City Purchases Land To Expand Industrial Park
(Le Mars) — During the recent Le Mars city council meeting, council members approved the purchase of 277 acres of land that adjoins the current Industrial Park. It was part of the Urban Renewal Tax Increment Revenue Bonds. The city obtained a loan for $4.35 million dollars. The breakdown of the loans has the sewer and water funds each borrowing $1 million dollars, and the General Fund borrowing $2.35 million dollars. The city will repay the loan, plus three percent interest using Tax Increment Financing Revenue sources. The remaining $800,000 of the General Fund will be repaid using loans from both North West Rural Electric Cooperative and NIPCO. City Administrator Jason Vacura explains where the plot of ground is located.
City council member and mayor Pro-Tem Rex Knapp says it was a good deal for everyone. Knapp commented on how the industrial area has expanded since he began as a council member.
Knapp says Le Mars is fortunate to own a railway spur from the main rail line into the Industrial Park area.
The city council gave final approval for the updated Code and Ordinances. They have also set the date of October 5th at 12:00 noon for a public hearing regarding American Bank’s request to vacate an alley next to the bank. American Bank president Micah Lang appeared before the city council indicating the bank has intentions of wanting to expand its facilities. American Bank owns most of the block which the alley is requested to vacate. Newly appointed city council member Wayne Schipper says there may be some future concerns if the city allows the bank to vacate the alley and build over the city’s utilities and right-of-way.
City council members, and city staff discussed the possibility of re-locating the nearby sewer line, in order to better accommodate the bank’s interest in expansion.
Economic Development Board Approves Rules To Help Small Meat Processors
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Economic Development Board recently approved the rules for a new fund designed to help small meat processors. Iowa Economic Development Authority spokesperson, Kannan Kappleman, says the agency is charged with handing out the 750-thousand dollars. The fund provides financial assistance in the form of matching grants to businesses for projects related to small-scale meat processing, licensed custom lockers, and mobile slaughter units. The rules lay out the requirements to receive the grants. The I-E-D-A website has a document on frequently asked questions and the rules.
Man Paralyzed In Waterloo Police Shooting Files Lawsuit
(Waterloo, IA) — An Iowa man argues Waterloo police used excessive force when they shot him last April. Forty-four-year-old Marcelino Alvarez-Victoriano was left paralyzed. Police say he pointed a pellet gun that looked like a shotgun at two Black Hawk County deputies. A Waterloo police officer shot him. Alvarez-Victoriano challenges the police version of events and says very few details have been released in the five months since the shooting. An internal police review cleared the officer who shot him. Although he was charged, he hasn’t been arrested since his hospital release because jailers don’t want to be responsible for his medical care.
Congresswoman Axne Among Lawmakers Challenged Over Financial Transactions
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Cindy Axne is among seven federal lawmakers being challenged over their financial transactions. An investigation is being requested. It is alleged by Republicans that the Iowa Democrat deliberately failed to properly disclose dozens of transactions that federal law requires them to report. A spokesperson for Axne says she will correct any errors she might have made. Five of the seven congressional members – including Axne – serve on the House Financial Services Committee.
Iowa Doctor Puts Focus On Different Vaccine
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowans are hearing plenty about flu shots and COVID-19 boosters, but a lung doctor says another vaccine needs to share the spotlight. It’s called T-Dap, for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos (PANNA-geese GALLEY-say-toes), a spokesman for the American Lung Association in Iowa, says pertussis or whooping cough can lead to life-threatening problems. “In Iowa, there were 244 cases in 2019 which is roughly about eight cases per 100,000 which puts Iowa in the middle of all 50 states,” Galiatsatos says. “Those are 244 cases too many. Those are preventable diseases for adults and we want to make sure they understand how to prevent the disease.” While you may have had a T-Dap or similar vaccine as a child, he says the effectiveness wears off as the years go by and most grown-ups could use another vaccine.
Iowa’s Congressional Delegation Supports $1 Billion in Aid For Israel
(Washington, DC) — All four members of Iowa’s congressional delegation voted today (Thursday) to send Israel a billion dollars for its Iron Dome missile-defense system. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks said on the House floor,”Israel has long been a key strategic ally for the United States. Our relationship is mutually beneficial, and it is important that we work to support them whenever we can.” A small group of House Democrats threatened to vote “no” on the bill that provides the money to keep the government running if this particular spending item was included, so House leadership removed it from that package — for a stand alone vote on the aide to Israel today (Thursday). Some Democrats argued the U-S should impose conditions on aid to Israel, to ensure conditions for Palestinians improve. The measure passed on 420 to nine vote.
U-I Hospitals CEO Says COVID Leading to Staff Shortages, Burnout
(Iowa City, IA) — The head of the state’s largest hospital says he’s dealing with staff shortages and burnout as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics C-E-O Suresh Gunasekaran (goon-ah-SAY’-kah-rin)says the staff is straining with a jump in both COVID and non-COVID patients – plus transfers from other parts of the state. He says the pandemic has taken a significant toll on health care workers at the Iowa City facility and elsewhere, leading to a higher-than-average number leaving the workforce in the past year. Gunasekaran said, “we are paying a pretty heavy price in terms of the mental health of our workforce in terms of the physical workload that they see day in and day out.” State health officials report 638 Iowans were hospitalized with the virus in the past week.
State of Iowa Retains Moody’s Aaa Bond Rating
(Des Moines, IA) — The national company that issues credit ratings on bonds is giving given bonds from the State of Iowa its highest rating. It’s sort of like credit ratings for individuals, as investors check bond ratings to determine whether state-issued bonds are a safe bet. Moody’s A-a-a ( triple-A) rating means the bonds are considered the highest quality and the lowest credit risk. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald says retention of the top rating from Moody’s is “a testament to the State of Iowa’s financial wellness.” According to Fitzgerald, Moody’s cited the state’s cash reserves and its low debt and pension liabilities in issuing the Aaa rating. In 2020, Iowa was one of only a dozen states that had Triple-A bond ratings from Moody’s, as well as two other national credit rating agencies.
