Le Mars Insurance Safety Rating Improves
(Le Mars) — According to a recent study by the Insurance Survey Organization, (ISO) Le Mars now ranks among the top four percent of Iowa communities for being safe as per the public protection classification. The lower the rating, the better for the community in terms of lower insurance premiums. Due to many improvements that were conducted through the years, Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper told the council that Le Mars now has an enviable rating.
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The Le Mars Fire Chief believes the improved insurance rating will lead to lower insurance costs for home-owners, business owners, and the city itself.
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Schipper sees the new improved insurance rating as an economic development tool for the city.
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City Council Grants Hy-Vee Street Improvements
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council approved a request by Hy-Vee officials to grant the supermarket chain the opportunity make improvements on Lincoln Street Southwest in anticipation of the location for the new store. Construction would not begin until 2014 and is expected to be completed by 2015. The council agreed to widen Lincoln Street to provide a left hand turning lane. The city will provide better drainage along Lincoln Street, and the city will extend a sanity sewer line along Lincoln Street. The expected cost of the improvements will be between $100,000 and $125,000 and will be funded through the Le Mars Urban Renewal T-I-F or the Joint T-I-F.
Plymouth County Receives Money From Insurance Company
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County was given a check for nearly $19 thousand dollars from its insurance company on Tuesday. Rob Bixenman of Le Mars, who serves as the county’s insurance agent, presented the check to the County Board of Supervisors.
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A total of 77 Iowa counties make up the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool. Clarence Hoffman, the president of the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool also attended today’s Supervisor meeting. He says the association formed in 1986, mainly because of an insurance carrier that pulled out of the state.
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The supervisors heard from Brian Chamberlain of Warrior Entertainment who shared information regarding the possible casino license in Sioux City. Chamberlain is seeking a letter of support.
Iowa Focusing On Pipeline Safety
SPENCER, Iowa (AP) – A group focused on pipeline safety in Iowa is offering training.
The Iowa Pipeline Association is conducting training scenarios throughout February at various locations around the state. The training sessions began Monday in Spencer, and several more are
scheduled through Feb. 28. The final event will be held in Newton.
The training allows participants to use their emergency response knowledge, including prevention strategies.
Officials say they will discuss basic pipeline safety, leak recognition, hazard awareness and damage prevention.
Legislation To Better Assist Women With Breast Cancer Prevention
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Legislation that would require facilities offering mammograms to also give patients information on breast density will be considered by state lawmakers.
Democratic Rep. Helen Miller of Fort Dodge is the leading sponsor of the bill, which is scheduled for debate by a House subcommittee on Wednesday
Women who have dense breast tissue have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than women with more fatty tissue, and it can be harder for a mammogram to catch a possible tumor.
The advocacy group Are You Dense says five states have established similar laws, including New York, Texas and California. A recent study by the American Cancer Society showed that women
with denser breasts had the same chances of breast cancer survival as patients with less dense breasts.
Warren County Looking At Hosting Casino
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Economic development leaders are exploring the idea of developing a casino in Warren County, which sits just south of Des Moines.
Jason White is executive director of Warren County Economic Development Corp. He says the economic group is talking to industry leaders and surveying residents on whether they would support a
casino in northwest Warren County.
There are casinos in two adjacent counties: Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Polk County and Lakeside Hotel and Casino in Clarke County.
In 2004 Warren County voters rejected a joint casino boat project with Madison and Dallas counties.
Farmers Can Apply For Energy Grants
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Farmers with small to mid-sized operations may apply for grants to incorporate energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy measures into their
farms.
Grants of up to $2,000 are offered through the Farm Energy Working Group at the Center for Energy & Environmental Education which is located at the University of Northern Iowa. The money for
the grant comes from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, a research and education based at center at Iowa State University.
The grant funding can pay for the farmer’s time for installation, administration, and report writing. Grants cannot cover equipment purchases.
Past projects have included a robotic milking machine in Monona, wind and solar projects, and biogas heaters and generators.
The deadline for application is Feb. 28.
