UPDATE Nov. 10, 2020: Iowa again surpassed its record of COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 1,135 patients hospitalized in the past 24 hours. In the same period, the state hit a new record of 102 nursing home outbreaks. As of Nov. 10, 90 of Iowa’s 99 counties have 14-day positivity rates of 15 percent or more, with […]
Changes in store as indoor farmers marke...
The coronavirus pandemic temporarily suspended the opening of outdoor farmers markets last spring, but indoor markets already are on-track to start this fall. Some markets are requiring vendors and customers to wear face masks to help control spread of the virus and at least two are relocating for this season. The Dubuque Winter Farmers Market, […]
COVID-19 rampant in Iowa; hospitalizatio...
Additional update Nov. 7, 2020: Iowa has broken additional coronavirus records in the past 24 hours, with 92 nursing home outbreaks; 194 patients hospitalized in intensive care units and 165 new hospital admissions, all record highs. Also, Jones County hit a 41.2 percent 14-day positivity rate, the highest of 79 (out of 99) Iowa counties […]
Signs of the season: final election coun...
Political signs have come in all stripes this campaign season, reaching beyond the standard fare and the typical locations of support. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans — approximately 100 million as of Nov. 2 — have already cast their ballots in advance. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have soared in Iowa, with a record […]
Storybook saga: Derecho-damaged library ...
By Cindy Hadish CHELSEA, Iowa — Brad Wolter was still in training for his position as the new Chelsea Public Library director when Iowa was hit by the devastating Aug. 10 derecho. Hurricane-strength winds severely damaged the early-1900s former bank building that housed both Chelsea City Hall and the library, ripping off a portion of […]
Auction signals end of era for family-ow...
By Cindy Hadish BELLE PLAINE, Iowa — Auction-goers here will bid on bits of history from a family-owned business that spanned generations in central Iowa. A multitude of tools, fans, rakes, air compressors, fishing gear and numerous other eclectic items crowd tables and floor space at Weeda Auction Service in Belle Plaine, ready for the […]
Halloween activities to proceed as COVID...
Further UPDATES Oct. 31, 2020: Iowa has set additional records, with 630 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, and 81 nursing home outbreaks, up from 76 outbreaks on Oct. 30, both surpassing previous highs. The 2,834 new confirmed cases bring Iowa’s total to 127,445 positive cases as of 11 a.m. and represent another record for the state. […]
Return to darkness: Daylight Saving Time...
It already feels like winter in Iowa, so why not just “lose” an hour of daylight as soon as possible to go along with the darkness of 2020. Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1, the earliest date possible, as Standard Time begins on the first Sunday in November. Remember to “fall back” and […]
Iowa continues spiraling out of control ...
Another update Oct. 23, 2020: Iowa set a record for COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 536 reported, and another new high on Oct. 24, with 545 hospitalized. Also on Oct. 24, Iowa set a record for hospital admissions, with 101 patients admitted to hospitals during the past 24 hours. Further update Oct. 22, 2020: Iowa has again […]
Iowa surpasses 1,500 coronavirus deaths,...
Iowa had experienced an uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations even before Donald Trump appeared before a crowd of many maskless supporters Oct. 14 at the Des Moines International Airport and is now reaching new highs. Related: Trump plans rally as Iowa reaches somber coronavirus milestone The state, where Gov. Kim Reynolds has never implemented a face […]