Quick action saves life in Lyon County Jail

Last Thursday, an inmate at the Lyon County Correctional facility made an attempt to hang himself.
“He had a bed sheet tied around his neck and tied to a railing,” said Sheriff Eric Wallen.
However, due to quick action by six correctional officers and deputies, the man’s life was spared.
Sheriff Wallen Tuesday honored the six for quick action to save a life. They included: Deputy Valerie Peichel; Sergeant John Xiong and correctional officers Alissa Determan, Brock Schultz, Leighton Otto and Hillary Buysse.
The Lyon County Board added their thanks to the officers for the work they did not only in saving a life but for their abilities to remain calm in the face of a potential tragedy.

IN OTHER action the Lyon County Board:
•Approved a conditional use permit to Kevin Gregoire of Marshall for a feedlot expansion in Vallers Township. He plans to expand the swine operation from 300 animal units to 687 animal units. “This is a farrowing operation we don’t see every day,” said Planning and Zoning Director John Biren.
Also, the board approved another conditional use permit to Boerboom Ag Resources of Marshall for a feedlot expansion in Stanley Township. The plan is to house 1,840 animal units.
•Awarded a bid to Midwest Contracting, LLC of Marshall for $211,555 for a bridge replacement on County Road 7. The bid was 3.67 percent under the estimate of $219,6120.
•Approved hiring of Travis Frederiksen as a shift sergeant. He has been a correctional officer. Also approved hiring Timothy Farrell as a correctional officer.
Expressed a desire to help the HRA (Housing and Rural Development Authority) with housing development in Lyon County and will take under advisement a request by the Worthington HRA to help with funding.
“I hope you see the benefit of having the HRA in your county,” said  Randy Thompson of the Worthington HRA. He came with a funding request of $13,326.  Administrative funding shortfalls from the U.S. Federal Government Department of Housing and Urban Development is why Thompson went before the county board in an effort to make up the shortfall.
“These administrative dollars are necessary to continue to offer the program and pay staff to insure the Housing Choice Voucher Program can be administered,” said Thompson. The voucher program is administered by the Worthington HRA.
The voucher system is an HRA way of paying property owners to continue to operate their property. “Many of them are going to private land owners,” said Thompson. “The vouchers are open to landlords who are willing to work with the (HRA) program,” Thompson said.
“Our board felt it was time to reach out to the seven counties we serve and ask for funding based on the number of vouchers in the county.”
Thompson said some of the counties he’s approached for funding requests have declined to help, some have approved the request and he’s waiting for other a couple of counties to decide.
Commissioner Charlie Sanow asked if this was one-time funding. “We certainly hope so,” Thompson said. Thompson also told the board, “If you don’t have current funding in this year’s budget, consider it in next year’s budget.”
“If our board declines funding this proposal, what happens to the program?” asked Commissioner Rick Anderson.
Thompson said, “That’s a good question. I’d like to say the program will continue and we’ll try to find dollars for the project,” he said, listing several other options.
“We will look at this for our next budget,” said Commission Chairman Gary Crowley.