Home News Friday News, July 24th

Friday News, July 24th

Medical Personnel Recommend To Stay Hydrated During Weekend Heat Wave

(Des Moines) — Another sweltering July weekend is in the forecast, as high temperatures tomorrow (Saturday) across Iowa are expected to climb into the low- to mid-90s with heat indices returning to the triple digits. Mark Mintun, an emergency medical staffer at Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City, says if you’re planning on being active and outside, you must push fluids.

Without taking precautions and staying well hydrated in this heat, Mintun says you could be facing a very unpleasant road.

If you don’t pay attention to the warning signs, Mintun says your condition can quickly go from bad to worse.

Other tips for beating the heat include: wear plenty of sunscreen, wear light-colored, light-weight clothing — and a hat — and take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors. Keep up with the latest forecast at weather-dot-gov.

 

 

DNR Expects Another Busy Weekend On Lakes And Rivers

(Des Moines) — Iowa’s lakes and rivers continue to be busy, especially on the weekends. Iowa D-N-R boating law administrator Susan Stocker, says things really got going during the Fourth of July.

She says there were 11 people arrested for boating under the influence of alcohol during the Fourth of July weekend — which was a little above last year. There were 392 additional citations or warnings issued. Stocker says the crowds aren’t going away — especially with all the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having.

With this weekend likely to be another hot one, Stocker says boaters should drink plenty of water — and follow all the safety rules.

She says having the life jacket nearby is not enough.

Any children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times on a vessel underway in Iowa.

 

 

Johnson County Board Of Supervisors Approve Face Mask Mandate Resolution

(Iowa City) — The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution mandating residents wear face coverings in public, despite legal advice from the county attorney that the order is unenforceable. County Attorney Janet Lyness told the supervisors the best approach would be for the board of health to pass an ordinance, which they could then adopt.

Supervisors acknowledged that the state attorney general’s office has said no local governments are authorized to issue such orders. Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass said she wants to make the intent clear: everyone should wear masks to control the coronavirus.

The supervisors said they hope to work with the board of health to pass an ordinance.

 

 

716 More COVID-19 Cases in Iowa, 7 Additional Deaths

(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting 716 more positive tests for COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 40-thousand-509 cases. Seven more Iowans have died from the coronavirus which brings the death toll to 815 since the pandemic began. State health officials say 232 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, 73 patients are intensive care and 32 are on ventilators. More than 28-thousand-863 patients
have recovered. Governor Kim Reynolds and health officials announced a new “Step Up and Mask Up” initiative today on social media. They’re encouraging Iowans to wear face coverings while in public. The Iowa Public Health Association is calling on Governor Kim Reynolds to issue a statewide mask mandate.

 

 

 

Expected Decline In Enrollment Will Make Public University Financial Losses Worse

(Iowa City, IA) — The Board of Regents will review proposed budgets for the state’s three public universities next week at a meeting to be held Wednesday. Documents released by the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa warn of big cuts coming due to the coronavirus pandemic. The schools are already struggling and they are
anticipating a decline in enrollment that will make things even worse. The University of Iowa says it is anticipating a smaller freshman class.
Together, the three schools are facing a loss of 65 million dollars for their operating budgets.

 

 

 

Western Iowa Man Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Having Explosives

(Des Moines, IA) — A western Iowa man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for having the materials to make an explosive device in his possession. Fifty-one-year-old Blake Edward Cooper pleaded guilty to being a drug user in possession of a firearm. He had reportedly threatened to kill
law enforcement officers and innocent bystanders last year. Cooper was reported for sending a text message complaining about the family law system and saying “collateral damage” was needed. Authorities found 21 firearms, ammunition and explosive materials at his Harlan home when a search warrant
was executed.

 

 

Urbandale Teen Assaulted By Co-Worker For Pro-Police Sticker On His Car

(Urbandale, IA) — A teenager worker at an Arby’s restaurant in Urbandale says a co-worker assaulted him because he had a pro-police sticker on his car. The name of the 17-year-old victim hasn’t been released. Police arrested 25-year-old Montray Little for breaking the teenager’s nose in the attack. The teen has asked Arby’s to transfer him to another location.
Little is being held on a two-thousand-dollar cash bond at the Polk County Jail. He is facing a charge of assault causing bodily injury.

 

 

 

Pleasant Hill Police Arrest 32-Year-Old Shooting Suspect

(Pleasant Hill, IA) — Pleasant Hill police arrested a 32-year-old shooting suspect early Thursday after a short chase. When officers responded to a call at about 2:15 a-m they found 25-year-old Bethany Castro of Des Moines with a gunshot wound to her head. She is reported to be in critical condition at a local hospital. Officers say they found Phillip Koromah driving at an excessive speed away from the location. He has been charged
with attempted murder, robbery and several other offenses.

 

 

 

Dordt University Honored For Its Engineering Program

(Sioux Center) — Dordt University’s Engineering Department was recognized nationally for its outstanding student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Dordt received honorable mention for being in the top third of student chapters.

Dordt has eight to 10 student officers who meet weekly to plan events. The club is advised by Dr. Justin Vander Werff, a faculty adviser, as well as two alumni who serve as practitioner advisers. Along with other engineering clubs, the ASCE club regularly hosts events that bring practicing professionals to campus. These events are typically attended by 30-50
students, faculty, and local engineers. In addition, the club organizes field trips and regional tours. The student officers also receive the opportunity to go to the ASCE annual meeting for the Iowa section. The largest event the club looks forward to is the concrete canoe competition, which is anticipated to be held at Dordt in 2021.

“Dordt University’s engineering faculty members are passionate about discipling students in what it means to be Christ-centered and servant-oriented in our engineering work,” says Dr. Justin Vander Werff, associate professor of engineering. “There is nothing quite like actual planning, coordination, and project management for students to practice what this
really means.”

When students come to Dordt, they experience learning beyond the classroom, with club activities and community involvement. The ASCE is specifically tailored to engineering students and is an impressive organization that has connections nationwide. By providing programs for professionals and students,
the ASCE focuses on leading and equipping young engineers by providing opportunities for experience and potential work connections. Dordt’s engineering program participates in the Iowa Section of the ASCE alongside schools like University of Iowa and Iowa State University.

“When it comes down to it, there is only so much you can learn in a classroom and academic setting, and the ASCE provides students a way to experience engineering in action, and all of the learning and growth that comes along with it,” says Vander Werff.