Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office Releases Information On Roll-Over Accident
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has released information relating to two separate accidents. Early Sunday morning, on April 19th, a single vehicle roll-over accident was reported on Highway 75 and Kestrel Avenue, about two miles north of Merrill. Upon arrival deputies located a 2002 Buick LeSabre in the ditch on its top. Deputies also located the driver
and sole occupant of the vehicle approximately 150 feet away from the vehicle in a corn stubble field. Emergency crews immediately requested a helicopter to respond to the scene. The driver was identified as 23-year old Allison Johnson of Ashton, Iowa. The vehicle was listed as a total loss. The accident remains under investigation. It is believed that alcohol and possibly speed played a factor in this accident. Charges are pending the
outcome of the accident. Assisting at the scene were the Merrill Ambulance, Merrill Fire and Rescue, Le Mars Ambulance, Le Mars Fire and Rescue, Le Mars Police, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. The Sioux City Police Department also assisted at the Sioux City hospital.
(photo contributed.)
Authorities Respond To A Liquid Fertilizer Spill From Accident
(Le Mars) — Authorities responded to an accident Tuesday morning causing a liquid fertilizer spill. The accident happened on Highway 140 near 240th Street between Remsen and Kingsley at about 10:12 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies located a 2002 International semi pulling a flatbed trailer with a
large plastic tank affixed to the trailer. The trailer had partially rolled on its side when the contents of the tanks shifted causing one tank to separate from the trailer completely, and spilled into the ditch. It was quickly determined the tank had contained liquid nitrogen. Efforts were made to prevent the spread of the chemical. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was notified of the spill. The driver of the semi truck was 21-
year old Brian Sauer of Hospers was not injured in the accident. Damage has initially been listed at $3,000 pending an inspection of the semi and trailer. Highway 140 was closed for a short period of time as a precaution and to allow for cleanup and removal of the semi truck, trailer, and tank.
Assisting at the scene were the Remsen Fire and Rescue Department, Remsen Police, the Iowa State Patrol, and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
(photo contributed.)
First Responders Offered A Free Lunch At Local Restaurants
(Le Mars) — A local auto dealership is showing its appreciation to first responders by paying for their lunch. Total Motors of Le Mars is teaming up with their colleagues of the Tri-State Chevy Dealers Association to offer free lunches to those on the front lines with the COVID-19 coronavirus. Mitch Christoffel is the general manager with Total Motors and says beginning on
Thursday, April 23rd, first responders can select a meal from Habitue-2-Go, Taco John’s, or from Bob’s Drive-Inn all of Le Mars.
Christoffel says a $1000 has been set aside to cover the meals at the three participating restaurants with take out service. Christoffel hopes the funds will last a few days.
Although Total Motors has a branch office in Orange City, the offer is being made only in Le Mars. However, Christoffel says any first responder from the surrounding area are welcome to participate in the free lunch program.
Christoffel says the program is open to all EMT’s, paramedics, nurses, health care workers, firefighters, and all law enforcement officials.
The auto dealer official says the offer is good during the time the three restaurants: Habitue-2-Go, Taco Johns, and Bob’s Drive Inn are open.
Christoffel says in order to qualify for the program first responders simply need to wear their uniforms, or have some type of identification that shows they are a first responder.
Floyd Valley Healthcare To Start “E-Care Emergency Services”
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare provides emergency services to thousands of patients in the community each year. Open 24/7, the ER is equipped to handle any patient that comes through the door. However, access to a second set of eyes and ears can be beneficial in critical cases. Beginning at noon
today, on April 22, the new eCARE Emergency service will provide that extra support to Floyd Valley Healthcare’s clinicians when needed.
At the push of a button, local physicians and emergency room staff have immediate, virtual access to a team of physicians and nurses who specialize in emergency medicine.
eCARE Emergency supports patient care in several ways:
Access to board-certified emergency physicians 24 hours a day
* Connects rural communities to highly trained specialists
* Activation of emergency transport teams as early as possible
* Additional support during multiple emergencies
* Fewer transfers so patients can stay close to home
* Collaborative approach allows local caregivers to focus exclusively on patient care.
Dustin Wright, CEO of Floyd Valley Healthcare says, “eCARE Emergency gives us the ability to extend and enhance the level of health care in our community.
“It gives us access to the same type of specialists available in Sioux City or Sioux Falls, enabling us to deliver better care, right here in our community, and keep patients here whenever possible.”
Avera eCARE offers one of the largest telehealth networks in the United States, supporting more than 380 health centers, clinics, long-term care centers and correctional facilities within a fourteen-state region.
Please go to FloydValley.org, or call 712-546-7871 to learn more about health care services at Le Mars, IA. To learn more about Avera eCARE, go to www.AveraeCARE.org.
(photos contributed.)
Governor Reynolds Introduces New Partnership For Testing For COVID-19 Virus
(Des Moines) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced a partnership with a private company to allow for additional testing and assessment for the COVID-19 coronavirus. During Tuesday’s briefing, Reynolds says the program called “TestIowa.com” Reynolds says Iowa is only the second state in the nation to make such an agreement contract.
Reynolds describes the three steps.
Senator Grassley: Glad Paycheck Protection Program Restarted
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s glad the Paycheck Protection Program has finally re-started. The Senate unanimously approved the additional COVID-19 funding Tuesday under the CARES Act. The Iowa Republican accused Democrats of leaving American small businesses and workers
in limbo without taking action for two weeks. Grassley says he understands the desire to add funding elsewhere, but this program is the only one that had run out of money. He’s hoping the House of Representatives approves it without what he calls “any further lollygagging.”
State Auditor Finds Improper Purchases By Former Des Moines County Deputy
(Burlington, IA) — The Iowa State Auditor has found improper purchases by a former Des Moines County deputy. Jeff White served as the county’s chief deputy for 17 years until he retired in 2018. He was responsible for making purchases for the department. The audit turned up more than 74 hundred
dollars in improper transactions, including two computers, two drones, two cell phones, several software packages and ammunition for firearms the sheriff’s office doesn’t have in its possession. The auditor’s office has recommended new policies and procedures to avoid the problem in the future.
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office will decide whether charges should be filed.
Woodbury County Board Of Supervisors Reverses Decision On Sick Time
(Sioux City, IA) — The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors has reversed its decision on the way sick time must be used. Sheriff Dave Drew had placed one of his employees on administrative leave while the person recovers from a
possible COVID-19 case. The board blocked that last week saying Drew didn’t have the authority to do that and the person would need to use sick time.
Board chair Matthew Ung apologized to the sheriff and the sick employee, saying it wasn’t a power struggle, just confusion about the whole situation.
