(LE MARS) The Royal 3 Theater in Downtown LeMars should be opening in the next few months. The roof is fixed, the equipment is ordered, the design layout is ready to go AND you can even buy gift cards in time for the holidays.
Eric Hilsabeck is waiting to take posession of the building. He explains why it’s taking so long.
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He feels confident they will take posession by the end of the month and once they do Hilsabeck is confident that they can completely renovate the theater in 45-60 days.
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Hilsabeck adds that the one thing that won’t happen is stadium seating.
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The total number of seats in all 3 theaters will be 360.
Movies will be first run at the renovated Royal 3, and all projectors in the theaters will be digital, with 3-D capabilities. Tickets will be at least 50 cents less than other theaters, but Hilsabeck says prices won’t be concrete until all contracts are done with the theater companies.
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Gift cards are currently available for sale at the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce during regular business hours, and also at the Riviera Theater in downtown Sioux City. Gift Cards can be used at the LeMars theater, once it opens, and at the Riviera.
Stray Dogs in Plymouth County will go to Siouxland Humane Society
(Le Mars) The Le Mars Vet Clinic no longer has the capacity to take care of the stray and unwanted dogs called in to the County Sheriffs Department. Sheriff Mike VanOtterloo told the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that after contacting other vet clinics in the county, he couldn’t find a place that has the capability to take in the unwanted animals.
VanOtterloo explains the county’s current process of handling stray dogs.
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The when the dog is not claimed or adopted out, the county pays to put the dog down, which costs about $85-$90 per shot. The annual amount spent by the county on the services now is between 2-3 thousand dollars.
According to VanOtterloo, The Siouxland Humane Society does have the capacity to take them in. He says they would charge the county $37 per dog for 3 days room and board, and nothing if the dog needed to be put down. The overall savings to the county would be about $50 per dog.
VanOtterloo says the inconvenience with that plan is that the dogs will have to be taken to Sioux City.
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He added that if a dog is dangerous, it will be able to stay in county.
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The Sheriff recommended that the county board approve the the request to have stray dogs go to The Siouxland Humane Society. The board approved the recommendation, pending legal approval.
Year End Medicare News
(LE MARS) A variety of changes await Iowans regarding Medicare in 2011. Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program has a few recommendations for those who are on Medicare.
Everyone should compare Medicare drug plans for 2011 because plan changes include a difference in the drugs covered, premiums, deductibles and co-payments.
There’s good news for anyone who hits the Part D coverage gap in 2011. Health reform included a provision, which starts closing the gap next year. Brand name drugs will have a 50 percent discount in the gap and generic drugs will get a 7 percent discount.
Starting in 2011, the Medicare Advantage “open” enrollment period is being replaced with a “disenrollment” period. From January 1-February 14 you can disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you make this change you can also enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. If you want a Medicare Advantage plan for 2011, it is important that you enroll in the best plan for your situation by December 31 of this year.
In Plymouth County the Senior Health Insurance Information Program office is sponsored by Floyd Valley Hospital. Michelle TeNaple works for the office, she says that if you’re not sure what your Medicare coverage will be in 2011, the best place to start is by pulling out your statement that came in October. If it doesn’t make sense to you, feel free to call with questions… 712.546.3385
Heating lamp eyed as cause in Lake Mills fire
LAKE MILLS, Iowa (AP) Authorities suspect a heating lamp may have caused the fire near Lake Mills that killed calves and injured four people who were trying to fight the flames.
Lake Mills Fire Chief Dave Anderson told the Mason City Globe Gazette on Thursday that straw caught fire at the J R Livestock building between 2:15 and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. It spread to holding huts that sheltered the calves. He says about a half dozen calves were killed.
Four employees were treated for smoke inhalation suffered when they tried to rescue the calves.
Iowa student had loaded pistol on campus
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) Authorities say police officers arrested a 17-year-old Clear Lake High School student on campus after taking away the loaded pistol he had secreted in one of his coat pockets.
Clear Lake Police Chief Greg Peterson told the Mason City Globe Gazette that the boy’s parents were called to the school Thursday afternoon. They joined officers in confronting the boy, who acknowledged having the .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun.
He was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon on school grounds, which is a felony, and a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. The gun belongs to a relative.
Another student had alerted a paraprofessional about the gun. School officials say the boy had made no threats.
Because of his age, The Associated Press is not using his name.
Cedar Rapids offers recovery aid to home buyers
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Cedar Rapids has thousands of dollars to share with people who want to move back into flood-damaged neighborhoods or are interested in moving into town.
Mayor Ron Corbett says that the deal would be worth upward of $35,000 to income-qualified buyers.
Corbett said Thursday that the incentive is needed to help bring people back to some of the city’s core neighborhoods, which are still recovering from the June 2008 flooding.
The incentives include a 25 percent down payment and a free lot for houses that would range in price from $135,000 to $150,000.
The lots have been acquired by the city as it buys and razes flood-damaged homes.
The down payment aid is funded by federal disaster dollars.
Minorities get most of Iowa City curfew citations
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Statistics from police say minority youths have received more than half the citations and warnings for curfew violations in Iowa City since enforcement began in March.
The statistics say 22 of the 40 contacts made by Iowa City officers through November were with minorities.
The U.S. Census Bureau says Iowa City is more than 85 percent white, although the number is lower among juveniles.
Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine (HAHRG’-uh-dyn) said more than a year ago, when the City Council was considering a curfew, that any such disparities wouldn’t stem from any prejudice by his officers.
Earlier this month Hargadine said “there’s nothing that says the number of juveniles who were out after dark have to be reflective of the population.”
Iowa share of DirecTV settlement will be $185K
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Authorities say Iowa’s share of a settlement with DirecTV will be $185,000.
Iowa Attorney General says the satellite TV company had offered special promotions that contained hidden costs and commitments in the fine print.
Miller says the settlement will help reimburse Iowa customers and force DirecTV to change its practices.
Iowa was among 49 states to share in the total settlement of more than $13 million.
The company says the settlement formalizes improved advertising and customer services that it had already implemented to better serve its customers.
More information is available at 515-281-5926 or 888-777-4590.
Union Pacific opens new $2.4M office in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Union Pacific’s 150 employees in Des Moines are now working in a new office.
The Omaha, Neb.-based railroad recently completed a new $2.4 million office building in Des Moines that replaces several outdated structures.
The new office has nearly 12,000 square feet. It includes offices, a training room that doubles as a storm shelter, an area for train crews to work, locker rooms and a mechanical shop.
A Union Pacific spokesman says the building is designed for safety and good ergonomics. It has no steps and an open floor plan inside that reduces blind corners.
