Riverside Community School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Mitchell, Friday (today) issued a statement with regard to COVID-19. Mitchell says “Due to high numbers of student and staff absenteeism, Riverside will be moving to Full Required Remote Learning next Monday, November 23, 2020 and Tuesday, November 24. 2020. We currently have approximately 25% of the students at approximately 15% of the staff out due to testing positive for COVID-19 or being determined a primary contact and having the need to be in quarantine.  We plan to return to our traditional model on Monday November 30, 2020.”

Riverside Childcare, he said, will be open for the normal hours of operation. Teachers will discuss expectations with their students in their classes today. They will also make sure they take technology home.  If you need help with accessing the Internet please contact your school. Dr. Mitchell said also, “We will have meals available at each building. The student/parent/caregiver has to pick up at the building their student attends. If they have one in each building they will pick it up for that student at the  building they attend.  We are a closed site, providing for only enrolled students, and the eligible number for reimbursement is based on our enrollment number. Distribution 9:00 AM-11:00 AM Monday November 23, 2020.  Each meal packet will include food for two breakfasts and two lunches.”

According to the Superintendent, “Schools can immediately transition to remote learning for up to 48 hours. Because the 50-percent in-person instruction requirement is based on a two-week period, schools typically providing full-time in-person instruction can also move to remote learning for up to five days without needing approval for the Iowa Department of Education. Schools can make these local decisions based on local conditions.  The county positivity rate is just one factor that school districts and nonpublic schools should take into account, and it may not be indicative of the positivity rate among their students and staff. If a district or school chooses to use primarily remote instruction they are required to temporarily cease in-person extracurricular activities for the duration of the period.”

As of Friday (today), Pottawattamie County is 22.4% positive- for the14 day average.

You can access this information at:  % Positive Analysis-Public School District Summary

HAMBURG, IA – Iowa 3rd District Democrat Representative Cindy Axne has announced a new, nearly $4.9-million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to repair and restore seven buildings in Hamburg that were damaged by last year’s flooding along the Missouri River. The new grant, which was awarded to the Hamburg Low Rent Housing Agency, will allow the town to restore buildings to pre-disaster condition and improve resiliency of the structures by using flood-resistant building materials and making other changes to internal systems.

Axne says “I’m pleased to see this robust investment coming back to Hamburg to keep reconstruction and resiliency efforts moving forward. After securing billions to help with Midwest flood relief, it is great to see another $4.8 million delivered to Iowa to continue repairs in our hardest-hit areas. The people of Hamburg have been tenacious in their work to heal and strengthen their community after last year’s flood – and over a year and a half later that Iowa work ethic has continued to deliver for them.”

Last month, Rep. Axne announced a $7.9-million grant for Hamburg from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to fund critical infrastructure improvements aimed at protecting businesses and neighborhoods. Earlier this year, FEMA awarded multiple grants to Fremont County to fund buyouts of flood-damaged properties totaling over $4 million.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report a Glenwood man, 37-year-old Christopher Patrick Schoening, was arrested Thursday afternoon at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken into custody for Violation of Probation, with bond set at $10,000.

Atlantic Community School District Superintendent Steve Barber Friday (today) updated information with regard to COVID-19. In his statement, Barber said “On Monday the Governor made some proclamations for the State of Iowa that outlines situations where a mask is required to be worn.

ACSD Superintendent Steve Barber

On Wednesday, the Atlantic School Board extended our mask mandate to reflect the Governor’s guidelines and will reevaluate on December 9, 2020 at the regular Board meeting, the day prior to when the Governor’s proclamation expires.  The Board expressed concern at the amount of time our kids and staff in the Washington building are required to wear masks due to the inability to social distance.” Mr. Barber said he would be working with Mrs. Hornung and her staff at Washington, to explore ways to reduce this requirement.

Barber says “Although our County and State’s positivity rate continues to be high our school system to date has not experienced any breakouts in our buildings.  As of this morning five of our six buildings do not have any positive cases.  Our student attendance, outside of those who are affected by COVID-19, continues to be high and I get the chance to see the excitement our students bring to school each day.”

The following chart outlines our data taken at the same time each week to help in analyzing and making decisions that will best fight the pandemic and keep students safe and in school.

“Obviously,” Mr. Barber said, “some of the new guidelines have affected some of the opportunities for our students and spectators.  These guidelines are in effect until December 10, 2020 at which time I hope that the spread of COVID-19 is under control and those opportunities can once again be offered. Next week, [he said], we do not have school on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving break.  I would encourage each family to celebrate in a safe manner and take steps to ensure that their family traditions do not spread COVID.”

He concluded his update by saying “Happy Thanksgiving to all!”

(Radio Iowa) – The University of Iowa participated in the trial of a Covid-19 vaccine that appears to be on the fast track for distribution. Dr. Patricia Winokur (WIN-oh-ker) was the principal investigator at the university for its part in the Pfizer trial with about 250 participants — and today (Friday) the company will ask the Food and Drug Administration to grant Pfizer an “Emergency Use Authorization” for its vaccine. “They’re allowed to approve a medical countermeasure when the country is experiencing a public health emergency,” she says.

Winokur, who is the executive dean of the University of Iowa College of Medicine, says outbreaks of similar viruses in 2002 and 2012 has led to speedier-than-usual development of an effective Covid-19 vaccine.  “What that science identified is these other coronaviruses also had the spike protein…that sticks out on the surface,” Winokur says. “That protein is the most important protein for allowing the human body to create an immune response that protects you from infection.” The other contributing factor to the speed of development is the research associated with vaccines being developed for cancer. “We knew that we would have to create vaccines very quickly and, sometimes, in a very personalized way,” Winokur says.

That led to what Winokur describes as the “new platform” being used for the two leading Covid-19 vaccines. Pfizer has announced the trials at the University of Iowa and elsewhere found its vaccine to be 95 percent effective. “This data is better than any of us anticipated,” Winokur says. “We were hoping that it would be somewhere around 60-70% effective. The fact that it’s *95% effective is very heartening.”

In some years, for example, Winokur says the flu vaccine is about 70 percent effective in young people and 50 percent effective in older adults. Pfizer had 44-thousand participants in the final phase of its vaccine trial. Winokur says that’s 10 times as many as are normal — and another reason the public should have confidence in the vaccine.

ELK HORN and KIMBALLTON, Iowa – Getting into the holiday spirit is easy in the Danish Villages. Celebrated the weekend after Thanksgiving, the 42nd Julefest offers visitors a way to kick start the Christmas season. For forty one years, this magical festival has warmed hearts and provided a way to celebrate all things Danish. Julefest promises an array of traditional Danish food and tasty treats such as pastries, wine, glögg, and pebbernødder. Search for unique Christmas presents and decorations at gift shops and specialty stores, in both towns. Make the most of a winter’s day – tour the newly reconstructed Danish Windmill, enjoy the latest exhibits at the Museum of Danish America.

Danish Windmill w/lights (Photo submitted)

New this year is the Danish Windmill’s Silent Auction at the Elk Horn Fire Hall 1 -6 on Saturday the 28th along with a Vintage Quilt Show sponsored by Log Cabin Quilt Shop. For this year only the Danish Windmill is sponsoring a Frikadeller Meal to Go from 4 to 7 at the Elk Horn Fire Hall. RSVP only 712-764-7472 to reserve your ticket. The Master Grillers out of Kimballton are the caterers.

Relish in the festive atmosphere of the villages – both towns will be decorated for Christmas and the streets lined with Danish and American flags. Pick up a brochure with a map of the local merchants and happenings at any of the Danish Villages businesses. Pancake breakfast, Polar Run, two craft fairs and evening concert have been canceled for 2020.

Safety is a priority this year and we will be following CDC guidelines for events. Schedules will be subject to change. Masks required. Contact the Danish Windmill at (800) 451-7960 or visit www.Danishvillages.com for more information.