National Guard Unit Returns Home
(Le Mars) — 90 soldiers from the Iowa National Guard’s 113th Calvary – Troop “C” returned home to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday. Hundreds of people lined the route from Hy-Vee to the Armory building waving flags, displaying posters
and cheering as the soldiers returned home after a 10-month deployment to Africa. At the Armory building on the east edge of Le Mars, there were plenty of hugs and kisses from family members once the unit was dismissed. Barbara Grady of Granville says she waited ten months for this day to come when she could again see her son Specialist David Grady.
Specialist David Grady says it is good to be back home, but added his time at Africa for the National Guard mission was time well spent.
David Grady says he has been looking forward to the trip back home for about three months. He says the soldiers had a general idea as to when their mission would be completed, but it was only recently that they learned the specific date for returning home.
David Grady says the meals while in Africa were nutritious, but routine. He tells of what is his first objective is now that he is back home.
Barbara Grady says she wanted to ease any homesickness by corresponding with her son on a regular basis.
Specialist Grady says the guard unit will be off for a couple of months, then it will be back to their regular training schedule once a month.
Medical Researcher Says Johnson And Johnson COVID Vaccine Poses A Small Risk For Side Effects
(Des Moines) — The pharmaceutical company of Johnson and Johnson has suspended the distribution of their COVID vaccine due to six reported cases of women who have suffered blood clotting issues following being vaccinated. Governor Kim
Reynolds addressed the issue during her weekly news conference held Wednesday morning. Doctor Patricia Winokur appeared with the governor to offer some context and perspective. She says the reported side effects are extremely rare.
Dr. Winokur says it is still important for people to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
Winokur says there are some side effects to all COVID vaccines, as well as other medicines
Dr. Winokur says the blood clotting issue has been found only in women between 18 years and 48 years of age. She tells of what people who have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine should be looking for, and what they should do, if they in fact start to have side effects.
The University of Iowa medical researcher continued to explain what patients need to do if they encounter the severe side effects from the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine.
It has been six weeks since Governor Reynolds received her Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Reynolds says the day of her vaccination, she did have mild side effects associated with the COVID-19 vaccine, which involved a headache.
Reynolds informed the news media that she has no reqrets of getting the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, and she would do it again.
The governor admitted stopping the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has placed some concerns for clinics, although she says both Pfizer and Moderna have increased their vaccine doses to make up for the lost of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Le Mars Community High School Offers Courses Dealing With Life’s Financial Decisions
(Le Mars) — For many of us, we probably wished that we had classes in high school that better prepared us for life’s financial decisions, such as home mortgages, retirement plan, taxes, and insurance coverage. Now, today’s high school students do have that opportunity to gather that knowledge. Trent Eckstaine appeared before the Le Mars Community Board of Education Monday evening to report on those classes being taught at Le Mars Community High School.
Eckstaine says the course is required for all juniors. He says the style of the course is enjoyable for most students.
Eckstaine says he has had past students approach him to thank him for teaching a business course that dealt with specific life’s situations.
The Le Mars Community High School teacher says many students don’t think about their future investments, but rather the present day situation.
Eckstaine says Le Mars Community is probably ahead of the curve with regards to teaching life’s skills to students.
Reynolds Says Iowa Can Manage Suspension of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds is predicting the pace of Covid-19 vaccinations will not be slowed by the two-week suspension of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as possible health complications are carefully studied. Reynolds said, “fortunately, additional doses of Pfizer and Moderna will be available for nationwide distribution next week and we’ve been receiving an ample supply of both here in Iowa.” The governor said the decision to put the Johnson and Johnson vaccine on pause was sudden and surprising. Reynolds noted that nearly seven-million doses have been administered in the U-S and said “at this time, we’re aware of only six cases resulting in the rare blood clots.” State health officials are redistributing the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Reynolds said the immediate impact of the decision on the vaccine supply should be manageable.
No New COVID Deaths in Iowa For 3rd Straight Day
(Des Moines, IA) — State health officials are reporting zero new COVID-19 deaths for the third straight day in Iowa. No one has died of coronavirus complications in the state since Sunday. COVID is blamed for a total of five-thousand-857 deaths since the pandemic began last spring. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports there have been one-million-907-thousand-934 vaccinations administered in the state.
House Republican Propose $3 Million For Child Care Grants
(Des Moines, IA) — House Republicans are proposing to more than double the amount of state money for so-called “challenge” grants to build or renovate space for child care centers. The G-O-P wants three-million dollars worth of these grants for the next state budgeting year. Representative Phil Thompson of Jefferson said the grants are a terrific investment and communities across the state are seeing the benefits. Democratic Representative Tracey Ehlert of Cedar Rapids is an early childhood instructor and said it’s exciting to have state grants for child care infrastructure. But Ehlert said lawmakers must do more to address the worker shortage and fill existing child care programs with staff. Sixty-four child care centers received 13-million dollars in federal relief money last month.
Iowa Board of Regents President Says No Mandatory Vaccinations
(Urbandale, IA) — The president of the Iowa Board of Regents says they will continue to try and get vaccinations for everyone at the three state universities — but Michael Richards says they won’t require them. Richards said, “the Regents universities will not be mandating vaccinations for any students or employees now, or for the 2021-2022 academic year.” He is urging students at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa to get a vaccination and said he strongly believes in the effectiveness of the vaccines. Richards noted during today’s (Wednesday) meeting that some colleges in the U-S are requiring student vaccinations.
Iowa House Plan Would Help Small Meat Lockers Expand
(Des Moines, IA) — A proposal in the Iowa House would provide 750-thousand dollars in grants to help small meat lockers with fewer than 50 employees expand. In addition to the money, a bill that’s passed the House would set up a task force to study creation of an artisanal butchery program at a community college or Iowa State University. Representative Phil Thompson of Jefferson says the pandemic highlighted the need for small-scale, local meat processing. Thompson said, “many of us remember walking into our grocery stores, only to find empty meat cases. We saw outbreaks and closures of some of our larger meatpacking plants and a supply chain that struggled to keep up with demand.” The proposed grants could be used to buy more space or equipment, like refrigerators and freezers, for meat lockers.
Iowa Board of Regents Names Second Finalist For UI President
(Urbandale, IA) — The Iowa Board of Regents is announcing the second finalist in the search for the new president of the University of Iowa. Officials say Barbara Wilson from the University of Illinois System will visit the Iowa City campus and meet faculty, staff and students Thursday and Friday. Wilson is the executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Illinois and a professor in the Department of Communication. Wilson will be part of a public forum Thursday afternoon at 3:30. Penn State Dean Hari Osofsky was the first finalist named and visited U-I this week. Current President Bruce Harreld is retiring May 16th.
Fugitive From SE Iowa Caught In NE Missouri
(Unionville, MO) — A fugitive from Iowa wanted on multiple charges was taken into custody Tuesday morning as he left a home in Unionville, Missouri to get some breakfast. When a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle 36-year-old Trevor David White was driving he led authorities on a 15-mile pursuit into Sullivan County, Missouri. He was arrested when he ran into a field. White waived extradition, then was transferred to the Appanoose County Law Center in Centerville. In addition to the felony warrants out of Iowa, White also faces new charges from Putnam County, Missouri.
Cyclones and Hawkeyes Football Make ESPN Preseason Rankings
(Bristol, CT) — The Iowa and Iowa State football teams made the E-S-P-N preseason power rankings. The Cyclones are number four which is I-S-U’s highest ever ranking in a preseason poll. Iowa State returns quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall. The Hawkeyes are ranked 23rd in the preseason poll. E-S-P-N predicts Iowa has more than a 20 percent chance of reaching the 2021 Big Ten championship game. The Hawks open the season September 4th against Indiana at Kinnick Stadium. The Cyclones’ season opener is the same day versus Northern Iowa at Jack Trice Stadium.
