Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that effective this Friday, restrictions previously put in place on businesses will be relaxed statewide. This allows restaurants, fitness centers, salons, barber shops, and massage therapy locations to reopen statewide, with capacity restrictions and other health measures and guidelines put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Reynolds said this easing of restrictions is possible because over the last two weeks many counties in Iowa have seen a consistent downward trend in virus activity. Other counties have stabilized and are beginning to trend down.
The Iowa Department of Public Health reported yesterday 17 more Iowans have died from COVID-19. To date, 306 Iowans have died from the virus since the pandemic started some two months ago. State data shows there are 377 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total to 13,289 confirmed cases.
Leadership in the Iowa House and Senate announced that the state legislature intends to reconvene on Wednesday, June 3. The session has been suspended since March 16 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The action is subject to a vote of the Legislative Council, which will meet by teleconference this afternoon.
Iowa health officials said Wednesday a coronavirus outbreak has been confirmed in Howard County. The outbreak was at Upper Iowa Beef in Lime Springs. Howard County has 12 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.
The Cedar Valley Sportsplex will re-open its doors to the public beginning at noon on Monday. Modifications have been made to the facility, hours of operation, and membership structures. Those entering the facility are expected to follow Covid-19 social distancing requirements and take other precautions outlined by the staff.
Five people were taken to the hospital to be checked out after a carbon monoxide leak was found in their home. First responders were called to 2390 27th Street in Marion just before 8:30 Tuesday morning…they confirmed high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. Crews ventilated the home; cause of the leak was a faulty boiler.
The Amana Colonies’ Wurst Festival has been rescheduled for August 29, due to the coronavirus pandemic…it was originally scheduled for June 20. Wurst Festival is a one-day event that begins at the Market Barn area in the center of the village of Amana. It features live music, locally made sausage, beer, wines and sweet treats.
University of Iowa officials say the institution is facing $70 million in losses because of the pandemic, and that could lead to staffing cuts. Faculty and staff will remain employed based on academic and research needs of the college. The university said if meaningful work is not available for a current position, employees will be asked to register for the temporary redeployment pool. The university is doing virtual instruction through the summer, but says it plans to resume face-to-face instruction this fall.
Authorities say a 17-year-old male has been injured in an officer-involved shooting in central Iowa. The shooting happened shortly before dawn Wednesday morning in Marshalltown when officers were called to a northwest neighborhood near Rogers Elementary School for a disturbance. Officers encountered a man who was shot by a Marshalltown police officer…the man was taken to a hospital for treatment of wounds not believed to be life-threatening. No details about what led to the shooting.
Police in Iowa City are continuing to investigate recent incidents of gun violence on the south side of the city, executing multiple search warrants on Wednesday to further their efforts. Warrants were served at several residences in the area of Taylor Drive and Sandusky Drive.
