Remsen Issues Water Use Restrictions
(Remsen) — Remsen Municipal Utilities has issued a Water Restriction effective Monday, July 22, 2013. There will be absolutely no watering between the hours of 8:00AM-8:00PM. Outside of those hours they are implementing the odd-even rule. Houses with odd numbered street addresses will be allowed to water on odd calendar days and houses with even numbered street addresses will be allowed to water on even calendar days. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice is given. Your cooperation in this restriction is very much appreciated.
Le Mars Says Good Bye To Dr. Tom Duncan
(Le Mars) — Hundreds of people turned out at the Floyd valley Hospital late Tuesday afternoon to say good bye to a community doctor that has been providing health care to Le Mars residents for 29 years. Dr. Tom Duncan is leaving his practice and the town of Le Mars. Dr. Duncan says he was overwhelmed by the turnout at yesterday’s event.
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Duncan says he and his wife are leaving Le Mars to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren.
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Duncan says he has some fond memories of his practice and of the town of Le Mars. He says when he started as a doctor nearly 30 years ago, he hadn’t even heard of the town.
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The family physician says during his tenure, he delivered nearly 1000 babies. He was pleased to be a part of the expansion of the hospital into the Family Practice Clinic, as well as to see the hospital expand its market into Remsen and Marcus. He says Le Mars provided an excellent community atmosphere for his family.
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While many people took the opportunity to say good bye to Dr. Duncan, Floyd Valley Hospital introduced its newest doctor, Dr. Andrew Geha (Gee-ha) to the community.
Relay For Life Scheduled For Friday Evening
(Le Mars) — The annual Plymouth County Relay For Life is scheduled for this Friday with a change of locations. Kari Butcher, the event chair says the popular fund raising campaign for cancer research is coming back to Le Mars.
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Butcher says the Relay For Life is the most widely recognized campaign to draw attention to cancer and its survivors and she tells of its origin.
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In previous Relay For Life events, the Plymouth County chapter has been able to raise at least $38,000. This year, Butcher hopes to meet or exceed that goal. She says individuals and teams are still welcome to participate in Friday’s event.
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Butcher says the Plymouth County Relay For Life will kick off with the opening ceremonies at 7:00 p.m.
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A special feature at any Relay For Life event are the illuminaries that circle the track and are dedicated to family and friends that may have lost their life to cancer.
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The Relay For Life event will continue overnight until 6:00 a.m. For more information, or to participate, contact Kari Butcher at (712) 389-6771.
Sioux City Police Asking Pawn Shops To Go Digital With Transactions
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City police are considering a requirement that all pawn shop transactions be entered into an electronic database, making it quicker and easier for officials to
track down stolen items.
Police say the system would let business owners enter transaction information directly into a computer database that would include photographs of the merchandise and seller. The merchandise would appear on a national database within 24 hours of a sale.
That’s an improvement from the current system, which involves filling out a pink card that’s added into a computer. That can take up to two weeks.
A Texas-based company would provide the services, which would be free to business owners. The department says it’s gathering information to present to the City Council in the fall.
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Iowa Workforce Development Lays Off 30 Staff Members
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state is laying off staffers at the Iowa Workforce Development agency, which provides services to unemployed residents.
In an email sent to agency workers this week, Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert announced 30 staffers would lose their jobs, both union-represented and non-union workers.
Wahlert says in the email that the staff reductions were due to a loss of federal funding.
But Danny Homan – who is president of Iowa Council 61 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees – says Wednesday the state has a budget surplus and should be able to afford the workers. He says the cuts will limit aid for out of work state residents seeking jobs.
Gov. Terry Branstad’s spokesman Tim Albrecht says Branstad remains focused on helping Iowans find jobs.
DCI Agent Loses Job Over Governor’s Speeding SUV
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa investigator who complained about the governor’s speeding vehicle has been fired following a disciplinary review. Special Agent Larry Hedlund of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation tells The Associated Press that he had tensions with his bosses, but “everything changed” after he filed the April 29 complaint about Gov. Terry Branstad’s SUV.
His attorney, Tom Duff, said he will soon file a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination in Polk County. He says Hedlund’s firing is a huge loss for Iowa taxpayers, because — quote — “If
your child turned up missing or your family member was the victim of a crime, you’d want Larry on the case.”
Hedlund learned of his termination Wednesday.
The 25-year veteran initiated an April 26 pursuit of an SUV that zipped past him at 90 mph in northern Iowa. A trooper let the vehicle go after learning it was another trooper who was driving
Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Hedlund complained to superiors April 29 that the incident endangered public safety.
He was placed on leave May 1 pending an investigation of alleged rule violations, including operating his vehicle on a vacation day and being disrespectful during a conference call. A termination document alleges Hedlund was disrespectful toward DCI Director Chari Paulson.
North Liberty Wants New Water Plant
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) – North Liberty wants to build a new water plant and expand its wastewater system ahead of schedule in an effort to meet the demands of its growing population.
Officials say those facilities for the city of 15,500 residents will reach capacity five years sooner than previously projected. Officials anticipate a population of about 18,000 in the next two
to three years.
The city is working with an Ames-based engineering firm. It has initially proposed a $27.2 million, two-phase water plant project with a capacity to serve 36,500 people. It has also proposed updating the city’s wastewater plant at a cost of about $14.3 million.
City officials say the projects will be paid for with revenue bonding options and increased water and sewer rates.
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