Home News Friday Afternoon News, March 13th

Friday Afternoon News, March 13th

Northwestern College Continues To Hold Classes

(Orange City) — While many colleges and universities have decided to extend spring breaks and suspend face-to-face class instruction, and instead turn to on-line courses, due to the coronavirus outbreak, Northwestern College of Orange City is going against that trend. Duane Beeson is the Director of
Marketing and Communications for the four-year college located at Orange City. Beeson says Northwestern College has already completed its spring break, and students are back on campus.

Beeson says college officials are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation, but right now, students are in class.

The Northwestern College official says all international travel and
educational opportunities in foreign nations has been suspended.

Beeson says Northwestern College has asked if any students and faculty or staff intends to make any international trips, that they may be asked to self quarantine for at least seven days prior to returning to campus. Beeson says students that were participating on the international service teams during
spring break were brought home early.

 

 

Jeneary Files Nomination Petition Papers With Secretary Of State

(Le Mars) — Earlier this week Iowa House Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars submitted his nomination petition papers to Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate, making Jeneary eligible to seek re-election. Jeneary, a Republican, so far does not have a challenger either for the June 2nd primary election, or for the general election scheduled for November, although
candidates still have until March 25th to submit petition papers.

State House Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars (left) submits his nomination petition papers with Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate.

(photo contributed.)

 

 

Plymouth County Republicans To Hold County Convention On Saturday

(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Republicans will convene for their county convention on Saturday. The political party convention will be held at the basement level of American Bank of Le Mars starting at 1:00 p.m. Karl Stodden is the chairman of the Plymouth County Republican party. He says the county
convention is the start of the political process.

Stodden says at the county political party convention delegates will be selected, as well as the initial work for the party’s planks and platform.

Stodden says he believes the delegates will follow the traditional republican party positions during the county convention.

Plymouth County is eligible to have up to 18 delegates go on to the district political party convention. Stodden explains how Plymouth County arrives at having 18 delegates.

The Iowa Congressional District #4 currently has five republicans seeking the office, and Stodden expects either the candidates, or an official from the candidate’s campaign will be on hand to garner support from Plymouth County republican delegates.  While the Republicans will hold their county conventions on Saturday, the Iowa Democratic Party has cancelled their county
conventions which were scheduled for the following Saturday, March 21st.

 

 

Flood Prospects In Eastern Iowa Have Been Lowered

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – The National Weather Service says in its latest spring flood outlook that Mississippi River flood chances remain high in eastern Iowa’s Quad-Cities area but have dropped significantly in the past two weeks. The report released Thursday showed a 59% chance of major flooding – down from 95% reported on Feb. 27. The report says the drop was due to a
prolonged period of dry weather across much of the Mississippi River Valley and a favorable snowmelt. The Quad-City Times reports the outlook says the risk of major flooding is above normal from Dubuque through Gregory Landing, Missouri.

 

 

Sentencing Scheduled For Man Charged With Child Neglect

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A May 4 sentencing has been scheduled for a Dubuque man who neglected to properly care for his girlfriend’s baby. The Telegraph Herald reports that Mark Ward pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent person. Ward and his girlfriend, Iesha Searcy, were the primary caregivers of
Searcy’s then 9-month-old daughter. The girl weighed less than 11 pounds when seen by a dietitian on Aug. 15, 2018. Court documents say the infant was hospitalized two days later, and a doctor found her to be severely malnourished. Searcy has pleaded not guilty. Her trial date is March 31.

 

 

Johnson County Health Officials Believe The Coronavirus Remains With The Egyptian Cruise Participants

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials in Johnson County say they have no indication that the coronavirus has spread in the Iowa City area beyond 14 residents who tested positive after a cruise to Egypt. Johnson County Public Health Director Dave Koch told reporters Friday that he has seen no indication of “community spread” in the area. However, he acknowledged that not all of those who were on that cruise or a second one that was cut short have been tested for the virus. He says testing is reserved only for people showing symptoms.