Home News Thursday Afternoon News, May 13th

Thursday Afternoon News, May 13th

Floyd Valley Healthcare To Begin Offering Pfizer Vaccine

(Le Mars) — As authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Floyd Valley Community Health will begin offering Pfizer vaccine appointments to anyone 12 years of
age beginning the week of May 17th. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 712.546.3335. These vaccinations will be offered at no charge.

Those vaccinated will be required to remain for 15 minutes of observation after receiving the vaccine, with 30 minutes of observation being recommended for patients who have experienced a severe allergic reaction in the past, such as to other vaccines, oral medications, foods, bees, etc.

Appointments for follow-up will be made for 21 days after the initial vaccination. Individuals that have received both shots of a two-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna, or a single injection of Johnson & Johnson are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the final vaccination.

 

 

 

Food Task Force Submits Report

(Des Moines) — Officials say over 400-thousand Iowans are food insecure and demand at Iowa food pantries and the six food banks around the state remains 50 percent higher than it was before the pandemic. Linda Gorkow, executive director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, says food banks provided 60 million meals to Iowans last year — almost double the volume of
food provided in 2019.

The governor established a Feeding Iowans Task Force in April of last year and the group issued a final report yesterday (Wednesday) to provide a tally of the food it rounded up and the government funds spent on the effort.
Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg was the group’s leader.

Some task force members will be added to the state team that develops plans for emergencies.

Lori Williams of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says, for example, the task force arranged for volunteers to take bulk purchases of rice, oatmeal and pasta and repackage it for distribution at food pantries. That effort was expanded in August to repackage food that
didn’t have to be refrigerated for victims of the derecho.

The lieutenant governor says the state will soon distribute another five-and-a-half million dollars to the state’s smaller food pantries.

 

 

 

Reynolds Says No Need To Worry About COVID Anymore

(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds says there’s no reason to fear Covid-19 any longer. She says Covid case numbers in Iowa are at a 10 month low, the number of Iowa hospital patients being treated for Covid is down 90 percent from the high point in November, and about half the state’s adults
are fully vaccinated.

Reynolds says it’s time to lean FURTHER into normal and that’s why she has declared that the three-hundred extra dollars in federal benefits for unemployment Iowans will end June 12th.

House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard says the governor’s move is heartless and shows Reynolds is willing to use vulnerable Iowans as a stepping stone for her own political gain. Reynolds says regular unemployment will continue. And, to other critics who say more Iowans would join the workforce
if businesses offered better pay, Reynolds says the market is taking care of that.

The governor says many state employees who’ve been working from home will be returning to their offices in the coming weeks. Reynolds says state agencies are assessing which jobs can be done remotely.

Reynolds says she plans to meet with businesses and organizations over the next few days to discuss how all can return to more normal work, business and entertainment experiences.

Reynolds made her comments late this (Wednesday) morning during a news conference to highlight the state’s response to increased demand at food pantries and food banks. Officials say more than 400-thousand Iowans are food insecure and the need for food assistance is 50 percent higher than than it was two years ago.
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Bill Signed By Reynolds Removes Statute of Limitations For Child Sex Crimes

(Des Moines, IA) — A bill signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds removes the statute of limitations for child sex abuse in Iowa. Under previous state law, alleged victims had to file charges by age 33. Reynolds issued a statement saying, “Today Iowa stands in support of survivors of sexual violence as we become the 14th state to eliminate the statute of limitations for these heinous crimes.” The governor thanked sexual abuse
survivor Kimberly Gleason for tirelessly advocating for the bill.

 

 

 

Grassley Honors Fallen Iowa State Trooper Smith in Senate Floor Speech

(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley used a floor speech commemorating National Police Week to honor fallen Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith. Grassley told members that Sergeant Smith courageously gave his life on April 9th during an attempt to apprehend a violent suspect.
He said the 27-year Iowa State Patrol veteran and tactical team leader, put himself in harm’s way on behalf of his fellow Iowans last month and it cost him everything. Grassley said “I know I speak for many Iowans when I say that we are forever grateful for his service.” He said Smith’s sacrifice will live on forever as his name will be inscribed on the stone walls of the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

 

 

 

Sioux City Police ID Motorcyclist Killed Crashing Into Mobile Home

(Sioux City, IA) — Authorities are identifying the motorcyclist killed after crashing into a mobile home in Sioux City. Police say 28-year-old Danny Sams of Sioux City struck a new mobile home that was on the side of the road in Tallview Trailer Court Tuesday night. The collision started a fire that burned Sams’ cycle and the rear of the trailer home. Sams died of his injuries in the hospital. A 33-year-old woman was hurt trying to help Sams. The incident is still under investigation.

 

 

 

Cedar Rapids Man Arrested For Throwing Cat From Bridge

(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Cedar Rapids police say a man face charges for throwing a cat from a bridge into the Cedar River. Officers located the seven-year-old cat under a rock near the water Monday and brought it to a veterinarian for treatment. A witness told police it appeared the man intentionally dumped the cat from a pet carrier into the river. Eighty-six-year-old Lloyd Baird came to the Cedar Rapids police station to find out
whether officers had found his cat. Investigators say he claimed the cat panicked and jumped into the river, but surveillance video showed Baird shaking the pet carrier over the water. Baird was arrested and charged with aggravated misdemeanor animal abuse.