Governor Reynolds Extends COVID-19 Proclamation Disaster Deadline
(Cedar Rapids) — At a press conference held Thursday morning, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has extended the deadline and other declared proclamations for another 30 days.
Reynolds reiterated it is the responsibility of all Iowans to do what is necessary to keep the coronavirus in check.
The governor reported the general number of positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa is declining, while we are able to test more Iowans each day.
Reynolds acknowledged some other states seeing a rise in positive coronavirus cases, but she says she remains focused on Iowa’s trends and statistics. She says the numbers show additional cases of COVID-19 are showing up with the younger generations.
Reynolds says nearly 94 percent of the 117,000 Iowans tested for COVID-19 have tested negative.
Iowa Surpasses 27,000 COVID-19 Cases
(Des Moines) –– More than 27,000 positive cases of COVID-19 virus have been reported by the Iowa Department of Public Health. As of Thursday, the state’s health department says there are 461 new positive cases, and 694 deaths. Iowa Department of Public Health says 275,442 Iowans have been tested, while nearly 17,000 people have recovered. Iowa’s hospitalization rates continue to show a decline, with low numbers not reported since April. There are currently 137 Iowans hospitalized, with 42 patients listed in intensive care and 26 patients on ventilators. There were 13 patients admitted within the past 24 hours. The IDPH says there are currently 28 outbreaks in Iowa’s long-term care facilities.
Facemasks Required at Iowa State and Iowa, Recommended at UNI
(Ames, IA) — Students at Iowa State University will be required to wear face coverings to combat the spread of COVID-19. I-S-U President Wendy Wintersteen said in a memo that two free cloth face coverings will be provided to students, faculty and staff who request them, those who are sick should come to class or work, and the Thielen Student Health Center will provide free testing. Wintersteen also announced the Jack Trice Stadium will host Cyclone football games at 50-percent capacity this fall. Students, faculty and staff at the University of Iowa will also be required to wear face mask. U-I plans to give each person two reusable cloth masks, two disposable masks and one face shield. The University of Northern Iowa expects students and staff to wear face masks while in the classroom. U-N-I is reducing class sizes and increasing cleaning and sanitation on campus.
Man Arrested After Standoff, Setting Fires in Poweshiek County
(Grinnel, IA) — A man is under arrest in Poweshiek County for starting fires and shooting at deputies during a seven-hour standoff Wednesday near Grinnel. Authorities say they tried to make contact with 49-year-old Dwaine Bauman before he became aggressive and fired at them several times. The sheriff’s office say Bauman set fire to a home, two vehicles, a barn and 100 bales of hay. A friend told investigators Bauman was upset over a large hog confinement project in the area. He was eventually taken into custody on suspicion of arson and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. No injuries were reported.
Heavy Rains Force Closure of George Wyth State Park Near Waterloo
(Waterloo, IA) — Heavy rains in eastern Iowa are blamed for the closure of George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County. The Iowa D-N-R says flooding the past several days has made access into the park impossible. The park near Waterloo is expected to remain closed through next Monday. The Cedar Valley Lakes trail in George Wyth will be closed indefinitely due to the washouts and crumbling . The D-N-R has contacted anyone with reservations affected by this closure and issued refunds.
44th Safe Haven Baby Turned Over to Iowa Department of Human Services
(Des Moines, IA) — A baby boy born June 5th is the 44th child to be turned over to the state under Iowa’s “Safe Haven” law. It allows parents to leave a child who’s up to 30 days old at a hospital or health care facility and they will not be charged with abandonment. The children are turned over to foster or adoptive parents. Iowa’s Safe Haven law was passed in 2002 after an eastern Iowa teenager gave birth at home — and abandoned the dead baby in a snowbank.
Dordt University Expands Biology and Agriculture Majors
(Sioux Center) — A fresh set of opportunities will be available for Dordt University students majoring in Bio-Public Health, or Ag-Education. Both the education and biology departments have been constructing new program opportunities for their students.
Biology students can look forward to a new emphasis in public health. Dr. Jeff Ploegstra has led the biology department in collaboration with other campus programs to add additional paths for students called to the public health profession. Trends in public health continue to show the need for a greater emphasis on pro-active approaches to health and a broadening scope that more deeply includes psychological and community-based strategies for wellness. Ploegstra believes this program is a great mission-fit for Dordt seeking to equip students.
He emphasizes the importance of public health, especially in the midst of public health crises like COVID-19. Now more than ever, it is important to take public health seriously.
Alongside biology, the new public health track will include classes in psychology, social work, and community development. This diverse program serves as a clarifying pathway for students hoping to enter this rapidly expanding professional career.
New endorsements are emerging in the education department as well, including a joint Agriculture/Biology Education major and an expanded Agriculture Education major. Dr. Ryan Zonnefeld, director of the Teacher Preparation Program at Dordt, and Gary De Vries from the Agriculture Department, have led this major proposal. Dr. Zonnefeld spoke of how the push for these programs will benefit future generations.
“Students in our schools are going to be able to learn from someone who has a Christian perspective on agriculture,” says Zonnefeld.
Dordt is one of three schools in Iowa offering an Agriculture-Education program, the only one to offer it from a Christian perspective. Offering these endorsements will provide opportunities for students to gain hands on experience in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE), as well as expand their capabilities in STEM teaching.
Northwestern College Schedules July Commencement
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—Northwestern College will award degrees to 317 students on Saturday, July 18, in graduation ceremonies postponed since May due to the coronavirus.
Commencement will begin at 8 p.m. in De Valois Stadium. Ninety-two students will receive Master of Education degrees; 201, Bachelor of Arts degrees; and 24, Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. Another four students are graduating from Northwestern NEXT, a two-year program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Graduates, faculty and staff will be seated on the field and spaced 6 feet apart. Members of the audience will be encouraged to physically distance by family units while seated in the stadium’s bleachers.
This year’s commencement will include aspects of the college’s annual baccalaureate service and senior honors ceremony, since those events were canceled due to COVID-19. Honors Scholars and the Outstanding Graduating Seniors will be recognized during the program, and commencement will conclude with graduates holding lit candles, like they traditionally do at the close of baccalaureate.
Jeff and Karen Barker, who retired this spring after 32 years as professors in Northwestern’s theatre department, will serve as this year’s commencement speakers.
