Child And Teen Health

Domestic Violence Awareness can protect victims (10/02/08)
This year in Iowa seven women, two men, four children and one bystander were murdered in Domestic Violence incidents. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to celebrate survivors and to honor those who have died at the hands of their abusers...

Not just a wash: Groomer gives dogs the royal treatment (10/01/08)
She knows what kind of shampoo works well for your dog. She knows how to make doggie toothpaste from scratch. And she's even trained in pet CPR. Meet Monica Nilles. The Le Mars woman is the new dog groomer on Central Avenue, part of the Bow Wow Pet Shop and Bakery's new addition: Bow Wow Grooming and Day Spa...

Speakers urge local leaders to consider possible threats (10/01/08)
Maybe it will be an ice storm. Maybe a pandemic flu. Or maybe a terrorist strike with chemical weapons. Disaster is always on the horizon -- at least that was the message at a "Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail" videoconference that brought together local leaders from Le Mars and in six other states...

Le Mars Area Dialysis focus is on fundraising, renovation (10/01/08)
Le Mars Area Dialysis Services is stepping up its fundraising efforts. Currently the not-for-profit group has two main focuses -- one is to continue raising money, and the other is to plan renovation of its newly acquired building in downtown Le Mars...

Minnesota woman escapes serious injury in truck, building collision (09/29/08)
A medical condition caused Stephanie Kay Allen to lose control of her pickup and crash it into the Meylor Chiropractic building Friday afternoon, police said. The 39-year-old woman, of Silver Lake, Minn., who was wearing her seat belt, suffered non-life threatening injuries during the 12:45 p.m. accident...

Minnesota woman escapes serious injury in truck, building collision (09/26/08)

School sends message: no bullies allowed (09/24/08)
What may start out as joking or teasing could turn into bullying. Bullying may be physical, verbal or emotional in nature and is seen as an aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength and is typically repeated over time, according to information from the program, "Stop Bullying Now."...

New feeding clinic may help children eat (09/19/08)
Some children don't like to eat or have difficulty eating. Floyd Valley Hospital's new children's therapy services will try to determine why and how to overcome those problems through its feeding clinic using sensory and motor equipment. Erin Schroeder, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, said those tools, like a trampoline, an obstacle course, a slide and a large ball, can help settle a child down in preparation for eating...

Smoking law leaves city with cigarette clean up (09/17/08)
Le Mars Councilman Rex Knapp suggested the main entrance of the Le Mars Convention Center can, come weekends, resemble a pig sty. "It looks hideous, terrible," Knapp said during Tuesday's city council session describing what he said was the littering of the area with cigarette butts left by the weekend crowds...

Community Foundation accepting grant applications (09/09/08)
Applications for grant funding from The Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County are due Oct. 1, 2008. The foundation is calling for grant applications from all communities in Plymouth County. Areas of emphasis include: Children, Youth & Families, Community Betterment, Health & Human Services, Education, Environment, and Arts & Culture...

Farm Bureau honors Conley with Service to Ag award (09/03/08)
A longtime Le Mars area veterinarian was honored with the Plymouth County Farm Bureau's "Service to Agriculture" award Tuesday evening at the organization's 90th annual meeting. Dr. John Conley and his wife, Barbara, of rural Merrill, were called to the stage by President Mark Loutsch, who explained the award is given to those in Plymouth County who have contributed much of their lives toward the helping and development of agriculture...

School board candidates share views heading into election (09/02/08)
The Le Mars Community School District has two open seats on the board of education. The election to fill the District 3 and 5 seats will be Sept. 9. Joe Cain and incumbent Dan Smith are running for the District 5 spot, and Mark Hemmingson is running a write-in campaign for the District 3 spot, which no one filed papers to fill. To get to know the candidates more, the Daily Sentinel asked each one eight questions, which are printed below with their answers.

Questions answered on school levy issue (08/29/08)
Two public information meetings brought approximately 75 Le Mars Community School District residents out to learn about the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) Wednesday and Thursday evenings. A vote on whether to implement the levy will be held on Sept. 9, the same day as school board elections...

Dream Program helps Happy Siesta earn governor's quality award (08/26/08)
A wish to ride in an airplane, watch a play in a theater, take a fishing trip, hear an auctioneer cry -- all came true for Happy Siesta Health Care Center residents. Happy Siesta's Dream Program and other activities earned the center, in Remsen, a Governor's Award for Quality Care in Iowa Health Care Facilities for 2008, presented Monday...

Council moves ahead four street project plans (08/20/08)
Le Mars City Council members Tuesday gave their approval to a professional engineering services agreement for four Le Mars highway and street projects. On the agenda are widening Highway 3 near Floyd Valley Hospital, improving Business 75 from Highway 3 to Airport Drive, curb and gutter work on Seventh Avenue Southeast (K-49), and curb and gutter work on Sixth Avenue West...

When mommy is arrested: Police plan for children on the scene (08/18/08)
Patrol cars pull up to a house, looking for an adult suspect. They enter the house to make an arrest. There, on the couch, an eight year old is reading a book. Suddenly, the plan changes. "Kids are so impressionable," said Le Mars Police Chief Stu Dekkenga. "It's a big deal, removing a parent. You don't want to traumatize the child."...

Construction marches forward on new Remsen Medical Clinic (08/13/08)
June rain delays can't stop construction of the new Remsen Medical Clinic. The clinic on Second Street west of the post office is expected to be completed Dec. 1, said Daryl Friedenbach, director of financial services at Floyd Valley Hospital (FVH)...

Saving lives one night at a time (08/11/08)
Keith Garner, once retired, has an interesting nightlife. He saves people's lives. Garner isn't a caped crusader or masked marvel, but when the M.D. slips on his white jacket and steps into Floyd Valley Hospital's emergency room, he becomes a man of action...

Remsen urban renewal district in the works (08/11/08)
Creation of an urban renewal area in Remsen could generate money to extend public utilities to a new business and tear down old buildings in its downtown. An urban renewal area is a district which designates where Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue can be spent. TIF is created based on taxes from designated structures built within the district. Those taxes can be collected for 20 years...

Trail paves the way for recreation (08/08/08)
Delores Lancaster regularly walks on a recreation trail looping around Le Mars. And she's not the only one. People jogging, walking, biking, exercising dogs, in-line skating -- all use the trail. Even though it isn't complete yet, officials are working to finish its final section, which will complete the nearly 9-mile circuit...

Building on education: LCS addition nearly complete (08/07/08)
With only two weeks until school starts, teachers and staff at Le Mars Community High School and Middle School are busy putting the finishing touches on moves to new classroom space and computer labs and looking forward to the new middle school gymnasium...

City accepts fee increase for emergency medical services (08/06/08)
Some ambulance fees are going up but most users won't feel the impact. Le Mars City Council members Tuesday, on recommendation from Bill Rosacker, Le Mars ambulance director, authorized city acceptance of a Wellmark-introduced change in payment for emergency medical services (EMS)...

West Nile bites western Iowa with first confirmed case (08/05/08)
West Nile virus has been confirmed in a woman in western Iowa, but Plymouth County remains in the clear. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced Friday the first human case of West Nile virus disease in 2008 was confirmed in an adult female...

Fundraiser at Eagles Club benefits dialysis center (08/05/08)
The Le Mars Eagles Club will host a fundraiser in support of the Le Mars Area Dialysis Services beginning at 5 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 8 at the Eagles Club, 104 First Ave. S.W. in Le Mars. The group is hoping to raise funds to help support the effort of raising an additional $600,000 in order to complete renovation of the newly acquired facility at 104 First St. S.W., which will eventually provide local services for kidney dialysis patients...

Iowa athletes compete in Beijing for 2008 Olympics (08/05/08)
Iowa may be about 6,000 miles from Beijing, China, but starting this week, Iowa will have a presence in the 2008 Olympic hub. More than 10 athletes from Iowa or with Iowa connections are arriving in the Chinese capital this week to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics, which run Aug 8-24...

Smoking outside gets mixed reviews (07/25/08)
Smoking inside Iowa bars and restaurants is just a memory. The Iowa Smokefree Air Act that became effective July 1 means customers who want to smoke in those places must now go outside. "It's definitely affected business," said the Red Hanke Saloon manager, who did not wish to be identified. "They (customers) don't stick around as long."...

Senior Services Directory aims to aid senior citizens (07/24/08)
After several years of planning and hours of work, the dream of a comprehensive guide for services available for senior citizens in Plymouth County has become a reality. The Plymouth County Fair marks the launching of the long awaited Plymouth County Senior Service Directory. Free copies may be picked up during the fair at the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary Booth in the Commercial Building...

New first aid booth turns the page of history (07/21/08)
First aid at the Plymouth County Fair got a whole new look this year. The aging first aid booth was replaced by a new building just in time for the fair this year. "Last year there were concerns about the booth -- it was aging," said Tim Paul, chief engineer at Floyd Valley Hospital...

Starzl lights flame of hope at Transplant Games (07/15/08)
The athletes who took the field for the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, Penn. -- all recipients of organ transplants -- each carried a story marked by trial and triumph. So did the man who, during the opening ceremonies, lit the games' symbolic flame...

Program offers help in preparing for emergencies (07/09/08)
Where's your emergency kit? Don't have one? Just how prepared are you of a disaster should strike? If your emergency kit is lacking in supplies, or worse yet, you have no emergency kit, get yourself prepared by attending the "20 Weeks of Preparedness" program hosted by Floyd Valley Hospital at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 14, in the hospital's Conference Center Room 1...

Hinton school hosts public meeting on proposed expansion (07/01/08)
Hinton Community School is looking at building a new early elementary building and gym, and now officials want to hear what the public has to say. The school board will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 in the school gym to give an update on the proposed pre-Kindergarten through third grade building and competitive gymnasium, anticipated to cost more than $7.5 million...

Smoking in most public places will be extinguished Tuesday (06/30/08)
No Smoking signs started going up last week in preparation for the Iowa Smokefree Air Act which goes into effect Tuesday. Lally's East Side Restaurant, in Le Mars, sported homemade signs Friday telling customers the establishment, which previously allowed smoking, will be smoke free July 1...

Hold the tomatoes (06/11/08)
Salmonella scare makes tomatoes scarce in Le Mars

Teams and survivors pound track for Relay For Life (06/09/08)
Clear skies and warm weather greeted participants at the 2008 Plymouth County Relay for Life event Friday evening and held through the Saturday morning closing at 7 a.m. Plymouth County cancer survivors made their traditional survivor lap, each wearing a light purple T-shirt in recognition of their survivorship...

Former Le Mars teacher has 'Great Expectations' for musical (06/06/08)
Remember orphan Pip's antics in the novel "Great Expectations?" A former Le Mars teacher, Margaret Hoorneman, liked Charles Dickens' classic story so much she transformed it into a musical -- writing its first script when she was 80 years old. Now Hoorneman's musical has been on stage and she is hoping it will eventually hit Broadway...

Relay For Life ready to walk (06/05/08)
The 12th Annual Plymouth County Relay For Life kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, June 6, with opening ceremonies at Jim Lorenzen Field. While teams will be walking from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, the public is encouraged to attend activities throughout the evening as a part of the county's fundraising event for the American Cancer Society...

Pat Winter is 2008 Relay For Life honorary chair (06/05/08)
Pat Winter of Le Mars was once a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Now as a cancer survivor, she is thankful for the work of the American Cancer Society and will serve as the honorary chair for the 2008 Plymouth County Relay For Life. "I'm honored to be chosen," said Winter, "and I'm glad for the Relay For Life event in our county. We all hope for a cure."...

Nutritious snacks make playtime healthier (06/03/08)
Pickles, applesauce, fitness water, granola bars -- all are healthy snacks -- and all are now available at the Le Mars Municipal Swimming Pool. Angela Loutsch, director of Le Mars' outdoor pool, said this is the first full season for the healthier choices in the concession stand, but it's been in the works for longer...

Le Mars United Way awards funding to area agencies (06/03/08)
A teen pregnancy prevention program, meat vouchers for families in need, a fine arts after-school program and addiction recovery services are among 14 projects receiving grant money from the Le Mars United Way this year. Fourteen local agencies will be receiving a total of $58,500 from the nonprofit organization to provide area families with basic needs and services...

12th annual Relay For Life set for Jim Lorenzen Field (06/02/08)
More than 20 teams will take to the track at Jim Lorenzen Field in Le Mars as part of the 12th Annual Plymouth County Relay For Life this Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7. While teams will be walking from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, the public is encouraged to attend activities throughout the evening as a part of the county's fundraising event for the American Cancer Society...

Teacher's actions credited with saving student's life (05/28/08)
Vicki Borchers saved 7-year-old Andrew Cummings life. That's what Andrew's parents, Colleen and Gary Cummings believe. When the Le Mars boy was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City May 19, Andrew's blood sugar had spiked into the 500s -- normal blood sugar levels are between 75 and 110...

Mental health care can be strain on families (05/16/08)
Editor's note: The name of the individual in this story has been changed to protect her identity. May is Mental Health Month Caregivers of those afflicted with mental illness can face challenges. "Julie" knows all about it as she has helped care for a close relative, who has schizophrenia, and also works with people suffering from mental disorders at the Abbey of Le Mars...

Remsen Clinic steps closer to construction with bid acceptance (05/02/08)
Frank Audino Construction will build the new Remsen Medical Clinic by an expected Oct. 30 deadline. The Sioux City company submitted the lowest general contract bid of $567,502, which included a $29,503 deduction for vinyl siding on the exterior of the clinic. A masonry siding will be used instead...

Police tie two to longer string of burglaries (05/01/08)
Police are pinning 11 more burglaries on an 18-year-old already accused of being part of five other break-ins. A new suspect, a 16-year-old, was also tied to five of the burglaries after police interviews. The 18-year-old, Alexx Leo Conyers of Le Mars, faces 12 more felony charges for allegedly breaking in, stealing cash and vandalizing property. Conyers was already booked in the Plymouth County Jail...

Plymouth County's strengths surprising in uncertain national economy (04/25/08)
Plymouth County is ahead of the game when it comes to economic development, despite an unstable national economy. The county's economy is in good shape because of its low unemployment and property tax rates, high wages and property tax valuations and continued business and residential growth, according to Gary Tucker, Plymouth County's economic director...

Fewer graduating doctors make Medical Associates' recruitment challenging (04/24/08)
Family medicine doctors are in demand. Medical Associates, in Le Mars, is currently on the prowl to recruit two to three new family medicine doctors, but 2007 estimates indicate pickings are slim. Last year 3,038 family medicine residents graduated and 7,517 jobs openings were posted on the Internet, according to the Physician Recruitment Department at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D...

LCS students will compete state National History Day competition (04/24/08)
Le Mars Community Schools will send 11 students to the National History Day state competition in Des Moines on April 28. Forty-seven Le Mars Community Middle School students and one Le Mars Community High School student participated in the Northwest AEA National History Day district contest held on March 14, with the 11 chosen for advancement to the state competition...

Teams forming for Plymouth County Relay For Life (04/23/08)
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Plymouth County is just around the corner. There's still time to register a team for the June event by calling June Muth, team recruitment chair, at 712-533-6286. This "celebration of life" brings the Plymouth community together in a unified effort to fight cancer...

LCS board waives early retirement requirement (03/20/08)
Le Mars Community School board members gave their approval to a waiver of Board Policy 405.1 concerning early retirement at their Monday meeting in response to a request from teacher Terry Lane. Lane, who will complete his 32nd year with the school district in May, requested the board waive the age 55 clause to allow him to retire at the end of the school year, even though he won't turn 55 until the second day of workshops for the 2008-09 contract year. ...