Governor Reynolds Recommends Iowa Schools To Close
(Des Moines) — In an effort to ward off the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, on Sunday evening, has recommended canceling classes for all Iowa public school districts for a period of four weeks. The closure of the schools is effective immediately. Reynolds made the decision to act on closing all Iowa schools based on new information of
the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Reynolds’ comments were shared on-line last evening. We apologize for the audio quality.
Le Mars Community School Superintendent Dr. Steven Webner indicated he needed to gain additional information before speaking on the situation. However, Webner did confirm that Le Mars Community Schools will be closed on Monday.
The measure affects all public schools in the state. Its too early to know more details other than what the governor has announced.
On Sunday, Iowa Department of Public Health was notified of four additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 22 positive cases.
According to IDPH, two cases are related to international travel. The individuals are residents of Allamakee County, one is a middle-age adult between 41-60 years; the other is a child, age 0-18 years. The third case is a middle-age Johnson County resident with no identified travel-related risk or exposure to a known COVID-19 case, and is considered the second case of
community spread in Iowa. The fourth individual resides in Polk County and is a middle-age adult and indicates a third case of community spread. So far, coronavirus has been detected in Johnson, Polk, Dallas, Carroll, Pottawattamie, Harrison, and Allamakee counties in Iowa.
Le Mars Community To Cancel All Activities
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District has received additional guidance from public health officials and the Iowa Department of Education regarding school district next steps to prevent spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The district will perform the following practices to assist in reducing the potential spread of the virus:
1. All school performances and large meetings/events are now
cancelled/postponed through March 29. Practices will continue.
2. When ill, employees and children will not be admitted to school. If the school suspects a child or individual may have COVID-19, the school will send them home and have them call their primary healthcare provider.
3. The school will continue to promote common sense practices for preventing disease spread, such as: covering a cough, staying home when sick, and washing hands. The school will continue to disinfect high touch areas.
4. The school will continue working closely with public health officials and the Iowa Department of Education to identify future actions.
The health and safety of our students and staff are our highest priority. Please assist us in preventing the spread of this virus. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
School Board To Hold Special Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will hold a special meeting today at noon. The school board is expected to approve the contract for Jayden Wurth, as the Assistant Skilled Maintenance. The school board will review the 2020-2021 budget estimate as presented by School Superintendent, Dr. Steve Webner. The school board is expected to approve the updated budget estimate which will be ready for publication on March 30th. A public hearing will be scheduled for April 13th with certification by the board. The school board will also discuss the teacher contract settlement. The board of education will consider approving the tentative agreement with the Le Mars Community Education Association for the 2020-2021
master contract. In the process of developing the salary proposal, the school board took into consideration the supplemental state aid as approved by the state legislature is marked at an increase of 2.3 percent. The school board is expected to approve a salary increase for full time teachers base
pay by $574, or an increase of 1.5 percent of the base wage salary. With the increase, the base pay for teachers will be $38,815. The increase does not include TSS. The proposal will increase the cost of base wage salary to the district by $292,442.92 for school year 2020-2021.
Chamber of Commerce Ag Luncheon Now Postponed
(Le Mars) — Many activities, meetings, seminars, and conferences are being canceled or postponed due to the spread of the coronavirus. The latest is the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Ag Luncheon, originally scheduled for next
Tuesday, March 24th has now been postponed. Iowa Agriculture Secretary, Mike Naig was scheduled to appear as the event’s key-note speaker. In addition, the seminar was also going to feature Iowa State University Extension State Swine Veterinarian, Dr. Chris Rademacher. No word as to if the Chamber Ag Committee will try to re-schedule the event for sometime in the future.
Dallas County Now Reporting A COVID-19 Positive Case
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – A Dallas County resident who hadn’t traveled out of state has tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first “community spread” of the virus in Iowa. Speaking at a news conference in Johnston, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the 18th person who has tested positive for the COVID-19
was 61 to 80 years old. While others who tested positive had been infected after being in regions where the disease was more widespread, the latest case indicates the virus was becoming more common in Iowa. Reynolds said people should avoid gatherings of more than 250 people. It is now being recommended that any gatherings of 50 people or more should be canceled or postponed.
Coronavirus Affecting Court System
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Federal courts in Nebraska are nixing all jury trials and grand juries for the rest of the month in a move to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, state courts in Iowa and Nebraska are taking some precautions. An order from Nebraska’s Supreme Court chief justice says those
at elevated risk of transmitting COVID-19 are barred from attending trials. In Iowa, state courts may conduct meetings and hearings remotely. For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for some people, it can lead to more severe illness, including
pneumonia.
State Lawmakers Will Now Suspend Legislative Session
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa leaders say they will halt the current legislative session for at least 30 days after learning the state now has community spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the spreading coronavirus. Colin Tadlock, the spokesman for House Republicans, says in a statement that leaders made the decision Sunday. The decision was made in
consultation with the Iowa Department of Public Health and Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The House and Senate will convene on Monday to consider resolutions regarding continuity of government to ensure delivery of essential government services.
Des Moines House Fire Claims Two Lives
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a woman and child have been killed in a Des Moines residential fire. Firefighters sent around 10:45 a.m. Sunday to the duplex found flames coming out of the windows on its north side. The names, ages and other information about the two victims have not been released. No other injuries were reported. The fire cause is being
investigated.
Des Moines Officials Ban Any Gatherings With More Than 250 People
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines officials have banned gatherings of more than 250 people on public property and cancelled the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Des Moines Mayor Frank
Cownie announced those moves Sunday when he declared a state of emergency in the city. Iowa now has 18 cases of COVID-19 in the state, including one case in Dallas County that isn’t related to travel. That case in the Des Moines suburbs indicates the virus is becoming more common in Iowa because officials
can’t trace the origin of it.
Marshalltown Police Investigating Fatal Shooting Incident
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – Police are investigating a fatal shooting in the central Iowa city of Marshalltown. Marshalltown Police said the shooting was reported around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Officers responding to the shooting found a critically injured 27-year-old man with gunshot wounds. The man was taken to a Marshalltown hospital where he died. His name wasn’t immediately released Sunday. Police said a 30-year-old man was arrested Sunday as a suspect in the shooting.
