(UPDATE March 1, 2021: Iowa will hit a milestone this week, with the Iowa Department of Public Health reporting the state will receive more than 100,000 vaccine doses: 27,830 through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership and 91,100 in its regular state allocation, including 25,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. See the full announcement, […]
Nature Center launches online plant sale...
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Indian Creek Nature Center is modifying two of its popular spring events due to the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning today, Feb. 8, 2021, the Spring Plant & Art Sale has begun, with online pre-sales of native perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees and ground cover. The presale will remain open until noon Feb. 24. […]
Family’s pet dog is first animal to test
A Cedar Rapids family’s pet boxer has become the first non-human case of COVID-19 in Iowa. Steve Shriver said their 3 1/2-year-old dog, Eden, is recuperating as of Feb. 4, 2021, after being treated with antibiotics. “She is almost fully recovered,” Shriver said, noting that his family has already recovered from COVID-19. “The dog still […]
State bypasses schools’ request; excess
Leftover COVID-19 vaccine will go to Walgreens and CVS stores for distribution in select Iowa counties, rather than to educators, as several Iowa school districts had requested. A one-time allotment of 64,000 doses, remaining from the Long-Term Care Pharmacy Partnership program, will be available for Iowans ages 65 and up, beginning Feb. 3, 2021. Visit […]
Four Iowans convicted in yearlong poachi...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported the results of a yearlong investigation on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, that resulted in the convictions of four Iowans, involving numerous wildlife violations. Learn more from the DNR: A routine inspection of local taxidermy operations in Buchanan and Linn counties began a yearlong investigation into poaching activity and […]
Coronavirus deaths jump in Iowa to highe...
Iowa is nearing 5,000 deaths from COVID-19 and has surpassed its previous single-day coronavirus death toll record, with 250 deaths reported on Jan. 31, 2021. Because of the method the state uses to track deaths, not all of the patients died within 24 hours, but the number reflects the highest reported in a single day. […]
Vaccine available, but “don’t call us, w
UPDATE Jan. 27, 2021: The state hit another grim milestone, with a total of 4,500 Iowans reported having died of coronavirus since March 2020. Linn County Public Health announced that residents age 65 and older can receive COVID-19 vaccine beginning today, Jan. 26, 2021. Iowa’s vaccine rollout for Phase 1B, which includes Iowans age 65 […]
Winter Gardening Fair goes virtual in 20...
The Winter Gardening Fair, hosted by the Linn County ISU Extension Master Gardeners, has been transplanted a few times since it sprouted about 16 years ago. With the coronavirus pandemic still a concern, however, 2021 will be the first year the annual event will be held online. See photos from the 2020 Winter Gardening Fair […]
Iowa ranks near bottom in COVID-19 vacci...
Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa has been receiving only 19,500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per week, ranking the state 46th nationally in allocation numbers. Reynolds made the revelation during a press conference on Jan. 21, 2021. With just over 3.1 million residents, Iowa ranks 30th or 31st in population among states, depending on the source […]
Cargill expects industrial railyard to o...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Cargill officials provided a timeline Jan. 20, 2021, for constructing their industrial railyard in a residential Cedar Rapids neighborhood. Residents of the neighborhood who were able to join the virtual meeting or dial-in during the 45-minute session on a business day, which also fell on presidential inauguration day, could offer feedback […]