NEWS RELEASE FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency activating the public health response and recovery aspects of the State Disaster Emergency Plan effective at noon today. It takes significant steps to require social distancing and limit community spread of the virus by implementing temporary measures including moving restaurants to drive-through, carry-out, and delivery only and closures of certain entities such as bars and recreational facilities. The proclamation also allows state agencies additional flexibility in responding to the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, and supports the critical work of public health.  “These … Continue reading Gov. Reynolds issues a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency

This statement regarding COVID-19 has been issued by the organizations in charge of Iowa high school, sports, speech and music : Following Sunday’s announcements from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, all spring activities of Iowa’s high school Unified Activities partners – the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Iowa High School Music Association, and the Iowa High School Speech Association – will be prohibited through the state’s K-12 school recommended closure of four weeks. Gov. Reynolds announced the recommended closure in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Public Health, in response to community spread … Continue reading High school activities suspended

DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference today from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Johnston, IA at 4:30 p.m. to provide an update to the state of Iowa on COVID-19. The press conference follows Gov. Reynolds recommending schools close for four weeks, read about that announcement here.  That press conference is open to credentialed members of the media and can be live on Facebook here. Members of the press need to be aware that there is no entrance to SEOC if: you have a fever of 100.4 F or above; you have traveled outside the … Continue reading Gov. Reynolds to hold a Press Conference on COVID-19

News release from the Iowa Governor’s Office DES MOINES – Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory has indicated one additional positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa residents, a total of 14 positive cases. An additional 21 tests were negative.  According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the new case is in an older adult (61 to 80 years) from Johnson County and was on the same Egyptian cruise as other positive cases.   The cases previously identified as presumptive positive are now considered positive. The first five positive cases in Iowa were confirmed by CDC, per … Continue reading Additional COVID-19 Case in Iowa

Iowa DNR DES MOINES – The next round of funding for the 2020 Derelict Building Grant Program is open for applications through Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. The grant program was instituted by state legislation to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less to deconstruct or renovate abandoned commercial and public structures. The program emphasizes reuse and recycling of building items, helps improve street appearance and commercial development, and alleviates the environmental concern these buildings can pose. Financial assistance includes asbestos removal, building deconstruction and renovation, and other environmental services. Through the program, the city of Earlville completed asbestos removal and deconstruction … Continue reading DNR now accepting Derelict Building applications