“Winter Blues vs. S.A.D.” session to be held at Le Mars Public Library
The Le Mars Public Library will host an information session, “Winter Blues vs S.A.D.”, on Wednesday, January 14, at 5:30pm.
Rosanna Kertles, Senior Life Solutions Program Director at Floyd Valley Healthcare, will speak about S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), mental health, and resources available during the winter months.
This event will be at the library, and it is free; no registration is required. The session is part of the Beat the Blues Challenge, with participating patrons receiving a punch on their challenge card for attending. If you’re feeling blue this winter, and if the feelings last for several weeks, talk to a healthcare provider. If you or someone you know is in immediate distress, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline by dialing 988.
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Iowa Legislature opening: Alons expects debate over eminent domain, Drey starts first term
The 91st session of the Iowa Legislature convened at 10am yesterday morning. Republican District 7 state senator Kevin Alons was involved in the battle over eminent domain last year, having sided with landowners opposed to having their property possibly taken by eminent domain for a carbon pipeline project.
Alons and other senators delayed a budget vote until a bill was passed, but Governor Reynolds vetoed the eminent domain bill. Alons expects a similar bill this session.
Alons disputes the claim that approving a carbon pipeline will raise the price of corn for farmers.
Alons says he will continue to stand by his perspective that property rights and the use of eminent domain have to fall within the constitution.
Democrat Caitlin Drey started her first session as a state senator in Des Moines yesterday. She was elected in a special election last summer to fill out the remainder of the late Rocky de Witt’s term representing District 1. Republicans hold a majority of seats in the Senate, and Drey has been assigned to a number of committees to serve on because of the fewer number of Democrats in that chamber.
She says economic development issues will be one of her main things to focus on for the Siouxland area.
Drey says she’s excited to get started and to represent the people of District 1.
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Pella Foundation donates $15,000 to Orange City Area Health remodel
Orange City Area Health System has received a $15,000 donation from the Pella Rolscreen Foundation to support the hospital’s surgical center remodel. The investment will support an expansion of the system’s surgical suite by adding a new operating room and procedural space, increasing capacity and improving access to care for patients across the region.
In a press release, Marty Guthmiller, CEO of Orange City Area Health System, stated that the expansion would “allow not only more surgical procedures, but also the opportunity to do them more efficiently,” and that the investment “ensures that OCAHS can continue to meet the region’s growing surgical needs.”
In addition to the expansion of the surgery center, the remodel will include relocating cardiac rehab services, creating an inpatient physical therapy space, construction on a new conference room, creating a new nursing mother’s room, and support for new advanced surgical technology. The project is expected to be completed in May of this year.
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