Changes Are Planned For Primary Election Day
(Le Mars) — In just 14 days on June 2nd, Iowa voters will participate in the primary election for Iowa. Because of the COVID-19 virus, voters will notice a few changes. Plymouth County Auditor, Stacey Feldman says one major change is there will be only one precinct open for voters. Feldman says all in-person voting will take place in one location.
She says it doesn’t matter if you live in Westfield or Remsen; or Kingsley or Hinton, all voting will occur at the Le Mars Convention Center.
Feldman says due to the pandemic, election officials are encouraging voting by mail. However, the deadline for an absentee ballot is this Friday.
Feldman says ballots need to be returned to the Plymouth County Auditor’s office by June 1st.
The county auditor says voting is open to everyone that has declared a political party, although voters are able to change their voting registration the day of the election.
Feldman says voters wanting to vote in person will need to bring along some form of identification.
The polls will be open on June 2nd for the primary election between 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Feldman encourages all voters to wear a mask, however, she says it is not required. Social distancing measures will be in place, should there be a line. Questions about the primary election can be directed to the Plymouth County Auditor’s office.
Human Services Director Says Agency Will Assist Child Care Providers
(Des Moines) — Funding assistance for child care facilities was discussed during today’s COVID-19 briefing. Governor Kim Reynolds says parents across the state want to know and be assured their children will be safe, once they are called back to work, and their children need to return to a daycare facility. Iowa’s Director of Health and Human Services, Kelly Garcia appeared on-line with the governor. She says as a mother of two small children, she understands the concerns of parents. Garcia mentioned that her department is working side-by-side with the Iowa Department of Public Health in determining a safe and clean environment for child daycare facilities.
Garcia says the Health and Human Services Department will assure that all staff and children have access to testing. Garcia says her department will work with parents to give them guidance regarding selecting the right child care facility.
Garcia says child care providers will be given some financial assistance because of the pandemic.
The Human Services director says with more than 10,400 child care facilities within the state, she refers people to visit the department’s website for reviews and discussion points with reference to Iowa’s daycare providers.
Reynolds Reviewing Options For Evictions, Utility Shut Off Moratoriums
(Des Moines, IA) — The governor’s moratorium on evictions in Iowa is set to expire next week. Governor Kim Reynolds said, “we’re looking at a couple of different scenarios on how we move forward with that to make sure that we’re not removing that too soon as we begin to open up our economy.” One idea from the Iowa Economic Development Authority would provide grants to
apartment owners who have unemployed tenants who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Another part of the governor’s proclamation that expires next week prohibits utility shut-offs. Reynolds says she’s still reviewing all aspects of the closures and restrictions that she ordered this spring that remain in place through May 27th.
Worker at JBS Pork Plant in Marshalltown Dies From COVID-19
(Marshalltown, IA) — COVID-19 is blamed for the death of a meatpacking plant worker in Marshalltown. The family of 62-year-old Jose Andrade Garcia says he died of coronavirus last Friday. Garcia worked at the J-B-S pork plant for two decades and a Go Fund Me page says he was a week away from
retirement. His daughter say he first had cold-like symptoms, got tested for COVID-19 and was on a ventilator in Iowa City for weeks before he died.
There will be a private funeral for Garcia in Iowa. His family plans to take his remains back to Mexico. Joe Henry of LULAC Council 307 says this is another reason we need mandatory COVID-19 testing at every meat packing facility.
Homicide Investigation Underway in Pella
(Pella, IA) – – The death of a woman in Pella is being investigated as a homicide. Officers responding to a domestic disturbance Monday night found the woman unresponsive. Authorities performed life-saving measures but she
died at the scene. No arrests have been made. Investigators believe it was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. The Iowa D-C-I is assisting with the case.
Country Star Chris Stapleton Postponing Iowa State Fair Show
(Des Moines, IA) — Country music star Chris Stapleton will not be performing at the Iowa State Fair this summer. Stapleton is postponing his “All American Road Show” tour until 2021 due to COVID-19. He was scheduled to play the State Fair grandstand on August 21st. The concert has been rescheduled for August 19th of next year and ticket’s for this summer’s show will be honored. Chris and wife Morgane Stapleton said, “we’ve made this decision with the health and safety of our fans, touring family, and the communities we travel through as our number one priority.” The 2020 Iowa State Fair has not been cancelled.
