dozen people once the project is completed. The company sells organic herbs and spices Electrical Power Products in Des Moines promises to add two more people to its payroll once a five-and-a-half million-dollar expansion is completed.
Mason City Business Pays COVID-19 Fine
(Mason City, IA) — The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division has reached a settlement agreement with “The Sports Page” in Mason City for violations of the governor’s COVID-19 emergency order. The Cerro Gordo County business agreed to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars. I-A-B-D has charged 11 businesses with violating the order for such things as failing to maintain social distancing. Two other businesses have agreed to one-thousand dollar fines — one accepted a two-day suspension of its license — and the other cases are still pending.
Spire Lifted Back Onto Marshal County Courthouse
(Marshalltown, IA) — Workers lifted the spire back on top of the Marshal County Courthouse today (Friday) in Marshalltown. The spire was blown off in the tornado that hit the down back in July of 2018 — and the rebuilding has been underway since then. Many buildings and private homes were damaged in the tornado.
Democratic Congressional Candidate J.D. Scholten Says He Has Visited Each Community Within The Congressional District
(Hinton) — Political candidates are trying to reach potential voters and are working hard campaigning as the time winds down to Election Day. Iowa’s 4th District Democratic candidate J.D. Scholten was in Hinton earlier this week, and explains he has concluded his tour of visiting every community within the district.
Many people are choosing to vote early through an absentee ballot, and Scholten talks about how that affects his campaign.
Scholten says he takes pride in the fact that his campaign has only accepted local contributions.
There are only 17 days left until election day, scheduled for November 3rd.
Governor Reynolds Extends Public Health Emergency Proclamation For Another 30 Days
(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds on Friday signed a proclamation that extends the public health disaster emergency for another 30 days. The proclamation extends all the public health mitigation measures currently in place for businesses and other establishments until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2020. This includes the requirements for bars and restaurants to
ensure six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining or drinking; to ensure all patrons have a seat at a table or bar and consume alcohol or food while seated; and to limit congregating together closer than six feet. Requirements for social distancing, hygiene, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission also remain in place for gyms, casinos, salons, theaters, and other establishments.
The proclamation also extends the suspension of weight limits for
transportation of agricultural supplies and commodities on state highways for the continued fall harvest. And it extends many of the previously issued regulatory relief measures necessary to respond to this public health disaster, including those related to healthcare, professional licensure, educational workforce, and expiration of driver’s licenses.
The proclamation now remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2020.
