(Radio Iowa) – While some states are reporting a tremendous summer surge in COVID-19 cases, the numbers are slowly rising in Iowa and are still considered moderate. Megan Meller, an infection preventionist at Gundersen Health System, says the Midwest has been spared any significant outbreaks, but new cases -are- being diagnosed at system facilities. “So in the region, we are starting to see an increase in COVID cases,” Meller says. “We’re seeing it in the outpatient side, but we’re also starting to see an uptick in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 as well.” In years past, it was common to see a rise in illnesses during the winter months when people are cooped up together, but the numbers usually drop during the summertime.

Meller says this upturn in COVID cases isn’t entirely unexpected. “Typically, we would see an increase in throat and respiratory infections in the winter seasons, but we’ve also seen them increase during the school year, especially at the start of the school year,” Meller says. “I think the summer, too, it’s all the travel, it’s people out and about.” Many Iowans may have to consult their COVID vaccine cards — if they can find them — to recall the last time they had a booster shot. Should we still be getting those COVID boosters? “There is a new strain of the vaccine coming out later this fall, so I would say if you can hold off and wait, I would wait for that new strain to come out,” Meller says. “However, if someone is immuno-compromised or they have underlying health issues, I think it’s worth a conversation with your doctor to figure out if should you get the current vaccine or wait until the fall.”

If you’re showing symptoms, Meller says it’s a wise move to take an at-home COVID test, though check the expiration date on the box, as some of those dates have been extended. “With August, we’re getting back into school time, no matter what, we are going to see a rise in colds and respiratory illnesses in general,” Meller says. “It’s really important during this time of the year, we always say to follow respiratory etiquette, cough or sneeze into your elbow. Make sure you’re washing your hands. And also try not to touch your face with dirty hands because that’s a really easy way that we can infect ourselves.” With the rise of rapid in-home tests, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services stopped requiring positive COVID-19 tests to be reported to the state in April of 2023.

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston, Thursday night, cited a woman for allowing her animal to run at-large. Officers detained 24-year-old Zoey Ann Moon, of Creston, at around 10:30-p.m. She was then released on her citation, and a promise to appear in court.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested early this (Friday) morning on a Theft charge. Deputies arrested 37-year-old Jennifer Lynn Holz, of Red Oak, at around 1:26-a.m., for Theft in the 5th Degree – a Simple Misdemeanor. Holz was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa retailers that sell clothing, shoes, or both will likely be significantly busier over the next two days, as this is the state’s annual sales tax-free weekend. John Fuller, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Revenue, explains how it works. “I think it’s a good time for back-to-school shopping or any other type of shopping,” Fuller says. “Basically, there’s no sales tax on articles of clothing and footwear that are under $100. That’s the gist of it. It starts one minute after midnight on Friday and goes to midnight on Saturday.” People are always looking for money-saving loopholes and Fuller says there are a few stipulations on the two-day offer.

“Clothing does not include things like jewelry, sports equipment, watches,” Fuller says, “and there’s a complete list of what is taxed — and what will not be taxed — at revenue.iowa.gov.” He says the savings will grow based on how much you spend, and through Saturday night, you’ll be able to save plenty. “Well, yeah, it’s 7%, that’s the state sales tax in most areas in state,” Fuller says, “so whenever you can save a little bit of money, that’s a good thing.”

This tax “holiday” is typically held the first weekend in August and it’s been an annual ritual since 2000. The event usually saves consumers a total of around five-million dollars over the two days.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The State Department of Natural Resources says a city in Pottawattamie County has for years, failed to comply  with federal requirements to limit the amount of pollutants in its stormwater collection system. Carter Lake, with a population of about 3,800, is among the smallest cities in the state that have the requirements, which is due to its location in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. It is among nearly 50 cities and universities in densely populated areas that are subject to the rules.

Carter Lake is a small part of Iowa that lies west of the Missouri River near Eppley Airfield. (Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports rainfall in the city flows into a stormwater system that pipes it to Carter Lake — a so-called “oxbow lake” that was once a segment of the Missouri River. Flooding in 1877 rerouted the Missouri and left a small part of Iowa on the west side of the river, which is now the city of Carter Lake.

Iowa DNR Senior Environmental Specialist Alison Manz, says the DNR for years has sought to get the city into compliance as a small municipal separate storm sewer system, but those efforts have been stymied by leadership changes in the city. The city had failed since at least 2018 to create plans, programs or ordinances to operate and maintain its collection system, manage pesticide and fertilizer applications, inspect illegal pollutant discharges, and monitor for construction site runoff, according to a recent DNR order.

The city is also required to have information on its website for residents and to form a stormwater advisory committee. For five years, it did not submit a mandatory annual report that documents all of those actions.

Carter Lake recently agreed to pay an $8,000 fine for the violations and to comply with the requirements in the future.

In May, the city posted an advisory to its Facebook page that warned residents about the potential for yard waste to pollute the lake and kill fish. The note said residents should bag grass clippings, leaves and other plant material and compost them.

(Hardin County, Iowa) – A single-vehicle accident Thursday night in rural Hubbard claimed the life of a man from Texas. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2007 Ford Explorer SUV driven by 30-year-old Pedro  Daniel Limon, of Eagle Pass, TX, was traveling south on U.S. Highway 65 at around 9:55-p.m., at a high rate of speed.

When Limon failed to negotiate a curve at J Avenue, his SUV went out of control and entered the east ditch, where it rolled several times and came to rest on its top. Limon – who was wearing a seat belt – died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Hubbard Fire & EMS, and Hardin County E Squad.