Passing The Medical Gavel
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare medical staff has selected its medical officers for 2017. Dr. Andrew Geha, D.O. of LeMars, was elected president of Floyd Valley Healthcare’s Medical Staff at the December meeting of the medical staff.
Dr. Geha is a family practice physician and practices at Floyd Valley Clinics in LeMars and Marcus. Dr. Geha has been a member of Floyd Valley Healthcare’s medical staff since moving to LeMars in May 2013.
Dr. Geha replaces Dr. Mark Stelzer, who served as the medical staff president in 2015 and 2016. Other officers elected include Dr. Donald Odens, MD as vice president and Dr. Steven Saulsbury, M.D. as secretary.
Dr. Andrew Geha (left) presents a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Mark Stelzer for his service as the president of the Floyd Valley Healthcare medial staff.
Communications Center Releases Year-end Statistics
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Communications Center, as part of the Sheriff’s Office has released the statistics involving the number of calls that came through the call center. There were 5,154 calls to the emergency 9-1-1. The Sheriff’s Office acted on 4,915 complaints. The Communications Center dispatched the county ambulances a total of 1,635 times, and they notified the community fire departments a total of 494 times during 2016. The month of December had the most fire calls, and August saw the most ambulance calls.
Branstad Will Not Ask Legislature For Tax Cuts
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says he doesn’t plan to recommend tax cuts this session, dealing a potential blow to a key priority for the new Republican-majority Legislature.
Branstad says he generally supports tax cuts, but he told reporters Wednesday at the annual Associated Press legislative seminar that immediate tax cuts or other reforms are not sustainable amid the state’s financial climate. The current $7.3 billion state budget has a shortfall of about $100 million. Projections for the next budget year don’t include a surplus.
Republicans have been vocal about changing Iowa’s tax rules when the Iowa Legislature convenes Monday. They haven’t released details but have expressed interest in reducing taxes.
The Republican governor notes the current shortfall will require immediate cuts in state spending, and agencies may lay off employees.
Grassley Wants Trump To Move Quickly On Supreme Court Nominee
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Sen. Charles Grassley says he doesn’t think he’ll be condemned for moving quickly on a Donald Trump nominee for U.S. Supreme Court after refusing last year to hold hearings on President Barack Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland.
Grassley says the opposition expected from Democrats makes it more important that Trump does as promised and selects a nominee who received strong Senate support when named to the federal court.
Grassley, head of the Senate Judiciary committee, declined last year to consider Garland saying voters should have a voice through their choice of president. Grassley easily won re-election after enduring months of criticism as an obstructionist.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in an interview Tuesday that Republicans stole the Supreme Court seat and he expects Democrats to work to keep it vacant.
Glenwood Center Under Investigation For Abuse Of Clients
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Six employees of a southwest Iowa state facility that treats clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities have been fired and six others resigned after state officials investigated complaints of physical and verbal abuse.
Disciplinary action has been taken against five other staff members and one action is pending.
The Iowa Department of Human Services said Wednesday its investigation found seven clients at the Glenwood State Resource Center were physically abused and 13 were subjected to verbal abuse or neglect.
DHS spokeswoman Amy McCoy says no one required medical treatment. Some clients were hit while others were subjected to abusive talk or teasing. Other cases involved aggression among clients and neglect of personal care needs.
McCoy says the agency began investigating in September.
The center provides services for 230 clients.
Former DNR Director Announces Candidacy For Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democrat Rich Leopold, an ecologist and former director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says he plans to run for governor in 2018.
Leopold, who is 52, holds degrees in animal ecology, biology and natural resources technology.
He made his announcement Wednesday in a live Facebook feed sitting next to his wife, Kathleen. They live in Des Moines.
Declaring himself a political outsider tired of divisive partisan politics, he says Iowans deserve a governor who has backbone and character and who will be candid, transparent and fair.
Saying Iowa has “some of the filthiest water in the country,” Leopold criticized politicians for talking about the problem but doing little to fix it.
Leopold served as director of the Iowa DNR under Gov. Chet Culver from 2007 to 2010.
