High Speed Chase Ends With Serious Injuries Accident
(Le Mars) — A high speed chase ended as a serious injury accident early Sunday morning. The Le Mars Police report that at around 5:27 a.m. Sunday, the Sioux Center Police Department was attempting to stop a fleeing vehicle leaving their jurisdiction. The suspect vehicle continued to flee on Highway 75 and entered Plymouth County. Plymouth County Sheriff Deputies deployed stop sticks on the north edge of Le Mars. The vehicle continued into Le Mars at a high rate of speed and was unable to negotiate the 45 degree corner on Business Highway 75 between 4th Street and 6th Street southwest, near Premier Communications and Family Table Restaurant. The vehicle left the roadway and landed near the intersection of 6th Street southwest and 5th Avenue southwest. Le Mars Fire and Rescue extracted the driver from the vehicle and he was airlifted to Mercy One Medical Center in Sioux City. The accident is being investigated by the Iowa State Patrol. No name or age has been given regarding the suspect.
Car Hits C-N Train
(Le Mars) — A car hit a CN train Saturday morning at the crossing of 4th Street and 4th Avenue S.W. The accident occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. According to emergency rescue units that were at the scene, only minor injuries had occurred to the people inside the vehicle. The train remained parked for several hours while waiting for railroad officials to arrive in Le Mars to conduct an investigation.
Property Taxes Are Now Due
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Treasurer, Shelly Sitzmann, reminds property owners that Property taxes are now due. Real Estate and Mobile Home taxes can be paid in the office, online, or through the mail. Taxes must be paid by March 31st. They are delinquent April 1, 2022.
Mail must be postmarked on or before March 31st to avoid penalty.
ONLINE PAYMENT is a convenient option. This can be done by e-check or credit card at www.iowatreasurers.org. Using your credit card online does incur a service fee. However, paying by e-check online costs only 25¢ — which is less than the cost of a postage stamp.
You also have the convenient option online to schedule payments that fit your situation…..monthly, weekly, even semi-annually.
Online payment of taxes can be done up until midnight on March 31, 2022 without penalty. Delinquent interest will begin online at 12:00am on April 1st.
Anyone who needs information on property taxes can contact the Plymouth County Treasurer’s office at 546-7056.
Jeneary Files Nomination Papers With Iowa Secretary Of State
(Des Moines) — On Monday, February 28, 2022, the first day eligible for state and federal office candidates to submit nomination petitions, Iowa House Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary, a Republican from Le Mars, delivered and filed his nomination papers with Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate, inside the Iowa Capitol Building. Jeneary has been a State House Representative for the last four years serving the people of the Iowa House 5th District. Jeneary is now seeking re-election to the newly formed Iowa House 3rd District which encompasses the northern half of Plymouth County and the southern half of Sioux County. Jeneary is a conservative and believes in the state maintaining a balanced budget, while reducing taxes for the people.
Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars (right) presents his nomination petition papers to Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate (left).
“During the past few legislative sessions when the Republican party held a majority in both chambers, along with Governor Kim Reynolds’ leadership, the state legislature was able to accomplish many goals. Although much has been accomplished, the work is not finished. I want to continue serving the people of northwest Iowa, and to be their voice in the legislature,” said Jeneary. “I enjoy visiting with people and listening to their concerns, and it is a great feeling when the state legislature takes action that benefits the great people of Iowa,” said Jeneary.
Jeneary is a retired dentist. Prior to his being elected to the Iowa House, Jeneary was appointed by former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to serve on the Iowa Dental Board of Examiners.
Floyd Valley Healthcare’s Senior Life Solutions Receives Award
Le Mars, IA – Floyd Valley Healthcare is pleased to announce that Lori Johnson, RN, Carly Turner, LISM and Valerie Weaver, with Floyd Valley Senior Life Solutions, have received the 2021 Program of the Year award.
Floyd Valley Senior Life Solutions is managed by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), which partners with more than 100 facilities nationwide to provide behavioral healthcare management services. Top performing employees and Senior Life Solutions programs from around the country are recognized annually based on their excellence in demonstrating the program’s values of care, compliance, and community. Award recipients demonstrate outstanding patient care, excellent comprehension and execution of compliance regulations, and strong community engagement.
2021 Program of the Year recipient and local program director, Lori Johnson, RN said, “Our company works hard to promote mental health and awareness. Nationally there are 108 Senior Life Solutions across 28 states. Our team is honored to be chosen as Program of the Year. I thank my team for making it their mission to provide such quality care to our patients. I also want to thank Floyd Valley Healthcare for their support over the last 2 years. We couldn’t have chosen a better organization to work with.”
Floyd Valley Senior Life Solutions is a program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, typically 65 and older, experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging. Floyd Valley Senior Life Solutions’ staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, a licensed therapist, a registered nurse, and other trained professionals to ensure each patient receives the best possible care.
Families, friends, community members, physicians, self-referrals, or other health professionals can refer people to the program. For more information, education, or if you would like to discuss support, please call 712-546-3700.
Seven Dead in Weekend Storm
(Winterset, IA) — At least seven people are dead following a weekend storm that spawned tornados, with six of the deaths in Madison County on the south edge of Winterset. Don Hoag said he was trying to get his car out of the hail when he heard the tornado and that it sounded like a freight train coming down the road. Hoag’s neighbor — 67-year-old Rodney Clark — was one of the people who died. The other victims of the Winterset tornado were identified as 63-year-old Melissa Bazley, 72-year-old Cecilia Lloyd, 37-year-old Michael Bolger, five-year-old Kinley Bolger, and two-year-old Owen Bolger. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirms one unidentified person died in the storm Saturday at Red Haw State Park in Chariton.
Madison County Tornado An F-3
(Winterset, IA) –– Madison County Emergency Management Coordinator, Diogenes Ayala (Dye-ah-juh-nees Eye-ahl-uh), says the National Weather Service determined that the deadly tornado south of Winterset was an E-F-three. It had wind speeds between 136 and 155 miles-an-hour. He says there were approximately 52 damaged or destroyed homes in the path of the tornado that spanned over 13-point-seven miles. Governor Kim Reynolds toured the area Sunday and got emotional talking about the 200 to 300 volunteers who showed up to help in the aftermath of the tornado. The governor issued a state disaster proclamation for Madison County.
Snow Follows Tornadoes in Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) – Response to the tornadoes that struck Iowa over the weekend is being hampered by snowfall this morning. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for roughly half the state, south and east of a line from Council Bluffs to Clayton County in the northeast. The advisory includes Madison County, which is still reeling from the E-F-three tornado that killed six people and destroyed or damaged more than 52 homes.
Ernst Seeking Stable Federal Funding for “Beagle Brigade”
(Washington, DC) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican, is partnering with a Georgia Senator who’s a Democrat to seek more permanent funding for a government program that trains dogs to detect animal diseases. Iowa Public Radio reports that most of the dogs are beagles and the operation has been dubbed the “Beagle Brigade” — and Ernst says its role is critical due to rising concerns about African Swine Fever and bird flu. The National Detector Dog Training Center in Georgia is financed this year with about seven million dollars in airport fees, but Ernst says that’s an unstable source due to, “wild swings in funding that don’t allow the consistencies needed to make sure we’re protecting our goods here in the United States.” The dogs help screen baggage, cargo, and parcels at nearly 90 U-S airports to detect fruits, vegetables, and meats that could carry foreign plant pests or animal diseases into the country.
