COVID-19 updates

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) have updated guidance for long-term care facilities to comply with new requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This updated guidance aligns with federal regulations to balance resident and staff safety with quality of life...

HINTON — Members of the Hinton Community School Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 29, with one of the items on the agenda addressing the issue of face masks in the school. The district started the school year with a safe return to school protocol which stated:...

DES MOINES/LE MARS — After drawing scrutiny from school administrators and parents, the Iowa Department of Public Health has made an update to their quarantine guidelines as of Tuesday, Sept. 29. Previously, any individual who came in close contact with a COVID-19 positive case, defined as within six feet for at least 15 minutes, had to quarantine for 14 days regardless of if individuals were wearing a face covering...

LE MARS — Le Mars Community will be limiting attendance to the homecoming football game against Storm Lake this Friday, Oct. 2. All Le Mars High School students with a school ID and anyone else who has been placed on the pass list are allowed to attend with an activity pass or $5. Players/Coaches/Cheerleaders/Band members and anyone involved in the Homecoming Court will be allowed four people per family on the list. Other requirements stay the same as previously stated...

Parents raise issue with 14-day close contact guideline

SIOUX CITY — A Le Mars man who stole government funds using a COVID-19 unemployment scheme pled guilty Friday, Sept. 25 in federal court. Dennis George Chinn, age 54, from Le Mars, was convicted of theft of government funds. In a plea agreement, Chinn admitted to falsely reporting his income, stating it was $150 per week so he could get an additional $600 weekly payment, and fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits related to COVID-19 relief funds to which he was not entitled. ...

LE MARS — Due to COVID-19, the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have decided to cancel the 2020 Halloween Trick or Treat Event for Children that would have been held on Saturday, Oct. 31. Also cancelled are the Le Mars Arts Center and the Le Mars Public Library Halloween activities, which are held in conjunction with the trick or treat event...

LE MARS — Le Mars Community Schools has developed a plan for those who are not able to wear a facemask or face shield at fall season school district events due to exemptions. Our goal behind this plan is to meet the following criteria: 1) Safety against COVID-19 exposure/infection for every spectator, based on CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health Guidance, and 2) Accessibility to these events for those who are exempt from wearing a facemask or face shield...

LE MARS — In order to limit COVID exposure among fans and Le Mars students, Le Mars Community Schools will be limiting spectators for this Friday’s varsity football game vs. Spencer. Each school’s players, coaches, and cheerleaders will submit four names with a max of four names per family. Names will be placed on a pass list. The list allows you into the game with an activity pass or $5...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Bulldog varsity football game versus Sioux City East on Friday, Sept. 4, has been cancelled. In a press release, Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner stated, "While the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases within Le Mars Community School District remains low, our varsity football team is unfortunately experiencing high numbers of required quarantine due to potential virus exposure...

HINTON — The Hinton Community School District announced Wednesday night on their Facebook page that due to limited available players, Friday’s varsity football game against Gehlen Catholic has been cancelled. Just hours before their opening week game against Akron-Westfield last week, the team was informed that several players would have to enter quarantine due to a potential COVID-19 exposure...

LE MARS — The Le Mars Community School District announced two positive COVID-19 cases in a letter sent out by Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner on Tuesday. “We have anticipated positive cases all along, and will anticipate additional cases throughout this pandemic,” Webner said in the letter. ...

HINTON/MARCUS — Two local school systems have announced changes to their learning plans due to COVID-19. The Hinton Community School District along with MMCRU schools will be transitioning to hybrid learning plans. In a letter sent out to parents on Monday afternoon, Hinton announced that students in grades 4-12 will move to hybrid learning beginning Wednesday, Sept. 2...

The choice between in-person learning, where available, and remote learning is a fraught one for parents. Children experience joy and connection when they learn alongside other kids, but they risk being exposed to the coronavirus. Remote learning at home can protect kids from COVID-19, but does it set back their social-emotional development?...

Ames and Iowa City remained in the nation’s top five coronavirus Tuesday, based on new cases over the past two weeks, the New York Times reported. Ames was bumped out of first place by another Midwestern city, Muskogee, Oklahoma. Iowa City was third on the list, which was ranked based on COVID-19 cases per 1,000 population...

LE MARS — In order to limit COVID-19 exposure among fans and Le Mars students, Le Mars Community Schools will be limiting spectators for this Friday’s varsity football game vs. Sioux City East. Each school’s players, coaches, and cheerleaders will submit four names with a max of four names per family. ...

HINTON — In a letter sent out to parents and posted on the school’s Facebook page Monday afternoon, the Hinton Community School District has announced that 4-12 grade students will transition to a hybrid learning plan beginning Wednesday, Sept. 2. The letter cited the increased positivity rate within Plymouth County, still highest in the state at 23.8 percent as of 5:30 p.m., Monday, along with an increase in student absences for the change to hybrid learning...