Ruhland Named “Employee Of The Month”
(Le Mars) — A Park Place Estates staff member has been nominated as the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce February “Employee of the Month”. Tammy Ruhland has been an RN at Park Place Estates since July of 2012. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant before graduating in 1992 with her RN degree. Ruhland was nominated by her fellow colleagues at Park Place Estates.
Tammy’s love of nursing is obvious. She would much rather spend her time working with our residents than in the office doing paperwork. Her patience and compassion for those she works with is evident. We have had numerous residents on Hospice that have spent their last days with us at Park Place Estates and it takes a special type of person to help not only the resident but also the family go through the end of life process. Tammy is this person.
Tammy is a fair boss. Even though she is the leader she treats everyone like they are equally important. She always listens when staff has a concern for the residents and acts on it. She always lets the staff know she thinks what they have to say is important. She always is complimenting everyone on how well they work as a team.
Tammy always looks out for the best interest of the resident – that they are happy and receive good care. She works together with the staff and treats us like family.Congratulations to Tammy Ruhland, LeMars Area Chamber of Commerce February 2016 Employee of the Month.
Plymouth County Finances Are In Good Shape
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County’s financial situation is in good shape, that according to Jeff Peters of Williams and Company auditing firm. Peters appeared before the county supervisors Tuesday morning to review the county’s finances following a recent audit performed by the Le Mars company.
Listen to
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The supervisors were told by Peters that accounting requirements now include a new category regarding pensions and other benefits as provided to county employees by IPERs. Peters says Iowa and Plymouth County are in a good position to meet the payments of pension holders. The certified public accountant says the issue was brought to light when other states or municipalities are unable to meet the obligations of funding pension benefits.
Supervisors Approve Land Sale To South Dakota DOT
(Le Mars) — In other action taken by the county supervisors, the supervisors approved an easement agreement with the South Dakota Department of Transportation regarding land adjacent to the Big Sioux River near Akron. A total of 14.23 acres will be sold to the South Dakota Department of Transportation for the amount of $135,000. Plymouth County will still have access to the land in order maintain the drainage area. The purpose behind the agreement is so the South Dakota DOT can abide by federal regulations requiring entities to replenish or replace lost wetlands.
Supervisors Approve Sheriff’s Employees Contract
(Le Mars) — The county governing board also gave approval to a new three-year collective bargaining contract with employees of the Sheriff’s office. That contract agreement, covers sheriff’s deputies, correction officers and communication personnel. Salary and benefits are based upon the employee’s job, rank, as well as their longevity time with the Sheriff’s Department. Kurt Hatting, Director of the County Communications Division, and representative negotiator for the Sheriff’s Employees made the comment that it is a fair agreement.
Listen to
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Supervisors Approve Banks For County Funds To Be Deposited
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved the list of local financial institutions to serve as the depositories for Plymouth County funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of the Iowa Code. Plymouth County Treasurer Shelly Sitzmann has been authorized by the county board to deposit in amounts not to exceed the maximum approved for each respective financial institution as set.
Northwest Bank $18 million
Primebank $18 million
American Bank $15 million
Iowa State Bank $10 million
Kingsley State Bank $10 million
IPAIT $ 2 million
People’s Bank $ 2 million
Iowa Prairie Bank $ 2 million
Northwest Iowa Credit Union $ 500,000
Wells Enterprises To Unveil New Logo At Chamber Coffee
(Le Mars) — Officials with Wells Enterprises intend to unveil their new Blue Bunny logo during this morning’s Le Mars Chamber of Commerce coffee. The chamber coffee will be held at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and will begin at 9:30 a.m. The logo looks like a cursive letter “B” with bunny ears and a cottontail, and of course is in the color of blue.
Legislators Introduce Bill That Would Allow Iowa To Dispense Medical Marijuana
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Some Republican House lawmakers are supporting legislation that would create a system for manufacturing, distributing and possessing some forms of medical marijuana in Iowa, though it’s unclear what type of support the bill will get from party leaders.
The bill would expand the state’s current law on medical marijuana, which allows some epilepsy patients to use cannabis oil. The new legislation would expand it to include more products and patients, though it would prohibit the smoking of medical marijuana.
Rep. Peter Cownie, chairman of the House Commerce Committee, discussed the bill during a press conference Tuesday while surrounded by a handful of Republican lawmakers. The West Des Moines Republican was vague when asked about the bill’s support within his caucus. He asked lawmakers to keep an open mind.
Lawmakers Propose Raising Speed Limits On Rural Roads
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa lawmakers have advanced bills that would raise the speed limit on rural roads despite warnings that the change could lead to more fatal crashes.
A three-person subcommittee approved two bills Monday that would raise the speed limit on rural, two-lane roads. One bill would increase the speed limit from 55 mph to 60, and another would bump it up to 65 mph.
The bills now go to the full Transportation Committee.
Steve Gent, with the Iowa Department of Transportation, cautioned that increased speed limits are linked to a higher number of fatal crashes. He also noted it would cost roughly $5 million to implement changes including new mileage signs and road markings.
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