Northwestern College Schedules Commencement For July
ORANGE CITY, Iowa— In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and guidelines for responsible social distancing, Northwestern College has postponed the 2020 commencement ceremony that was previously scheduled for May 9.
The event is now tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 18, with a back-up option of Sunday, Sept. 20, as part of Raider Nation Celebration (Homecoming), if the pandemic prevents a July gathering. A schedule of events will be developed as the dates draw closer.
Northwestern College President, Greg Christy, says “We surveyed graduating students about how they would like to celebrate commencement, and they
overwhelmingly voiced their desire to have an in-person ceremony. July was their first choice, with the September date their second preference. Their response significantly influenced our leadership team’s decision.”
Christy says, “Commencement is a very important rite of passage, both for those who will be graduating and for our faculty and staff. We look forward to marking this occasion and milestone accomplishment with students and their families.”
Thursday COVID-19 Statistics
(Des Moines) — Governor Reynolds released the updated statistics involving the state’s COVID-19 cases. As of early Thursday, Iowa added 125 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 1,270 cases. There were no new counties added to the list, however, COVID-19 has been confirmed in 79
of Iowa’s 99 counties. 115 people are currently hospitalized because of the coronavirus, and Reynolds claims there has been a recovery rate of 38 percent with 476 people that have recovered. The Iowa governor says an additional 882 negative cases were reported with a total of 13,703 negative cases. The
state’s hygienic lab is capable of testing 2,530 tests. Unfortunately, there were also two additional deaths, both from Linn County, an elderly adult above the age of 81, and an older adult between 61 and 80 years of age. Iowa’s death toll is now at 29 people.
Reynolds Updates Medical Facilities Availability For Northwest Iowa Hospitals
(Des Moines) — During her COVID-19 daily briefing on Thursday, Iowa Governor Reynolds gave a report as to the number of hospital beds, intensive care units, and ventilators that are available in northwest Iowa as it relates to the number of coronavirus cases.
Region 3 comprises of 20 counties including: Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Osceola, O’Brien, Cherokee, Ida, Sac, Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Palo Alto, Pochohauntas, Calhoun, Webster, Humboldt, and Hamilton.
Iowa’s Unemployment Figures Hit Record Highs
(Des Moines) — Unemployed people and the available unemployed insurance benefits was Thursday’s topic during the daily news briefing. Governor Reynolds says the U-S Department of Labor has reported 6.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits this week. Beth Townsend, Director of
the Iowa Workforce Development says in Iowa the number of unemployed people submitting claims between Sunday, March 29th and Saturday, April 4th was 67,187 with the number of continuing claims, or those claiming unemployment for a second week or longer was listed at 92,952. Townsend says the Iowa
Workforce Development has paid more than $27 million dollars in unemployed benefits.
Townsend reported the Coronavirus Aid and Relief and Economic Security act, or known as the CARES act took effect on Sunday. Townsend offered an update about who would qualify for financial assistance through the CARES act.
The Iowa Workforce Development Director reminded people they cannot voluntarily quit their jobs to qualify for the unemployment benefits.
Townsend says Iowa has approximately $1.13 billion dollars in the trust fund, with only approximately $180 million dollars still available before employers will be charged a fee.
Reynolds Urges People To “Stay At Home”
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is urging residents to focus on what they can do individually to stop the spread of the coronavirus and less about whether she will have to order further restrictions to fight the outbreak. Reynolds told reporters that “sometimes everyone is getting so hung
up on the metrics” guiding the state’s response, including whether local stay-at-home orders may become necessary. Reynolds said Iowans should focus “first and foremost” on increasing compliance with the social distancing
guidelines she has emphasized, including staying home whenever possible. She said if Iowans do that, the conversation will eventually shift to “how we can start to open things back up.
Legislative Council Decides To Extend Legislative Recess
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state group voted Thursday to extend the Iowa Legislature’s adjournment until April 30. The 24-member Iowa Legislative Council, which makes rules when the legislative body isn’t in session, voted in a telephone conference call to extend the recess as concerns remain over
the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the state. Legislators in March passed a resolution that prevented meetings until April 15. The number of Iowans testing positive for COVID-19 increased by 125 cases on Thursday to a total of 1,270.
Lawsuit Settled Following Helicopter Crash
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Lyon County farmer who was injured in a helicopter crash near a school has settled his lawsuit against the helicopter company and the pilot. Steve Ahrendt and his wife, Lori, of rural Inwood, sued Ride the Sky Helicopters, of Sioux City, and pilot Robert Krier for negligence.
Ahrendt had rented the helicopter in November 2017 to find and herd some of his cows that got loose. The helicopter crashed after striking a power line less than a mile from West Lyon Community Schools near Inwood. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
