The Iowa Department of Public Health today (As of 6:30-a.m.) reports 1,369 new positive COVID-19 cases since 10-a.m. Friday. The IDPH said Friday there had been 33 additional deaths since 10-a.m. Thursday, for a total to-date, of 4,478. Long-Term Care facility deaths are up to 1,857.  In southwest Iowa, one additional death was reported Friday in each of Madison, Mills and Pottawattamie Counties. COVID-19 deaths attributed to Underlying causes amount to 4,076, while COVID was a contributing factor to 402 of the total deaths.

The number of Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19 declined from 450 on Friday to 419 today. The number admitted in the last 24 hours dropped from 66 to 64. There are 76 patients in ICU and 38 patients on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (Western/southwest Iowa hospitals): 29 are hospitalized w/Covid; 8 are in an ICU; 2 were admitted Friday, and 3 are on a ventilator. The number of long-term care facilities reporting COVID-19 outbreaks is up a bit, from 69 Friday to 71, today. The state reports 1,901 positive cases and 1,028 recoveries among residents and staff within those facilities.

The health department reports 311,965 total Positive cases, and 273,189 total recoveries since the pandemic began. Positivity rates continue to decline in Iowa. The 14-day Positivity rate declined from 11.1% Friday to 11% today. The 7-day positivity rate is up slightly, from 8.3% to 8.4%. There have been 1,444, 460 Iowans tested for COVID-19, with 3,489,247 tests administered in the state.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday that Iowa’s vaccination data would be available on the health department website starting next week.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

• Cass, 1,147 cases; {+0}; 43 deaths
• Adair, 696; {+3}; 20
• Adams, 298; {+0}; 3
• Audubon, 422; {+5}; 8
• Guthrie, 1,041 {+5}; 24
• Harrison County, 1,581; {+7}; 62
• Madison County, 1,232; {+5}; 10
• Mills County, 1,384; {+3}; 17
• Montgomery, 882; {+8}; 24
• Pottawattamie County, 9,127; {+34}; 115
• Shelby County, 1050; {+9}; 27
• Union County,  1,107; {+5}; 23

(Radio Iowa) – The top Democrat in the Iowa House is calling for a G-O-P lawmaker to be removed from his committee assignments. The top House Republican says it’s an attempt to stifle free speech. House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard says Republican Representative Dean Fisher of Montour has failed to publicly apologize for comments on Facebook about the election that Prichard describes as false and misleading. Prichard first raised the issue during a speech on the opening day of the 2021 legislature.  “It is up to us, the newly sworn leaders, to protect our country from the fate of further division,” Prichard said.

Fisher wrote on Facebook that there had been quote — “outright cheating” — unquote in Democratic areas of the country, but Fisher said Republicans would prevail because quote “our side has the guns.” Prichard says elected leaders cannot turn a blind eye to that kind of rhetoric, which Prichard says led to rioting at the U.S. Capitol. “For too long, politicians have not only enabled, but served as a willing partner in the spread of misinformation about election fraud,” Prichard said January 11. “…Until you have committed yourself to truth and democratic ideals, you lose any moral high ground that you may try to claim.”

Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley says Prichard is playing the exact partisan politics he denounced. Grassley says Prichard seems to believe that the right to free speech should only belong to those he agrees with.

The Harlan Community School District Board of Directors, Friday, announced the three finalists in its Superintendent search.  On Thursday, January 21st, the Board conducted semifinalist interviews via Zoom with all seven candidates.  After reviewing the semifinalist interviews and all application materials, the following three candidates were selected as finalists.

Dr. Jennifer Barnett:  Dr. Barnett is currently serving as the Executive Director of Targeted Services and Supports for Green Hills Area Education Association; she has served in this capacity for the past two years.  Previously, Dr. Barnett served as a Regional Administrator for Green Hills AEA, and a 23 year tenure within the Council Bluffs Community School District as Executive Director of Student and Family Services, Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance Counselor, and Special Education Teacher.  Her previous experience also included four years serving as the Principal of Kanesville High School where she developed the Passages Alternative Learning Center.  Dr. Barnett has done substantive work locally and at the state level around mental health and social/emotional learning.  She is known for her collaborative approach to leadership and her approachability.

Andy Irwin:  Mr. Irwin is currently the Superintendent and Elementary Principal at Harris-Lake Park CSD; he has served in that capacity the past four years.  Previously he served as the Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Shenandoah CSD, 7-12 Principal and Activities Director at East Mills CSD, Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Fairbury, Nebraska, Social Studies Teacher at Creighton CSD, and Industrial Technology Teacher at East Mills CSD.  Mr. Irwin has done substantial work with school facilities and integration of technology in his current district.  One notable accomplishment is helping to develop the Lakes Area Academy which offers vocational programs to area students.  He also revamped the district teacher evaluation process.  Mr. Irwin is known as being a real collaborator, communicator, and relationship-builder.

Robert Scott:  Mr. Scott is currently the Associate Superintendent at Davenport Community School District; he has served in that capacity the past eight years.  Previously Mr. Scott served as Principal at Davenport Central High School, Associate Principal at Davenport Central High School, Physical Education Teacher at Wood Intermediate School in Davenport, 13 years as Physical Education/Math/Health Teacher at two schools in Illinois, and two years in the US Army.  As an administrator, Mr. Scott has overseen principals, implementation of Professional Learning Communities, and multiple building and remodeling projects.   He also leads district negotiations for the district and their safety plan.  He has also been very involved in the community of Davenport participating in multiple civic organizations and volunteer opportunities.

Finalist interviews will be conducted on-campus on Thursday, February 11; included that day will be district and community tours, interviews with two mixed interview teams comprised of administrators and directors; teachers; support staff; parents and community members; and students, and an interview with the School Board.  Following completion of the interviews on February 11, the Board will meet to review feedback from all stakeholders involved in the interview process, and tentatively select the new Superintendent for the Harlan Community School District.  The new Superintendent will officially start his/her tenure on July 1; in the interim between hire and officially beginning, the successful candidate will be involved in a number of transition activities for the district.

The person chosen for the position will replace Interim Schools Superintendent Lynn Johnson, who was hired in July, 2019 and has served for nearly two-years. She was selected to replace Justin Wagner, who resigned in May, 2019.  Grundmeyer Leader Services assisted the Board with the search.  Initially a Community Stakeholder Survey was utilized; based on this data, the Board approved the following eight Desired Characteristics for the next Superintendent.

• Is approachable, accessible and welcoming
• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Follows through on tasks and responsibilities
• Recruits, hires and develops a strong administrative team
• Possess strong communication skills
• Strong instructional leader
• Ability to lead school improvement efforts
• Effectively manages district resources including facility updates