County Supervisors To Meet On Monday
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will get the year started by having their weekly meeting today (Monday) at the county courthouse boardroom.
The first item of business will be to welcome former county sheriff Mike Van Otterloo to the supervisors as he will represent residents living in District 2. Van Otterloo will take over the seat that was held by Mark Loutsch.
Auditor Stacey Feldman will conduct the meeting as the new board selects both the chairman and the vice chairman positions. Once a chairman has been elected, the supervisors are likely to approve the purchase of a new panic alarm system for the courthouse, and they will also discuss for approval an
extension of the policy handbook with amendments due to COVID-19. Under new business, the supervisors are expected to approve the 2021 the wellness program agreement for all county employees. The board of supervisors will authorize claims and payroll, investment officers and schools of instruction
resolutions. The supervisors will discuss and assign committee memberships.
The board will appoint the official county newspaper per Iowa Code. The county supervisors will fill various vacancies for county boards including the re-appointment of Brenda Miller to the Veteran Affairs board for a three-year term. They are expected to re-appoint Lorraine Sacino Murphy and Dick Sievers
to the county board of health for a three-year term. The county governing board will appoint Robin Klemme, John Ahlers, and Dan Albert to the County Compensation Board. Chad Ericson, Gary Horton, and Cheri Nitzschke will be appointed to the Judicial Magistrate Appointing Committee for a six-year term.
Newly elected Plymouth County Sheriff, Jeff TeBrink is scheduled to appear before the supervisors as he makes the budget requests for the new fiscal year. TeBrink will review the patrol duties, corrections, and the communications center’s proposed budgets. Plymouth County Engineer Tom Rohe will visit with the county supervisors regarding a permit request for tile
crossings in Elgin, Fredonia, and Garfield Townships.
Le Mars Fire Department Issues December Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department has issued its December monthly report. All together, the local fire brigade responded to 31 total calls. The breakdown of the calls within the specific categories had eleven fires, six rescues, 13 investigations and one request for service. Fire Chief
Dave Schipper reports all school buildings of Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic were inspected. Four times the fire department was called to the city tree disposal site for fires.
Floyd Valley Healthcare Welcomes New Year’s Baby
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Healthcare of Le Mars is reporting the birth of the New Year’s baby. It is a little boy named Aleph Belete Endale and is the new son of Belete and Winnshet Tesema of Le Mars. The time of the birth was at 7:21 p.m., Friday, January 1st. The new year’s baby weighed eight pounds and one ounce, and measured 21 inches in length. The attending physician was Dr. Destiny Miller.
(photos contributed.)
Iowa Has Concerns With Human Trafficking
(Des Moines) — As a crossroads for three major interstates, authorities say Iowa is a critical troublespot for human trafficking — and problems are worsening in the pandemic. Megan Cutter, director of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, says the first month of COVID-related shutdowns brought a 40-percent increase in crisis calls, while requests for shelter nearly
doubled. Cutter says recent federal funding sent to local communities to help victims find housing is vitally needed.
Cutter says any legislation, federal or state, that can help provide stable housing to those in need, will go a long way toward helping curb human trafficking. It’s estimated 40-million people are trafficked every year in an industry worth 150-billion dollars a year. Cutter says traffickers often prey on people who don’t have a secure place to live.
The 2019 investigative documentary, “Gridshock,” explored the human trafficking industry in Iowa and claimed people are being bought and sold for sex — every day — in communities across the state. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888.
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Wintertime Can Be Problematic For Asthma Suffers
(Des Moines) — One in every dozen Iowans has asthma and wintertime can be their worst time of the year, since just breathing cold air can trigger an asthma attack. With the pandemic and the chilly weather keeping most of us indoors, exposure to triggers like pet dander and smoke can make matters worse. Allergist Dr. David Slade suggests a few ways to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Slade says asthma sufferers and those around them can take some simple steps to make it easier to breathe.
Just going outside and having the cold air hit your lungs could bring on an episode. If you’re not already wearing a face mask, it’s important to cover your nose and mouth with a scarf when you’re outdoors, Slade says, especially on very cold, windy days.
Slade says to have a frank talk with your doctor to create a plan that keeps your symptoms under control and set up a routine that works best for you.
Congressional Delegation Are Sworn Into Office
(Washington, DC) — Five Iowans were sworn as members of the U-S Congress in a special Sunday session. Three members of the delegation are beginning their first term. First district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion posted a video on Twitter where she said she is excited to begin her first term. Fourth District Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, issued a written statement, saying he looks forward to finding conservative solutions that will create a booming economy for taxpayers. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks of
Ottumwa – was sworn in as a provisional member of the House from Iowa’s Second Congressional District. Democrat Rita Hart is asking a House committee to order another recount in the second district race after Miller-Meeks won by just six votes. Third district Congresswoman Cindy Axne, a Des Moines from
West Des Moines was sworn in for her second term, as was Senator Joni Ernst.
Man Dies After Arriving At Cedar Rapids Hospital With Gunshot
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Cedar Rapids Police police say a male shooting victim arrived in a private vehicle at a local hospital around 2:00 a-m Sunday.
Police say the man died shortly after officers arrived at the hospital. A police statement says it is an active investigation and at this time the man’s name will not be released pending notification of family.
Man Found Dead In Rural Vinton
(Vinton, IA) — Deputies with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office found a man dead Saturday morning after responding to a request for a welfare check at a residence in rural Vinton. Deputies found the body of 84-year-old James Howard Bright. Bright’s death is being investigated by the Iowa Division of
Criminal Investigation, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol. Investigators say there is not believed to be any threat to the public.
