Floyd Valley Apartment Residents Finally Have A Working Elevator
(Le Mars) — After waiting more than four months, the residents of the Floyd Valley Apartments of Le Mars were granted an early Christmas wish on Friday.
The only elevator that serves the five-story facility is once again working.
Back in August, the elevator that serves the 65 residents in the apartment complex had broken down and was not able to be repaired. Floyd Valley Apartments have several elderly and handicapped residents, which made for a great inconvenience when the elevator was not operating. Sue Hatch is the
manager of the apartment complex. She says the residents are excited to again have a working elevator.
The 1921 building is listed on the national historic registry, and at one time served as the Le Mars hospital. Hatch says the Ottis Elevator Company had to rebuild every piece of equipment of the old elevator.
Hatch says the apartment residents are a close-knit community that would take care of each other. She says many of the able-bodied residents and other community volunteers would perform the needed errands for those residents unable to use the five flights of stairway.
Floyd Valley Apartments Resident Larry Schmitz gives a “thumbs up” sign for the working elevator after having to wait four months for repairs.
Snow And Frigid Cold Temperatures Are Expected For The Weekend
(Le Mars) — Get ready for some frigid cold temperatures. Todd Heitkamp, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services says following the snow that is being predicted for Friday and Saturday, people can expect to see the coldest temperatures of the year.
Heitkamp reminds people not to venture outside unless it is absolutely necessary.
Heitkamp doesn’t expect wide-spread blizzard “white-out” conditions, although he says isolated areas may have reduced visibility. Heitkamp says the frigid arctic cold temperatures should only be around for the weekend, and by early next week
the weather will improve.
If Stranded, Stay With Your Vehicle
(Le Mars) — Should you encounter bad weather while driving and become stranded, the advice from the Iowa State Patrol is to stay inside with your vehicle.
Trooper John Farley says motorists should equip themselves with
a survival kit for when they are traveling during the winter months, and especially if you are traveling during winter weather advisories or warnings.
Farley says if you do become stranded, try to describe your location with as much specifics as possible.
Karen Pitts Honored As Le Mars Community School Employee Of The Month
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District honored a Middle School Instructional aide as its December “Employee of the Month”. Karen Pitts has worked with the Le Mars Community school district for the past 20 years. Middle School principal Steve Shanks submitted the nomination of Pitts, saying she is
an incredibly generous person. Karen Pitts has helped many students, not just those with academic help, but also with meals, clothing, and school supplies.
She has a soft heart for kids who are sad, lonely, or in trouble for one thing or another. If you were to find the most needy students in our building, chances are Karen Pitts has found them too, and is helping them in some private way. She is a great employee…hardworking and always putting the needs of the
kids first. We are blessed to have Karen Pitts working at the Le Mars Community Middle School. Our congratulations go to Karen Pitts of the Le Mars Middle School for being honored as this month’s “employee of the month”.
Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Dropped In November
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent in November thanks to holiday hiring and warm fall weather.
Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday that the rate fell from 4.1 percent in October as the number of unemployed residents decreased by 5,400 in November to about 65,000. The number of working residents also fell slightly.
Agency Director Beth Townsend credited holiday hiring and a delay in wintry weather that typically reduces employment.
The November rate is higher than Iowa’s 3.5 percent unemployment rate in November 2015. It remains below the national rate of 4.6 percent.
Davenport School Superintendent Sued By Ed. Dept.
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Education has filed an ethics complaint against Davenport’s school superintendent, saying the district has openly broken the law by using money in a reserve account to pay for ongoing
programming.
The complaint was filed with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners after district officials appeared Tuesday before the state’s School Budget Review Committee. The school
district was asked to appear before the committee because it has spent $1.6 million of its estimated $20 million reserve fund.
Superintendent Art Tate declined to comment on the complaint.
Tate and school board members have cited in the past a funding inequity in the state’s system that allows some districts to spend more money per pupil.
—
