RAGBRAI Announces 2021 Route With Le Mars Selected As Host City
(Le Mars) — During the weekend, officials with the Des Moines Register announced the route and host cities for the 2021 edition of RAGBRAI, the bicycle ride across Iowa. The route remains nearly identical as last year’s proposed route, but was cancelled due to concerns with the COVID-19 virus.
Le Mars is slated to be the host city to start the ride across Iowa, however, city officials are still not certain if the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” will participate in this year’s event. Two communities, Storm Lake and Maquoketa decided to back out from hosting the 20,000 plus bicyclists that participate on RAGBRAI. Now, Sac City and DeWitt have been selected to fill
in as the over-night host communities. The Le Mars city council discussed the situation during last council meeting. Fire Chief Dave Schipper informed the city council that Le Mars may need to again review the original plans, with the understanding that changes may be needed due to continued COVID-19 virus concerns. City Administrator Jason Vacura says he has contacted
several of the over-night communities, as directed by Councilman Rex Knapp, to gauge their concerns. Vacura says many of the other over-night host communities share the same thoughts of that of Le Mars. Vacura says no final decision has been determined, however, RAGBRAI officials have indicated a
deadline of March 15th as to whether or not the ride will be a go, or no go.
Vacura says he will present an update on the situation during today’s city council meeting. During the last city council meeting, city officials and local RAGBRAI organization officials are eager to host the ride, but they do share concerns about the safety of all people involved due to the COVID-19 virus.
City Council To Review Surface Transportation Block Grant Application
(Le Mars) — The city council is prepared to set February 16th as the date for a public hearing regarding a resolution on maximum property tax dollars for fiscal year 2022. The city council will review a list of candidates submitted by the Civil Service Commission for certified applicants from the police officer promotional examination for purposes of having a current list
for promotions within the police department. The city council will decide whether or not to vacate an easement that lies south of the Red Shed Enterprises at 800 Prospect Southwest. The city council will decide to approve a Surface Transportation Block Grant application for the fiscal year 2025 amounting to a total of $108,150 of local funding. The project, if approved, would receive federal assistance in the amount of $432,600. The
city council will hear annual reports from the Street Department, Public Facilities, Water Department, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Public Library.
Le Mars Listed As The Second Safest City In Iowa
(Le Mars) — In a recent survey conducted by Safety.com website, Le Mars was ranked as the second most safest community in Iowa. Le Mars Police Chief, Kevin Vande Vegte says it certainly means good news for the “Ice Cream
Capital of the World.”
Vande Vegte says the survey is based upon the number of incidents reported from the major crime categories.
The Le Mars Police Chief says the ranking is a testament of how officers often interact with the community.
Vande Vegte says it is not just the police department that contributes to making Le Mars a safe community, but he shares the credit with many other city departments.
Mount Vernon took top honors as being rated as Iowa’s safest community, while Pleasant Hill, Pella, and Dubuque rounded out the top five safest communities.
Le Mars Fire And Rescue Department Issues January Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department released its monthly report for January. The fire department responded to a total of 29 calls during the first month of 2021. The numbers break down to include eight fire calls, ten rescues, and eight investigations. The local fire department had one request for service, and twice they were called to offer mutual aid to
Hinton.
Primebank Donates VISA Credit Card Funds To Gehlen Catholic
(Le Mars, IA) – This past Friday, Primebank officials presented Gehlen Catholic with a check for the funds raised through the Primebank Gehlen Catholic Visa® credit card program in 2020.
Primebank Le Mars President Josh Kovarna and Vice President Cole Sitzmann (Gehlen Catholic class of ’03) presented the check for $2,644.78 to Lori Nussbaum, PreK – 6th grade Principal; Jeff Alesch, 7th – 12th grade Principal; and Amy Jungers, Development Director.
For the past 20 years, Primebank has donated a percentage of total purchases made using the Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card to the school. With this year’s gift, Primebank has now donated $62,150.67 through the program.
“Gehlen Catholic is grateful for the continued support from Primebank through the Visa credit card program. They go above and beyond by not only supplying this program but by also supporting our athletics, fine arts and the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball,” said Jungers.
Proceeds from the card are used to benefit Gehlen Catholic students through local scholarships to ensure students can receive a high-quality, Catholic education.
“Since 2000, Primebank has been pleased to offer the Primebank Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card program,” said Primebank CEO, Matt Ahlers (Gehlen Catholic Class of ’79). “Primebank prides itself on supporting educational opportunities in the Le Mars area and we are proud to have provided 20 years of ongoing support to Gehlen Catholic.” Ahlers continued, “I hope that friends of Gehlen Catholic will participate in this program because it provides funding for Gehlen Catholic when cardholders simply make normal, every-day purchases with their Gehlen Visa credit card.”
Also, the Primebank Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card is part of UChoose Rewards® which provides card holders with great reward opportunities ranging from merchandise to travel and more.
To receive information regarding the Primebank Gehlen Catholic Visa credit card program, contact Primebank, 546-4175 or Amy Jungers in the Gehlen Catholic Development Office at 546-4181 x237.
Gehlen Catholic Continues To Celebrate National Catholic Schools Week
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic continues to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week this week. Development Director, Amy Jungers says today’s (Tuesday) activities include honoring Gehlen Catholic’s faculty and staff.
Jungers continues by telling what’s on Gehlen’s agenda for Wednesday of National Catholic Schools Week.
Jungers says a special announcement is being planned to be unveiled on Thursday.
Plymouth County Board Of Supervisors Will Not Hold Meeting This Week
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will not hold a meeting today, due to a lack of agenda items. The next meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 9th to be held at the Plymouth County Courthouse Board Room.
Legislation Would Help Minimize Power Interruptions Caused By Falling Trees
(Des Moines, IA) — A bill being considered in the Iowa legislature would give utility companies 10-feet of clearance around power lines in cities and 30-feet around power lines outside of city limits to trim trees and other vegetation. MidAmerican Energy lobbyist, Onnalea (ON-uh-lee) Kelley, says their data shows in the past 10 years almost 10-thousand tree-related interruptions totaling 72-million minutes of interruption time. Kelley says this happened when the winds were below 45 miles-an-hour, so it was not considered a wind incident. Kevin Kuhle (KEEL), a lobbyist for the Iowa Farm Bureau, says his group opposes the bill. He says it is all about property rights and a landowner has the right to determine what happens on his or her land. The Bureau says blanket easements will not provide appropriate compensation for landowners.
Iowa Public School Students Would Recite Pledge Of Allegiance Each Day
(Des Moines, IA) — Students in Iowa’s K-through-12 schools would be led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day under legislation that’s cleared initial review in the Iowa House. Representative Joe Mitchell, a Republican from Wayland, says Iowa is one of four states that doesn’t have this requirement. He says requiring the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, just as they do at the statehouse, “brings some unity and clarification to who we are as a people, who we are as a state and who we are as a country.” If the bill becomes law, students would not be forced to stand and say the pledge if they or their parents object. Parochial schools would be exempted if the pledge conflicts with the school’s religion. The Iowa State Education Association — the state teachers’ union — is registered in support of the bill, while other groups representing school boards and school administrators are registered as undecided.
Governor Reynolds Names New Director For Iowa Department Of Management
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds is staying close to home with her choice to head the Iowa Department of Management. She named Michael Bousselot to the position Monday. Bousselot was the chief of staff for former Governor Terry Branstad. His appointment is effective next Monday. Bousselot will succeed David Roederer, who held the position for the last 10 years of his 38 years in state government. The Department of Management is responsible for the Iowa state budget. Bousselot was chief of staff to Branstad from 2015 to 2017, when Branstad resigned to become the U-S Ambassador to China.
Iowa Congresswoman Calls $15/Hour Minimum Wage “Liberal Wish List Item”
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she will try to get a proposed increase in the minimum wage to 15-dollars-an-hour out of any COVID-19 relief bill. The Iowa Republican calls the federally-mandated increase a “liberal wish-list item” in a statement released Monday. President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats have included the much-higher minimum wage in a one-point-nine-trillion-dollar stimulus package. Hinson says the increase would have potentially damaging effects on the Iowa economy. Biden met with a group of 10 Republican members of Congress Monday to discuss the stimulus bill.
Cases Of U-K COVID Strain Found In Iowa
(Iowa City, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health has confirmed three cases of the COVID-19 variant that is commonly referred to as the U-K variant because it was first detected in the United Kingdom. Researchers believe that the strain can be spread more easily than the original strain — and current
COVID-19 vaccines are considered to be effective against it. Two of the three U-K cases were detected in Johnson County in an adult (18 to 40) and a middle-aged adult (41 to 60) and one in an adult individual in Bremer County.
I-D-P-H and local public health officials are talking with those involved to try and understand their exposures and initiate the health monitoring process. The process will include notifying anyone with whom these individuals have been in close contact. The individuals will be advised to isolate in accordance with I-D-P-H and C-D-C guidance.
More Deaths Added To COIVD Website
(Des Moines, IA) — The confirmed Covid death toll in Iowa had 250 deaths added on Sunday — pushing it above 49-hundred. One of the Covid deaths added Sunday happened back on October 15th and many happened in November and
December — but were just included in the latest batch of data the Centers for Disease Control sent the state. State officials say in some instances, it takes time for the National Center for Health Statistics to confirm a death is caused by or related to Covid. The Iowa Department of Public Health’s website was updated Friday for the first time with more information about how and where to get Covid vaccines.
Sports Gambling Market Continues To Expand
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa sports gambling market is rapidly expanding as the biggest game in sports is set for this coming weekend. Iowa Racing and Gaming Administrator, Brian Ohorilko (Oh-reel-koh), says all of the state’s casinos now have sports gambling operations — and many are adding on. Each
casino can have three individually branded websites and all have one, and he says many of them are now entering into their second agreement. Ohorilko says other sports gambling businesses are now looking at Iowa as the requirement
that you go to a casino to sign upended on January 1st.
Medicare Open Enrollment Continues
(Undated) — The Iowa Insurance Division says if you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you have options to switch through the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period that continues through March 31st. The director of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, Kristin
Griffith, says participants can switch during open enrollment to a plan with or without drug coverage. Or you can go back to original Medicare and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Griffith says you can call 1-800-351-4664 to be connected to a SHIIP counselor who can help you make the change and answer
your questions.
