Le Mars City Council Honors Denny Callahan By Naming Street In His Honor
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council took action Tuesday to rename “Stadium Drive” which connects 3rd Avenue Southwest to 12th Street Southwest and circles the new football stadium. In honor of KLEM’s long-time sports director, Denny Callahan, that street will now be known as “Callahan Drive.”
Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff read the motion during the city council meeting.
Wells Enterprises To Open Health Clinic At Corporate Headquarters
(Le Mars) –-Wells Enterprises, Inc. is opening an onsite health center on Thursday, April 8th on the campus of the Wells Corporate Center in Le Mars to provide convenient access to primary care services for Wells employees. All local Wells team members are eligible to utilize the Health Center whether or not they are covered by a Wells medical plan. Services are provided at low cost or no cost to the employee. Everside Health, a leading provider of employer-sponsored health centers, will partner with Wells to manage and operate the clinic. Everside Health has hired a family nurse practitioner and a registered nurse to provide employees access to a full suite of healthcare services including primary care, disease management, health coaching, lab work, referrals to specialists, prescription drug dispensing and vaccinations. U-S Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa toured the new facility Tuesday afternoon, and commented on the importance of an employer offering additional healthcare to their employees.
Mike Wells, CEO and President of Wells Enterprises says, “We’re very excited to provide this benefit. We feel strongly that our team members will appreciate the convenience and quality of care and services Everside Health can provide. It is the latest example of our commitment to ensuring our team members have the resources to be the best, and healthiest, versions of themselves at work and at home.”
Access to the Health Center enhances a comprehensive benefits package offered by Wells Enterprises, which includes affordable health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) plan with a generous company match on contributions, and competitive paid time off policies. Once established, spouses and dependents covered under Wells medical plans will also have access to the Center’s services and telehealth visits will be available as well.
Angela Anderson is the nurse practitioner hired to oversee the new health clinic.
Anderson talks about the reasons why Wells Enterprises has included a health clinic inside their corporate offices.
The nurse practitioner says the new health clinic will be able to perform many of the same medical procedures that you would find at any other medical clinic.
The health clinic is equipped with four examination rooms, a laboratory, and a medical dispensary.
The new health clinic, located at the Wells Corporate offices will open on Thursday.
Corrections Shakeup Results In Reassignment For 4 State Prison Wardens
(Des Moines, IA) — Four wardens within Iowa’s prison system have been reassigned, including the warden who was in charge at the Anamosa State Penitentiary when two staff members were murdered by two inmates last month. Anamosa Warden Jeremy Larson is now the interim warden of the prison in Newton. Randy Gibbs, the warden of the state’s maximum-security prison in Fort Madison, has been temporarily reassigned to serve as warden at Anamosa. A spokesman for the Iowa Department of Corrections says having a different leader in place will help ensure “a thorough and impartial investigation” of the murders. The warden who’s been in charge of the prisons in Fort Dodge and Rockwell City retired yesterday. The warden of the Newton prison is now the interim warden of the two facilities while the search is on to replace the warden who retired.
House Republicans Propose $20 Million for Prisons, Not Enough For Union
(Des Moines, IA) — House Republicans are proposing a 20-million-dollar increase in the budget for the Iowa Department of Corrections. But the president of the union that represents prison employees says it’s not enough to ensure staffing levels inside the state’s prison system are adequate. G-O-P Representative Gary Worthan of Storm Lake said, “we support those people that are guarding our institutions and taking of the offenders and standing that if you want to call it a thin blue line or a thin brown line that stands between us and anarchy.” AFSCME Council 61 president Danny Homan said the extra money merely covers negotiated salary increases over the past couple of years and doesn’t fill nearly 250 vacant positions in the prison system. Homan is calling for reopening a training program for prison staff and for an independent investigation of the murders at Anamosa.
Iowa Senate Approves Controversial Abortion Bill
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Senate has advanced a proposed amendment that says Iowa’s constitution does not recognize the right to an abortion or public funding of the procedure. Senate President Jake Chapman of Adel, a Republican, says the amendment would undo a 2018 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that Iowa women have a fundamental right to an abortion under the state constitution. Senator Jackie Smith, a Democrat from Sioux City, says the proposed amendment weakens the right to privacy. The earliest the amendment could come to a vote is 2024 if the proposal clears other legislative hurdles.
Man’s Body Found in Creek at Delaware County Park
(Manchester, IA) — Authorities in Delaware County are investigating the discovery of a body in the water at Bailey’s Ford Park. Deputies found a man face down in Spring Branch Creek Monday afternoon. The 82-year-old man had been fishing and his pole and hat were found on the edge of the water. It is unknown if the man fell in or suffered a medical issue. His name hasn’t been released.
Cedar Rapids Police ID Victim in Deadly Hotel Stabbing
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Police in Cedar Rapids are identifying the man fatally stabbed in a local hotel. Officers say 33-year-old Victor Huerta was found dead at the Residence Inn early Monday. Thirty-nine-year-old Victoriano Dias-Barrera was arrested for first-degree murder, going armed with intent and assault with a dangerous weapon. Investigators say Huerta and Dias-Barrera knew each other. Authorities say 29-year-old Anthony Diaz was arrested at the scene on a murder warrant from Texas.
Pro-Law Enforcement Event Heightens Tension In Norwalk School District
(Norwalk, IA) — A high school senior in the Norwalk Community School District says she and other students are going to deliver donuts to police officers today (Wednesday) to thank them and show support. Annabel Brenizer organized the “back the blue” event which is increasing tensions in the district. Brenizer says she has been called a racist by other students upset by the timing of the event during the trial for the Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd. Things have been tense in the district for several months, though. Students have demanded district leaders do something about the bullying of minority and gay students in the past.
10 Finalists Named in Iowa’s Best Burger Contest
(Ames, IA) — The 12th annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest is down to ten finalists. Kylie Peterson with the Iowa Beef Industry Council says a secret delegation is traveling across Iowa to sample the state’s finest burger platters. The rules stipulate the burger must be 100-percent real beef, served in a patty form on a bun or bread product. Peterson said, “ultimately, those judges are going out there and judging the burger based on the taste of the patty, the appearance and the proper cooking temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.” The judges will submit their final scores by the end of the month and the winner will be picked May 3rd to kick off Beef Month in Iowa. The ten finalists are: Arty’s Ice Cream and Grill in Wilton, Bambino’s in Ossian, Dutchfix in Pella, Fishback & Stephensen Cider House in Fairfield, Foodie Garage Eatery in Dubuque, Moo’s BBQ in Newton, Murph’s Creamery & Grill in Toledo, The Map Room in Cedar Rapids, Troy’s Bar and Grill in Earling, and Saucy Focaccia in Cedar Rapids.
