Home News KLEM News for Saturday, December 10

KLEM News for Saturday, December 10

SIOUX CITY FIRE

Sioux City firefighters were still on the scene 15 hours after responding to an apartment fire.  Thursday night, firefighters were dispatched to the Ida Apartments on Pierce St. when smoke was seen on the third floor of the building.  Lt. John Nelson, Deputy Fire Marshal of Sioux City Fire Rescue says there were still hot spots smoldering long after they were called to the scene.

More than 40 residents had to flee the building into the rain and snow that fell Thursday night.  Some left so quickly they were without coats or shoes. City busses were called to the scene, to provide temporary shelter.  A nearby church opened its doors. Most of the residents fled without their belongings, and may not be able to retrieve them.

Nelsen says the building will likely be a total loss.

The fire may have started on the third floor an in the attic, but Nelsen says an exact cause won’t be known for some time.

The Red Cross and Salvation Army are among the local agencies helping the displaced residents.

 

WET-NOSE HONORS

Wet-Nose Rescue in Le Mars honored three of their biggest supporters at their recent open house.

Veterinarian Dr. John Conley was honored by naming the clinic room at the shelter after him.  Angel Anderson, president of Wet-Nose, presented the honor.

The new Wet-Nose gift shop was named for Jim and Roxie Anderson, and their late son, Ed.  It’s now called the Anderson Gift Shop.

The Anderson Gift Shop will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 10, 17, and 24. The store’s focus is on cat- and dog-themed items.

Wet-Nose Rescue opened in November.  It received its state license in October.

 

FLOYD VALLEY HEALTHCARE AWARD

Floyd Valley Healthcare Receives the 2023 Women’s Choice Awardas one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience

The award signifies that Floyd Valley Healthcare has been ranked within the top 100 hospitals of similar size based on number of beds, of which there were four categories.

Patients today are more involved in their care and demand a greater experience throughout their entire journey of care putting more pressure on healthcare providers to find ways to become more patient centered to meet these demands.

According to a survey of healthcare consumers, 82% of consumers would switch a healthcare provider as the result of a bad experience.  And 86% of women would travel up to 50 miles for a hospital that was rated best inpatient experience.  Floyd Valley Healthcare is one of a total of 400 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for patient experience in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.

 

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

The Republican who’ll lead the tax policy committee in the Iowa House next year says property tax relief will be his primary focus. Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton says property taxes have exploded over the last decade.

Kaufmann says he’s interested in making substantial changes that lead to property tax relief.

Senator Dan Dawson, the Republican from Council Bluffs who’s chairman of the SENATE Ways and Means Committee, has also said property tax changes will be the top priority for Senate Republicans in 2023. Last month at the Republican Governors Association meeting, Governor Kim Reynolds said her priority in the next four years is eliminating the Iowa income tax. She did not mention property taxes.