Plymouth County Parks To Open Campgrounds This Weekend
(Hinton) — Governor Reynolds has given permission for Iowa campgrounds to open, beginning today, and both of Plymouth County’s parks, Hillview Recreation Area near Hinton, and River’s Bend near Akron will welcome campers this weekend. Nick Beeck, the executive director of the Plymouth County
Conservation Board parks explains.
Beeck says there are some stipulations with the campgrounds being open.
Beeck talks about other aspects of the park that still remain off-limits.
The Conservation Board Executive says people will still have the opportunity to rent canoes and kayaks to be used on their ponds, but he says so far, very few people have inquired about the small crafts. Beeck says although the campgrounds will be open this weekend, he says it is usually Memorial Day weekend when people start with the summer camping season.
Plymouth County COVID-19 Cases Continues To Rise
(Le Mars) — On Wednesday, we learned that Plymouth County had 34 positive cases of the coronavirus. That number has since grown to 44 positive cases in Plymouth County. More than 600 positive cases were reported in Iowa on Thursday by the Iowa Department of Public Health, with the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 now listed at 11,059.
Nearly 66,500 people have tested negative for the virus. 4,266 people have made full recoveries from the virus, and unfortunately, the death toll from COVID-19 virus continues to rise, with the latest statistics from the Iowa Department of Public Health now reporting there have been 231 deaths across
the state.
This time of year, due to high pollen counts, many people suffer the effects from allergies. It is also a time when spring colds may be common. But with the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, some people may be confused as to whether they simply have the symptoms of a cold or allergies, or if they are
having the symptoms associated with the virus. Tara Geddes is the Community Health Director for Plymouth County and says it is understandable why people may feel confused and frighten.
Several meat processing facilities across the state, and within the region, have needed to shut down because of a high rate of infestation with workers contracting the COVID-19 virus. Geddes says her office has been in contact with several local food-based industries that have hundreds of employees to prevent any type of wide spread outbreak of the coronavirus, as seen at several major meat processing plants.
Since the virus spreads quickly, many people wonder if there is anything that can actually kill the virus.
The Center for Disease Control and other public health officials suggest wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of the virus. Geddes explains why wearing a mask is so important.
The community health director reminds people that are most susceptible to contracting the virus to limit your travels to essential trips, and to stay at home as much as possible.
Hospice Nurses Give Comfort To Patients And Family Members
(Le Mars) — During this National Nurses Week as we pay tribute to our nurses, today we focus attention on those nurses that work in hospice units.
Barb Clark is the Hospice Transition Coordinator with Care Initiatives at Sioux City. Clark says many people often have the wrong idea of hospice.
She says it doesn’t necessarily have to mean the end of life.
Clark says the role of the nursing staff within a hospice unit is to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible.
Clark says hospice nurses don’t just focus their attention solely on the patient, but they work and consult also with family members.
Heidi Ploen serves as the Nurse Case Manager for Care Initiatives. She says many times a hospice nurse will continue to offer services to a family following the death of the family member.
Iowa Epidemiologist To Join White House Coronavirus Task Force
(Des Moines, IA) — An Iowa epidemiologist has been asked to join the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Doctor Caitlin Pedati was with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Wednesday for a meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. They were there to talk about Iowa’s COVID-19
pandemic. That’s when the president reportedly asked Pedati to join the group. There is some question about her role. White House officials told a reporter Thursday that Pedati is not a formal member of the task force, but a spokesperson for Governor Reynolds says she is.
Reynolds Lifting More Restrictions On Iowa Businesses
(Des Moines, IA) — You can go to the dentist, camp out, attend a movie at a drive-in theater, get a tan and conduct other types of business starting today (Friday). Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has lifted more restrictions on businesses. Reynolds says those businesses have to equip their workers with
personal protective equipment, practice social distancing and ramp up their hygiene routines. Some dentists have decided to wait another week to 10 days so staff members can be trained and cleaning efforts can be completed.
Alabama Authorities: Iowa Shooting Suspect May Be In Their Area
(Mobile, AL) — Authorities in Alabama have reached out, informing Cedar Rapids police that a shooting suspect may be in their area. Cedar Rapids police say 26-year-old Jamal Devonte Edwards went into a business April 9th and shot two people. The victims are expected to recover. Hundreds of miles to the south, authorities say they think Edwards is traveling back and forth
between Mobile and Foley, Alabama. He isn’t in custody.
Ames Man Pleads Not Guilty To Charges He Sexually Abused An 8-Year-Old Boy
(Ames, IA) — An Ames man has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused an eight-year-old boy. Sixty-five-year-old Viacheslav Dmitriy Kostyshko entered the plea in Polk County Court two weeks ago — a week after he had been arrested. The victim was attacked while he was riding his bicycle in an apartment parking lot in August 2018. Ames police say D-N-A
from Kostyshko was found on the boy. He reportedly admitted the child was in his apartment but denied having any physical contact with him. He’s being held in the Polk County Jail.
