Chamber Extends Deadline For Citizen And Business Of The Year Applications
(Le Mars) — The deadline for nominations for Business and Citizen of the Year has been extended. Nominations forms can now be submitted up to 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3.
The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting anyone in the community to submit nominations for consideration at its upcoming annual dinner on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.
“Everyone knows someone who makes a difference and wholeheartedly believes that individual or business deserves to be recognized in a significant way,” said Kim Fickett, chamber relations manager. “This is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve.
“If you know a business and/or community member who has and continues to make a big impact to Le Mars or does many things – big or small – maybe behind the scenes but doesn’t look for the recognition, they just do it to keep Le Mars thriving and who cares deeply for the success and growth of their community, then nominate them today,” Fickett added.
All chamber member businesses are eligible to be nominated for the Business of the Year award, regardless of size or type. Recognition will be awarded based on one or more of the following criteria: community involvement, job creation, innovative practices, employee benefits, major expansion or overcoming adversity.
Businesses can self-nominate or can be nominated, according to David Westergard, chamber executive director.
The Citizen of the Year Award is a long-standing award in the community and honors citizens who exemplify dedication and service through personal involvement in the community. These citizens are nominated by peers, co-workers, friends, and family among others each year.
Any information that would acquaint the committee with the nominee’s qualifications is confidential. The Citizen of the Year will be selected by a committee from the chamber and will be based on the individual’s record of dedication and service to the community.
Nomination forms may be picked up at the chamber office or by calling 546-8821 to receive one via e-mail. They must be completed and returned no later than 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3.
Turkey Federation Official Sets Record Straight On Turkey
(Le Mars) — Turkey is often times the centerpiece to any Thanksgiving meal. However, there has been some misinformation regarding the value and supply, and even the nutritious benefits of turkey. Greta Irwin serves as the executive director with the Iowa Turkey Federation. She says despite some talk about turkeys being in short supply this year, consumers should not encounter any problems with finding a turkey for the holidays.
There has been some misinformation by the Federal Reserve as to the nutrition of turkey compared to a soy-based tofu substitute product. However, economists at the Iowa Farm Bureau have been able to disprove the claims. Irwin says turkey meat is often times a better deal than any substitute food product.
Irwin says Iowa raises about 12 million head of turkeys a year, and ranks 7th in the nation for turkey production, and 5th in the nation for turkey processing. She says our neighbors to the north in Minnesota is first in the nation with turkey production, and our friends to the south at Missouri ranks fifth in the nation for turkey production. Irwin says thanks to the many fast-food deli restaurants, turkey consumption has risen during the last few years.
The Iowa Turkey Federation official says there are several considerations to remember when preparing and cooking turkey.
Irwin says to make certain you cook your turkey with an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. She says for additional ideas and recipes of turkey when you have left-overs, turn to the Iowa Turkey Federation website at www.iowaturkey.org
John Deere Reports Huge 4th Quarter
(Moline, IL) — Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer is issuing a stellar financial report after just emerging from a major labor dispute. Quad Cities-based John Deere reports fourth quarter net income of nearly one-point-three billion dollars compared to 757-million a year ago. Deere also shows its fiscal-year-end net income of almost six-billion dollars. That’s more than twice the two-point-seven billion with which it ended the last fiscal year. Last week, the U-A-W ended its 35-day strike against Deere and the new contract includes immediate ten-percent raises. Deere announced Tuesday all salaried workers are getting eight-percent raises.
Audit Shows Iowa Veterans Home Overpaid Former Commandant
(Marshalltown, IA) — A state of Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown finds a former commandant was overpaid by thousands of dollars. Auditor Rob Sand says the Iowa Veterans Home paid the commandant over 105-thousand dollars from 2019 to 2021 which was incorrect. Commandant Timon Oujiri was removed from his position by Governor Kim Reynolds in May. At the time, no reason was given for his dismissal. The auditor is recommending the Iowa Veterans Home put new procedures in place so the mistake doesn’t happen again.
Waterloo Woman Draws 10-Year Sentence For Dealing Meth
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — A Waterloo woman will spend a decade in federal prison for her involvement in what prosecutors say was a large-scale drug trafficking ring. Thirty-four-year-old Breanna Garcia pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to distribute more than four-thousand grams or nearly nine pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators tapped a phone used by Garcia’s boyfriend. Court records indicated there were thousands of calls and text messages between the two of them and others about shipments of meth from Mexico for distribution in Iowa. The U-S Attorney’s Office says Garcia has 21 prior convictions.
