(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 in Iowa. This variant is also referred to as the India variant because it was first detected there. We are still learning about the characteristics of this strain.

B.1.617 is not designated as a “variant of concern,” indicating that there is not currently evidence of increased transmissibility or more severe disease caused by this variant. However, we share this information as a matter of public interest given the virus impact and newly issued travel restrictions to India. The P.1 and B.1.1.7 variant strains which were previously confirmed by IDPH are considered “variants of concern.”

The cases were detected in and adult and an older adult in Jefferson County. IDPH and local public health have initiated contact with the individuals to understand exposures and initiate the public health monitoring process. The process includes notifying anyone with whom the individuals have been in close contact. As always, affected individuals are advised to isolate in accordance with IDPH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.

The case was identified by the State Hygienic Lab (SHL). SHL is doing sequencing to understand what strains are circulating here in Iowa and contribute to the understanding of COVID-19 activity in the United States. Routine analysis of genetic sequence data assisted in identifying the new variant strain in Iowa.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent this, or any other currently circulating strain of the virus from spreading through the population. Since the vaccine is now open to all Iowans over the age of 16, we have the opportunity to use this tool to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities,” said Dr. Caitlin Pedati, IDPH State Medical Director and Epidemiologist.

The CDC is tracking COVID-19 variants here.

Iowans who have not been vaccinated should visit https://vaccinate.iowa.gov/ to find a provider and schedule an appointment.

The emergence of new variants underscores that it remains critical for Iowans to continue the mitigation efforts that we know work to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Practice social distancing with those outside your household
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
• Stay home if you feel sick
• Get tested if you are exposed to, or have symptoms of COVID-19
• If you have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, review CDC guidelines here

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous arrests from the past week. At around 1:10-a.m. today (Tuesday), 27-year-old Alex Michael Clausen, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Failure to Maintain Control of a motor vehicle, following an accident near the Crescent, at Rosewood and I-29. His bond was set at $1,000. Monday night, 44-year-old Brandy Danielle Kermoade, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Treynor, on a warrant for Violation of Parole. Monday afternoon, 39-year-old Justin Allen Messmore, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Council Bluffs, on a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. On Monday afternoon also, 51-year-old Les WAyne Berkenbosch, Jr., of Council Bluffs, a Pott. County Jail inmate, was served with a warrant for OWI/1st offense, and returned to his cell.

Sunday evening, 55-year-old Todd Michael Walker was arrested in Hancock, after authorities received a report a juvenile female had been left at the Casey’s General Store, by her step-father. Walker was charged with Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. Sunday afternoon, 40-year-old Anthony Lee Nielsen was arrested following a traffic stop. He was taken into custody for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked and transported to the jail without incident.

At around 3:40-a.m. Saturday, 38-year-old Victor Harold Wright was arrested following a traffic stop on a vehicle that used the emergency median to make a U-turn on I-680, near Crescent. Wright was charged with Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.  At around 12:30-a.m., Saturday, 37-year-old Ross Rolland Koley was arrested following a traffic stop on I-29 in Council Bluffs. He was charged with OWI/1st offense.

Late Friday evening, 33-year-old Amanda Jo Larsen was arrested in Council Bluffs, for Theft in the 3rd Degree (property/loss valued at $750-$1,500). And, Thursday evening, 28-year-old Marsaides Angela Kay Byus was arrested in Macedonia, after authorities received a call about a trespasser. Byus was charged with Burglary in the 3rd (non-vehicle), Disorderly Conduct (loud noise), and Interference with official acts. Late Thursday morning, two 17-year-old females were cited for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, after authorities received a call about the odor of marijuana at the Underwood High School. The teens were released from custody after receiving their citations.

(Radio Iowa) – The southwest Iowa town of Hamburg is taking an important step in the continuing recovery from the 2019 Missouri River flooding. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 A-M Wednesday, for a major levee rehabilitation project. Hamburg Mayor Cathy Crain says the reinforced levee will be raised eight feet which will help the community in three primary ways.  “The first is building that three-mile levee, and building it that tall, which means that it’s going to be over a hundred feet wide,” Crain says. “In addition to that, the DOT is going to be raising the two roads that go through the levee to the very same height as the levee.”

Aerial photo of Hamburg – Ditch 6 shows scope of damage from the flooding. Photo taken Mar. 17, 2019. – US Army Corps of Engineers photo

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials and the city signed a project agreement in February to allow raising the levee, significantly increasing the flood risk management benefits the levee provides the city. The expansion is the first project in the nation to utilize the authority to raise the height of a federal levee system. Floodwaters over-topped and severely damaged the levee two years ago, leading to significant flooding in Hamburg. In addition, Crain says the Iowa Department of Transportation is building another levee southwest of Interstate 29 to prevent water from swamping the interstate, as it did two years ago.

(Updated) – Yet another case of a motorist traveling in excess of 100-mph has been reported in Iowa. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ryan Devault told KJAN news a Trooper tweeted an image of a radar clocking a motorist on Interstate 29 in Fremont County, traveling at 107 mph.

It was the first triple digit speeder of the week, according to Devault. So what was the motorist’s excuse?

ISP radar pic via Trooper Ryan Devault (Twitter)

Trooper Devault says incidents of persons traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour began occurring in 2020, when COVID kept more people off the roads.

Now that the number of cases of COVID are declining and people are feeling more confident about hitting the road, Devault says less people are speeding, but those authorities to see, are blatantly in violation of the law.

Over the past year, motorists have been clocked speeding as high as the low 140’s in some cases. Trooper Devault reminds motorists there are stiff penalties that go along excessive speeds, and the fine is only one part of the price you’ll pay.

Insurance rates also go up dramatically. Devault says while you’re on the road, keep a close eye for motorcyclists. As the weather gets warmer, the two-wheel and three-wheel machines will be on the pavement, and they can be hard to see. He advises you turn your head to make sure they aren’t beside you when you switch lanes, and keep on eye on your rearview mirror, to see if they are approaching.

The Iowa Department of Public health Tuesday, reported 389 new COVID-19 positive tests, but there were no additional deaths.  The health department reports 395,738 total positive tests, and 5,959 total deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Iowa reports 2.39-million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered and 1.1-million total vaccine series completed. The state’s 14-day positivity rate is 4.0%. The seven-day rate is 4.2%. Both are unchanged from Monday.

Hospitalizations across the state jumped from181 on Monday to 195 on Tuesday. Iowa reports also: there are 48 patients in ICU (3 more than on Monday); 34 people with symptoms of COVID were admitted (an increase of four), and, 23 patients are on ventilators (3 more than last reported). In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western/southwest Iowa), the numbers are lower than on Monday. There are 13 COVID patients hospitalized; six remain in an ICU; there no new admissions of people with symptoms of the virus, and one person remains on a ventilator.

One of Iowa’s long-term care facilities is reporting a COVID-19 outbreak. The Urbandale Care Center is back on the IDPH radar, with 19 additional positive cases and 17 recoveries. The state reports 2,320 care facility deaths since the pandemic began, that’s unchanged from Monday.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

Cass, 1,458 cases; {+3}; 54 deaths
Adair, 979; {+0}; 32
Adams, 349 {+0}; 4
Audubon, 519 {+3}; 9
Guthrie, 1,285 {+1}; 29
Harrison County, 1,923; {+0}; 73
Madison County, 1,736; {+10; 19
Mills County, 1,781; {+2}; 21
Montgomery, 1,102;{+2}; 37
Pottawattamie County, 12,110; {+23}; 165
Shelby County, 1,362 {+2}; 37
Union County, 1,355; {+0}; 32

The 8:05-a.m. broadcast News, w/Ric Hanson.

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The 7:07-a.m. broadcast News, w/Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) – If your neighbor’s lawn is looking shaggy, don’t scold them as they may be taking part in No Mow May. It’s an effort to toss out the image of a “perfect” lawn and raise awareness about alternatives that are friendlier to the environment and to pollinators, especially bees, which are now emerging from hibernation. Ginny Mitchell, education program coordinator of the Insect Zoo at Iowa State University, says lawns are America’s biggest crop and they provide no food or resources.  “The non-native grasses that we use as our lawns were brought over in the 1700s and they’re really outdated,” Mitchell says. “They don’t bring anything to our lives except work, right? How many people like mowing the lawn or applying fertilizers or doing anything to your lawn. It’s a lot of work.”

The No Mow May effort is just starting to catch on, Mitchell says, as about two-dozen homeowners in the Ames area have pledged to take part. Some plan to convert all or at least part of their lawns away from traditional grass. “We can plant alternatives that also help pollinators and insects and wildlife in general, birds,” Mitchell says. “We can plant things like violets which are low-growing and do not require lawns. We can do many different ground covers, creeping thyme which can withhold foot traffic, white Dutch clover, all sorts of other plants.”

Iowa has what’s believed to be the highest proportion of privately-held land in the U-S, which is why Mitchell says it’s important for homeowners to consider making the change. “Whether you’re converting your entire lawn, like I am, or just a small area, no matter what, it’s going to have a positive impact on the environment, reduce pesticides, reduce greenhouse gases from using a gas-powered lawn mower,” Mitchell says, “and frankly, you’ll have more time to stop and smell the roses.”

Even people who live in apartments can help, by starting with their balconies and planting cone flowers, goldenrod, coreopsis and other pollinator-friendly alternatives.If you live in the city, though, you should make sure you know how tall your grass can grow before local ordinances kick-in and require the lawn to be mowed.

Learn more at the ISU Insect Zoo’s website: https://www.ent.iastate.edu/insectzoo/

The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House near Lewis opened Monday, for guided tours. The tours are available Wednesdays through Sundays, with the first tour each day beginning at 1:15p.m. Additional tours will start at 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. In order to comply with CDC guidelines, a mask will be required and social distancing will be observed. A mask will be provided with the cost of admission. The charge for a tour is $5 per person over the age of 14.

George B. Hitchcock House (2018 photo)

The Hitchcock House was built in 1856, and was used to assist in the safe passage of fugitive slaves through southwestern Iowa on their way east and north to Canada during the mid-19th century. The house now serves as an interpretive center of the life of an early pioneer, and the escaping slaves who traveled the Underground Railroad to freedom. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was accepted as a site on the National Park Service Network to Freedom and designated a National Historic Landmark in February of 2006.

National Historic Landmark sites embody the actual sites where significant historic events occurred or where prominent Americans worked or lived, and represent ideas that shaped our nation. National Historic Landmark designations are an official recognition by the federal government of a historic properties’ significance. Less than 3,000 historic properties in the United States are designated as a National Historic Landmark.

(Radio Iowa) – The owners of Iowa wineries, distilleries and breweries would be able to get a state license to sell their products for consumption at a second location under a bill that’s headed to the governor. Under current law, state licenses for selling glasses of Iowa-made wine, beer or spirits are just for the property where the alcohol is produced.

Jane Bloomingdale

Representative Jane Bloomingdale of Northwood says a second location could send business to the first. “This is a good bill for Iowa. It allows our native manufacturers to have a presence on Main Street, which I think is very important in particular to our wineries,” Bloomingdale says. “It also allows them a little more visibility and hopefully they get more visitors out to their vineyard.”

Senator Carrie Koelker, of Dyersville, says this bill means an owner might be able to cut, copy and paste their tasting room and gift shop model to a second retail location. “This is a great tool for Iowa’s economic growth and tourism industry,” Koelker says. “Wineries, distilleries and breweries have become local staples and attract Iowans and are part of our economic engine.”

The bill passed the House in late March and it passed the Senate last Thursday.