NOR-AM PURCHASE
A LeMars firm has purchase a cold-storage facility in Cherokee.
The Sioux City Journal reports today that Nor-Am Cold Storage purchase a 98-thousand square foot warehouse from Americold, based in Atlanta. Americold, three years ago, purchased the facility when they acquired Cloverleaf Cold Storage of Sioux City. There are ten employees at the Cherokee facility, all will stay on. Nor-Am is based in Le Mars. They own 13 facilities in six states, including Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
MEALS ON WHEELS
This is the time of year when a meal delivery servivce is a big help to senior citizens. Meals on Wheels in Le Mars provides these meals through Connections Area Agency on Aging. Norma Klein manages Meals on Wheels in Le Mars
Meals are delivered Monday through Friday, and Norma must be given 24 hour notice before meals are delivered. Cost is 5 dollars per meal.
Klein says the number of participants have been declining
Klein says there is usually more demand for Meals on Wheels in the colder months.
Prices for meal service rose in July, and that’s when demand dropped.
The meals are made in Sioux City, and brought up to Le Mars for delivery.
Klein says covid increased participation in Meals on Wheels. She calls it a practical way for seniors to eat meals daily, and even though the cost for the service went up, it’s still somewhat economical, when considering the other price hikes people are coping with. Meals on Wheels in Le Mars can be reached at 541-6621.
NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL
Brenna Bird will take over Monday as the first Republican Iowa’s attorney general in 40 years after winning against incumbent Democrat Tom Miller in November. Bird’s central campaign promise was to stand up for Iowa and join any lawsuits against the Biden Administration’s overreach. Bird is still developing a proposed budget for the office, but one of her first moves will be to ask the Republican-led legislature to approve funding for more prosecutors. Bird, who has been Guthrie County Attorney, criticized her predecessor for failing to travel the state and meet with local law enforcement. Bird says she intends to visit every one of Iowa’s 99 counties each year.
UNI RENOVATES “ICONIC SPACES”
The University of Northern Iowa is raising money to renovate the Campanile, the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, and the UNI-Dome on the Cedar Falls campus. School president Mark Nook calls them “iconic spaces,” with the UNI-Dome as one of the most recognizable because of the many events held there — including the state football playoffs. Nook says the 50-year-old structure needs an update. Part of the plan is to replace the bleachers with stadium seating to make it more comfortable to watch sports events.
CROP ADVANTAGE
Registration is underway for the Crop Advantage meetings offered each January by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Crop Advantage meetings provide the latest crop production information to help producers make smart, informed decisions in their farming operations. Each meeting is an approved continuing instruction course for private pesticide applicators. All the Crop Advantage locations are approved for continuing education credits through Certified Crop Advisors. The workshops cover topics such as crop management, pest management, nutrient management, and soil and water management. One Crop Advantage Meeting will be January 3 at NCC in Sheldon. Another will be January 24 at the Le Mars Convention Center. Registration checkin at both locations is at 9-30 am. The programs begin at 10 am and conclude at 4-30 pm.
PADDLEFISH LICENSES
Licenses for a chance to snag one of the state’s most unique fish are now on sale. The D-N-R’s Missouri River fisheries supervisor, Chris Larson, says paddlefish licenses are on sale through January 7th.
The season starts February 1st and runs through April 30th on the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers. The paddlefish season returned in 2015 and Larson says there are still many who like to participate.
Paddlefishing stopped in 1986 to protect fish numbers, and Larson says they have done okay since things restarted.
Paddlefish are snagged on the bottom of the river with heavy duty rods and 50 to 100 pound test line. Larson says you need to physically be ready because snagging involves more work than simply dropping a line in the water and waiting — but he says it’s also not that difficult to do. The drought has left water levels lower in the Missouri — which Larson says may be a good thing for those seeking the paddlefish.
A resident paddlefish license costs 25-50 and a nonresident license is 49 dollars. You must also have a valid Iowa fishing license. For more information about Iowa’s special paddlefish season, visit www.iowadnr.gov/paddlefish.
TITLE 42 RESPONSE
The U-S Supreme Court issued a decision to keep what’s known as Title 42 in place to help deter illegals from coming across the southern U-S boarder. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds released a statement in response — saying she is grateful for the court’s action — but says “ this is only a temporary fix to a crisis that President Biden and his administration have ignored for two years.” The Republican governor’s statement says she looks forward to the Supreme Court deciding this issue during this year’s term.
YEAR-END SCAMS
The Better Business Bureau is encouraging you to do your homework to avoid being ripped off as you look to make charitable contributions to get a tax break before the calendar year runs out. Iowa B-B-B spokesperson Bao (rhymes with NOW) Vang says you should watch out for charity name confusion. That’s when scammers try to trick you into thinking they are someone else, including a reputable, credible organization that you already have a special connection with. Vang — if you have doubts about a charity, do your research to ensure it is on the up and up, and don’t donate right away to anyone who calls.
