Home News Wednesday News, April 1st

Wednesday News, April 1st

Firefighters Battle Field Fire

(Le Mars) — Strong winds of nearly 20 mph from the southeast caused a controlled fire to quickly become out of control and swept across a field burning approximately 20 acres. The fire was reported at about 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters from Le Mars, Merrill, and Akron used their pickup grass rigs along with two tankers, scrambling across the harvested corn field and surrounding the blaze to keep the fire from spreading. The fire started about eight miles west of Le Mars, at 24221
190th Street, and was soon burning diagonally across the field until it reached Hedge Avenue, burning the ditch area for a distance of nearly a half a mile. Firefighters were on the scene for nearly an hour before being able to contain and control the flames.

 

 

Iowa COVID-19 Cases Closes In On 500 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa public health officials say coronavirus cases have increased by 73 to a total statewide of 497 due to surging numbers in populous counties in central and eastern Iowa. One additional death was reported, a Muscatine County resident between 41 and 60 years old. Seven
people in Iowa have died of the disease caused by the coronavirus. The virus is now present in 57 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Case counts have been growing fastest in Linn County in eastern Iowa, where an additional 19 cases were reported Tuesday for a total of 90. Polk County posted an increase of 15
cases in all age groups to 76.

 

 

County Health Director Believes Plymouth County Will Get Coronavirus

(Le Mars) — More than half of Iowa counties are reporting having at least one confirmed case of the coronavirus. However, Plymouth County, as of Tuesday, has not had a case of COVID-19 coronavirus reported, but Plymouth County Community Health Director Tara Geddes believes that within time,
Plymouth County perhaps will see its first positive testing case.

Geddes says with each passing day, health officials are learning more about the virus.

The Plymouth County Community Health Director says one reason for the virus to be affecting so many people living in urban-based areas is because of the density of the population. Geddes says public health officials are predicting the peak of the virus may occur within the next couple of weeks for Iowa, but she says it still has the possibility of returning.

Many people are wondering if they do get infected with the virus, and make a full recovery, would they be immuned to being infected a second time of having the COVID-19 virus?

There are various different types of coronaviruses. The Plymouth County Public Health official says researchers are trying to learn if this strain of virus have any similarities to other types of viruses that we have been able to combat.

Geddes emphasizes for people to remain separated and isolated from others.

 

 

Senior Life Solutions Partners With Floyd Valley Healthcare

(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare is pleased to announce a partnership with Senior Life Solutions. Floyd Valley Senior Life Solutions will be located in the lower level of Floyd Valley Healthcare. The program has been delayed due to necessary precautions that are being taken to keep patients, visitors and
the community safe from COVID-19. The program will begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Program Director, Lori Johnson explains the purpose behind Senior Life Solutions.

Floyd Valley Senior Life Solutions wants the public to know that during this time they are available to assist seniors who are struggling with isolation, loneliness, grief, anxiety or depression. Johnson says she expects the services to be busy with seniors having anxiety with COVID-19 coronavirus.

The office is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with licensed nurses and a mental health therapist. The staff is available to make phone calls to check in on
area seniors, and be a resource for them in the community. Johnson talks about the staff of Senior Life Solutions.

If you’re concerned about a family member, neighbor, church member or you yourself need assistance, please contact Senior Life Solutions at (712) 546-3700.

 

 

Jeneary Understands Why Iowa Hasn’t Issued “Shelter-In-Place” Order

(Le Mars) — Neighboring states of Illinois and Minnesota have issued a “Stay-in-Place” or “Shelter-in Place” order due to the spread of the coronavirus, and many Iowans are wondering if Governor Reynolds should also issue such an order? State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says he appreciates the work Governor Reynolds is doing with regards to the virus,
and he understands the reasons why the governor has not taken the additional action to prevent the spread of the virus.

Jeneary says other reasons is because of Iowa’s position with food production.

Another reason, according to Jeneary, is our manufacturing industry.

 

 

Local Banks Show Appreciation To Floyd Valley Healthcare Officials

(Le Mars) — During these unusual times, people are being asked to step up and help their neighbor. Health professionals are seeking assistance as they are running short on supplies such as medical gloves, gowns, and masks.
Primebank wanted to set an example that others can follow by donating a box of face shields to Floyd Valley Healthcare. President Josh Kovarna presented the box of face shields to Floyd Valley officials Tuesday afternoon.
Kovarna says Primebank believes it is very important to provide personal protective equipment to our area health professionals. He says, “Knowing that face shields are items in need we felt an obligation to provide that equipment to help protect our health care workers who are doing their best to keep all of us healthy during this trying time.”
Last week, American Bank and Perspective Insurance of Le Mars presented 390 gift certificates from local pizza restaurants to Floyd Valley personnel, as a way to show their appreciation for the work of health care professionals, and as a way to encourage Floyd Valley staff to help keep local restaurants active during this time of shut down. American Bank president, Micah Lang
says, “In addition to helping the employees of Floyd Valley Healthcare we also wanted to support our local businesses in town and show them our appreciation and that we are all in this together.”

 

 

Judge Orders Juvenile Detention Center To No Longer Use Restraining Devices

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A federal judge has ordered an Iowa state home for male juvenile offenders to stop the use of a physical restraining device and to reform its use of isolation as a form of punishment. The Des Moines Register reports that the ruling Monday came in a class-action lawsuit filed against the Boys State Training School in Eldora in 2017 by two advocacy
groups. At issue is the use of an immobilizing device called “the wrap” on boys at the facility – nearly five hours at a time, in some cases – and boys as young as 14 routinely forced into isolation for weeks at a time.

 

 

FDA Relaxes Rules For Type Of Alcohol To Be Used For Sanitizers

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Food and Drug Administration has relaxed regulations on the types of alcohol that can be used for hand sanitizer during a shortage caused by high demand from the coronavirus pandemic. The move late Friday expands the potential for alcohol made by ethanol producers to be used to help fill the need of hospitals and nursing homes. With the
relaxation of regulations an industry trade group says as many as 20 plants have arranged to make alcohol and more are expected to join in soon.

 

 

Judge To Hear Testimony About Reynolds Ruling

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa judge has set a hearing for Wednesday to consider whether to block an order by Gov. Kim Reynolds halting abortions in the state. State district court Judge Andrew Chappell signed an order Monday setting the telephone hearing to consider arguments by abortion providers and
the Iowa attorney general’s office, which is representing Reynolds. Abortion providers say Reynolds violated the state constitution by including abortion in an order enacted Friday halting non-emergency medical procedures to preserve medical equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. Judges in Texas,
Alabama and Texas on Monday halted similar efforts in those states.

 

 

Army Corp Of Engineers Says Some Levees Are Vulnerable To Additional Flooding

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) – With flood concerns already high in the Midwest, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is warning that many levees on the Missouri and Kansas rivers that were damaged during last year’s devastating floods remain vulnerable to high water. The National Weather Service has said Nebraska,
Iowa, Kansas and Missouri and eastern North Dakota and South Dakota face an above-average flood risk this spring, due largely to soil saturation to the north. Record flooding in 2019 damaged several levees, many of which have yet to be repaired.  The Corps says “challenging weather conditions and higher
flows” continue, delaying the ability to fully assess damage.