News

HINTON — Even if it was only for a little more than a half an hour, students in the Hinton Community School District received a small piece of normalcy back in their lives last Thursday. That was thanks to an idea the school district nurse, Tina Zimney had, and made a reality. The idea saw faculty, staff and administrators, gather and drive the streets of Hinton waving and saying hi to their students who they have been separated from because of the COVID-19 pandemic...

LE MARS — "The end is not yet in sight," Governor Kim Reynolds said in her opening remarks at Monday's press conference in Des Moines. Reynolds referred to President Donald Trump's decision to extend social distancing guidelines to April 30 to continue slowing the COVID-19 virus...

DES MOINES — Iowa District 3 Representative Tom Jeneary issued a statement on Sunday in an attempt to help people understand Governor Kim Reynolds reasoning for not issuing a “shelter-in-place” order. “Yesterday, I was on a conference call with Governor Reynolds. She shared with us some of the reasons why she hasn’t issued a ‘shelter-in-place’ order for Iowans. Below is some interesting information that she shared with us. This is a longer post than normal, but very valuable information...

LE MARS — Random acts of kindness are being shown all across Le Mars in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most recent is that by Levi and Alexis Te Brink who set up an in-store credit at Bellissimo Coffee Works for law enforcement, first responders, health care professionals, and teachers...

The nation is in unprecedented times as it faces a global pandemic that is shaking everyone at its core. As we face this crisis that is reaching our front doorsteps, we want you to know we are here for you — and with you. Whatever happens, whenever it happens, your newspaper will be there for you. We’ll be there to let you know how your community is managing through this crisis — from business to government to the health care system and schools, to the drastic impact on individuals and families...

LE MARS — If all goes as planned, Cleveland Park could have a new playground area by the end of July. At the March 17 city council meeting, the council considered a proposal from Leathers & Associates, Inc., to design and construct the Cleveland Park Playground. Leathers & Associates would begin design immediately with potential completion by the end of July 2020...

AMES — It’s a common image: harried adults racing from workplace to home and back again, trying to fulfill work responsibilities, but wanting to be home with family. What happens when working adults have no place to race to, since work and home are the same place? As the COVID-19 pandemic turns homes into workplaces, how can Iowans best cope with the consequences?...

PRIMGHAR — The Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Trainings for Northwest Iowa have been canceled until further notice. These cancellations include the April 6 training in Sibley, the April 7 training in Sheldon and the April 8 training in George...

AMES — Iowa 4-H Youth Development is committed to providing youth and their families with research-based, accessible online learning opportunities. A collection of online educational resources for K-12 youth audiences is available on the 4-H at Home Learning Resources webpage (www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/4h-at-home-learning-resources)...

DES MOINES — The number of initial claims filed between Sunday, March 15, and Saturday, March 21, (the first time period that reflects the increased number of claims filed related to COVID-19, including the broader group of individuals eligible for claims due to the virus) was 40,952...

REMSEN - A news release issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety on Friday night stated a Remsen resident has been arrested and charged with three counts of Purchasing/Possessing Depictions of a Minor in a Sex Act. The charges are aggravated misdemeanors...

LE MARS — In an effort to offer the best and safest care for our patients, Floyd Valley Clinics will be offering a Respiratory Care Clinic beginning on Saturday, March 28. This clinic will follow the normal Urgent Care Hours from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday...

LE MARS — You get a pizza, you get a pizza, everyone gets a pizza. That was the gift given to every Floyd Valley Healthcare worker on Wednesday, when American Bank, Perspective Insurance, Jerry’s Pizza and P’s Pizza House teamed up to offer just a “slice” of comfort to Le Mars healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic...

PLYMOUTH CO. — Plymouth County Auditor Stacey Feldman, Republican, has officially announced she will be seeking her fourth term for office. Feldman filed her official nomination petition in the Plymouth County Auditor’s office in mid-March. The county auditor position is a four-year term and will be on the June 2 Primary Election ballot...

LE MARS — Just like healthcare workers, first responders are standing front and center as the COVID-19 pandemic attacks the nation. While these last few weeks have been anything but normal, for them it’s another day on the job, putting their lives and well-being on the front line for the sake of others as they face the unknown...

LE MARS — Just like healthcare workers, first responders are standing front and center as the COVID-19 pandemic attacks the nation. While these last few weeks have been anything but normal, for them it’s another day on the job, putting their lives and well-being on the front line for the sake of others as they face the unknown...

LE MARS — You get a pizza, you get a pizza, everyone gets a pizza. That was the gift given to every Floyd Valley Healthcare worker on Wednesday, when American Bank, Perspective Insurance, Jerry’s Pizza and P’s Pizza House teamed up to offer just a “slice” of comfort to Le Mars healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic...

CRAIG — The upcoming City of Craig Special Election has been postponed, according to Plymouth County Auditor Stacey Feldman, due to the COVID-19 emergency. In a news release issued by Feldman’s office it stated, “at this time the City of Craig Special Election to elect a city council member is not being held on Tuesday, March 31.”...

DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds has added new closures and extended existing ones as part of the state’s fight against COVID-19. In her Thursday afternoon press conference, Reynolds announced an expansion of her prior emergency proclamation that postpones non-essential surgeries and expands business closures...

LE MARS — A special meeting of the Le Mars Community School District’s Board of Education on March 18 centered on actions related to the four week shutdown of schools across Iowa. The board took action on paying hourly wage employees during the work stoppage...

LE MARS — Business owners like Scott and Lisa Pageler of Le Mars are choosing to take the proactive approach and close its storefront temporarily in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pagelers have owned and operated Hardware Hank since 2010 and like many small business owners this national emergency is new territory for them...

PLYMOUTH CO. — Reconstruction work on U.S. 75 between Plymouth County Road C-80 near Sioux City and Plymouth County Road C-60 near Hinton requires the contractor to shift southbound traffic onto one of the new northbound lanes of U.S. 75 in a head-to-head traffic pattern beginning at 8 a.m., Sunday, March. 29...

REMSEN — Making sure children who are now home from school have food to eat, the schools in Remsen have been working to make that happen, as are others in the area. St. Mary’s School in Remsen distributed perishable foods to its students last week, following the closure of all schools in Iowa due to the COVID-19 pandemic...

WEST DES MOINES — Hy-Vee, Inc. announced it will be temporarily suspending its return, refund and rain check policy until further notice. On March 24, Hy-Vee stores across its eight-state region will not accept returns or issue rain checks for its products...