Iowa State University Extension And Outreach Recognizes “Extension Week”
(Le Mars) — This week, from Monday April 12th to Saturday, April 17th is recognized as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week. A time when the local county extension offices want to call attention to the many services that are provided to the public. Janelle Johnson serves as the Extension Director for Plymouth County. She says the extension and outreach
program from various states are tied to the state’s land grant institutions, which for many counties, including Plymouth County date back more than 100 years. Johnson talks about the importance Extension Services has had for assisting people.
Johnson says extension services, through the years, have broaden its scope beyond agriculture, horticulture, home economics, and 4-H Youth programs.
The Plymouth County Extension Director says due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the extension services had to modify the way it delivered information and offered assistance to Iowans.
Johnson says the Plymouth County Extension and Outreach Services are acknowledging the week of Extension Week by collecting food for local food pantries and food banks.
Johnson says the Plymouth County Extension and Outreach Services are located on the lower level of the Le Mars Convention Center, and donated food items can be dropped off there.
State Health Officials Ask Providers to Pause Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health is asking all providers in the state to temporarily stop administering the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The move by state health officials comes after the C-D-C and F-D-A called for a pause in the use of the single-dose vaccine.
Federal officials reported that a rare blood clot occurred in six women who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and one died. The University of Northern Iowa canceled its vaccination clinic today (Tuesday). Students and staff will receive the Pfizer vaccine for the remainder of the week. More than 78-thousand doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine have been administered in the state.
Officials Dispute OSHA Citations at Anamosa State Prison
(Anamosa, IA) — State prison officials are disputing an OSHA report that cited deficiencies in the radio communications system for staff at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. The report from the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration was issued eight months before a correctional officer and a nurse were killed inside the Anamosa prison. The Iowa Department of Corrections is appealing the 20-thousand-dollar OSHA fine. Department
spokesman Cord Overton said data from incidents when staff hit the emergency button on their radios will be introduced as evidence this summer as an administrative law judge reviews the case. Overton said in a statement that he cannot address specific details until after the case is resolved, but added the agency is confident the radio communication system “has not caused
any delays in response to staff assaults.”
Trial Begins For Man Charged With Killing Des Moines Mom and 2 Kids
(Des Moines, IA) — Trial is scheduled to begin today (Tuesday) for the Des Moines man accused of killing a woman and her two children in July of 2019.
Police say Marvin Escobar-Orellan shot 29-year-old Rossibeth Flores-Rodriguez, 11-year-old Grecia Alvarado-Flores and five-year-old Ever Mejia-Flores in a duplex both families shared. Escobar-Orellana is facing three counts of first-degree murder. Court documents show he admitted to shooting
Flores-Rodriguez but claims she shot and killed her children and he acted in self-defense. Investigators say evidence in the case disproves Escobar-Orellana’s account of events. They also say his son witnessed the killings.
Escobar-Orellana is an undocumented immigrant. His trial has been delayed several times.
Man Dies After Crashing Car Into Home In Shellsburg
(Shellsburg, IA) — Benton County authorities say one person is dead after a car crashed into a home in Shellsburg. Deputies say a vehicle driven by a 69-year-old man struck a house late Monday morning. First responders tried unsuccessfully to revive the unidentified victim at the scene. No other information about the crash has been released.
