Dorr Named Firefighter of the Year
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department held its annual awards banquet on Saturday evening. The Le Mars Fire Department honored Nick Dorr as its Fire Fighter of the Year, and also recognized the efforts of retiring fire fighters, Wayne Schipper and Kim Wiltman.
Chamber Plans Next Cash Mob
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce is planning on holding Cash Mobs again this year. The first Cash Mob will be held on Thursday, April 25 in Le Mars. The first targeted businesses will be current Chamber members, retail businesses located downtown.
The Le Mars Chamber held four “Cash Mobs,” in 2012. Similar to flash mobs, Cash Mobs organize customers to spend money at locally owned businesses to help support the independent retailer.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun. Meet in front of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, 50 Central Ave SE, at 12:15pm Thursday, April 25. Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff will draw one retail store name out of the qualified downtown businesses, and we’ll mob that store.
Each person participating in the mob guarantees to spend $20 in the selected store.
Have some fun, meet new people and help support downtown retail businesses.
School Foundation Awards Banquet Set For Tuesday
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education and the Le Mars Community School District Foundation are co-sponsoring the annual foundation banquet scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Le Mars Convention Center. The event will be held at the Lower Level beginning at 6:30 p.m. The banquet will honor this year’s “Teacher of the Year”, Jayne Willer, a Kindergarten Teacher at the Kluckholn Elementary School. Recognition of the school district’s employees of the month, district employees with 25 years of service, and the top five percent of the senior class. New this year will be the presentation of the first “Distinguished Alumni” award.
Death Rates Higher At Rural Hospitals
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A new study says the death rates in small rural hospitals are worse than at most hospitals.
The study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association notes that the death rate in remote hospitals got worse between 2002 and 2010.
The death rate at other hospitals improved over that same time period.
Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas and Kansas are the states with the most critical-access hospitals.
Nebraska has 65 of the smaller, rural hospitals that qualify for special treatment from Medicare because they provide critical access to care.
The study’s lead author, Doctor Karen Joynt, says it may be harder for rural hospitals to afford the latest technology and advancements that are helping other hospitals.
Branstad Says Economic Development Program Helping Businesses
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says a state economic development fund is helping boost technology startup firms in Iowa.
Branstad on Monday released a study on the activities of the Demonstration Fund, which is managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The fund was started in 2007 and offers
funding to help grow manufacturing, science and information technology firms.
The study says that between 2007 and 2012 the fund has provided about $13 million to 101 firms still in existence. The 79 firms that responded to surveys for the report said they had added about
600 jobs and grown revenue.
Branstad calls the results “impressive” and says Iowa must continue to “grow its own high tech information companies.”
Iowa’s GOP Party In Disarray
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republicans in Iowa had looked forward to capturing a U.S. Senate seat after their longtime Democratic nemesis, Tom Harkin, announced in January that he was retiring. But
months later, the GOP is no closer to naming a top-tier candidate to run next year.
One popular option, Congressman Tom Latham, has decided not to seek the post. Another congressman, Steve King, is considering the possibility, but some believe he is too conservative and outspoken to win. Two other lesser known officials are also thinking of running.
The Iowa GOP has been another reflection of the national party’s confusion after its presidential election defeat. In addition to the uncertainty about the Senate race, supporters of libertarian
Ron Paul are clashing with mainstream Republican leaders over the state party’s direction.
