Home News Wednesday Afternoon News, December 30th

Wednesday Afternoon News, December 30th

Hy-Vee Administering First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

(Waukee, IA) — Iowa-based Hy-Vee is officially a COVID-19 vaccine provider after administering its first doses Tuesday at a long-term care facility in southern Minnesota. Hy-Vee C-E-O Randy Edeker called it “a historic moment for us all.” He said they are working with the C-D-C and local governments to provide COVID-19 vaccinations in “this critical first phase of vaccine distribution.” Health care workers in Dallas County will get their first dose of the Moderna vaccine today (Wednesday) from Hy-Vee pharmacists. Those who work in health care in Dallas County need to fill out a consent form and sign up for an appointment. Hy-Vee is also planning to partner with the Polk County Health Department on vaccinations.

 

 

 

Iowa House GOP Leader to Focus on Parental Choice in Education

(Des Moines, IA) — Three years ago, Republicans in the Iowa House drafted a bill that would have given Iowa parents five-thousand-dollar grants to cover the costs of private school tuition and fees for their kids. House Speaker Pat Grassley said that’s one of many ideas G-O-P lawmakers may consider during the 2021 legislative session. Grassley said, “Parental choice needs to be the focus of whatever we’re doing when it comes to education reform.” Critics say so-called “voucher” plans divert tax dollars to private institutions and undermine public schools. A 2017 proposal to provide a state grant for every student enrolled in an Iowa private school carried a 170-million-dollar price tag and was tabled. House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard of Charles City said public schools contribute to the economy and deserve more support, not less.

 

 

 

 

Woman Charged In Plot to Help Boyfriend Escape Black Hawk County Jail

(Waterloo, IA) — A woman is in the Black Hawk County Jail with her boyfriend after an alleged plan to help him escape from custody failed. Twenty-three-year-old Donsque Donston of Cedar Rapids and Columbus, Ohio is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. Deputies learned of Donston’s plan to free her boyfriend, 28-year-old Tyrone Copeland, while the two discussed the details on the jail’s recorded phone system. Investigators say Donston planned to help Copeland escape during his scheduled transport to a local medical appointment. Deputies arrested her outside the hospital. Copeland has been jailed since December 12th awaiting extradition to Franklin County, Ohio.

 

 

 

Much of Iowa Digging Out From Major Snowstorm

(Johnston, IA) — Snow blowers and plows are busy again today (Wednesday) clearing streets, parking lots, and sidewalks after the storm Tuesday dumped a lot of snow on the state. National Weather Service meteorologist Kristy Carter says the Des Moines Airport set a record with nine-point-six inches. Carter says the snow went from the very southwest corner of the state through central Iowa and then east. Fairfax and Hiawatha in eastern Iowa received a foot of snow, Iowa City had nine-plus and Bettendorf got seven. Greenfield and Red Oak in the southwest saw nine to ten inches. Carter says the predictions prior to the storm were accurate. She says some areas may have certainly gotten a little more — “but I think the general forecast worked out really well.”