Vesterheim Museum Extends Temporary Closure

DECORAH, Iowa—As part of its continuing response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, has extended its dates of closure through June 30, 2020. The closure includes Vesterheim Folk Art School classes, on-site events, and the on-site Museum Store.

The online Museum Store is offering convenient secure shopping for mail order and store pick up. Check store.vesterheim.org or call 563-382-9682.

Everyone is invited to explore the museum’s many online resources at vesterheim.org, including engaging blog posts with folk-art features and immigrant stories. Another way to stay connected is through Vesterheim’s social media on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Electrical providers are reporting the following scams being targeted at their customers on a state wide basis:

· 1. Scam caller advising customer that if they are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 they are eligible to pay a portion of their past due balance upfront and defer the balance for up to 3 months. Customer provides payment over the phone to scammer.

· 2. Scammer advises payment arrangements are being cancelled or revised to assist with COVID-19 and that by providing them with account information, they can take care of outstanding payments by phone.

· 3. When asked why the caller ID shows up as “Unavailable” or “No Caller ID” the Scammer says they are working from home and the caller ID phone number will not appear as the utility company phone number. Seemingly reasonable response, caller provides payment information or account information by phone.

From Safeguard Iowa Partnership

Corps of Engineers reopens lock facilities to the public
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is removing the closures to its
facilities near the Mississippi River locks and dams from Lock and Dam 2, near Hastings, Minnesota, to Lock
and Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa. The change is effective immediately.
The guide walls, loading docks and observation platforms were closed to the public April 6 to help reduce the
spread of COVID-19. Public restrooms at the locks and dams will continue to remain closed until further notice.
“Reopening these locations to the public is an important step in letting them view the Mississippi River up
close,” said Jim Rand, St. Paul District locks and dams chief. “While we are reopening the sites, we urge
everyone to continue practicing safe social distancing measures and to continue listening to local officials on
the best methods to protect yourself. The safety and health of our visitors and employees is our top priority,
and we want everyone to be able to experience the river for years to come.”
The St. Paul District navigation program provides a safe, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally
sustainable waterborne transportation system on the Upper Mississippi River for the movement of commercial
goods and for national security needs. To do this, the district maintains a 9-foot navigation channel and 13
locks and dams from Minneapolis to Guttenberg, Iowa. Keeping this system open is vital to the nation’s
economy. Nearly 16 million tons of commodities passed through Lock and Dam 10 in 2018. This included
nearly 8.5 million tons of farm products such as corn and soybeans. The industries making these shipments
saved approximately $430 million by using the inland waterways instead of overland shipping methods.
For up-to-date information on modifications, closures or other restrictions related to St. Paul District areas visit:
www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

Mail Cheer Program Launches in Winneshiek County

There is a new way to bring cheer to your neighbors here in Winneshiek County. The Mail Cheer Program is a safe way for community members to send or request a positive message through the mail to combat the loneliness and isolation many people are experiencing due to the current pandemic.

“While volunteering with Meals on Wheels, I learned how prevalent social isolation is for so many in our community right now,” said Jessica Hegdahl, coordinator of the program. “People here in Decorah have been so great at stepping up to help each other, and I’m so excited for people who might be isolated to get something fun in the mail to remind them that they’re being thought of as part of our community, even when they need to remain physically distant from others.”

Volunteers with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, in partnership with the Winneshiek Energy District, and the Decorah & Winneshiek Co. Mutual Aid Network have collaborated to create the program. Additional funding support comes from the Winneshiek County Development and Tourism office.

How to participate

Letters can be sent to Mail Cheer Program, PO Box 169, Decorah IA 52101. A volunteer will forward them to people who have requested mail. Anyone wishing to receive mail for themselves or a family member can e-mail Jessica at jessica@energydistrict.org or fill out the form at https://decorahnow.com/mutual-aid-network/ Guidelines for sending mail can be found on the website.

Looking for materials?

A tote box full of artistic materials, cardstock and envelopes is located in the Little Free Craft Closet at ArtHaus. Pick up what you need, and feel free to donate extra supplies you have at home!

Immunizations available at Gundersen La Crosse ExpressCare

Gundersen Health System is adding another convenient, option for patient immunizations in La Crosse.

Beginning May 18, patients 18 and older without respiratory illness can receive routine immunizations at the Gundersen La Crosse ExpressCare Clinic in the Village Shopping Center (2500 Hwy. 33).

• If you had appointments cancelled and are overdue for immunizations, your provider may contact you.
• Contact your primary care provider to schedule a visit. (We’re sorry, but no walk-ins are available.)
• Patients should remain in their vehicle at the La Crosse ExpressCare Clinic until their appointment time to aid Gundersen’s social distancing efforts.

In the coming weeks, immunizations at the Gundersen La Crosse ExpressCare Clinic will be expanded to patients 2-years-old and older for routine immunizations and immunizations that had previously been delayed due to Gundersen’s COVID-19 response.

“We have much evidence that immunization rates are falling nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in our local communities,” shares Rajiv Naik, MD, Gundersen Pediatrics. “We know that receiving routine preventive care and especially timely vaccines is as important as ever during this unprecedented time. We cannot afford to have outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases on top of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are going to do everything we can to help make sure patients get vaccines safely, conveniently and on time.”

Immunizations are still available at La Crosse and Onalaska Family Medicine and Pediatrics locations. For more information, patients should contact their primary care provider or call (608) 782-7300.

Gundersen is considering other new ways and sites to provide high-priority care during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information will be shared in the coming months.

Gundersen offers drive-up lab services 

Gundersen Health System is now offering drive-up laboratory services in La Crosse as a convenience for patients and to help system efforts for safety and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Patients and families are searching for more convenient ways to obtain care, such as video visits and more accessible lab services,” says Marilu Bintz, MD, chief population health officer, Gundersen Health System. “Drive-up lab services are one of many new offerings we’ve launched or are developing that respond to our patients’ requests for a better experience of care.”

Beginning Monday, May 18, patients ages 9 and older will have the option to use a convenient, private Gundersen La Crosse Campus location to have their labs drawn without leaving their vehicle.

• The La Crosse Campus location is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Common lab services available at the drive-up include:

o   Routine blood draws

o   Specimen drop-off

o   Limited home testing supply pick-up

• Patients are encouraged to have someone else drive them to their appointment.
• Patients who drive themselves will be required to wait 10 minutes after their appointment before leaving the drive-up lab services location.
• Patients are asked to leave pets at home.

Lab draws can be scheduled by either calling (608) 775-0950 or through a referral by a patient’s primary care provider.

ABOUT US: The nearly 700 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states
serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation
sites and disaster response. Through the St. Paul District Fiscal Year 2019 $144 million budget, nearly 2,200 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional
economy as well as $221 million to the national economy. Learn more at www.mvp.usace.army.mil or visit our social media sites at:
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – ST. PAUL DISTRICT
180 5th St. E, St. Paul, MN 55101
For Immediate Release: Patrick Moes: 651.290.5202, 651.366.7539, patrick.n.moes@usace.army.mil
May 15, 2020 George Stringham: 651.290.5201, 651.262.6804,george.e.stringham@usace.army.mil
News Release No. MVP-PA-2020-043 Shannon Bauer: 651.290.5108, 612.840.9453, shannon.l.bauer@usace.army.mil
Melanie Peterson: 651.290.5679, 651.315.4537, melanie.m.peterson@usace.army.mil
Corps of Engineers urges boater safety on Mississippi River
ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is celebrating National Safe Boating
Week by urging boaters on the Mississippi River to be smart while on the water.
National Safe Boating Week is May 16 – 22.
“The Mississippi River is an amazing place to spend your time on a boat, but you need to be smart about it,”
said Jim Rand, St. Paul District locks and dams chief. “There are a lot of hazards that boaters need to be
aware of to include tow boats, dangerous currents near our locks and submerged debris.”
To be safe on the river this boating season, Corps staff offer the following tips:
– Wear a life jacket;
– Avoid consuming too much alcohol;
– Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you plan to be back;
– Keep an eye on the weather as conditions can change with little warning;
– Take a boater safety class;
– Avoid restricted areas immediately above and below a lock and dam;
– Have an anchor on board that can be quickly retrieved;
– Monitor navigation traffic on Marine Channel 14;
– If locking through a lock, listen to the lock operator at all times; and
– Practice social distancing to ensure everyone is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information on our water safety program, please visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Water-Safety/ or http://bobber.info/ for water safety educational materials.
– 30 –
NEWS RELEASE

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Launches Resource Coordination Center to Assist Livestock
Producers
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 30, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced
today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has formed a Resource
Coordination Center (RCC) to support Iowa livestock producers affected by the COVID-19
supply chain disruptions. COVID-19 outbreaks in the workforce are causing many meat
processing facilities to run below normal operating capacity. That’s creating challenges for
producers who are trying to convert livestock to food products.
“COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of our lives, including our food supply chain,” said
Secretary Naig. “This is creating numerous challenges for producers and forcing them to make
unimaginable decisions. We want producers to know they’re not alone. We have assembled a
team of people who are here to connect producers with information and resources as they work
through this difficult time.”
The Department is collaborating with public and private partners to operate the RCC, including
the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), the Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State
University Extension and Outreach.
“We have pulled together some of the best resources in the state to help those Iowa pig farmers
working through difficult circumstances. Decisions that will be made in the coming weeks must
be the solution that can work best for individual farm situations. We encourage those farmers to
call in with questions or go to the website to look at the resources available,” said Mike
Paustian, IPPA president and a pig farmer from Walcott.
“The creation of the RCC will allow both public and private organizations to mobilize their
resources efficiently and effectively to help pork producers make well-informed decisions during
this extremely difficult time,” said Jay Harmon, associate dean for extension and outreach for
ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director for agriculture and natural resources
extension and outreach at Iowa State.
Through the RCC, livestock industry experts, state agencies and technical specialists will help
producers explore every option to harvest livestock and meet the protein needs of Iowans. The
RCC will also connect producers with technical resources as they work through difficult and
emotional decisions, including animal welfare euthanasia and disposal.
Iowa livestock producers can call the RCC at (515) 725-1005, Monday through Friday between
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or fill out a help form anytime at iowafarmerhelp.com.
COVID-19 has caused supply chain disruptions that are forcing producers to make emotional
and stressful decisions. If producers are feeling overwhelmed, they can call the Iowa Concern
Hotline at 1-800-447-1985 to get free, confidential support, 24/7.
###
About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the
rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 12 diverse bureaus, the Department
ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation
efforts to preserve our land for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.
Media Contact
Keely Coppess
(515) 326-1616
Keely.Coppess@iowaagriculture.gov

Gundersen Decorah Clinic offering COVID-19 drive-up testing   To provide better access to testing for patients, a COVID-19 drive-up testing site has been set up at Gundersen Decorah Clinic.  The testing site is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All patients must call to be pre-screened. If they meet qualification for testing, patients will be scheduled for the drive-up testing.   If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, call Gundersen Decorah at (563) 382-3140, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call Gundersen Telephone Nurse Advisors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (608) 775-4454 or (800) 858-1050.   Virtual care options are also a convenient way to connect. Visit gundersenhealth.org to experience our commitment to providing care anywhere for patients

Vesterheim Begins Work on Heritage Park

DECORAH, Iowa— Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, is beginning work to transform its Open Air Division into Vesterheim Heritage Park—an educational, interpretative, and public outdoor space in its downtown campus.

The primary contractor for the project is 2nd Nature Landscaping, Bloomington, Minnesota, which has over 30 years of experience ranging from parks and commercial projects to complex residential landscapes. Other contractors involved in this project include Skyline Construction, Inc., Wicks Construction, Perry Novak Electric, and Stevenson Tree Care, all of Decorah.

This project has been made possible by a grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

Vesterheim has also received funding from Winneshiek County Community Foundation for four interpretive signs. These signs will be similar in structure to the history signs already placed throughout Decorah on the Water Street Trail and the Historic District Trail.

The pathways in Vesterheim Heritage Park will be ADA-accessible and the landscape will incorporate many environmentally sensitive elements, thanks to a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Water Quality Initiative (WQI) Urban Conservation Project.

The plans for Heritage Park will implement practices including permeable pavement, soil quality restoration, a bioretention cell, and native prairie plantings to transform a currently underutilized landscape with features that improve infiltration, reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, and demonstrate sustainable stormwater management. Large, open glades will provide space for leisure and gathering as well as for outdoor dining, arts education, performances and exhibitions.

The park was designed by Damon Farber, the award-winning landscape architectural firm from Minneapolis, MN, in partnership with Snøhetta, the renowned international architecture and landscape architecture firm with offices in New York City and Oslo. Heritage Park is part of an overall Master Site Plan created for Vesterheim by Snøhetta.

A virtual ground-breaking celebration for Vesterheim Heritage Park is planned for May 29. More information will be announced soon. Work on Heritage Park will continue through this summer and will be completed in the fall. Vesterheim is currently closed through May 29 as a response to COVID-19. Further schedule adjustments due to either the Heritage Park work or COVID-19 will be announced when available.

“This project includes historic preservation and interpretation, sustainability and land responsibility, and opportunities to offer space for community engagement,” Vesterheim’s President/CEO Chris Johnson said. “We’ve been so pleased to partner with so many fantastic organizations, and look forward to when Heritage Park can be enjoyed by all.”

With world-class exhibitions and 12 historic buildings in scenic Decorah, Iowa, Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, showcases the best in historic and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts, and explores the American immigrant experience. This national treasure is also a center for folk-art education, offering a wide variety of classes in Norwegian folk art every year. For more information on the museum’s exhibitions, classes, events, membership opportunities, and ways to donate, check Vesterheim’s website at vesterheim.org, call (563) 382-9681, or write to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, 502 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

Becky Idstrom, Communications and Marketing Manager

bidstrom@vesterheim.org  •  563-382-9681

May 14, 2020

May 14, 2020

CONTACT:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Health STILL Strongly Encouraging Continued Practice of Personal Precautions Throughout the Entire County,

Allamakee County Public Health’s highest priority is the health and well-being of the community. Their health department strongly encourages everyone to follow all Iowa Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines to help prevent contracting or spreading the virus.

With the recent release of the Allamakee County COVID-19 statistics by zip code, many phone calls and reports have been received by Allamakee County Public Health by people concerned that  businesses and citizens in areas with few cases are no longer taking the personal protective precautions to keep themselves safe from contracting the virus.  Allamakee County Public Health strongly encourages the continuation of all safety precautions.

“We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep wearing the masks, washing your hands,   social distancing and frequent sanitizing of high touch surfaces for all local businesses and all citizens who are out in the public,” states  Lisa Moose, Director of Allamakee County Public Health/Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care.  “There are still many asymptomatic people that test positive for COVID, which means they show no symptoms of the virus whatsoever, yet they are contagious.  So it is important to take these precautions to help reduce your risk of contracting the virus from them and becoming ill, even though they are not.”

Public Health also explained that it is very important for anyone who has had the virus and their close contacts, to follow instructions given to them to decrease the spread of this disease.

“For these reasons, even though some smaller towns in our counties have had very few cases, or maybe even no cases, they still need to follow the precautions,” adds Sheryl Darling-Mooney, Public Health Supervisor.  “In addition, we are just entering our tourist season and any of those visiting our beautiful county  coming from other areas, bringing the virus with them as they visit.  So again, we are strongly urging EVERYONE to continue to take all the necessary personal precautions.”

Below is the Iowa Department of Public Heath recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and Allamakee County Public Health encourages EVERYONE to follow this protocol:

• Every-day prevention methods are very important:
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Stay home if you are ill.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Perform routine cleaning.
  • Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops) with the cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label.
• Stay home if you have any symptoms:
  • Even people who are mildly to moderately ill need to stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house until:
    • They have had no fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)

AND

• Other symptoms have improved (for example, their cough or shortness of breath have improved)

AND

• At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

Lastly, always remember to socially distance leaving 6’ between yourself and others and keep all gathering to 10 people or less.

For more information, please call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health at 568-5660.

###

https://governor.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Public%20Health%20Proclamation%20-%202020.05.13.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Luther College to welcome students back in the fall with a modified academic calendar
The plan allows for in-person learning and flexibility to respond to the ongoing pandemic

DECORAH, Iowa – Luther College will welcome students back to campus for the 2020-21 academic school year using a phased and modular approach that is flexible and responsive to the changing conditions created by the coronavirus pandemic and directives from government agencies.
“Luther College is driven by a mission that, in part, encourages students to confront a changing society while learning in community amidst the confluence of river, woodland, and prairie. We move forward with this plan because of its potential to bring us together again in this place so that we may live out that mission,” said President Jenifer K. Ward. “While we realize that nothing is certain, we step confidently and courageously into the future, knowing that the pandemic will continue to challenge all aspects of ‘business as usual’ and that we have the ability to find innovative ways of being, learning and working in its midst.”
The proposal was crafted by the Academic Planning Group, a subgroup of the Emergency Response Team and approved by President Ward and her Cabinet in consultation with faculty governance committees and the Board of Regents. This framework has also been shared with Winneshiek County Public Health. The plan allows Luther to fulfill its educational mission while taking into consideration the possibility of a local outbreak and the health of the Decorah economy, which relies on Luther students, faculty and staff being on campus.
Luther College’s 2020-21 academic calendar will include a September Term (four weeks; one course), a First Fall Quarter (seven weeks; two courses), a Second Fall Quarter (seven weeks; two courses), a Spring Semester (15 weeks; four courses) and a June Term (four weeks; one course).
“The Board of Regents reviewed the options and preliminary plan to support a return to on-campus learning in the fall of 2020,” said Wendy Davidson, chair of the Board of Regents and 1992 Luther alumna. “We sincerely appreciate the comprehensive approach to consider multiple scenarios that retain the flexibility to evolve as the situation continues to unfold in the weeks and months ahead, and to provide first and foremost for the safety of our students, faculty and staff while also delivering on the mission and vision of a distinctive Luther College education. We fully support President Ward and her team, and the faculty leadership, for the tireless work they are doing at this unprecedented time in our history.”
During September Term, only first-year students will live on campus and participate in face-to-face learning. This plan acknowledges the importance of the first-year experience with respect to persistence and graduation rates while keeping the campus population down. Pending a decision by the American Rivers Conference, fall athletes will also return to campus but sophomore, junior and senior athletes will take classes virtually. All other students will participate in online courses, internships and potentially low-residency courses in Rochester, MN while residing off campus.
All courses in the two Fall Quarters and Spring Semester will use face-to-face instruction with students residing on campus, unless shifts to online instruction are deemed necessary by Luther College in response to directives and guidance from federal and state governments or state and local public health agencies.
The June Term will focus on study-away courses (domestic and international) that were originally scheduled for January Term 2021.
Michael Osterholm, Luther class of 1975, chairs Luther College’s Board of Regents Academic Affairs Committee and serves as the Director for the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Having advised the executive board of the American Council on Education and the executive team at the University of Minnesota on college openings this fall, Dr. Osterholm considers Luther’s plan “thoughtful,” “aspirational yet realistic” and “doable.”
“The creative ways that Luther College has identified to provide quality student education and the means it has considered to quickly alter those plans if conditions with the pandemic suddenly change are right on the mark,” said Osterholm. “I am confident that the students, faculty, staff and administration at Luther College, as well as the Decorah community are well served by this thoughtful approach.”
Because COVID-19 presents an unprecedented infectious disease risk for all persons, the duration of the pandemic remains unclear, and the situation continues to evolve, Luther is preparing on multiple fronts to protect individual and community health. Preparations include: coordination with local and state health authorities and systems; increased cleaning routines throughout the campus; arrangement of spaces to enable social distancing and protection of frontline workers; acquiring PPE, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, masks, and other protective items for all Luther community members who need them; investigating protocols for testing and contact-tracing methods in case of an infection on campus; establishing quarantine locations for students who may become infected; and other necessary steps.
Luther College is home to more than 1,900 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

Lake Meyer Campground to Open May 15

Lake Meyer Campground will open for camping on Friday, May 15th.

Changes to campground operation, rules, and regulations will be in effect during the COVID-19 health emergency. These changes include:

• Only self-contained units (those with internal water and restroom facilities) are allowed. No tents.
• Some campsites will be closed to ensure proper social distancing.
• Campsites will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. Campers must self-register.
• All restrooms, playgrounds, and shelters remain closed until further notice.

A full list of adjusted policies is available on www.winneshiekwild.com. All policies are subject to change.

In accordance with state COVID-19 recommendations, all park visitors and campers are encouraged to practice social distancing by maintaining six feet between individuals. Campsites are to be occupied by those from an immediate family/household only. Groups should not exceed ten people. Campers are encouraged not to intermingle between campsites. These restrictions and guidelines will remain in place beyond when all campsites reopen.

Visitors are asked to stay home if you feel sick, wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face, and bring supplies from home including disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and other hygiene products.

Winneshiek County Conservation properties remain open for day use, including parks, trails, river/lake access points, boat ramps, shorelines, and natural areas.

For more information about Winneshiek County Conservation campgrounds and parks, please visit www.winneshiekwild.com or call 563-534-7145. Future updates and changes will also be posted on Winneshiek County Conservation’s Facebook page.

During today’s press conference, Governor Reynolds announced that effective May 15 all restrictions that were lifted in the 77 are expanded statewide (meaning restaurants and fitness centers can open at 50% capacity). Additionally, salons, spas, and barbershops are allowed to open statewide, as long as they follow certain guidelines (guidelines which I haven’t seen yet). Bars and casinos will remain closed.

The Governor’s office is typically slow to publish the relevant proclamation, so I haven’t seen the official text yet. However, I wanted to send this out to you. Reading Article 1 from the April 27th proclamation (which lifted restrictions in the 77 counties) will provide some idea of what today’s proclamation will say: https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamation-continuing-the-state-public-health-emergency-0

Some general guidance for businesses to follow was discussed during the press conference. Some statements included:

Ensure frequent cleaning, sanitizing establishments
Ensure hand washing and sanitizing supplies are available for customers and staff
Provide visual reminders for staff and customers to stay 6-feet away from others.
Allow or require the use of masks or face coverings
Develop appropriate leave policies and allowing staff to stay home when they are ill or have been in close proximity to a confirmed case.
Ask customers not to enter if they have been in close proximity to a confirmed case in the last 14 days, or if they themselves are not feeling well.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Public Library

202 Winnebago Street

Decorah, IA 52101

CONTACT:    Kristin Torresdal, ktorresdal@decorah.lib.ia.us

563-382-3717

DATE:            12 May 2020

RE: Decorah Public Library announces next steps

The Decorah Public Library will continue to be closed to the public but will open exterior book drops and begin accepting returned library materials on Monday May 18. The move is part of a phased expansion of services unanimously approved by the Library Board of Trustees at their Monday May 11 meeting.

Library staff request that materials be returned gradually so that they are able to keep up with the processing and quarantining of items as they come back. Patrons with last names beginning A-M are asked to return items May 18-24 and patrons with last names beginning N-Z are asked to return items May 25-31. All materials will be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours before being reintegrated with the rest of the library collection. Beginning June 1, items may be returned to the two exterior library book drops at any time.

A projected June 1 start date for curbside pickup of library materials has also been announced, with details about the procedure for requesting and picking up items to be solidified by the end of May.

Library Director Kristin Torresdal said “We are working hard to prepare appropriate procedures for material returns and curbside pickup, with the safety of patrons and staff taking top priority. With the addition of curbside pickup, we will again be performing all of the essential services outlined in our mission statement despite the necessary ongoing closure of our building. We will continue to offer online programming, tech help, expanded ebook, audiobook, and film content, plus wifi access around the perimeter of our building.”

The phased expansion of services plan includes six stages, the first three of which- preparation, returns, and curbside pickup- were approved for implementation by the Library Board, with the inclusion of additional language that allows for plan modifications based on new data, public health guidelines, and best practices according to professional library organizations. The Board will discuss progress, new developments, and implementation of additional phases at their June 8 meeting.

When curbside procedures are finalized, that information will be made available on the library’s website, social media, and in local media outlets.

Contact Torresdal at ktorresdal@decorah.lib.ia.us with questions.

Gundersen Winona Campus opens May 18

Gundersen Health System brings expanded care to thousands of people when it opens its state-of-the-art new Winona Campus on Monday, May 18.

The new 90,000-square-foot facility at 1122 W. Hwy. 61 brings specialty care closer to home for Winona area residents. The first phase of services began Dec. 2 with Urgent Care, Laboratory, Imaging and Infusion.

“It is wonderful to reach the culmination of our plans to open a new facility to better serve our patients in Winona and surrounding communities,” said Gundersen Health System Chief Executive Officer Scott Rathgaber, MD. “This facility extends Gundersen’s 30-year commitment to care in the community and delivers on our promise to bring care close to home. We are delighted to be expanding our care and making it more convenient for our patients and their families to remain healthy.”

Services opening May 18 include:

• Audiology
• Cardiology
• NEW Dermatology
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• NEW Family Medicine
• NEW Internal Medicine
• Neurology
• Occupational Health
• Oncology
• Orthopedics/Sports Medicine
• NEW Pediatrics
• Pediatric Asthma, Allergy, Immunology, Endocrinology and Gastrointestinal
• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Podiatry
• NEW Retail Pharmacy
• Rheumatology
• Urology
• Vision Center

Services opening at later dates include:

• NEW Chiropractic
• NEW Gastroenterology
• NEW General Surgery
• NEW Mammography
• NEW Obstetrics and Gynecology
• NEW Outpatient Surgery Center
• NEW Pain Medicine
• NEW Sleep Medicine

“As the COVID-19 pandemic reaches our region, it’s more important now than ever to offer outstanding care close to home, both in our Winona facility and with local clinicians online through video visits,” said Bryan Erdmann, vice president of Gundersen Operations and Regional System. “Gundersen’s investment in Winona brings new and expanded services to meet the needs of our patients closer to where they live. A consolidated campus reduces how far Winona and surrounding area residents travel to receive outstanding care and supports our dedication to reduce the cost of care.”

Gundersen Dental Specialties, which includes orthodontics, oral surgery, dental implants and more, will remain in downtown Winona at the 111 Riverfront Building.

For more, visit gundersenhealth.org/winona

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

COUNTY OF VERNON

1320 BAD AXE COURT

VIROQUA, WISCONSIN 54665

JOHN B. SPEARS, SHERIFF           NATHAN CAMPBELL, CHIEF DEPUTY SHERIFF            

2020 ANNUAL VERNON LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL

                                 SERVICE HELD VIRTUALLY – MAY 12, 2020, 10:00 AM

May 12, 2020

Vernon County Sheriff John B. Spears reports the week of May 10-16 is National Police Week.  Annually, officers who made the ultimate sacrifice serving their communities are honored this week.  Over thirty years ago, retired Sheriff Geoffrey Banta began holding local services not only to honor the fallen, but to thank all officers, in all of our communities, for facing every-day conflicts and dangers.  This tradition continued under the leadership of Retired Sheriff Gene Cary and now current Sheriff John Spears.

Sheriff Spears says this uninterrupted tradition of honor and appreciation will continue and this year is no exception.  A virtual ceremony will be held today, May 12^th, at 10:00 AM via video.  We regret the community cannot attend, but we hope the video will cause you to pause, honor the memory of the fallen, and thank those who continue to serve during these challenging and uncertain times.

Sheriff Spears would like to thank all law enforcement, in all of our communities.  Normally, each and every law enforcement agency throughout the county are represented at our annual service as well as our formal Honor Guard.  We would also like to thank Lieutenant Jason Crume for planning and logistics throughout the years.

Sheriff Spears would like to thank Vernon Communications

Cooperative.  Not only did Vernon Communications loan us their

video equipment, their Video & Digital Media Coordinator edited the

video creating an excellent finished product.  The video will also air on

Community Channel 14 starting tomorrow, May 13^th, at 10:30 AM, and again Friday, May 15^th, at 5:00 PM.

Video link: https://youtu.be/Tad_z6OsNqQ

/s/ John B. Spears, Sheriff

Shellabration 2020 Canceled Due to COVID-19
Cheap Trick with special guest 38 Special rescheduled for 7/2/2021
Fort Dodge, Iowa
After “exhaustive ongoing discussions and careful consideration”, the Shellabration
Inc. Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s
Shellabration and Downtown Country Jam events. “The health and safety of our
attendees, volunteers, sponsors, contractors and community will always be our
highest priority, said Shellabration Inc. President, Jim Reed. With the ongoing public
health threat due to COVID-19 unlikely to subside any time soon, canceling was
both the responsible and conscientious thing to do. Even if large scale events were
hypothetically permitted later this year, the social distancing requirements would
make attempting to stage an event with several thousand people untenable,” added
Reed.
In addition to the compelling public health risk, the organization also considered the
long-term financial ramifications, were the State of Iowa to permit large scale
gatherings at some point this year. “With significantly lower sponsorship and ticket
sale revenue due to the current economic climate, we would be putting our ability to
stage future shows at risk, said Shellabration Inc. VP, Ted Bodensteiner. While we
could cover the loss with our cash reserve in the short term, to jeopardize
everything we’ve built in the past 19 seasons was a chance we weren’t willing to
take,” underscored Bodensteiner.
While disappointed to have to cancel their events for 2020, the upside is the group
was able to get all of their artists rescheduled for Shellabration 2021. Next year’s
event will take place on Friday, July 2, 2021 featuring Cheap Trick with special
guest 38 Special plus Saucy Jack. “The bands and agencies were great to work
with in getting our date rescheduled, said Reed. We’re incredibly excited to keep
our lineup intact. The fact that July 2nd falls on a Friday next year versus a Thursday
in 2020 is an added bonus,” he added. All tickets purchased for this year’s event
slated for 7/2/20 through Ticketweb will be automatically refunded to the credit card
they were purchased on. There is no action required to receive a refund. The
physical tickets received for 2020 cannot be used in 2021. New tickets will need to
be purchased. Tickets for next year’s event are tentatively scheduled to go on sale
Saturday, February 27, 2021.
“We hope the public will respect and support our decision to cancel and live for
another day, said Reed. Having survived severely weather impacted events over
the years, we thought we’d seen it all. Never could we have imagined having to
cancel an event due to a global pandemic. That said, we’ll learn from this
circumstance and continue working diligently to produce the highest quality shows
possible for the greater Fort Dodge and Northwest Iowa area. Fort Dodge ROCKS,”
emphasized Reed.
Shellabration Inc. Ÿ PO Box 752, Fort Dodge, IA Ÿ (515) 570-0176
Serving the Fort Dodge area community through performing arts & entertainment!

To provide better access to testing for patients, a COVID-19 drive-up testing site is now available on Gundersen Health System’s La Crosse Campus.  

The testing site is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The same prescreening protocol remains in place for triaging patients for testing, but now they will have the option to go to Onalaska or La Crosse. On weekends, Onalaska will remain an option for testing. Testing is also available for pre-screened patients at several regional locations.

Patient should call their primary care provider or Gundersen Telephone Nurse Advisors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (608) 775-4454 or (800) 858-1050. Virtual care options are also a convenient way to connect. Visit gundersenhealth.org to experience our commitment to providing care anywhere for patients.

Website: www.mhcfair.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/MHCFair
HOWARD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
THOMAS V. BARNES, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Post Office Box 83, Cresco, Iowa 52136
Home Phone: 563.547.4996 Fax: 563.547.4355 E-mail: tbarnes@mhcfair.com
2020 Mighty Howard County Fair Postponed to 2021
Cresco, Iowa – May 10, 2020: The Howard County Fair Board has announced that the 2020 Mighty Howard County Fair
will not be held this year. Events and entertainment will be postponed until June 22 to 27, 2021.
“To say we’re disappointed is an understatement.” said Tom Barnes, Executive Secretary of the Board. “But the
health and safety of our community is our top priority. Taking into consideration all of the factors the Board had
to look at in dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic, this is the right decision.”
The decision by the Fair Board was made after much time and effort was spent consulting with the Association of
Iowa Fairs (AIF), the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), the State of Iowa and Howard
County Public Health and Emergency Services.
“The Fair should be a time for celebrating the accomplishments of our area 4-H and FFA exhibitors, highlighting
the ethnic and cultural diversity of our Howard County community and a time when fairgoers can get together in
a family atmosphere to enjoy all of the sites, tastes and sounds of a great county fair.” Barnes said. “The last thing
the Board wants to do is to create an atmosphere of concern and anxiety.”
The decision was not made lightly, not only taking into consideration of the safety of those directly involved with
the Fair, but also realizing the impact the Fair has on the community and county. “The Board does understand this
decision could have a negative economic impact on our Fair vendors and local businesses who depend on the Fair
for their livelihood,” Barnes noted. “However, the safety of our community is our first and foremost concern.”
The Fair typically draws fairgoers and vendors from Iowa and several other states, with roughly 60 percent of the
fairgoers are coming from outside of the community. Current safety guidelines relating to the COVID 19 pandemic
that are in place by the State of Iowa and Howard County Community Health makes it an overwhelming task for
the Fair Board to ensure the Fair would be a safe and positive event for the community. “The guidelines in place at
this time put a great deal of risk on the Fair Board,” Barnes added.
“This pandemic is an unprecedented event for our generations. By working together, we will get through it. We
need to use what we have learned from this pandemic to better our lives.” Barnes said. “The Fair will back in
2021, stronger than ever.”

Gundersen providing limited in-person care

Patient and staff safety top priorities at all locations

Gundersen Health System is proving limited in-person care, with a focus on low-risk, high-priority patients while continuing its response to COVID-19 and care for those impacted by the virus.

The safe, careful approach to resuming in-person visits and expanding virtual care options are part of a long-term strategy to restore Gundersen operations and respond to our patients’ care needs.

The pandemic has shown our world the importance of virtual options – and that includes healthcare. For the care that can be provided at home, Gundersen brings providers to patients by video. Our patients’ response to the virtual care options has been remarkable, with more than 650 virtual care stations for our staff up and running to provide convenient video visits across the system.

“We remain committed to our plan to carefully and safely resume services beginning with low risk, high priority cases. We will test our designs for the safety of our patients and staff and expand as we believe best serves our patients and the community,” said Gundersen Chief Executive Officer Scott Rathgaber, MD.

Gundersen has taken every precaution to keep patients and staff safe at locations across the system. For patients: please don’t let concerns about COVID-19 prevent you from getting the care you need, especially urgent or emergency care. We are prepared to care for you safely and ensure your health and well-being at the Gundersen location nearest you.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our communities healthy and safe. Continue to wash your hands and observe social distancing. We will get through this together. Gundersen and the local healthcare community are here to care for you, safely and close to home.

More online

For information on Gundersen visitor guidelines, face coverings and much more, visit gundersenhealth.org/covid19

Patients have many options for your care. Visit gundersenhealth.org/care to learn more.

They can also call (608) 782-7300 and ask for the Virtual Care Support Team at extension 70130 or visit gundersenhealth.org/care/skype-visits for more information.

Good afternoon Partners.

I wanted to take time to share a few resources with you. As always, continue to watch Governor Reynolds’s press conferences each weekday at 11 a.m. Reference https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ for the latest information for Iowa.

Governor Reynold’s Proclamation

Today, Governor Reynolds loosened restrictions for all counties in Iowa, including Fayette County. This restriction has eased businesses, restaurants, campgrounds, malls, fitness centers, libraries and race track restrictions as long as they follow specific guidelines. Again, the eased restrictions on religious gatherings and farmers’ markets apply to ALL 99 counties if they can adhere to the guidelines in the Proclamation. Within IDPH clarification, weddings and funerals are permitted as a religious gathering; however, receptions and visitations must adhere to the 10 and under gathering rule (rolling receptions/visitations with 10 people in and out are still allowed). Gatherings of more than 10 people continue to be prohibited.

See the Governor’s full Proclamation: https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamation-continuing-the-state-public-health-emergency-0

 Check out our EOC saying hello attached😊

Thanks,

Jes

JESSICA WEGNER, RN

GPCH Coordinator – Fayette County Public Health

200 Jefferson Street, West Union, IA 52175      

Phone: 563.422.6267 ext 64681    Fax: 563-422-9876    jlwegne1@gundersenhealth.org

PRESS RELEASE

From: Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency and AGRISTAR

The following press release is provided for public dissemination:

The following release was done in cooperation with AGRISTAR and is in reference to the testing done at the AGRISTAR facility on Tuesday 5 May 2020.

On Tuesday 5 May 2020 COVID-19 testing was conducted at AGRISTAR in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Public Health and other State agencies.  AGRISTAR had requested this testing in April but was unable to have testing done until early May due to testing being done in other facilities across the state first.  This testing was requested as an additional step in the plants efforts to protect its employees and ensure its ability to continue operations and is not part of the Test Iowa Initiative.  Over 400 employees of the facility were tested and all testing was voluntary with the first of these results possibly being available as soon as Friday 8 May.  Employees were tested to see if they currently may have the COVID-19 virus or if they have had it in the past.  The test results will allow AGRISTAR to determine their employees’ health status and to assess any additional preventative measure efforts that may need to be taken in protecting its workforce health while maintaining critical operations in the country’s food chain.

No further information is available at this time. 

DATE:  May 7, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Pulpit Rock Campground COVID-19 Response

PRESS CONTACT:  Andy Nimrod (563) 382-4158, parkrec@decorahia.org

Pulpit Rock Campground COVID-19 Response

Decorah Parks and Recreation

May 7, 2020

Decorah Parks and Recreation (DPR) continues to look at ways to protect the health of visitors and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In accordance with Governor Reynolds May 6, 2020 proclamation, Pulpit Rock Campground will be partially opening May 8, 2020 with some restrictions.  The following is a list of regulations created to help ensure the safety and well-being of campers and staff.  Regulations will be updated as needed.

• Pulpit Rock Campground will be opening at 8:00am, Friday May 8 to campers with self-contained units only.
• Restrooms at the campground and throughout the Decorah Parks System remain closed.
• Playgrounds and shelters are closed.
• Registration and payment over the phone is preferred, however the window of the registration booth will be open to handle firewood and ice sales transactions, and registration as needed.
• Some of the sites at the campground will be closed to help maintain safe distancing.
• It is asked that all campers and staff wear masks when consulting or conducting business with one another.
• Parks and trails are open in the Decorah Parks System; however, park patrons should keep a physical distance of at least six feet from other visitors and avoid areas where points of interest will likely congregate people. Using precautions set forth by the CDC is required; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
• Decorah Parks and Recreation highly recommends practicing physical distancing so that parks and campgrounds remain open for recreational opportunities.
• Campers should assume personal responsibility and not allow visitors to their campsite or campfires. Campsites should only be shared by members of the same household.
• Thank you for your patience during this challenging time. Staff will monitor the situation daily and will make changes as needed.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

May 7, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Marx, Marketing Representative

563-387-3020 ●marxm@winmedical.org

National Hospital Week is May 10-16

National Hospital Week, May 10-16, is the annual time to say Thank You to the staff and providers who have chosen a career of service through health care.

Lisa Radtke, chief administrative officer, Winneshiek Medical Center says, “Over the past few months, the concepts of teamwork, collaboration and dedication have taken on new meanings as our staff and providers have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is entirely appropriate and fitting that National Hospital Week falls during this time. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and WMC leadership, I thank each and every member of our WMC team for their service to our patients, our communities and each other.”

Winneshiek Medical Center typically celebrates National Hospital Week with internal events and activities, which have been postponed to a later date.

Radtke adds, “Although we cannot celebrate as we would like right now, our circumstances do not lesson our gratitude to those on the front lines and in support roles.  I ask the community to join me in thanking health care workers for their role in our health and safety during the pandemic, and in ‘normal’ times.  Please reach out to family and friends in health care and offer them your appreciation during National Hospital Week.”

National Hospital Week is the nation’s largest health care event. It celebrates the history, technology and the dedicated professionals of the health care profession. National Hospital Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested that a day of community celebration might calm public fears about hospitals and build public trust. First held in Chicago on May 12, 1921, the event soon spread to other communities. It was expanded to National Hospital Week in 1953.

-30-

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs

May 8, 2020

1. J. Sullivan, Jr.

Public Affairs Officer

Prairie du Chien Flotilla

(319)290-6403

sullivan@acegroup.cc

http://cgaux.org

National Safe Boating Week

May 16 – 22, 2020 is National Safe Boating Week.

Prairie du Chien – The US Coast Guard/Coast Guard Auxiliary officially kicks off the boating season with National Safe Boating Week. And while starting off under the burden of the COVID-19 virus at least this year the river is below flood stage, so far.

The lower water levels do not mean we can relax our attention to safety on the water. The normal year-round hazards still remain.

According to the US Coast Guard Boating Safety Division each year more than 70 million Americans participate in recreational boating activities on the nation’s waters including lakes, rivers and coastal waters.

US Coast Guard Boating Safety Division publishes some interesting statistics;

Since 1971 the estimated number of recreational boats has doubled while at the same time the number of reported boating casualties (deaths and injuries combined) has been reduced by 50%.

While this is good news, we still have a major problem: Every year lives of adults and children are lost and many more injured. And the losses due to property damage runs into the millions.

Some Key Facts –

Drowning was reported as the cause of death in 76% of all fatalities (four out of five people died from drowning).

Approximately 84.5% of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Only 14% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction.

Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure and alcohol use are the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.

Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

How can you help ensure you are not contributing to these statistics?

Take a Boating Safety Course.

Get a vessel Safety Check for your vessel, no matter its size.

Make everyone on board your vessel WEAR a life jacket.

Do not mix boat operation and alcohol.

It is your responsibility to bring your family and passengers safely back to port.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org

###

Contact: Laurie Kreul

Email or Phone: 563-382-8787

On May 6 & 7, 2020, employees and both Nursing Home residents and Assisted Living tenants (unless refused by the individual), were tested for Covid-19. The tests were received from LabCorp (a private company referred to us through IDPH) and our staff, with assistance from Winneshiek County Public Health, conducted the testing.

The guidance on receiving test results is anticipated to take approximately 72 hours. Test results will be shared as soon as possible with the individual and/or their responsible party.

Prior to the testing, we had two employees test positive (both employees have self-isolated and have since been released to return to work). We also had 8 employees and 3 residents (asymptomatic) that were tested by their medical provider for various reasons. All tested negative.

“With guidance from our exceptional local and state-level professionals, we were able to obtain testing for our employees, residents (NH) and tenants (AL). Our top priority has and will continue to be the health and welfare of our residents, tenants, their families, and our dedicated and selfless employees.”

Barthell O.E.S. Home is a Continuing Care Retirement Community, offering the following levels of care: Nursing Facility, Assisted and Independent Living. We have been providing care for the elderly of Decorah and surrounding communities since 1969. We employ approximately 90 individuals caring for a community of 80+ residents and tenants. For more information, visit our website at www.easternstardecorah.com.

END.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
FEMA Region VII
11224 Holmes Road
Kansas City, MO 64131
May 7, 2020
RVII COVID-19 Release: 2020-004
Region VII news desk: 540-533-0140
News Release
FEMA Awards $78 million to Iowa for COVID-19 Response
KANSAS CITY, MO – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated $78 million to the State of Iowa to help reimburse eligible expenses for emergency protective measures that the state has incurred as a result of its response to COVID-19. The grant funds, awarded by FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program, were made available Thursday, May 6, and are authorized under a major disaster declaration approved by President Trump on March 29 for the entire state. In total, FEMA has provided nearly $150 million to date in support of the state’s COVID-19 efforts.
The money reimburses 75 percent of projected eligible costs associated with buying essential
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and medical supplies and equipment during the months of
May and June 2020. The supplies include medical gowns, surgical masks, face shields, safety
glasses and gloves, disinfectant, respirators and viral swab collections kits.
This obligation also includes: $19.5 million in contract services for TestIowa, $35,000 in
contract services associated with overseas PPE purchases and $13.7 million for additional
medical supplies and equipment for the month of April. All figures represent the 75 percent
federal share. The 25 percent is paid by the grant recipient.
“We are pleased to provide this significant grant to the State of Iowa to help them manage the
financial demands that they’re experiencing as a result of COVID-19,” said Paul Taylor, FEMA
Region VII Administrator. “We will continue to work closely with them as our shared efforts to
respond to this pandemic continue.”
In addition to the $78 million, FEMA has obligated the following money for Iowa (75
percent federal share):
▪ $44 million to reimburse eligible costs for buying essential PPE, medical supplies
and equipment for March and April;
Page 2 – FEMA Awards $78 Million for Iowa
▪ $4 million to reimburse state administrative costs associated with COVID-19
response;
▪ $17 million to pay costs associated with the deployment of Iowa National Guard
members deployed under Title 32 authorities;
▪ $4.2 million to the Veterans Health Administration to pay for use of up to 20 beds at
VA facilities and to pay for extra nursing care at state veteran’s facility.
**Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest million and represent money made available to the state.
Final dollars will be determined after expenses are reconciled so totals may differ.
The Public Assistance program provides grants at a 75/25 cost share to state and local
governments, tribal nations and certain non-profit entities to assist with eligible costs associated
with responding to and recovering from disasters.
For COVID-19, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to
address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more
quickly. These reimbursements can play a critical role in helping local, state and tribal officials
assist their communities during this response.
The current disaster declaration for Iowa authorizes help with Emergency Protective Measures,
which includes the purchase of PPE, durable medical equipment, and consumable medical
supplies necessary to respond to COVID-19 cases.
The disaster declaration also authorizes Direct Federal Assistance to help governmental entities
and tribal nations with certain COVID-related actions that the states, localities and tribes
themselves cannot undertake at this time for some reason, such as the inability to use their own
personnel to perform a function or an inability to contract with someone else to do the work.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

State Veterans Cemeteries to hold virtual Memorial Day program
St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will hold a virtual Memorial Day
program this year in place of live events at the three State Veterans Cemeteries where past years drew
thousands of visitors.
“The COVID-19 pandemic requires a new approach to our traditional Memorial Day events,” explains
MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. ” This year we will mark this special day in a new and different way,
but with the same goal: to honor and pay our respects to Minnesota Veterans who have passed.”
MDVA is partnering with Twin Cities PBS-TPT to create a 30-minute Memorial Day program entitled
“Always Remember: A Minnesota Tribute to Veterans we’ve lost,” that will be broadcast across the state
on TPT’s Minnesota Channel at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25.
The program will include remarks from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Commissioner Herke,
personal stories about those we have lost and honor on Memorial Day, music and a rifle salute
traditionally included in a live event.
More details on the program will be shared in the coming weeks.

Ernst Calls on USDA to Support Iowa’s Egg Producers

WASHINGTON— Following a call with members of the Iowa Poultry Association and the Iowa Egg Council about the unique hardships facing the state’s egg producers, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support egg farmers impacted by COVID-19.

In a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, Ernst is urging the department to include egg producers in the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program and to consider purchasing liquid egg product to distribute to families in need.

In the letter, Ernst writes, “Our farmers and ranchers are doing their part to help the nation navigate the effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Iowa’s egg industry is no different. Iowa is home to over 55 million egg laying hens. Most of Iowa’s egg production goes toward supporting our nation’s commercial food service. With restaurants and other commercial facilities closed down or limiting operations, our egg industry has seen a drastic drop in demand and as a result some have had to dump product.”

Ernst goes on to ask, “Egg producers need to be included in the recently announced Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program. Receiving direct support will help these farmers survive this impossible time. USDA should also consider making purchases of liquid egg product to distribute to families in need.”

Background:

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Ernst has been fighting for Iowa’s agriculture community. Last week, Ernst joined other Iowa leaders in urging “immediate assistance” from the administration to support Iowa’s pork industry, and welcomed the president’s action to protect workers, support the supply chain, and help pork producers.

In addition, Ernst has written a letter to Vice President Mike Pence calling on the administration to ensure the U.S. maintains a strong, secure food supply chain.

Ernst also joined a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging Secretary Perdue to take immediate action to assist pork producers and maintain the pork food supply chain.

Ernst has also urged the administration to eliminate payment limits for Iowa’s livestock, dairy, and specialty crop producers, so they can get the relief they need during COVID-19.

In addition, Ernst successfully pushed the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure Iowa’s farmers are able to access Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). In the bipartisan package there is also increased funding for the EIDL program – which will help businesses, and now farmers, across Iowa.

Recently, Ernst hosted a telephone town hall with thousands of Iowa’s farmers and producers, and was joined by Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

New Hampton’s Emma Rosonke wins trip to D.C.

Winner of “Living with Energy in Iowa” essay contest highlights MiEnergy Cooperative

Cresco, IA | Rushford, MN (8 a.m. May 6, 2020)— Emma Rosonke was selected as a finalist in MiEnergy Cooperative’s Youth Tour Contest in March. She was preparing to compete in the interview portion where the winner receives an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. with 1,900 electric cooperative-sponsored students from across the U.S. But, COVID-19 struck. MiEnergy canceled its interviews and trip amid uncertainty. A few weeks later the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association canceled the 2020 Youth Tour.

Even though there will not be a trip this summer, MiEnergy is happy to announce Rosonke as the essay winner of the “Living with Energy in Iowa” Youth Tour Contest. The Iowa publication runs an annual contest for Iowa youth to double their chances of winning a trip by entering the magazine’s contest right after they enter the one for their electric co-op. Her prize was to be a trip to this year’s Youth Tour, but due to its cancellation she has accepted the opportunity to attend the 2021 Youth Tour.

Students completed an entry form and were asked to provide a short (250-word maximum) essay in response to this statement: Pick one of the seven cooperative principles and share how your local electric cooperative embodies it.

The following is Rosonke’s essay:

“MiEnergy Electric Cooperative not only embodies the principle of concern for the community but rather puts it at the forefront of their decision-making process. MiEnergy has given over $4.4 million to local Iowa communities, enhancing economic growth and development in these communities, while creating jobs and brightening lives. With a strong commitment to rural economies, my cooperative is working to make Northeast Iowa a prosperous place. An example of this is Operation Round Up, where paying members are able to round up their monthly payments. Money generated from Operation Round Up goes back to community services. This past fall a donation was given to a church in Ridgeway in order to purchase an AED unit and in St. Lucas the local fire department was given a check to fund the construction of their new station. MiEnergy also focuses on the youth, their future customers, by providing students with scholarships and opportunities such as the Youth Tour trip. Participating in Halloween candy drives and Holiday light tours, are two of the many ways MiEnergy showcases their devotion to even the smallest of energy consumers. MiEnergy not only works diligently with adolescents in their area communities but also offers volunteer opportunities to their devoted members. Through project Green Touch, MiEnergy promotes the health of communities, by hosting conservation days at State Parks. MiEnergy embodies the principle of concern for the community by donating funds, giving to services in need, contributing to their future clients, and by positively impacting the environment.”

Emma is a junior at New Hampton High School. She is the daughter of Allen and Nicole Rosonke, members of MiEnergy.

MiEnergy Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative and is the result of a merger between Hawkeye REC, of Cresco, Iowa and Tri-County Electric Cooperative, of Rushford, Minn. in 2017. It maintains 5,500 miles of power lines covering most of Fillmore, Houston and Winona counties in Minnesota and Chickasaw, Howard and Winneshiek counties in Iowa. The cooperative also serves small pockets bordering those counties. It provides electricity to more than 18,800 members in northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. MiEnergy is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people are taking extra precautions to reduce their risk of contracting this virus including wearing gloves when heading out in public. While vinyl, latex and nitryl gloves protect the skin from body fluids and certain harmful chemicals, they don’t protect you from contracting viruses including COVID-19.

It may come as a surprise, but healthcare experts say wearing gloves won’t give you an added layer of protection against the risk of coming into contact with germs. Most experts say a pair of gloves won’t lower your risk of contracting COVID-19 mostly because wearing gloves provides a false sense of security that bare hands do not. Also, germs collect on the gloves as a person touches surfaces and spread when they touch other objects.

The best way to decrease your risk of COVID-19 is to practice proper hand washing, practice social distancing and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

LANE CLOSURES ON IOWA 9 BETWEEN WAUKON AND LANSING BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 4

POSTED ON: MAY 01, 2020

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – May 1, 2020 – A project to resurface and add asphalt shoulders to Iowa 9 between 10th Avenue Northwest in Waukon and South Road in Lansing will require lane closures with traffic being directed by a pilot car and flaggers beginning on Monday, May 4, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office.

Replacement of culverts from the north city limits of Waukon to Allamakee County Road A-44 on Iowa 9 will require a full closure with a marked detour route beginning on Monday, May 11 until early June. During the closure, motorists will be detoured around the work zone using Iowa 9, Ninth Street, Iowa 76, and Allamakee County Road A-44.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites), or download the free app to your mobile device.

To receive email or text alerts about traffic incidents, road closures, traffic delays, and other restrictions that affect this highway route or other routes you travel, the Iowa DOT offers the “Your 511” option on 511ia.org. It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive the email/text alerts. Visit https://iowadot.gov/511/511-full-feature-website-help/how-to-videos for simple, step-by-step instructions.

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Contact: Ron Loecher at 641-394-3161 or ron.loecher@iowadot.us

“Test Iowa” site opens at Crossroads Mall in Waterloo

April 29, 2020 5:45 pm Taylor Vessel Coronavirus, News, Top Stories, Waterloo News

WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) — The second of its kind, a drive-thru testing site for “Test Iowa” opened Wednesday at Crossroads Mall in Waterloo.

For the first two days, the tent will operate from noon to 6 p.m. before becoming fully operational on Friday, when it will operate instead from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. moving forward.

Iowans who simply drive up without an appointment from TestIowa.com will be turned away.

“Once they reach the area, we ask that people keep their windows up and have their IDs and QR code, that they’ll receive from TestIowa.com, ready. Once they reach the site, they’ll be directed by National Guard soldiers where to go to next,” said Major Bryan Davis with the Iowa National Guard who are facilitating the site’s opening.

Wednesday morning, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds wished the site luck and said they were prioritizing essential workers for the first tests.

COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants
Issued April 28, 2020
Iowa restaurants have a responsibility to take measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The
Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on April 27, 2020, allows restaurants in all counties
except the following to resume limited on-premises dining service effective 5 a.m. on May 1, 2020, until
11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2020: Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Dallas, Des Moines, Dubuque,
Fayette, Henry, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama,
Washington, or Woodbury.
RQ1: Is a restaurant required to physically remove tables or booths?
A: If a facility is unable to remove tables or booths to ensure a minimum of six feet between guests, tables
or booths which are not available for seating guests must be identified by signage.
RQ2: Is a restaurant required to take an employee’s temperature before allowing the employee to enter
the facility?
A: This is strongly encouraged. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms must be excluded from work. This is a
reasonable public health measure that a restaurant can implement.
RQ3: What social distancing strategies should I use?
A: Do not allow guests to congregate in waiting or bar areas. Design a process to ensure guest separation
while waiting to be seated. This can include adding floor markings, enforcing social distancing outside the
restaurant, having customers wait in cars, etc. Consider also using a facility exit separate from the main
entrance, in addition to the main entrance. Predetermine traffic paths to/from restrooms to limit
proximity for guests and staff.
RQ4: Can a restaurant located in a mall or food court allow guests to utilize common seating in malls,
food courts, or in other venues where there is normally common seating?
A: Common seating areas outside restaurant dining rooms remain closed. Restaurants that utilize only
common seating (e.g., food courts) may continue to offer carry-out and delivery options only.
RQ5: Can restaurants refill customer beverages?
A: Refilling beverages at the table or from common containers (e.g., pitchers, carafes, decanters, bottles,
kettles, etc.) is strongly discouraged. We recommend using clean glassware to provide customer refills.
RQ6: Can a bowling alley or other entertainment venue with a restaurant reopen for on-premise dining?
A: Bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, and amusement parks remain closed to the public. The
restaurant area of the facility may reopen for on-premises dining in accordance with the proclamation.
However, non-dining activities must remain closed to the public, including but not limited to bowling,
pool, darts, arcade games, amusement devices, and other games of skill or chance.
RQ7: Can a restaurant allow customers to use pool tables, dartboards, arcade games, amusement
devices, and other games of skill or chance?
A: No, the use of these items by the public continues to be prohibited in the governor’s proclamation.
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 2 of 5
RQ8: Can a restaurant provide live music and dancing?
A: We strongly advise against this practice. The governor’s proclamation requires restaurants to
implement reasonable measures to ensure social distancing of employees and customers, increased
hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
RQ9: Can a bar or brewery tap room partner with a mobile food unit or restaurant, or utilize restaurant
delivery options to allow on-premises dining along with alcohol sales?
A: No, bars must remain closed to the public, except for carry-out and delivery only. For the purposes of
this order, a bar is an establishment where a customer may purchase alcoholic beverages and in which
the serving of food in incidental to the consumption of those beverages and is limited to the service of
ice, snack foods, and the reheating of commercially prepared foods such as frozen pizza, pre-packaged
sandwiches, or other prepackaged, ready-to-serve products.
RQ10: Can a restaurant within a golf course clubhouse reopen to on-premises dining?
A: Restaurants within golf course clubhouses and other social and fraternal clubs may reopen to the public
for on-premise dining, provided clubhouse activities and other club activities remain closed and the
restaurant operates in accordance with the governor’s proclamation.
RQ11: Since restaurants are not allowed to conduct self-service food or beverage operations, are
grocery and convenience stores also prohibited from offering self-service food and beverage
operations?
A: Grocery and convenience stores are not mandated to cease customer self-service operations. We
advise that each operation assess self-service and consider discontinuing self-service beverages. We
further advise selling food that has been wrapped or placed in individual containers only.
RQ12: The governor’s proclamation states restaurants must limit the number of customers present in
indoor or outdoor spaces to 50 percent of its normal operating capacity to ensure adequate spacing of
groups. How is “operating capacity” defined or interpreted?
A: Operating capacity means the maximum number of individuals able to be seated for use by restaurant
patrons on the premises, which may include indoor and outdoor seating areas. Fifty percent operating
capacity includes customers seated for on-premise dining service, as well as customers waiting within the
indoor and/or outdoor seating areas for carry-out orders.
RQ13: How much distance do we need between restaurant tables?
A: The restaurant must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual diner.
RQ14: What if my family group is larger than six members? Will we be permitted to be seated together
in a group larger than six people?
A: No. Group seating is limited to six or fewer guests. Groups greater than six people could be divided into
smaller groups consisting of six or less individuals. The groups should expect to maintain a social distance
of at least six feet between groups while in the restaurant.
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 3 of 5
RQ15: If my racetrack/speedway includes a concession stand where food is prepared and served, may
I open the concession stand to serve food even though I am not permitted to reopen the speedway or
racetrack to permit spectators to attend an event in person.
A: Yes, the concession stand would be permitted to open for service to attending race drivers and race
crew members providing appropriate social distancing measures and guidance are implemented.
General public customers could be served as long as entry into the event is not required, and proper social
distancing measures and guidance are followed. If practical, general public service may be limited to
curbside carry-out at the speedway or race track location, or delivery.
RQ16: If I own or operate a licensed juice or health drink bar within a gymnasium, fitness center, or
health spa, can I reopen this space to serve customers?
A: Yes, however, the juice/health drink bar area would be included within the proclamation, which limits
the number of customers to 50 percent of the maximum legal occupancy capacity of the gym, fitness
center, or health spa. Appropriate social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures must be
implemented.
RQ17: May I offer preset tables, which may include tableware, utensils, cups/glasses, table tents,
menus, salt/pepper shakers, napkin dispensers, condiments (e.g., ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce),
or other similar items?
A: We strongly discourage offering preset tables. As an alternative, you should consider offering prewrapped single-use tableware, single-service condiments (e.g., packets of salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard,
mayo) or other single-use items (e.g., napkins) upon customer request or delivery of the meal to the dining
table/booth. If offered for use, multiple-use tableware or glassware should be placed at the table/booth
as guests are seated and must be cleaned and sanitized between each customer.
RQ18: Can a restaurant allow dining customers to remain on premises and order additional beverages,
including alcoholic beverages, after the completion of their meal?
A: While it may be common practice for diners to socialize after the meal, we advise restaurants to closely
monitor this practice, establish limits, and inform customers of limitations.
RQ19: Are restaurants allowed to serve customers that are only ordering alcoholic beverages?
A: The governor’s proclamation allows restaurants to resume on-premises dining. If customers are only
ordering alcoholic beverages, they are not dining. We strongly advise restaurants to only service alcoholic
beverages to customers who are ordering and consuming food.
RQ20: Can a restaurant utilize seating at the bar to serve customers food?
A: To the extent possible, seating at bars within restaurants should be eliminated. When determining if
seating at the bar will be allowed, social distancing between customers and employees must be
considered.
RQ21: Can a restaurant be open for on-premise dining during hours when food is not offered? For
example, if the kitchen hours are from 4-9 p.m., can the restaurant be open to the public for beverage
service until 11 p.m.?
A: No, once food can no longer be ordered or consumed on premise, a restaurant, for the purposes of the
proclamation, meets the definition of a bar and must be closed to the public. They can continue to offer
carry-out or delivery for beverages but are not allowed to be open to the public.
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 4 of 5
RQ22: What type of disinfectants can be used for tables, chairs, and other non-food contact surfaces
following customer use?
A: Prior to disinfecting surfaces, these surfaces should first be cleaned (i.e., removal of germs, dirt, and
impurities from surfaces). Cleaning does not kill germs, but removing them from surfaces lowers their
numbers and the risk of spreading infection. An EPA-registered disinfectant effective for use against SARSCoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19) is recommended. The EPA’s list of disinfectants for use against
SARS-CoV-2 can be found online: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2. EPA-registered disinfectants
must be appropriate for the surface to which it is being applied, and must be applied in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions on the label.
RQ23: How frequently should I disinfect commonly touched surfaces in my facility used both by
customers and employees (i.e. door handles, credit card machines, bathrooms, and etc.)?
A: The FDA and CDC both recommend cleaning frequently-touched surfaces as often as possible. The
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and Iowa Department of Public Health, to the extent
practical, strongly recommend disinfecting commonly-touched surfaces at a minimum of at least hourly;
however, if practical, it may be necessary to disinfect such surfaces more frequently.
RQ24: If I need to post signage on the entrance of my food establishment restricting customer access
due to a consumer customer exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, are there specific requirements for the
signage (i.e., the size of sign or text on sign, and information or content printed on the sign)?
A: There are no requirements regarding size, format, size of text, or content of signage; however, each
establishment operator is strongly encouraged to consider the following when posting signage for
customers: (1) Signage should be placed where it can be easily be seen by customers; (2) signage should
be large enough for customers to identify and read the posted content (3) text should be appropriately
sized and be legibly typed or printed for the customer to read; (4) signage in multiple languages should
be considered, if necessary; and (5) signage should include information about particular COVID-19
symptoms. The CDC has identified the following symptoms to watch for on their website: fever, cough,
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache,
sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. Please check the CDC’s website for symptoms of coronavirus.
RQ25: Are my restaurant employees or customers required to wear masks?
A: No there are no issued mandates for employees and/or customers to wear protective face masks or
other personal protective equipment (PPE). Each establishment operator should consider enforcing their
own mitigation practices and/or strategies to protect their employees and customers from the spread of
COVID-19. Such mitigation strategies may include the wearing of a protective face mask, face shield, or
other applicable PPE. Employees with direct customer contact would be of greatest concern. Disposable
mask are recommended. However, if cloth masks are worn they should be changed as frequently as
necessary, or at least laundered and replaced daily. FDA has issued guidance related to employees in retail
food and food production settings wearing face coverings to prevent exposure to COVID-19 (posted April
4, 2020). The FDA’s guidance regarding this practice can be accessed online: Food Safety and the
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 5 of 5
RQ26: Is my restaurant permitted to use reusable menus?
A: It is strongly recommended to discourage the use of reusable menus. If used, each reusable menu
should be disinfected between each customer with an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against the
COVID-19 virus. It is recommended instead to use single-use paper menus, and to discard them after each
use. Alternatives such as stationary menu boards, electronic menus, or mobile device downloadable
menus should be considered.
RQ27: Can individual packages of condiments such a ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, hot sauce,
barbeque sauce, dipping sauces, salt, and pepper be served to a consumer be reused if they are
unopened or unused?
A: It is strongly recommended once served to a customer, unopened or unused individual condiment
packages not be served to new customers.

Special alert for VA, SSI recipients who don’t file a tax return and have dependents

VA, SSI recipients with eligible children need to act by May 5 to quickly add money to their automatic Economic Impact Payment; ‘Plus $500 Push’ continues

IR-2020-81, April 24, 2020

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today issued a special alert for Supplemental Security Income and Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries to act by May 5 if they didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and have dependents so they can quickly receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payment.

Their $1,200 payments will be issued soon and, in order to add the $500 per eligible child amount to these payments, the IRS needs the dependent information before the payments are issued. Otherwise, their payment at this time will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount will be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

“We want to ‘Plus $500’ these groups so they can get their maximum Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 and their $500 for each eligible child as quickly as possible,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “They’ll get $1,200 automatically, but they need to act quickly and use the Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov to get the extra $500 per child added to their payment. Everyone should share this information widely and help others with the Plus $500 Push, so that more Americans get more money as fast as possible.”

Following extensive work by the IRS and partner government agencies, $1,200 automatic payments will be starting soon for those receiving Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return in the last two years. No action is needed by these groups; they will automatically receive their $1,200 payment.

For VA and SSI recipients who have a qualifying child and didn’t file a 2018 or 2019 tax return, they have a limited window to register to have $500 per eligible child added automatically to their soon-to-be-received $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. A quick trip to a special Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov by May 5 for these groups may help put all of their eligible Economic Income Payment into a single payment. The Non-Filers tool is available in English and Spanish.

To help spread the word to recipients with children about this special “Plus $500 Push,” the IRS has additional material available on a special partners page that can be shared with friends, family members and community groups.

SSI and VA recipients: Have a child but don’t file a tax return? Visit IRS.gov now

SSI and VA recipients who have children and who weren’t required file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 should visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool on IRS.gov. By quickly taking steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they can receive the $500 per dependent child payment automatically in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. Otherwise, their payment at this time will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

SSI and VA recipients who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments should receive their automatic payments by mid-May. If they have children and aren’t required to file a tax return, both groups are urged to use the Non-Filers tool as soon as possible before the May 5 deadline. Once the deadline passes and processing begins on the $1,200 payment, they will not be eligible to use the Non-Filers tool to add eligible children. Their payment will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

SSA / Railroad Retirees: Economic Impact Payments arriving next week

For recipients of Social Security retirement, survivors or disability insurance benefits (SSDI) and Railroad Retirement benefits (RRB), automatic payments of $1,200 are scheduled to begin arriving next week. No action is needed on their part. This includes people who don’t normally file a tax return.

For Social Security / RRB beneficiaries who don’t normally file a tax return, have a child and registered using the IRS Non-Filers tool by the April 22 deadline, more payments are scheduled to begin arriving next week as well.

For SSA/RRB beneficiaries who don’t normally file a tax return and have a child but did not register on the IRS Non-Filers tool by April 22, they will still receive their automatic $1,200 beginning next week. Given the deadline has passed, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with filing a tax return for 2020. This group can no longer use the Non-Filers tool to add eligible children.

Note – Direct Express Account Holders: You may use the Non-Filers tool, but you cannot receive your and your children’s payment on your Direct Express account. You may only select a bank account for direct deposit or leave bank information blank and receive the money by mail.

No action needed by most taxpayers

The Treasury Department will make these automatic payments to SSA, SSI, RRB and VA recipients. Recipients will generally receive the automatic $1,200 payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.

For more information related to veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments from VA, please visit VA.gov.

General IRS information about the Economic Impact Payments is available on a special section of IRS.gov.

Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments

The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. There is no fee required to receive these payments.

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Root River Trail Towns cancels annual 60-Mile Garage Sale

Root River Trail Towns was planning its sixth consecutive 60-Mile Garage Sale on June 19-20, but concerns due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus have forced its cancellation. The garage sales usually take place in the nine towns along the Root River State Trail, as well as locations in between.

Trail Towns President, Gabby Kinneberg, said, “The 60-Mile Garage Sale has brought in visitors and garage sale enthusiasts from across Minnesota and surrounding states the past several years. We’ve seen its popularity increase each year. Unfortunately, with the projections for continued COVID-19 transmission and the need to continue physical distancing, we feel it best to cancel the event this year. We hope the 60-Mile Garage Sale in June 2021 can be even bigger as more area residents and organizations join in by having a sale.”

Root River Trail Towns is a non-profit agency led by volunteer representatives of each town that work together to promote the Root River State Bike Trail System as a regional destination, and to link people to an outdoor experience while fostering community connections. For more information, visit www.rootrivertrail.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

City of Decorah Offering Loading of Compost and Wood Chips on 5/2 and 5/9

Decorah, IA (April 28, 2020) – The City of Decorah will be offering loading of free compost and wood chips at the City’s Yard Waste Disposal Site located on Trout Run Road. The City will have an end loader at the Yard Waste Site on Saturday, May 2^nd, and Saturday, May 9^th, from 8 AM to 12 PM to load compost or wood chips. The giveaway is available to residents and non-residents of the City of Decorah.

In an effort to maintain social distancing, residents should not leave their vehicles or approach the loader operator or other vehicles. The piles of wood chips and compost will be labeled with signs. Residents should drive their vehicles to the appropriate pile and wait to be loaded. Any communication with the loader operator should be done through the vehicle window.

Please contact the Street Department at 382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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