Home News Monday Afternoon News, March 23rd

Monday Afternoon News, March 23rd

Le Mars Residents “Scoop the Loop” Sunday Afternoon To Break The Boredom Associated With The Isolation Of Coronavirus

(Le Mars) — As a way to combat the boredom of being isolated during this time of heighten awareness of the COVID-19 coronavirus, several Le Mars people got in their vehicles Sunday afternoon and “scooped the loop” of Central Avenue. More than 200 cars, pickups, and even an occasional semi truck were
seen driving on Central Avenue, (the city’s main street). The vehicles were traveling back and forth a distance of about five blocks heading north and then making a U-turn turning around at the tear drop and going south through the downtown area.  The activity lasted for nearly two hours.  One individual participating in the driving caravan says it reminded him of the days when he was in high school, looking for possible
dates. The people were notified of the activity through social media.

(drone photo contributed.)

 

 

Iowa Now Has 105 Reported Cases Of COVID-19

(Des Moines) — The Iowa Department of Public Health has again updated its numbers this morning for cases testing positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
15 more positive cases have been reported, pushing the number past 100 cases across the state, with the latest information confirming coronavirus at Woodbury and Sioux counties. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office said Monday the confirmed total has hit 105. Authorities are cutting the number of inmates in Iowa’s prisons and jails amid the increasing number COVID-19 cases.
Officials say that COVID-19 has yet to be confirmed in any Iowa prison or jail. But an ACLU spokeswoman says it poses a particular menace to the overcrowded facilities, where there’s no ability to maintain social distance.
The Iowa Corrections Department is expediting placement of about 700 prisoners who are approved for parole or work release. Over the weekend, Iowa health officials had confirmed 22 new coronavirus cases in the state, raising the number to 90 cases, now after this morning’s new announcement,
Iowa has confirmed 105 cases testing positive for COVID-19, coronavirus. A second individual between the ages of 41-60 years living in Woodbury County has tested positive of the virus. For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Now 25 of Iowa’s 99 counties have a positive case of coronavirus. Johnson county, or Iowa City has the most reported cases at 35, followed by Polk County at 12, Allamakee, Dubuque, Linn, and Dallas Counties reporting six cases. Black Hawk (Waterloo), Tama, Harrison, Muscatine, Washington Counties with three cases each. Hancock,
Cerro Gordo, Woodbury, and Pottawattami Counties with two confirmed cases, and Kossuth, Winneshiek, Fayette, Carroll, Story, Poweshiek, Scott, Adair, Henry and Sioux Counties reporting one case of the coronavirus.

 

 

Chamber Ag Luncheon Is Cancelled

(Le Mars) — With the growing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, it is unreasonable for the Chamber to predict when the Ag Luncheon might be rescheduled. As such, the Ag Committee believes the appropriate thing to do
is cancel the event originally scheduled for March 24th. The Chamber will continue to monitor information provided by various health organizations, and will consider scheduling a new event if appropriate. The scholarship and award presentations will be presented at a time to be announced.
All sponsorships paid in advance will be reimbursed. All tickets
individually purchased may be brought to the Chamber office for a complete refund. The Chamber wishes to thank everyone for their continued support of the ongoing Ag Education programs and the Ag Division of the Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

Le Mars Community School To Distribute Meals To Children

(Le Mars) — Beginning Wednesday, March 25th, the Le Mars Community School District will begin offering free Grab ‘n Go meals for Le Mars children 18 years of age and younger.  Meals will be provided Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. each day at the following two pick-up locations:

Clark Elementary – 201 2nd Avenue NW, LeMars (south side loading dock)

LCS High School – 921 3rd Avenue SW, LeMars (west side loading dock – Door E)

The district is not able to provide other locations due to federal guidelines.  Meals may be pre-ordered via the district website. Per USDA regulations, children must be present for the meals to be provided. If driving, please stay in the car and meals will be passed through to the driver based upon the number of children in the car.

These nutritionally balanced meals will be prepared in the Le Mars Community Schools facilities by ServSafe Certified Food and Nutrition Services staff and offered to all children 18 years of age and younger regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin. Children are not required to be enrolled at Le Mars Community Schools to be eligible for this service.

 

 

Sioux Center Police Identify Suspect From Chase Resulting In Vehicle Penetrating House

(Sioux Center) — Sioux Center Police have identified the suspect involved with a hit-and-run accident that resulted in a police chase and ending with the suspect’s vehicle going through a residence. The accident happened last Wednesday evening at about 10:30 p.m. The man has been identified as Semon
Lionardo Lopez Lopez, 23, of Sioux Center.
He was transported to Sioux Center Health and then transported to Avera in Sioux Falls.
Charges are pending further investigation.

(photo contributed.)

 

 

Journalist Dean Borg Passes Away

(Des Moines) — A long-time, well-known Iowa journalist has died. Dean Borg was host and moderator of the weekly “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S for more than four decades.


Borg retired from the program in 2017.

Borg’s comments come from a retrospective aired on Iowa P-B-S just over three years ago. Radio Iowa news director O. Kay Henderson has shared these memories of Borg with Iowa Public Radio, where Borg did part-time work for the past two decades.

On “Iowa Press,” Borg was known for questioning state politicians, presidential candidates and other newsmakers. He interviewed every president from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama.

Borg, who was 81, died of complications of pancreatic cancer. Borg grew up in Forest City and was the first member of his family to attend college. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in journalism, served in the Air Force, worked for the Defense Department and was a war correspondent in Vietnam. Borg returned to Iowa and was a reporter for W-M-T television in Cedar Rapids. He helped launch “Iowa Press” on public television in 1971.
Dean and his wife, Sheila, have been long-time residents of Mount Vernon.  Borg is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren. The Borg family will hold private funeral services due to coronavirus pandemic precautions. A memorial service may be scheduled later in the year. The family has suggested memorial donations may be made to the Mount Vernon Schools Foundation to fund an annual scholarship for a high school graduate or to the Iowa PBS Foundation to fund an annual internship for a college student pursuing a degree in journalism.
……….

(photo contributed.)

 

 

Iowa Battery Manufacturer Fined By OSHA

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a battery manufacturer in eastern Iowa has been fined $42,000 for workplace safety violations. The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration says Exide Technologies was cited for five different violations and originally faced a penalty of more
than $70,000. The Manchester-based business later reached a settlement with the department to pay $42,000. Company officials have not responded to requests for comment. The Telegraph Herald reports that safety inspectors said company officials exposed employees to a “potential racking system
collapse,” exposed two employees to “airborne contaminants” and exposed employees to various hazards.

 

 

Winnebago Industries To Stop Production

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa-based recreational vehicle and boat manufacturer Winnebago Industries says it is ceasing production to protect workers from coronavirus exposure and adjust production as demand for the company’s products is rapidly changing. The company, which employees about 5,000 people, makes motor homes, travel trailers and boats under the Winnebago, Grand Design, Newmar and Chris-Craft brands. The Forest City, Iowa-based company has production facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, Minnesota and Florida. The company says remote retail support for dealers, along with technical care, warranty administration and parts fulfillment activities, will continue. Production will stop this week and remain idle through April 12, The company will provide base pay and benefits for two weeks.