The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported Nov. 17, 2020, that two Polk County minors were cited for intentionally hitting and killing a deer at a park in Polk City, in central Iowa. More: Migrating ducks make fatal mistake in Iowa Learn more about the incident from the Iowa DNR: Polk City — Two Polk […]
Iowa governor announces COVID-19 mitigat...
UPDATE Nov. 17, 2020: Less than a day after Gov. Kim Reynolds’ televised appearance, Iowa surpassed 2,000 COVID-19 deaths. With 33 deaths in the past 24 hours, the state’s death toll now stands at 2,024. In addition, Iowa also set a new record for hospitalizations, with 1,510 COVID-19 patients; a record high 288 patients in […]
Migrating ducks make fatal mistake; hund...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported that hundreds of migrating waterfowl were killed by vehicles in northwest Iowa. DNR officials reported seeing more than 200 dead ducks on a highway and undoubtedly more elsewhere. Related: Migration superhighway in Iowa Learn more from the DNR’s report of Nov. 10, 2020: A unique weather phenomenon caused […]
Iowa at “critical point” in pandemic as
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. […]