Third Grade Student Dies From Accident When Vehicle Collides With School Bus
(Inwood) — A third grader from the West Lyon School District was the fatal victim of an accident involving a car rear-ending a stopped school bus. The accident happened Friday morning, and is being investigated by the Iowa State Patrol. The student was a passenger in the car, and there were no students injured on the school bus. The collision happened on county road A-50, about
four miles west of Highway 18. West Lyon school officials say they have had grief counselors at the school on Friday, and will continue through next week.
Jeneary And Carlin To Hold Town Hall Meetings At Hinton And Merrill
(Le Mars) — State lawmakers, Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary and State Senator Jim Carlin will hold two legislative town hall meetings scheduled for this morning. The two will listen to constituents’ concerns at Hinton and at Merrill. The first town hall meeting will be held at the Hinton Community Center beginning at 9:00 a.m. The two state legislators will follow up with
a meeting at the Kissenger Community Hall lower level at Merrill beginning at 10:30 a.m. State Representative Dr. Jeneary says these will be the last town hall meetings to be held during this legislative session. Jeneary says town hall meetings are beneficial for him.
Iowa House Approves Bill Allowing Dentists To Administer COVID Vaccine
(Le Mars) — The Iowa legislature dealt with a bill this week that was near and dear to Dr. Jeneary’s heart. Jeneary is a retired dentist, and he says he was consulted by several of his fellow legislators when they debated whether or not dentists should be allowed to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Le Mars Republican lawmaker says the state House was looking at ways to widely distribute the administration of the various vaccines. Jeneary says most dentists offices may only be able to handle the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as they may not be equipped to handle other vaccines.
Jeneary is one of two dentists that are also state legislators.
Legislature Passes Animal Transport Bill
(Le Mars) — A bill that was passed this week in the Iowa House will help protect farmers from animal rights protesters when transporting livestock animals to market, or other designated premises. State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says the state legislature approved House File 655.
The Republican lawmaker tells of the penalties associated with the bill for those people who violate the act.
(photos contributed.)
Plymouth County Democrats Elect Officers
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Democratic party recently held its biennial organizational meeting. During that meeting, the Democrats elected new officers for the county party. Mark Sturgeon has been elected to serve as the chairman, Julie Ford is the Vice Chair, Kay Luckett will hold the position of Secretary, John Hines is the new Treasurer, Judy Freking will serve as Affirmative Action Chair, and Ryan Odor is the Technology Chair.
Northwestern College’s Nursing Program Has High Rankings
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—Northwestern College’s online RN-to-BSN program has recently received high rankings.
Northwestern’s program is ranked 25th in Intelligent.com’s list of the Top 50 RN-to-BSN Programs. Only one other Iowa school is ranked, and Northwestern’s program is cited for having the best digital practicum. The Intelligent.com ranking is based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost and reputation.
Northwestern’s RN-to-BSN program is also ranked as the third-best program in Iowa by RegisteredNursing.org. The website notes that the degree can be completed in two years or less, practicum experiences are tailored to students’ schedules, and the curriculum is faith-based. RegisteredNursing.org bases its rankings on factors such as accreditation, graduation rate and affordability.
Dr. Karie Stamer, director of Northwestern’s online RN-to-BSN program says, “We are excited to receive these strong external validations of our program.” “They align with what our graduates say about how our program enhanced their nursing skills, prepared them for leadership positions, and strengthened their faith. We strive to meet working nurses where they’re at in their educational journeys and walk alongside them throughout the process. We focus on specific assignments within the areas students want to learn more about, and we help them develop a deeper understanding of holistic care.”
Northwestern’s online RN-to-BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing. Northwestern is also an approved institution by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, enabling the college to offer online courses and programs to students residing in other participating states. More information on Northwestern’s online RN-to-BSN program can be found at nwciowa.edu/rn-bsn
Plymouth County Pork Producers To Hold Banquet
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Pork Producers Association will hold its annual banquet and awards night this evening, Saturday, March 20th. Andy Schroeder serves as the president of the Plymouth County Pork Producers Association. He says this year’s banquet will be held at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds inside Century Hall.
Schroeder says tickets are free for any paid pork producer member, otherwise they are selling for $15. Schroeder says once again, the pork producers will feature the Little Miss Pigtails contest, as well as the Queen contest.
Schroeder says the program will also feature U-S Congressman Randy Feenstra who is scheduled to appear at the pork banquet and will address the pork producers.
Panel Predicts Increase In State Tax Revenue
(Des Moines, IA) — A state panel predicts tax revenue for the State of Iowa will continue to grow at a steady clip. State budget director, Michael Bousselot, says the steadiness and persistence of Iowa’s economy means a little less rocky of that path going forward than what other states might face.
The projections suggest total tax receipts for the state will be three-point-eight percent higher in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1st. The following year, the panel estimates tax collections will grow by four-and-a-half percent. Governor Kim Reynolds says it means legislators can eliminate tax revenue benchmarks and let a series of state income tax cuts take effect more quickly.
Axne Only Iowa Representative To Vote For Immigration Bills
(Washington, DC) — Iowa’s three Republicans who serve in the U-S House have voted against bills that would create a path to citizenship for so-called Dreamers, and for farm workers living in the U-S without authorization. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Cedar Rapids, says the bill won’t fix the immigration issue which is in crisis at the southern border. She says there are so many immigrants in this country that have gone about it in the right way and there should not be a way for others to cut in the line if they have broken the law to come here. Congresswoman Cindy Axne of Des Moines, the only Democrat in Iowa’s D-C delegation, supported both bills.
Bill Would Give Grants To New Iowans Who Telecommute
(Des Moines, IA) — A group of senators is discussing the idea of giving state grants of up to five-thousand dollars to new remote workers in Iowa who telecommute to jobs out-of-state. Joe Murphy is executive director of the Iowa Business Council, and says tools like this should be explored in a serious way. Craig Patterson, a lobbyist for the Professional Developers of Iowa, says more new Iowans are needed to help existing businesses grow and bring new businesses here. A senate subcommittee reviewed the proposal this week, but tabled it as senators consider making changes.
You Must Be 21 To Bet On Sports In Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The N-C-A-A basketball tournament is underway for the first time since sports gambling was legalized in Iowa. Racing and Gaming Administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says you have to be 21 to do any betting on the games. He says the sports operators have a very robust age and identity verification process before signing people up. Ohorilko says the controls that are used in the sports wagering industry are very similar to the financial controls that are used in the banking industry. Sports gambling companies face fines from the Racing and Gaming Commission if they are found to have allowed someone under the legal age to gamble.
