News

Sheldon Middle School Band Needs Your Help

Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon Middle School Band Program has a problem. They have more students interested in learning an instrument than they have available instruments for them to play. As a result, the band department has launched a Musical Instrument Drive to try and get instruments into the hands of the kids who want to learn to play them.

Middle School Band Director Jeana Larson tells us about the shortage problem.

She says the challenge is in choosing what instruments to buy with the budget she has available.

Larson says the community can help by donating any unused musical instruments they have laying around.

She says that while new instruments are expensive, the donation of unused instruments is tax deductible.

Larson had a final word for the Sheldon community.

If you’d like more information on the Instrument Drive, or have an instrument you’d like to donate, you can contact Larson at the Sheldon Middle School at 712-324-4346, or email her at jlarson@sheldon.k12.ia.us.

tomSeptember 28, 2015October 9, 2015

Branstad Under Fire In Video Campaign

Urbandale, Iowa –- A statewide political organization led by a Sheldon native is weighing into the Planned Parenthood debate — and they want Governor Branstad to stop all funding to Planned Parenthood.

Bob Vander Plaats 2015 — FAMiLY LEADER CEO, Bob Vander Plaats

The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation has launched a new web-based campaign and professionally produced, hard-hitting video that reminds Branstad he promised five years ago to defund Planned Parenthood in Iowa.

The goal of the campaign is to mobilize all Iowans to demand Branstad keep his promise.

According to the FAMiLY LEADER, Branstad pledged during a 2010 gubernatorial debate on Iowa Public Television to make Planned Parenthood one of the first programs he would defund upon being elected. And yet, they allege that millions in taxpayer dollars are still flowing to Planned Parenthood through state contracts.

They contend that Branstad has been provided with legal evidence that he has cause to terminate those contracts, particularly as Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is already under Medicaid fraud investigation.

Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation, and a Sheldon native, says QUOTE “There are no excuses left for Branstad’s inaction.” He says “[Branstad’s] own party insists he act.

“Furthermore, Iowa has over 200 women’s health clinics not affiliated with Planned Parenthood and which offer more comprehensive health care – such as mammograms and well-child services – that Planned Parenthood does not provide,” Vander Plaats adds. “Imagine what those millions in Medicaid and taxpayer dollars could do if they were used in those 200 clinics across the state instead of concentrated in only 13 Iowa communities where Planned Parenthood clinics are located.”

Scott Van AartsenSeptember 28, 2015September 28, 2015

United Fund Nearly Doubles In The Last Week

Sheldon, Iowa — The 2015 Sheldon United Fund Drive is underway and will continue through the rest of the year. The goal this year is $31,000.

The funds are now up to $6,704.

The fund drive is now 18% finished. The funds are at about 22% of goal. Over $24,000 has yet to be raised. To finish on goal, the drive now needs to average nearly $1,810 per week through the rest of the year. In the last week, donors gave $3,045.

Contributions may be left at any of the four Sheldon banks, or you can also send them to PO Box 41, Sheldon. Essays explaining each organization are available at the banks.

Each week we’re mentioning a few of the organizations that benefit from your donations. This time the list includes:

Lutheran Social Services of Iowa
Meals on Wheels
Noah’s Ark Preschool
Northwest Life Awareness Council
Prairie Arts Council

The United Fund will be assisting 25 different organizations in Sheldon and the surrounding communities this year, and they thank you for your contribution.

Scott Van AartsenSeptember 28, 2015September 28, 2015

Man Taken To Hospital After Accident

Orange City, Iowa — A Sheldon man was taken to the hospital after an accident in Orange City.

The Orange City Police Department reports that about 4:35 PM on Friday, September 25, 2015, 25-year-old Eric Durband of Hospers was driving a 1998 Dodge pickup westbound on Highway 10. Twenty year-old Samuel Vis of Sheldon was westbound on 10 behind Durband, in a 2010 Mazda.

The report says that Durband was stopped for vehicles that were stopped for a red light for westbound Highway 10. Durband told the officer that the light turned green and he started to go, when his vehicle was struck in the rear by the Vis vehicle. Vis told the officer that he had blacked out and came to after he struck the Durband pickup.

The Orange City Ambulance took Vis to the Orange City Area Health System Hospital.

Durband’s Dodge Dakota pickup sustained about $3000 in damages, and Vis’s Mazda sustained about $8000 in damages, says the report.

Vis was charged with following too closely and no proof of insurance.

Scott Van AartsenSeptember 28, 2015September 28, 2015

Time To Get Your Flu Shot

Northwest Iowa — It’s fall. That means it’s time to start thinking about your annual flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control say that flu season typically starts in the fall and peaks in January or February, and that getting the flu vaccine is your best protection against the flu.

Sanford Rock Rapids Clinic manager Laurie Jensen tells us why you should get the flu vaccine.

She says they also strongly recommend vaccinating children, as their close quarters put them in contact more often with the flu virus.

She says that because of flu complications, the flu is not something to mess around with.

She says there are several types of flu vaccination delivery systems, varied mostly by age. For the young, flu virus mist is available. There is a pediatric vaccination for those under two, and a regular flu shot as well, plus a high-dose injection for those over 64, to give those in that age group extra protection.

Jensen says some hospitals set up special clinics for the public. She says that while Sanford Rock Rapids does have some clinics set up for private businesses and public schools in the county, they are not doing any clinics for the general public this year through Sanford Rock Rapids. She does advise that in addition to making an an appointment for a flu shot at the Sanford Clinics in Rock Rapids or George, there is flu vaccine available at pharmacies and through public health departments. She says it doesn’t matter where you get your flu shot — just that you get one.

Scott Van AartsenSeptember 28, 2015September 28, 2015

Sheldon Leaders Receive Award In Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Sheldon was among four communities in the state that were recognized for their outstanding work in launching programs to make themselves shine this past week.

Newton city management analyst Natalie Umsted says Newton was set aside with its own award, while Elkader, Sheldon and Waterloo were named as All-Star Communities by the Iowa League of Cities during the League’s Annual Conference & Exhibit.

A partnership between the City of Sheldon and the Sheldon Community School District turned green space along Highway 18 into a Joint Community Sports Complex. The Complex includes three ball diamonds and three acres of green space, along with concessions, restrooms and storage.