Iowa Workforce Development received 13,040 new unemployment claims and handled another 187,375 continuing unemployment claims last week, the department announced Thursday. It is the lowest number of initial claims filed since March 14. Workers in manufacturing had the most new unemployment claims last week. The number of initial claims have dropped each week since the beginning of this month.
State health officials reported 595 new cases of coronavirus in a 24-hour period yesterday…with more than 400 of those coming from Buena Vista County. Gov. Kim Reynolds was asked if those were tied to the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Storm Lake; she said there is no official confirmation of an outbreak there. Outbreaks are defined by the state as 10% or more of the workforce in a single workplace.
A man reported missing Tuesday night was found dead Wednesday morning at Wildcat Bluff Park in Benton County. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office says 62-year-old Gerry Edwards, who lived in the Urbana area, had gone fishing around 1 p.m. Tuesday and did not return. Deputies found his vehicle at the park but had to call off the search due to darkness at 10:30 Tuesday night. Edwards’ body was located and recovered the next morning. Foul play is not suspected but the sheriff’s office says an autopsy will be conducted to find out how he died.
The Great Jones County Fair has provided an update on a modified plan for the fair in July. Live stage performances have been cancelled, as have the wheel and track events, but the youth competitions are going to be held as scheduled July 22-26, subject to CDC and state health guidelines.
The State of Iowa is offering free counseling to any Iowan impacted, in any way, by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) received $1 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a new program, called COVID Recovery Iowa…and it’s available now. Visit www.COVIDrecoveryiowa.org and complete a contact form and a counselor will get back to you. There are also toll-free numbers to call directly.
The state’s Test Iowa program has come under fire from some because the limited number of test sites are not accessible to all citizens, including those who do not have transportation. Gov. Kim Reynolds responded to the criticism at yesterday’s news briefing by noting Test Iowa is not the only way people can be tested, and that communities have a variety of transportation methods available for those who need that service.
NorthCrest Specialty Care says one employee at its Waterloo facility has tested positive for COVID-19. The care center says it has notified staff, residents and family members of the matter and is actively trying to prevent a further spread by screening residents twice a day for COVID-19 symptoms like a fever. The state confirms there are currently three outbreaks at long-term care facilities in Black Hawk County. Care Initiatives operates NorthCrest Specialty Care. That company also owns Heritage Specialty Care in Cedar Rapids, where 115 people have tested positive.
Many have thought a nice rain would tamp down pollen and help those with allergies…but a new study from the University of Iowa found tree pollen pieces remain in the air for as many as 11 hours after heavy rain, which can cause allergies to actually be worse than normal. The heavier the rain, the longer it lasts. Researchers say people who are sensitive to pollen should avoid going outdoors during and up to several hours after rain events, especially thunderstorms.
The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office will reopen the business office for all operations beginning June 8, in accordance with approval by the Board of Supervisors for normal Courthouse operations. That includes jail inmate visitation, as well as other sheriff’s office or jail business. All visitors will be required to wear masks. However, the sheriff’s office will continue to provide the same accommodations it has over the past two months for anyone who is not yet comfortable returning to public areas, including conducting business remotely over the phone or online.
As local businesses continue to reopen and other restrictions are further eased, the city of Cedar Rapids is planning on resuming normal practices soon. On Monday, Park Cedar Rapids will resume collecting normal monthly parking rates along with normal parking enforcement actions for metered spots in the downtown area. Adjustments to parking enforcement were originally made in March as the spread of the novel coronavirus was accelerating.
Two companies are competing to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Coralville. The Des Moines-based MedPharm Iowa and Waterloo-based Iowa Cannabis Co. are seeking a medical cannabidiol dispensary license there from the Iowa Department of Public Health. MedPharm Iowa is the state’s only licensed manufacturer of cannabis products currently operating. Acreage Holdings temporarily closed its Iowa Relief medical marijuana manufacturing facility in southwest Cedar Rapids last month at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. MedPharma also operates dispensaries in Windsor Heights and Sioux City. Iowa Cannabis Co. operates a dispensary in Waterloo.
Trash collection in Cedar Rapids will be delayed because of the Memorial Day holiday and closures at the landfill due to COVID-19. Customers who normally have their trash picked up on Thursday and Friday should put their cart out by 7 a.m. Friday and the city says collection of all carts will be completed by Saturday afternoon. The City of Cedar Rapids Solid Waste & Recycling management says Wednesday collection will see a one-day delay with collection on Thursday, May 28.
The Indian Creek Nature Center’s 37th annual Maple Syrup Festival has now been canceled. The festival had initially been postponed to late June. In a Facebook post, officials said despite the festival being its largest fundraiser, organizers felt it was best for the health and safety of the entire community, as well as staff and volunteers, to wait until next year.
