Scout Troop To Collect Food For Christian Needs Center
(Le Mars) — Both the Boys and Girls Scouts from Troop and Pack 184 will be conducting a food drive on Saturday from the Le Mars Hy Vee grocery store.
Jamie Hauser is a troop leader and says the program has been in effect for at least more than a decade. Local food donations will be given the the Le Mars Christian Needs Center. Hauser says because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has needed to be modified.
The Scouts will be on location at the Le Mars Hy Vee grocery store between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. collecting the donated food items. Hauser says all the donated food items will remain in our local community at the Christian Needs Center.
Hauser says there is a great need for food, especially for this year with so many people having been unemployed due to the virus, and since many businesses had to close their doors.
The scout leader says the combined scouts try to utilize both slogans of “Do A Good Turn Daily,” and “Be Prepared.”
Reynolds Says Iowa Has Stocked Its Inventory Of Personal Protection Equipment
(Des Moines) — During Friday’s daily COVID-19 briefing, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds informed the public the state’s inventory of personal protection equipment, or PPE’s, which consists of masks, face-shields, gloves, and medical gowns is again well stocked.
Reynolds Salutes Class Of 2020 Seniors During Friday Briefing
(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds acknowledged and paid honor to Iowa’s high school seniors, the class of 2020, during her daily briefing. Many schools through out the state, including Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic were originally to hold their graduation ceremonies this coming Sunday. Instead, both schools have pushed back the date for commencement
ceremonies until June, hoping that additional COVID-19 restrictions will be eased by that time. MMCRU will hold a virtual graduation scheduled for Sunday. MMCRU will have 35 seniors to receive their diplomas. Governor Reynolds talked about some of the missed moments from this year.
Reynolds says many of the high school senior’s milestones were not allowed to occur because of the pandemic. However, she says many schools across the state are still doing something to recognize their graduating seniors.
The governor recited how some of Iowa schools will be holding their graduation, including Sioux City who will conduct a “virtual graduation.”
Reynolds also mentioned Ogden High School during her news conference.
Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic will do like Ogden High School and have its own parade of sorts beginning at 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon starting at the 8th Street Blvd. Friends, families, and community neighbors are being urged to participate by applauding and cheering the seniors as they drive by.
374 Additional COVID-19 Cases in Iowa, 18 Deaths
(Des Moines, IA) — The total number of COVID-19 cases in Iowa now tops 14-thousand. State health officials reported 374 positive coronavirus tests today and 18 more deaths. A total of 336 Iowans have died from COVID-19.
Three-hundred-87 people are hospitalized with the virus and 130 patients are in I-C-U units. More than 65-hundred patients are no longer in isolation.
Reynolds Under Self-Quarantine, Testing With Abbott Machine
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will remain under a modified self-quarantine until next week. The governor says she’s aware of reports the machine used for her daily COVID-19 test may produce a high percentage of inaccurate results. The Abbott machines, which are being used at the White
House, are able to process tests in as little as 15 minutes. Reynolds told reporters, “we are using the N-P swab which is the better swab. But as well as getting tested, I’m exhibiting no symptoms, I continue to social distance, I continue wear a mask when I’m not doing a press conference and continue to
work from home when I can.” Reynolds started self-quarantine after Vice President Pence’s press secretary tested positive for COVID-19. Reynolds visited to the White House last week and appeared at events with Pence last Friday in Des Moines.
Iowa Alcohol Sales Rise During Pandemic Shutdowns
(Ankeny, IA) — Iowa liquor sales are up during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division reports a 26-percent increase in sales in March and about a two-percent rise in April. Spokesman Tyler Ackerson says a lot of that increase in March is attributable to changes in consumer purchasing behavior when bars shut down. Iowans appeared to shift to
purchasing liquor by the bottle for home consumption. The I-A-B-D reports an 82-percent increase in the sale larger size bottles of liquor and standard size bottles increase by 51 percent from March 16th through April 1st.
Ackerson says they will be watching to see what happens with sales trends as restaurants open back up for inside sales, and when bars are once again allowed to re-open.
Bill Riley Talent Search Postponed Until 2021
(Clive, IA) — The Bill Riley Talent Search is postponing its 2020 season.
Officials say the decision was based on the local shows which take place from early June through August, even though it culminates with 11 days of performances at the Iowa State Fair. Bill Riley, Junior said, “due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, I feel it is in the best interest of the performers, coaches, volunteers and staff to postpone until 2021. ” The
first day of the talent search was set to begin June 6th at Denmark Heritage Days and a total of 35 shows were planned. The Iowa State Fair expects to have additional details about this year’s event in early to mid June.
Democratic State Representative Questions Test Iowa Performance
(Mason City) — A north-central Iowa state representative is asking legislative leaders to review the performance of the Test Iowa program. The state entered into a no-bid, 26-million dollar contract with Nomi Health of Utah to provide expanded testing for the state. Mason City Democrat Sharon Steckman is asking
that the legislature’s Government Oversight Committee be convened to look into the testing program.
Steckman wonders who Test Iowa is answering to and why there isn’t oversight when we’ve seen large outbreaks of COVID-19 at some of the state’s meatpacking plants.
Governor Reynolds announced on Thursday that the State Hygienic Lab had validated the machines used for the Test Iowa program and they expect more tests will be processed quickly and results will be delivered on a more timely basis. Steckman says despite that, more oversight needs to take place.
Steckman made the oversight request during Thursday’s meeting of the Legislative Council. House Speaker Pat Grassley said he would not rule out the request but he had not had any
conversations about it with the chair of the oversight committee.
