THE NEWSPAPER THAT SERVES ALL DECATUR COUNTY
14 PAGES
USPS 310-140
LEON, IOWA 50144, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021
P.O. Box 580, 111 NW. 2nd, Leon, IA 50144 E-mail: JRNEWS@GRM.NET VOLUME 92 - NUMBER 17
Decatur County Hospital to Add Space For Continued Expansion Decatur County Hospital, believes that the community deserves access to specialty care close to home. No one should have to travel to see a specialist for their health care needs. Health care should be effective, accessible, and comprehensive to ensure that providers can give the best care possible for you and your loved ones. With the recent growth in the DCH Outpatient Clinic through the addition of multiple specialty clinics (Chronic Pain Management, Gynecology and Uro-Gynecology, Neurology, Orthopedic Surgery, Rheumatology, and Spine/Neck Surgery have all been added in the last 2 years), the hospital has outgrown its current specialty clinic space within the hospital. In order to continue service to the community and provide specialty care close to home, Decatur County Hospital will be undergoing construction to add additional space to the existing hospi-
This area on the east side of the Decatur County Hospital will be the site for a new addition that will house a second surgical area, along with 18 exam rooms that will be used by the Specialty Care Clinics. Construction is anticipated to begin this fall. tal building. The new space will include eighteen (18) exam rooms (including two [2] procedure rooms), a new surgical suite, and a separate waiting room for DCH Outpatient Clinic patients. This addition will be integrated into the existing hospital facility, and placed on the east side of the current building. Pending the
Slade Honored for 40 Years of Service
Richard Slade was honored for his 40 years of service to the funeral profession on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, during the 141st Annual Iowa Funeral Directors Association Convention. L to R: IFDA Immediate Past President Ryan G. Tucker and Richard V. Slade. Richard V. Slade of Leon was honored for 40 years of dedication to funeral service during the 141st Annual Iowa Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) Convention held May 18-20, 2021 at the Iowa Event Center & Hilton Downtown Des Moines
Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. Slade was one of six funeral directors from around the state to receive recognition by peers and colleagues for 40 years of service to Iowa communities. This year’s Annual IFDA Convention fea-
Kline Retires; 7 CD Staff Resign
successful procurement of financing and affordable materials, construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall. Due to the conservative financial management of the hospital’s income and expenditures, there will be no impact on property taxes. The expansion will be funded with revenue bonds,
and will not increase the property tax levy. As DCH continues the formal process of making this expansion a reality, public meetings will be held to discuss the plans ahead of construction. There will be no vote needed by the public to proceed. In addition to the expansion tied to the existing building, an
tured highly regarded local and national funeral service speakers who presented current information on bereavement education, business and management practices, regulatory updates, technical skills and training and additional topics related to the funeral service profession. The Annual IFDA Convention provides funeral directors with a forum to receive and exchange information so they may return home with new ideas that will allow them to better serve the families in their communities. IFDA represents over 700 Iowa licensed funeral directors and 425 funeral home establishments throughout the state. The mission of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association is to promote and support funeral service excellence. To that end, IFDA promotes high standards within the field of funeral service through continuing education programs, legislative representation, and service to Iowa communities.
Ohio Man Arrested Following Routine Traffic Stop
members will be leaving the school system. The annual 2020- day, May 27 following Juliette Kline as the 2021 Central Decatur the students being lone retiree was recEnd of the Year Teach- released for summer ognized with a plaque er Recognition pro- break. and the teachers/staff gram was held ThursThis year eight staff (continued on page 7)
A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of an Ohio man with several warrants against him. On the evening of May 25, Leon Police Chief Bryant Schiltz stopped a vehicle for having a faulty tail lamp. The car was being driven by Robert Lee Holiness, 34 of Ohio. It was determined a short time later that Holiness had warrants out from Ohio on charges of abduction, felonious assault, and domestic abuse. Holiness was taken into custody by Chief Schiltz without incident. He is being held in the Decatur County Jail waiting on Ohio officers to pick him up. He had waived extradition.
accessory building will also be constructed on the property to the west of the hospital, across the highway on the old Leon Clinic lot. This accessory building will be used for storage of safety and medical supplies that are regularly kept on hand, and serve as upgraded storage for the Plant Operations Department. Construction on this accessory building will begin this spring. This investment in the future of health care for Decatur County shows that Decatur County Hospital will have an important role in the health of community members, and the community as a whole. With the decreasing availability of specialty services in rural areas, the specialists in DCH Outpatient Clinic have never been more important. As more community members face the reality of living with unique, chronic conditions, it is imperative that specialists work closely with patients, and utilize all the highlevel services that Decatur County Hospital has to offer. For specialty care, call DCH at 641-4462285 to learn more about their services, and to schedule an appointment.
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Incentive for Kids 12+ to Receive COVID Vaccine
On Thurs., May 27, as reported on the Decatur County Hospital Facebook page, Decatur County COVID-19 update, it reports having identified 1 new case from May 20 - 26, 3 total active cases in the prior 7 days (3 active cases in prior 14 days) for a total of 627 confirmed cases, a positivity rate of 2.4% in the prior 7 days (2.70% in the prior 14 days). Decatur County has had 4,544 total vaccine doses administered to residents (4,458 a week ago) and 2,249 total vaccine series completed by residents (*on the May 20th report, this number was reported (continued on page 4)
Fire Destroys Travel Camper at Slip Bluff Park A Des Moines man didn’t have too good of a start to his holiday weekend when his camper was destroyed by an afternoon blaze last week. Just shortly after noon on May 27, the Lamoni Fire Department was summoned to Slip Bluff Park, west of Davis City, where it was reported that a travel camper was on fire. According to La-
moni Fire Chief Curt Shields, when firemen arrived, the unit was completely engulfed in flames. A passerby, who was walking in the park, reported the fire. The owner was not present at the time of the fire. The camper was a total loss and no estimate of damage was given nor a cause of the blaze was determined.
Library Summer Reading Program Kickoff Night
ing lot. Reading logs and event calendars will be handed out. Enjoy snacks and a free book. All ages are welcome.
The Leon Public Library will host their kick off night for their Summer Reading Program on Friday, June 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the library park-
DELINQUENT TAX LIST found on pages 8,9 and 10.
Became a Member of the Centenarian’s Club
Leon's 4th of July Celebrations
After careful consideration and communication with all parties involved, the Leon Chamber of Commerce has decided to continue their annual Leon's 4th of July festivities for Sunday, July 4 beginning at 4:00 p.m. The day will begin with a FREE pancake breakfast uptown (compliments of Dr. Larry and Connie Richard and volunteers). A splasha-palooza is scheduled to be held at the Leon Swimming Pool in the afternoon. Following the 4 p.m. parade, the Leon Rodeo will host its final night along with a fireworks display. More information to follow. NOTE: Pleasanton This year eight staff members will be leaving the school system. Pictured has scheduled their 4th are back row l-r: Josue Ramirez-Villeda, Rudy Evertsen, Wendell Smith, of July festivities to be held on Saturday, July and Dale Helgevold. Front l-r: Mike Jacks, Janae Crabtree, Juliette Kline 3 along with Lamoni. and Larry Heltenberg.
Last Saturday, May 29, long time Leon resident, Verda Dougherty celebrated her 100th birthday. She was honored on Friday by her Terrace Park family with cake and all of the extras. When asked about living to be 100, she replied that her mother lived to be over 100 so it must be in her genes. Verda and husband Harry were owners of the Ben Franklin Store for many years.