Iowa health officials say 80 of the state’s 99 counties declined some or all of their COVID-19 vaccine doses for next week, in light of a dramatic decline in demand for immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Iowa has fully vaccinated just more than 1 million people, which is 32% of the population. Iowa Department of Public Health spokeswoman Sarah Ekstrand said yesterday the decrease in demand is being seen in several other states as well, and that health officials are working with community leaders to understand the source of the resistance.
Newly released records show the state of Iowa deployed “strike teams” to conduct rapid on-site coronavirus testing at 17 businesses in 2020, including some of the state’s largest pork and beef companies. The governor’s office is rejecting claims of political favoritism after the Associated Press noted that four of the 17 companies are owned by major donors to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ campaign. A spokesperson for the governor says political support was never a factor in the state’s deployment of testing resources, and said the governor is proud of the way she helped the private sector weather the pandemic.
U.S. farmers have had plenty to worry about in the last two years, from low prices and bad weather to trade fights and problems tied to the coronavirus pandemic. Now as they begin planting the nation’s dominant crops of corn and soybeans, they are seeing the strongest prices in years and a chance to put much of the recent uncertainty behind them. The last two seasons likely will be remembered as among the most unusual in U.S. agricultural history. The USDA has forecast that agricultural exports will be strong this year, and that coupled with greater demand for livestock feed and ethanol, means corn prices have reached an eight-year high.
The long-time mayor of Dubuque announced he Roy Buol will not seek re-election this fall. 71-year-old Roy Buol was first elected to the job in November 2005, and served 10 years on the city council before that.
The City of Memphis, Tennessee has a new police chief…and it’s not current Waterloo Chief Joel Fitzgerald. We previously told you Fitzgerald was one of seven finalists for the Memphis job…the city hired an eighth candidate who was added to the list of finalists. Fitzgerald became chief in Waterloo on June 1st of last year.
The University of Northern Iowa has announced the first finalist in the search for a new Provost. Dr. Vandana Kohli, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at California State University-Channel Islands, will interview remotely today and tomorrow, including meeting with faculty, staff, students and other members of the campus community. Kohli is one of four candidates invited to participate in the final round of interviews. The other candidates will visit virtually between now and May 6th. Information about each candidate will be made public 24 hours before their interviews.
An 18-year-old Parkersburg man has been arrested by Cedar Falls Police following a report of a larceny in progress yesterday in the 1500 block of West 5th St. Authorities were told a male dressed in black, wearing a backpack, and riding a bicycle had been seen entering into neighbors’ vehicles. While checking the area, an officer found a man matching that description, and as the officer approached, the suspect ran on foot. He was located inside a fenced in yard. Police say 18-year-old John Wyman Michael Martin, Jr. had items in his possession that were stolen from one of the larcenies. He has been charged with interference causing injury, possession of marijuana, and possession of stolen property. Investigation continues.
Police say a central Iowa man faces several charges after being accused of attacking several officers as they tried to arrest him on suspicion of driving drunk with his young child in the back seat. 33-year-old Christopher Greenwood was arrested Monday afternoon after witnesses reported his truck hitting curbs and driving into a ditch. Pleasant Hill officers soon found his truck had crashed into a pole and saw a young girl in a booster seat in the back seat. Police say when officers tried to arrest Greenwood, he head-butted, kicked and spat on the officers. He faces charges including assault causing injury to an officer, child endangerment, and more.
A jury has found 37-year-old Josh Pendleton guilty of robbery and first degree murder in the death of the senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. Police found Pastor Allen Henderson outside the church in October 2019. He later died at the hospital. Police said security footage showed Pendleton trying to get into the building. Pendleton later told investigators he had fought with a man at the church. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 18. Pendleton was found competent to stand trial, but police say he had previous mental health issues.
