Mercy earns national recognition for commitment to excellence in stroke care. Mercy Medical Center has earned the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines(R)- Stroke Gold Plus award, recognizing the hospital's dedication to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for people experiencing stroke. The Gold Plus designation honors hospitals that not only meet national stroke care standards but also excel in additional measures that support long-term recovery and overall patient well-being. Stroke remains the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Because every minute matters during a stroke, Mercy's care teams follow proven protocols designed to speed diagnosis and treatment, helping protect brain function and improve outcomes. Mercy also offers three emergency room locations that provide access to emergency care when time is critical, including when stroke symptoms appear. The Get With The Guidelines - Stroke program provides hospitals with the latest research-driven tools and best practices to enhance patient care. Mercy's Gold Plus achievement reflects consistent performance in applying these guidelines, from rapid clinical response to coordinated follow-up care. Hospitals earn this recognition by meeting rigorous benchmarks for timely treatment and by demonstrating a commitment to patient education, rehabilitation support and ongoing health management. Mercy's participation underscores its focus on delivering comprehensive stroke care from the moment symptoms begin through recovery at home.

KLEM newscast for friday, may 29th, 2026. May 29, 2026 Local bakers to retire following Farmers Market season Two longtime Le Mars-area bakers have announced they will retire from the baking business this fall. Rob and Joyce Scheitler, the couple behind The Scheitler Bakers and one of the organizers of the Le Mars Farmers Market, made the announcement in a Facebook post on Sunday. Speaking to KLEM, Rob Scheitler says the time was right to hang up the apron. Audio Player Scheitler says their retirement will not affect the future of the Farmers Market. Audio Player The Scheitler Bakers began in 2017, when Joyce joined a small farmers market group in Merrill, and has expanded from there into what Rob says is the largest in-home baking market in the Siouxland area. Audio Player The couple says they will continue to fulfill orders through September 30th and will continue working the Farmers Market until October, before hanging up the apron for good. LifeNet medical helicopter begins serving Siouxland region LifeNet of the Heartland is providing helicopter emergency medical service in Sioux City, and celebrated its opening with a Siouxland Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting luncheon in Sioux City's Riverside Park on Wednesday. Since opening last November, LifeNet 1-4 has already transported over 90 patients across the Siouxland region to receive medical care. Ethan Neff is the clinical base lead and head flight nurse. Audio Player LifeNet 1-4 crew members serve the tri-state area and fly an EC-130 air ambulance across western Iowa, eastern Nebraska and southeast South Dakota. Audio Player Craig Marshall is the area manager of Air Methods, the parent company overseeing LifeNet who previously partnered with Mercy Medical Center before it stopped operations in Sioux City. Audio Player Air Methods also partners with Unity Point LifeFlight, MercyOne Air Med and the University of Iowa AirCare, adding another 10 aircraft across the Hawkeye State. They also have bases in Omaha, Norfolk, and other Nebraska cities and can move those units around the region as needed.