Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Wednesday press conference on COVID-19. We will have live audio on KJAN as well with the presser set to begin at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Wednesday press conference on COVID-19. We will have live audio on KJAN as well with the presser set to begin at approximately 11:00 a.m.
(Radio Iowa) The end of the planting season is getting closer. The U-S-D-A crop report shows 97 percent of the corn crop is in the ground — which is three weeks ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Eighty-two percent of the corn has already emerged — up by 20 percent from the previous week. On the bean side — 92 percent are planted — and that’s almost one month ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of average. Just more than half of the beans have emerged — double what had already popped out of the ground last week.
(Updated 12:25-p.m.) Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 24 deaths and 622 new cases today (Wednesday). That brings the statewide total to 18,256 positive cases and 488 deaths. IDPH reported also, 139,157 Iowans have been tested for the virus, while 9,929 have recovered. Iowa’s hospitalization data has remained flat or trending downward for about two weeks. The data shows 120,464 Iowans have tested negative for COVID-19, a continued increase over the past few days.
There are currently 393 Iowans hospitalized, with 109 patients in intensive care and 66 patients on ventilators. IDPH reported 32 patients admitted in the last 24 hours. IDPH reported approximately 3,640 inpatient beds available, with 485 ICU beds available. There are currently 742 ventilators available in the state. There are currently COVID-19 outbreaks in 37 of Iowa’s long-term care facilities. IDPH reported 1,606 individuals testing positive, with 713 recovered and 257 deaths.
For Cass and surrounding Counties, the number of positive test results and (the number of recovered), have changed a little bit. Cass County 11 positive cases (2 have now recovered); Adair County: 7 (3); Adams County: 6 (1); Audubon County: 12 (8); Guthrie County: 44 (29); Montgomery County: 6 (5); Shelby County: 34 (25) and Pottawattamie County: 221 (137).
In RMCC Region 4 (Southwest/western Iowa), eight people are hospitalized for COVID-19, three are in an ICU, and two were admitted to a hospital.
The Montgomery County Ag Society (Montgomery County Fair Board), reports “Due to the ongoing social distancing guidelines and additional precautions taking place to help slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Montgomery County Ag Society has made the difficult decision to cancel the grounds and grandstand entertainment for the 2020 Montgomery County Fair,” which runs July 14-19 in Red Oak.
Montgomery County Fair Board President Amy Liddell said in a social media post, “After consulting with Montgomery County Public Health, Montgomery County Emergency Management, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, and fair board members, it was determined this was the best decision due to the uncertainty of what the public health situation may look like in July. We want nothing more than to have a fair; however, volunteers, visitors, youth of Montgomery County and staff health and safety are our main concern.”
The Montgomery County Fair Board, in partnership with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Montgomery County, are working to fulfill the fair vision of providing opportunities to the 4-H and FFA members to showcase their talents and accomplishments. Although event schedules are subject to change, please see the list below for current plans.
• Livestock Show – Show and Go Format (no animals will be housed on the grounds)
• Static Events – Dropped off exhibits with write-up will be judged
• Communications, Table Setting & Awardrobe Events – Format to be determined
• Clover Kids Graduation – Virtual Event to be determined
• Clover Kids Share Show – Cancelled
• Fair Queen Contest – Proceeding as planned
• All Open Class Events – Cancelled
• Grandstand Events – Cancelled
• Commercial Exhibits – Cancelled
• No concessions on the grounds
• Auction – Format will be changed to a premium base with additional details to be determined (please contact Fair Board to sponsor)
County fair is an opportunity for Montgomery County’s youth to have a unique learning experience. Even though fair in 2020 needs to happen in non-traditional ways, exhibits and evaluation of exhibits are important to help 4-H and FFA members complete their project learning. As details are finalized, information will be sent to families and volunteers. We will be live-streaming events as they occur and providing video links after the events. “During this time of uncertainty, the Extension staff is working with our amazing volunteers to offer educational opportunities for our youth this summer,” said Eva Woods, County Youth Coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Montgomery County. “Our youth have shown their dedication to their projects, and we want to reciprocate by giving them an outlet to showcase their hard work.”
“The Montgomery County Fair Board would like to thank all the supporters, sponsors, and partners for their support of the Montgomery County Fair,” Amy Liddell said. “We hope to see everyone at next year’s fair, July 13th – 18th, 2021!” For more information, regarding this year’s fair and updates about events at the fairgrounds, please follow the Montgomery County – IA Fair on Facebook. Please email Amy (liddellauctionservices@gmail.com) with additional inquiries. For more information, regarding 4-H & FFA events at this year’s fair, please follow Montgomery County-IA Extension on Facebook and at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/montgomery.
(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) today (Wednesday), announced that the State of Iowa has received nearly $1 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer free counseling to any Iowan who has been affected, in any way, by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The program, called COVID Recovery Iowa, is available starting today. Counseling will take place via virtual sessions, chat or phone call. People of all ages may join groups online to find support and learn new strategies to cope with the effects of the pandemic in a variety of creative ways.
DHS Director Kelly Garcia said “We are so grateful to our federal partners for providing Iowa with this critical funding. It’s not uncommon to experience feelings of stress or anxiety during uncertain times. This funding will help us support Iowans across the state who are trying to find their new normal.”
Iowans can access services through the following options:
DHS has contracted with five providers throughout the state to provide counseling, virtual activities, referrals and help finding resources. COVID Recovery Iowa will announce additional programs in the coming weeks to help Iowans build coping skills and resilience.
(Boone, Iowa) – The Iowa Governor’s Office and the Iowa Department of Public Health donated more than 35,000 masks on May 22nd for Fareway to distribute the masks to their customers. Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer said “We appreciate the generous donation, and partnership with Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Public Health.” Governor Kim Reynolds said also, “I want to thank Fareway for their assistance in helping distribute masks and for their ongoing efforts to promote public health in Iowa.”
The masks were provided by HanesBrands, Inc. to the State of Iowa. Masks will be in all 108 Iowa Fareway store locations. They will be provided to customers on a first-come, first-served basis, until supply is exhausted. On Tuesday, HyVee also teamed up with the Iowa Department of Public Health and Hanes to give out 75,000 face coverings. They started the giveaway Tuesday morning at all 125 Iowa stores. Each store had a supply of about 500 masks which weree available on the first come, first served, basis until gone.
The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place, Tuesday. At around 3:40-p.m., 34-year old Lloyd Robert Torske was arrested in Oakland for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, for estimated damage amounting to less than $750. Torsky allegedly drove a pickup truck into and spun around in, a planted corn field near Oakland, Tuesday, while the field was muddy from the recent rain. The property is owned by David Applegate, of Oakland.
45-year old Javier Galloza-Acevedo and 28-year old Tomasa Leshae Martinez, were arrested at around 7:25-a.m. Tuesday, west of Neola, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were taken into custody following a report of suspicious activity.
More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
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WAUKEE, Iowa (AP) — The National Weather Service says at least four tornadoes raked parts of Iowa on Tuesday for a second day of severe weather in the state. The first tornado was reported around 1:20 p.m. Tuesday four miles west of Waukee in central Iowa, where it touched down briefly and damaged a car dealership. The second occurred minutes later just east of Dallas Center.
Later in the afternoon, tornadoes were reported simultaneously just northwest of Woolstock in northern Iowa and three-miles northeast of Adair, at around 3:45-p.m. Earlier, a funnel cloud was observed at around 3:06-p.m., two miles east of Kirkman, in Shelby County.
Meteorologist Roger Vachalek in Des Moines says all of the tornadoes appeared to be weak and in mostly uninhabited areas that caused little damage and no injuries.
(Radio Iowa) –Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Tuesday, said she was in the process of setting up a call with the Iowa State Fair Board this week to discuss their plans for the 2020 State Fair, which is currently scheduled to begin August 13th. “I know they’ve been trying to wait to see how Iowa responds to our continuing to open up our economy,” Reynolds says, “and so we’ll have an opportunity to visit with them this week and see if I can answer any questions that they may have and really listen to them and see what they’re considering as they’re moving forward with making a decision.”
Minnesota’s 2020 State Fair was cancelled last week. The Missouri State Fair is scheduled to begin on the same day as the Iowa State Fair. Missouri officials say they’ll make an announcement in early to mid-June about what their state fair will look like.
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