Home News Thursday News, May 13th

Thursday News, May 13th

Bicycle Associations To Host Bicycle Rodeo

(Le Mars) — A bicycle rodeo is planned for this evening at the Olson Cultural Events Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event is being sponsored by several local bicycle organizations, along with the Le Mars Rotary. Mark Sturgeon is assisting with the event, and says the bicycle rodeo is meant to teach children the importance of bicycle safety.

Sturgeon says the bicycle rodeo is targeted for children, but he says the event is open to anyone. Sturgeon says younger people are taking a greater interest in riding bicycles, including participating on the cross-state ride of RAGBRAI.

Sturgeon says the Plymouth County Cyclists and Ride Right Associations will provide a helmet to those children that do not have a helmet at free of charge.

Sturgeon says the event will take place on the parking lot just north of the Olson Cultural Events Center. He says there is no registration fee for the bicycle rodeo event. Plymouth County Cyclists, Ride Right, Le Mars RAGBRAI, and the Le Mars Rotary are hosting the event.

 

 

 

Floyd Valley Auxiliary Awards Scholarships

(Le Mars)-– Floyd Valley Healthcare Auxiliary has awarded two one-thousand dollar scholarships for area students who will pursue a health-related career. Emily Russell is a senior at Remsen St. Mary’s High School and the daughter of Tim and Ibbi Russell. She will be attending University of Iowa in the fall and pursing a degree as a Radiation Therapist.

Zachary Kraft is a senior at Gehlen High School and is the other scholarship recipient. Zachary is the son of Loi and Rita Kraft. He will be attending Iowa State University in the fall and pursing a degree as a Physical Therapist.

The Auxiliary will also contribute $1,000 to the Floyd Valley Education Department to be used for staff and community training, including basic and advanced cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation and trauma nursing courses.

Each Spring Floyd Valley Auxiliary awards scholarships to students in the Floyd Valley Healthcare service area who are pursuing a health related career.

 

 

 

Ernst And Grassley Speak Out Against President Biden’s Proposed Spending And Tax Increases

(Washington) — Both of Iowa’s U-S Senators, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley spoke against President Biden’s spending during floor debate on Wednesday.
Ernst, who spoke first, says Americans are going to find it more difficult to earn money when they are being asked to pay for the Democrats out-of-control spending habits.

Ernst says farmers will be especially hit hard by the president’s proposed “American’s Families Plan”, saying it would eliminate the protection that allows farm families to pass down their assets to the next generation without a tax penalty.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says when taxes have been cut, it not only benefits the individual by saving more of their income, but the federal government also benefits.

Grassley says the president’s agenda to use the pandemic as an excuse to pass a big-government anti-growth program threatens the return of a thriving economy.

Grassley says the actions of the Democrats to target additional taxes against corporations and businesses will only lead those businesses to leave the United States.

The senior U-S Senator from Iowa says the tax increases will also hurt small businesses and farmers. Grassley says small businesses along with family businesses and farms may be decimated due to proposed capital gains taxes.
The Republican senator says tax increases will make the United States a less attractive place to invest, and it would erode American competitiveness, and it would slow the economic recovery.

 

 

 

Reynolds Defends Decision to End Federal Unemployment Payments

(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds is defending her decision to end federal unemployment payments to laid-off Iowans. Reynolds says it’s time “to lean further into normal” and that’s why she declared that the 300 dollars a week in federal benefits will stop June 12th. The governor said, “jobs are readily available and employers are eager to hire, and it’s time to get back to work.” House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard said in a
statement, “that it shows Reynolds is willing to use vulnerable Iowans as a stepping stone for her own political gain.” Reynolds dismissed critics who claim more Iowans would join the workforce if companies offered better pay.
She told reporters, “I love it when I have businesses tell me they’re having some of their best years ever and they’ve got orders that are waiting to be filled, they just can’t find employees to help build the equipment.”

 

 

 

No In-Person Graduation Ceremonies at University of Iowa

(Iowa City, IA) — The University of Iowa is taking a more cautious approach to graduation ceremonies than other universities this spring. U-I is holding virtual commencements on scattered dates between now and June.
Both Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa held more traditional in-person ceremonies last weekend with graduates dressed in caps and gowns.
U-I chose virtual graduations out of COVID-19 safety concerns.

 

 

 

Former Polk County Detention Officer Awarded $1.75M

(Des Moines, IA) — A jury has awarded a former Polk County detention officer one-and-three-quarters-million dollars in a civil case. The jury determined the county and its risk manager committed fraud. Brent Lozano suffered a severe ankle injury in March 2016 when he tried to restrain a jail inmate. He was fired in 2018 after 17 years with the county. Lozano allegedly lost his job when he asked for accommodations due to his injury.
He was terminated after the county denied his request for medical leave.

 

 

 

Polk County Emergency Responders Rescue Worker Overcome By Fumes

(Saylor Township, IA) — Polk County emergency responders were able to rescue a worker overcome by fumes at a packaging manufacturing plant Wednesday morning. Crews were sent to Amco at about 8:10 a-m to help a worker who had passed out. A spokesperson for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirms that the 40-year-old man was pulled from the pit and was
breathing. A two-block section of Aurora Avenue in Saylor Township was closed to traffic while the rescue was completed. The man’s name hasn’t been released.

 

 

 

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa: Puppy’s Collar Was Embedded In Neck

(Des Moines, IA) — Recovery will reportedly be a long process for a puppy found with its collar embedded in its neck. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa says police responded to a report about a puppy in distress in Des Moines. The collar was so deeply embedded in the animal’s neck it almost killed her. It hadn’t been adjusted as the dog named Junie grew. It caused
severe infection and pain to the dog. When the collar was cut off there was a wound one-and-a-half inches deep, less than a half-inch away from the jugular vein. The dog is expected to need surgery. An investigation is being conducted and criminal charges are possible.