Fatal Fire Near Granville
(Update) An early morning fire on Monday (September 1) has resulted in three deaths.
At about 5 a.m. Monday, the Granville Fire and EMS Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 report of a residential fire that occurred at a residence on 430th Street, two and one-half miles northwest of Granville.
Upon arrival at the location, the residence was filled with heavy smoke.
Fire personnel discovered four persons inside the residence in critical condition; they were transported by ambulance services to Orange City Area Health where Kolten Hofmeyer, age 17, of Alton, died as a result of injuries sustained in the fire. Three other victims were flown to specialty units at other hospitals for further treatment where Bryleigh Koob, age 16, and Ashton Koob, age 17, both of Granville, died as a result of their injuries. A third victim, a 16 year old male of Alton, IA, remains in critical condition at a hospital burn unit in Minnesota.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Granville Fire Chief in conjunction with the Iowa State Fire Marshal.
The Granville Fire Department was assisted by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Hospers Fire Department, and ambulance services of Alton, Orange City, Granville, Hospers, Paullina and Sheldon.
Names of the deceased and injured are being withheld pending further investigation and notification of family members.
MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District faculty and staff along with clergy and pastoral support from area churches will be available throughout this week for anyone connected to or affected by this tragic event.
Sioux County Sherriff Jamie Van Voorst in a press release stated…”We are created for community—for relationships that strengthen and sustain us. I’ve come to you before, Sioux County, to ask that you rally around a hurting and broken family, school, and community and we are in dire need again. In this sad tragedy, there are several families involved and a large community affected. This is heavy, heartbreaking and overwhelming. Please stop and pray with us for everyone affected by this. Please continue to pray in the upcoming weeks.”
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UnityPoint- Sioux City Acquires MercyOne
UnityPoint Health has assume ownership of MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. The acquisition was complete yesterday (Monday, September 1) and includes the hospital and several of its facilities.
The new name is UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Downtown. UnityPoint President and CEO Scott Kizer says “This is an important milestone for UnityPoint Health, our providers and team members and most importantly, the patients and communities who rely upon these institutions for care.”
UnityPoint Health- Sioux City Market President Jane Arnold says the next step will be to bring MercyOne colleagues into the UnityPoint Health family.
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K.C. Phonathon is Wednesday
Phones will be ringing all over Plymouth County tomorrow (Wednesday, September 3) during the 45th annual Knights of Columbus phonathon benefiting Life Skills Training Center and the Iowa Special Olympics.
Life Skills Executive Director Jessica La Fleur says this year’s honorary chairs for the phonathon are Red, Ryan, and Blake Wiltgen.
During an interview on KLEM’s What Now Show, La Fleur talked about Life Skill’s new Day Hab facility.
The Le Mars Chamber “Community Coffee” will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) morning from 9:30 till 10:30 at the K.C. Hall in Le Mars.
La Fleur says the phonathon is a huge benefit for both programs, last year raising over $66-thousand dollars for Life Skills and close to $7-thousand for the Special Olympics.
The Knights of Columbus will be making calls in Le Mars, Remsen, and Akron. The Kingsley Knights conduct a letter campaign for that area.
KLEM will broadcast updates from the K.C. Hall in Le Mars throughout the day Wednesday.
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The BIG Challenge
Economic development organizations in Northwest Iowa are once again teaming up to offer $10 thousand in prize money for the BIG Challenge grant competition.
The contest gives entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to submit their dreams to start or expand a business, then encourage friends, family, and customers to vote for them online.
Now through September 28th, entrepreneurs in Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, and Woodbury Counties can go online to submit their business or startup ideas.
Voting will take place from October 1st through October 10th.
The regional contest will be held the evening of Thursday, November 20th at the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor. That evening, the finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas with first place receiving $5-thousand, second place receiving $3-thousand, and third place receiving $2-thousand.
The Big Challenge is sponsored and organized by Iowa’s West Coast Initiative, Northwest Iowa Developers, and Siouxland Economic Development Corporation. To learn more about the contest rules or to enter, visit www.iawestcoast.com and click on “The BIG Challenge.”
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Clay County Fair Opens Saturday
The last and largest county fair of the season in Iowa opens Saturday. The Clay County Fair in Spencer will be held September 6th through the 14th.
The schedule features special days including Veteran’s Appreciation Day on Monday, September 8th. The Clay County Fair will honor all veterans and active-duty military personnel by offering them free admission to the Fair as a token of appreciation for their service. That particular day will feature a Veterans Day Parade at 10:00 AM around the fairgrounds, followed by a Veterans Day Program at 11:00 AM in the Events Center Ballroom.
Tuesday, September 9th is Senior Day. Fairgoers aged 65 and older can enjoy admission for $9.00. Tuesday will also feature a vintage tractor parade at 10:00 AM around the Fair. And that’s just some of the special days planned.
Last year’s Clay County Fair drew nearly 300,000 visitors.
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City Council to Meet Today
The Le Mars City Council meets today (Tuesday) at 12 noon. The agenda includes a hearing on the Wastewater Industrial Pretreatment Facility Project. The Council is also expected to award a contract for the O’Toole Park Improvement Project, and they will consider setting a public hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of costs for the demolition of the Centennial Building located at 1140 3rd Avenue SE on the former Westmar campus.
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will not meet today. Their next meeting is planned for next Tuesday, September 9th beginning at 9:30 a.m.
