(LE MARS)–Transitioning a business from one generation to another smoothly and successfully is the focus of upcoming I-S-U Extension Workshops.
I-S-U Extension is offering the business and farm succession workshops to help business and farm families begin conversations and start putting transition plans on paper.
David Baker, farm transition specialist with the Beginning Farmer Center, and John Baker, Beginning Farmer Center administrator and attorney will present the workshops.
They’re scheduled for February 4-5 at the Le Mars Convention Center. Over the two days, participants will review the retirement plan concept and receive information on transfer plans, estate plans and the process for creating a family statement of intention.
The workshop in Le Mars is at the Le Mars Convention Center. Other workshops are planned January 28-29th in Storm Lake and March 2-3 in Sheldon.
Honor Society inducts area students
(SIOUX CITY)–Siouxlanders are new members of Phi Theta Kappa which is an international honor society for two-year college students.
The induction event was hosted by Phi Theta Kappa’s Siouxland chapter.
Those inducted include Leslie Ruiz of Le Mars, John Steen of Merrill, Jon Noteboom of Orange City, Kipp Plank of Remsen, Crystal Robinson of Hinton and Wendellen Biller and Michelle Petersen, both of Cherokee.
Home Health Aide is national winner
(ORANGE CITY)–An Orange City Home Health Care provider is being recognized by Home Health Aide Digest.
Laura Pluim was named Home Health Aide of the Year by the publication.
The digest publication says Pluim has distinguished herself not just as a home health aide who gives outstanding care, but also as an example of lifelong commitment to home care.
Pluim was nominated by her supervisor, Jeanne Jungers, Orange City Home Health and Hospice manager.
Pluim was featured in a “Spirit Profile” of the digest and received a plaque and a cash award for her work.
Tops in care recognition
(SIOUX CITY)–Stroke care provided by a Sioux City health care provider is being recognized by the Joint Commission.
Mercy Medical Center received the certification from the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting group in health care.
Mercy first earned the Joint Commissions’s “Gold Seal of Approval” for advanced stroke care five years ago.
After another on-site review earlier this month, the Joint Commission has now re-certified Mercy as a primary stroke center.
Lab is accredited
(SIOUX CITY)–St. Luke’s Health System’s laboratory is accredited.
The process included inspectors examining St. Luke’s Lab records and quality control procedures for the last two years.
Staff qualifications and lab equipment, facilities, safety and records were also reviewed.
The College of American Pathologists awarded St. Luke’s lab accreditation based on the recent on site inspection
Federal funding sought for Ames health clinic
AMES, Iowa (AP) The Mid-Iowa Quality of Life Alliance is asking the federal government for $650,000 to open a health clinic in Ames that would serve underinsured and uninsured patients.
The Ames Tribune reports that the Alliance worked on the grant with Primary Health Care Inc., which runs similar clinics in Des Moines and Marshalltown.
Primary Health Care director Kelly Huntsman said it would take until August to determine whether the federal Health Resources and Services Administration approves the grant application.
Huntsman said the Mid-Iowa application was among 900 submitted to the government, which has funding to award 350 of them.
The clinic would be located in the Aspen Business Park.
Alliance research shows that about 2,000 patients would use the facility in its first year of operation, amounting to about 6,000 visits.
State Hygienic Laboratory in Coralville now open
CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) The Coralville facility for the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa is open after several delays.
The lab tests for infectious diseases, such as influenza and rabies, and environmental contaminants in the air, water, soil and food, among other functions. Labs in Coralville and Ankeny have a combined 240 employees.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reported that the opening of the $38 million Coralville facility was delayed because of the 2008 flood and rains early in the construction period. UI held a dedication ceremony in May, but the 113,000-square-foot building wasn’t ready to open until now.
Lab director Christopher Atchison said a lingering air-flow problem also caused a delay. Air flow is crucial to establish conditions necessary for the testing performed at the lab.
Man stabbed trying to help woman at truck stop
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) A fight between a man and his sister at a Council Bluffs truck stop resulted in the man going to jail after he allegedly stabbed another man who intervened.
Police said 27-year-old LeRoy Blair attempted to stab his sister as she held her infant son at the Travel Center of America. When 45-year-old Nathan Croghan tried to help Blair’s sister and her son, police said, Blair stabbed him in the abdomen.
The Des Moines Register reported Blair was charged with attempted murder and willful injury.
Croghan’s condition wasn’t known.
E. Iowa fire causes estimated $1.7 mil in damages
MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) A fire at a lumber products store in eastern Iowa has caused an estimated $1.7 million in damage.
Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that firefighters responded to a call at Hutchison Lumber Products in Manchester about 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
Manchester Fire Chief Dennis Meisgeier said the building was engulfed in flames when units arrived.
No injuries were reported, but nine semitrailers were damaged.
The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.
Union OKs contract with Titan Tire in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Members of a local United Steelworkers union have approved a two-year contract with Titan Tire, ending a one-week shutdown at the Des Moines plant.
The Des Moines Register says the 500 members of Local 164 approved the deal on Thursday. Local union chief Mike Mathis says the vote was by a majority, and workers will return to work Sunday night.
The shutdown began when management locked the doors at the plant on Dec. 17 after contract talks failed.
Morry Taylor, chief executive of Titan Tire, said he was pleased with the vote.
The new contract freezes wages at $22 per hour and requires a greater workers contribution to the company’s insurance coverage.
The Des Moines plant makes tires for agricultural equipment. It has about 800 workers.
Gov. Culver says 2010 was good year for Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Gov. Chet Culver is wishing Iowans a happy holiday and a great start to the new year.
In his holiday message, the outgoing governor says the state came out ahead in 2010, “with a growing economy, a fiscally sound government and a healthy recovery from historic natural disasters.”
Culver also offers a special thank-you to the more than 3,100 Iowa soldiers who are deployed overseas and their families.
Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by emailing: klemnews@lemarscomm or by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
