The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wednesday, issued a statement with regard to State Parks, under the current COVID-19 Emergency. The statement reads:

“At this point, Iowa State Parks are open. Our highest priority is the health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and employees. During this time, we remain diligent in taking steps to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Here’s how you can help:

• According to State of Iowa recommendations, limit your group to less than 10 people when visiting a state park.
• If you have been sick in the last two weeks, please stay at home for your health and the safety of others.
• Avoid popular areas where people may congregate, and also avoid larger groups in general. Areas to avoid may include scenic overlooks, buildings, playgrounds, etc.
• Please maintain distance between you and other park visitors according to guidelines and recommendations by health officials. Please take into consideration the health of others when spending time outdoors.
• Pack extra soap or hand sanitizer. Please be aware that bathrooms and showers are closed seasonally every year through April 15. Due to increased use or at remote locations, soap or sanitizer may not be available.
• Additional information on best practices for keeping you and your family safe can be found online at the CDC website.

Here’s what we are doing:

• If you feel cancelling your stay is the safest choice, we will waive cancellation fees for visits (cabins, campsites, lodges) with arrival dates through April 30, 2020. To cancel without fees, contact the Customer Service Call Center at (877) 427-2757. If you have a lodge or cabin reservation involving groups of 10 or more, we will be contacting you to cancel your reservation. Additionally, the DNR is working to temporarily limit reservations at lodges and cabins to groups of less than 10, so please be aware of changes that may be coming if you are making plans for the spring.
• We are implementing additional cleaning procedures, according to CDC guidelines, such as more stringent and frequent cleaning of cabins and other public areas.
• We are postponing programs and events at all state parks through April 30, 2020. This will help keep visitors safe, and we will reassess this policy in mid-April. We are also temporarily closing any visitor centers or museums managed by state parks.
• We are monitoring the situation. We promise to remain diligent and intentional in protecting you and making your visit a great experience.
• As conditions change, so may our policies on park visitation and overnight stays. We will keep you informed of any changes moving forward.”

• KJAN, Atlantic  .57″
• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .52″
• Massena  .67″
• Elk Horn  .82″
• Anita  .45″
• Corning  .21″
• Manning  .66″
• Logan  .49″
• Carroll  .72″
• Red Oak  .19″

w/Kate Olson.

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AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach continue to follow the rapidly changing situation involving the outbreak of COVID-19, a disease caused by the new coronavirus. Officials say  most Iowa State University Extension and Outreach events throughout the state through April 4th, have been canceled. When possible, some activities may be conducted virtually using video or teleconferencing.

For details about an agriculture and natural resources event, including whether it will be rescheduled, reach out to the contact names listed in the original news release, or visit the program website for updates. You may also contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office.

ISU Extension and Outreach is still open for business, said John D. Lawrence, vice president for extension and outreach. However, many employees are working remotely. If your office is closed, leave a message and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

“Our goal is to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, a disease caused by the new coronavirus, by eliminating large gatherings and practicing social distancing,” Lawrence said. “The health and safety of Iowans is our greatest concern. We all have to do our part and be willing to change our plans for the greater good. We will get through this.”

For the latest information and guidance from Iowa State University, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit https://web.iastate.edu/safety/updates/covid19.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports Burn Bans, which had been in place for: Harrison County (Since March 5th), and Pottawattamie County (Since March 4th), are no longer in effect. There are currently no bans on outdoor burning in the KJAN listening area (Cass & surrounding counties). The bans had been in-place due to a lack of moisture, dry tinder and strong winds, which helped to spread any grass, field and other controlled burns.

(Radio Iowa) — Warm weather will bring the grilling season and those who love to grill may be treated to slightly lower meat prices. Many factors contribute to the price we pay for a pound of burger at the grocery store, but swirling market forces typically don’t have a quick impact on them. Iowa State University livestock economist Lee Schultz says farmers and ranchers are producing a lot of beef. And, the global market has some good deals on things like hamburger.  “We’ve seen significant contraction and culling in the Australian market, for example, and so we can go out there and purchase that lean beef and that does help prices for our consumers here,” Schultz says.

Schulz says it also means beef producers are ready to take advantage of new and revised trade deals the United States has with Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Canada. “They all have the potential to be major players for U-S products. Now I think the kink that’s been put in all this is the COVID-19 and the potential impact this is going to cause,” according to Schultz.

Schultz says there seems to be some progress in the Phase One deal with China now, after the disease stalled trade because workers were locked out of ports and other work sites.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet in a regular session 5:15-p.m., Monday, in the Council’s Chambers at the Atlantic City Hall. Action items and/or New Business on their agenda include:

1. Opening of the Schildberg Recreation Area (SRA) Campground.
2. Information on the Community Gardens program.
3. An update on the SRA Dock.
4. Friends of the Park information
5. Bull Creek Erosion Control.

In his report, Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen will speak about:

1. Summer help.
2. Signage for Parks.
3. Summer Programs.
4. Chess/Checkers.
5. The New Year’s Challenge (update)
6. Entry signs to parks
7. and that the bicycles for public use are being checked-over prior to being made available.

Cass County Wellness Program Coordinator Brigham Hoegh said Friday, that “Due to concerns for spread of disease and accessibility, the Cass County Farmers Market Pre-Season Vendor Workshop will be held March 16th via phone conference, from 12:30 to 3:30 PM. All materials will be supplied electronically.”

The Cass County Local Food Policy Council and Cass County ISU Extension encourage those considering vending at Cass County farmers markets in 2020 to attend the free workshop. Those interested in attending the workshop are asked to RSVP by March 15th to Hoegh at 712-249-5870, or by email at bhoegh@iastate.edu. Registrants will receive the phone conference number and electronic materials. While all presenters will join the conference by phone, attendees needing assistance participating in the phone conference may join the call at the Cass County Community Center. Those planning to join the phone conference at the community center are asked to RSVP to ISU Extension at 712-243-1132.

The pre-season workshop has been designed to cover topics of interest to both experienced vendors and those just starting to consider participating in farmers markets. Experts in the areas of food safety and market licensing requirements, farmers market insurance, and resources from the Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship will present at the workshop. During the last 30 minutes of the workshop (3:00-3:30), vendor information will be provided for Cass County Farmers Markets, including the Anita Farmers Market, the Atlantic Farmers Market, and Produce in the Park.

(Radio Iowa) — A coalition of organizations is lobbying legislators to expand the state’s trail system. Iowa Bicycle Coalition executive director Mark Wyatt says the governor’s plan to raise the state sales tax would place money in the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund. “Greater investment in trails through the ‘Invest in Iowa Act’ will only accelerate the community and workforce development that we do need in this state,” Wyatt says. “But most of all, Iowa trails make Iowa a great place to live.”

Groups pushing to convert abandoned railroad lines to trails are joining with members of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and economic development officials to stress the need for improved access to spots for hiking, biking and swimming. Wyatt says many towns that have developed trail systems have seen the economic impact and health benefits.

“Because people that get physical activity often are healthier,” Wyatt says. Wyatt says a study his group did nine years ago found bicycle trails created an annual impact of 365 million dollars. Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa joined the groups at a news conference on the statehouse steps. He says investing in trails reaps tremendous dividends. “We’ve been chasing smokestacks and in many cases giving away useless tax credits instead of taking a good, hard look at the quality of life issues that attract and keep young people in our state,” McKean says. “And trails rank way up there in that equation.”

Governor Kim Reynolds is holding a town hall meeting in Ankeny tonight (Thursday) to discuss her “Invest in Iowa Act” which includes more money for trails. It also would lower some taxes, but raise the state sales tax and it’s unclear if the legislature will vote for the plan.