Floyd Valley Has Scheduled Two COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Community Health Director, Tara Geddes has announced two additional clinics have been scheduled for COVID vaccinations.
Geddes says, “We just learned that we will have extra doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine that need to be administered. These doses were set aside for our manufacturing facilities, but learned last evening that there will be extra vaccines available. Due to this, we are opening up and making
the Johnson & Johnson available community wide until gone. The clinic dates are today, Friday, March 5th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Tuesday, March 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If more vaccine becomes available, additional times will be added. We are asking that you go to the Floyd Valley Healthcare website at www.floydvalley.org and click on our new Vaccine
Scheduling Link to schedule the appointment. For those that don’t have access to online scheduling, we do still have our vaccine phone line available by calling (712)546-3646.” said Tara Geddes, Floyd Community Health manager.
Geddes Talks About COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Community Health Director, Tara Geddes says her staff, along with the assistance from Floyd Valley Healthcare and Hy Vee pharmacy of Le Mars, have been busy administering COVID-19 vaccinations during this week to employees of manufacturing and processing industries within Le Mars. That includes employees of Wells Enterprises, Kemps
(formerly known as Dean Foods), Bo-Deans, I-M-L Containers, and Nor-Am cold storage. Geddes says Plymouth County has received additional doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine which has allowed for two clinics to be established.
Geddes says the temporary COVID-19 clinic will be located at Floyd Valley Healthcare in the conference center.
The Plymouth County Community Health director urges people to go on-line to register, and to get their name on the list for a vaccination.
Geddes says Plymouth County has been making progress with the mitigation efforts against the COVID-19 virus. Back in November, Plymouth County had a 14-day positivity rate that was well over 25 percent. Today, that number is closer to seven percent positivity rate.
Wells Enterprises Vaccinating Employees Against COVID-19
LE MARS, Iowa – March 4, 2021— Wells Enterprises, Inc., is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to
employees at an onsite clinic in Le Mars on March 8 and 9.
The state of Iowa now recognizes food processing workers as an eligible priority group for vaccination. In partnership with state public health, Hy-Vee and Floyd Valley Community Health,
Wells is offering the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine to employees at no charge.
Mike Wells, President & CEO of Wells Enterprises says, “We’re proud to be doing our part to provide team members with the vaccine against COVID-19.
We’ve been working with health officials to ensure safety for the Le Mars community where we live and work,” said . “We’re fortunate to have this opportunity and encourage all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Wells has been proactive in providing a safe work environment, requiring wellness screenings at the entrance to all facilities; requiring masks and modifying work spaces in support of social
distancing requirements. As part of their ongoing commitment to improving the health of their workforce, Wells plans to open an onsite Health Center in April in Le Mars.
Le Mars Man Sentenced To Federal Prison
(Sioux City) — A Le Mars man, who possessed a loaded gun, was sentenced February 26, 2021, to more than three years in federal prison.
Joshua Jacobs, age 39, from LeMars, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 18, 2020, guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Jacobs was previously convicted of felony drug crimes which made it illegal for him to possess a gun.
Evidence at Jacob’s, detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed that on October 15, 2019, officers of the Sioux City Police Department conducting surveillance on a residence observed a vehicle not registered to Jacobs leaving the residence. Due to a malfunctioning license plate light, officers initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle. The vehicle did not immediately stop and “slow rolled” for a distance before coming to a stop. Immediately upon stopping the vehicle, Jacobs
exited the driver’s seat. Due to this unusual behavior, Jacobs was placed in handcuffs. A female passenger in the vehicle, was observed to be bleeding from her hand and to have a white powder on her shirt. Officers also observed what appeared
to be a broken methamphetamine pipe on the passenger’s side floor.
Due to those items, officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.
On the passenger’s side, officers located a digital scale, broken glass, and a baggie that was found to contain approximately four grams of methamphetamine. In the center console, officers found a black bag, which contained a number of small
baggies of a white powder and crystalline substance that appeared to be methamphetamine. Jacobs stated that the substance in the black bag was not methamphetamine but was MSM. In a spare tire well in the trunk of the vehicle, officers located a loaded .40 caliber Springfield XD handgun, which was later found to have been stolen. The 12-round magazine contained 11 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. The defendant initially denied having any knowledge of the firearm;
however, in a subsequent interview, Jacobs admitted that he had possessed the firearm, which he knew to be stolen.
Jacobs was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Jacobs was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Jacobs is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
Remsen Woman Charged With Insurance Fraud
Des Moines, Iowa – A Remsen woman has been charged with one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.
Charges against Stephanie Lynn Rink, age 32, of Remsen, stems from an investigation which began in March of 2020. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Iowa Insurance Fraud Bureau, Rink was involved in a motor vehicle collision in June of 2019. Rink was later involved in a second collision in August of 2019. After the August 2019 collision, Rink provided false information to her insurance company indicating damage from the June 2019 collision had been repaired, when it had not, in order to obtain additional insurance benefits to which she would not have otherwise been entitled.
On February 25, 2021, Rink was arrested and booked into the Plymouth County Jail and later released after posting a $5,000 bond. Trial will be set for a future date. No additional details will be provided at this time.
Iowa Restaurants Need More Customers to Recover From Pandemic
(West Des Moines, IA) — The head of the Iowa Restaurant Association says the industry is cautiously optimistic heading into spring. Iowa’s bars and restaurants were shut down last March 17th for on-site service, with a number of restrictions in place until the governor lifted those in early last month. President and C-E-O Jessica Dunker says despite the lifting of those restrictions, most establishments continue to have safety measures in place. Revenue was down about 33 percent nationally for bars and restaurants, but Iowa establishments are seeing customers return. Dunker said,”our operators are reporting in Iowa that they’re only down 28 percent so we are seeing that increase.” She says the best way Iowans can help the industry is by patronizing their favorite establishments as often as possible.
Iowa Congresswoman Tweets Safety And Security Are “Paramount”
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says safety and security are paramount while members are on the job in Washington, D-C. The Iowa Republican tweeted a message urging anyone considering taking part in a breach of the Capitol Building to not do so. Some conspiracy theorists had claimed Thursday, March 4th, would be the day former President Donald Trump took control of the White House again, despite his defeat last November. U-S presidents used to be inaugurated on March 4th. Members of Congress took the day off Thursday based on reports of a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an unidentified militia group. Hinson says similar threats must be taken seriously after January 6th.
Authorities ID Driver Who Died in Benton/Linn County High-Speed Chase
(Belle Plaine, IA) — Authorities are identifying the man who died in a crash during a high-speed chase Wednesday in eastern Iowa. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says 38-year-old Matthew Cox of Cedar Rapids led deputies on a pursuit at 115 miles per hour before driving off the road and hitting a culvert. Cox was ejected from the van and died at the scene. His passenger – 33-year-old Mary Ridenour of Cedar Rapids – was airlifted to an Iowa City hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The Iowa State Patrol is still investigating the incident.
Toddler Shot in Des Moines Expected to Survive
(Des Moines, IA) — Doctors say a toddler shot in Des Moines this week is expected to live. Two-year-old Malcom Mai is in a medically-induced coma after surgery. Police say five men shot more than 20 rounds at a house, hitting the two-year-old boy who was inside. The five suspects are facing attempted murder charges.
Des Moines Man Uses Child As Shield During Standoff With Police
(Des Moines, IA) — A Des Moines man has been charged with child endangerment after an incident Wednesday night. Des Moines police say 31-year-old Lewis Deshawn Butts used a child as a shield during the brief standoff in a home. Officers were responding to a report of a domestic disturbance at about 11:00 p-m. Butts also had other active arrest warrants. Weapons were drawn as officers forced their way into the house, and that’s when they say Butts pulled the child in front of him. He was taken into custody after letting the child go.
Fort Dodge Police: Suspect Jumped On Car’s Hood During Escape Attempt
(Fort Dodge, IA) — Fort Dodge police say a double-homicide suspect jumped on a car’s hood during an escape attempt. Investigators say 18-year-old Isiah C. Mosley held the driver of that vehicle at gunpoint and demanded they drive him out of the area. He jumped off and tried to run away, but was taken into custody. Mosley is scheduled to make an initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court today (Friday). He’s currently charged with kidnapping and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Mosley is being investigated for possibly being involved in the shooting deaths of 25-year-old Jamael Cox and 47-year-old Tyrone Cunningham last June.
Missing Davenport Girl To Be Featured On TV Show
(Davenport, IA) — A missing Davenport girl will be featured on a national cable T-V show next week. Breasia Taylor’s disappearance will be the focus of one-hour special on Investigation Discovery’s “In Pursuit: The Missing.” It airs at 8 p-m Monday. Taylor was last seen at a Davenport apartment complex last July 10th. The previous night, she and her half-brother spent the night with the boy’s father, Henry Earl Dinkins, a registered sex offender, and his girlfriend. Dinkins is a person of interest in the case, but has not been charged.
Saylor Township Man Charged With Animal Neglect
(Saylorville, IA) — A 20-year-old Saylor Township man was taken into custody Thursday and charged with animal neglect. Investigators with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa say Dwight Alan McNeal nearly let his dog starve to death. A-R-L officials say when the dog, Jax, arrived at their office a few days ago he was so emaciated you could see his ribs and spinal cord. The 10-month-old dog weighed only 27 pounds and was infected with worms and fleas. He gained four pounds in his first three days of being cared for by the A-R-L. McNeal is being held in the Polk County Jail. He could be sentenced to one-to-two years in jail if found guilty.
