(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Health’s website shows the number Covid patients in Iowa hospitals has been increasing over the past three and a half weeks. In RMCC Region 4 (southwest & western Iowa), the data show nine patients are hospitalized with COVID, three are in an ICU, three people were admitted over the previous 24-hours, and one person was on a ventilator. Statewide, the largest group of current confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations, as of today (Thursday), were in the 50-to 59 age bracket.

Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa is an eye doctor who’s the former director of the state health department. She went on the floor of the U.S. House yesterday (Wednesday) to urge Iowans to get vaccinated. “For the last few months, I have traveled across my district administering vaccines to Iowans. It has been a pleasure to see my constituents and the entire country have a renewed sense of freedom and a return to normal,” Miller-Meeks said, but fully engaged living is threatened the Delta variant, which is causing increased hospitalizations and deaths, especially among those unvaccinated.”

Miller-Meeks says if you haven’t gotten a shot and have concerns, talk to your doctor. “It is miraculous to have three safe and effective vaccines for Covid-19 so rapidly,” Miller-Meeks says. “…Decades of research informed the development of these break-through vaccines and millions have been vaccinated with tremendously low risk.”

As she spoke, Miller-Meeks, who is a Republican, positioned a large photo showing her giving a Covid shot to the chairman of the Iowa G-O-P. Forty-seven percent of Iowans are fully vaccinated according to the Iowa Department of Public Health’s data.

(Radio Iowa) – Seventeen Republicans serving in the Iowa legislature have sent an open letter to Trinity Health, the company that is requiring that staff in seven MercyOne hospitals in Iowa get the Covid vaccine by September 21st. The letter from the lawmakers says last week’s order has caused “confusion and distress” and it asks the health system to explain its rational for the decision. Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says he did not compose the letter, but signed on to send a message.

“I’d like to prevent other employers from making this same mistake,” Schultz says. Schultz would like to see Trinity Health rescind its vaccination mandate for employees at MercyOne hospitals in Clinton, Dubuque, Dyersville, Mason City, New Hampton, Primghar, and Sioux City. The requirement applies to the health clinics associated with those hospitals as well. Schultz says the letter makes clear that he and other lawmakers are paying attention, because they’re fielding complaints from constituents.

“How do we reverse what’s already happened and maybe stop permanently that employers can require a hastily approved and not properly tested product could be put into somebody unwillingly?” Schultz said. In a written statement last week, Trinity Health’s president said the vaccines are a proven way to prevent Covid-19 deaths and the health system is doing its part to end the pandemic by requiring employees get vaccinated. Schultz says he’s hearing other hospitals may issue the same vaccination mandate and may limit visitors and require face coverings for those who do visit patients during flu season.

“I’m starting to get hints that this is never going to go away until people start telling people to knock it off,” Schultz says. The letter includes nearly 70 questions of Trinity Health. The first asks the company to describe in detail how its vaccination policy will protect people. Republican Senators Jim Carlin of Sioux City, Jesse Green of Harcourt, Dennis Guth  of Klemme, and Brad Zaun of Urbandale co-signed the letter.

The 12 Republican co-signers from the House are Terry Baxter of Garner, Brooke Boden of Indianola, Steven Bradley of Cascade, Mark Cisneros of Muscatine, Thomas Gerhold of Atkins, Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs, Anne Osmundson of Volga, Sandy Salmon of Janesville, Jeff Shipley of Birmingham, Henry Stone of Forest City, Cherielynn Westrich of Ottumwa and Skyler Wheeler of Orange City.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved the sale of City-owned real estate at 101 Cedar Street, to Cook Sanitation. The property is being sold for $2,000, with the stipulations that a dilapidated house on the lot be demolished and an industrial building is built on the site within five-years. The Council also passed, by a vote of 5-1 with Councilman James Behrens absent, the third and final reading of an Amended Ordinance changing the method of elections. Councilperson Grace Garrett was the lone nay vote.

The ordinance states the winner of elections will be determined by a True Majority, with a run-off 30 days later, if none of the candidates have a clear, 50 plus 1 percent of the vote. For the past two Mayoral and Parks Board elections, the winner was determined by a “Plurality-takes-all” method, whereby a candidate only had to get the most votes on the first and only ballot, in order to win. For example, if there were five candidates for Mayor, the person with the greatest percentage of votes would be declared the winner, regardless of how close the race was.

Garrett voted against the change because people she’s spoken with in her Ward still aren’t clear why the method of election is being changed after all these years, and because she’s learned since the last meeting, that a run-off election, if needed, would cost more than $4,000, instead of the $3,000 that was previously announced. While discussing the matter, Garrett and Councilperson Kathy Somers said each intends to file papers by August 23rd, seeking the seat of Mayor in Atlantic. Mayor Dave Jones announced earlier this year he will not run for re-election. Councilman Pat McCurdy officially threw his hat into the ring in May. At least two other individuals have expressed an interest in running, but have not officially announced their intentions.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved without any further discussion, the third and final reading of an Ordinance amending the method by which Parks and Rec Board members are elected, from every six-years, to every-four. They also acted to re-appoint Jack Jensen and Ruth Glines to the Community Promotion Commission, and appointed Mackenzie Bandow along with Anne Quist, to the City’s Housing Committee.

In other business, the Council approved an Order to close 8th Street between Chestnut and Poplar, on Sunday, August 22nd, from Noon until 5-p.m., for the First United Methodist Church’s “Back to School Block Party.” Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson reported to the Council, a “Puppy Yoga” fundraiser event will take place this Saturday, July 24th, at the Shelter (309 Sunnyside Lane). The cost is $10 per person. All proceeds go to the shelter, for animals. All ages are welcome to attend.

Police in Council Bluffs are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect involved in an armed robbery, Wednesday morning. Officers responded to the Walgreens Store at 2508 W. Broadway, at around 3:28-a.m. The suspect entered the store with a mask on, displayed a handgun, and demanded cash from the register. He then left on foot, heading east.

The man was described as being a heavyset Hispanic, 5-feet 6-inches tall, about 275 pounds, and in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He was wearing a grey ball cap, white mask, black shirt, gray shorts and white shoes.

Council Bluffs PD Shield

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call Council Bluffs Police Detectives at 712-328-4728, or remain anonymous by calling 712-328-STOP (7867).