DES MOINES - Iowa Governor Reynolds, Friday, announced members of the Agriculture and Energy Working Groups of the Carbon Sequestration Task Force.  On June 22^nd, Governor Reynolds signed Executive Order 9 launching a task force to explore carbon sequestration and the opportunities it presents for further economic development in the state of Iowa. 

“Iowa is a recognized leader in renewable fuel and food production, making us a natural place to capitalize on the growing nationwide demand for a more carbon free economy,” said Gov. Reynolds. “I’m proud to expand our carbon sequestration task force with additional members centered around two main working groups. I know they will hit the ground running and I look forward to working alongside them to drive economic growth and sustainability in energy and agriculture production.”  

The Carbon Sequestration Task Force, chaired by Gov. Reynolds, will be supported by two working groups focused on Agriculture and Energy. Members of the working groups are comprised of diverse subject matter experts and stakeholders representing industries and interests integral to the carbon sequestration supply chain in the state of Iowa.  

ALTOONA, Iowa — Prairie Meadows in Altoona announced Friday it is resuming its mask mandate. The casino and race track facility said effective Aug. 1 at 8 a.m., all guests and employees must wear a face mask or covering while on property.“Prairie Meadows will continue to do their part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” the casino said through a news release. Prairie Meadows said 100% of the indoor air is exchanged every 15 minutes through a two-stage filtration process that includes an anti-microbial treatment.

High-grade disinfectants and electrostatic sprayers are used on a rigorous cleaning schedule to sanitize the property daily. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on Tuesday to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of COVID-19, which includes nearly two-thirds of all U.S. counties.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of a fallen Pearl Harbor sailor being returned home. U.S. Navy Hospital Apprentice First Class John Mulick was killed at Pearl Harbor during World War II. After 80 years, he will return home to Elma to be laid to rest. Reynolds has ordered flags be lowered to half staff today (Saturday), from sunrise to sunset. The graveside service is being held at 11 a.m. today (Saturday) at Calvary Cemetery in Elma.

Firefighters from Cumberland and Massena were paged-out to a residence in Massena early this (Saturday) morning, after the home was struck by lightning. The first page went out at around 2:45-a.m., after the house at 88 E. Cedar Street was hit. The residents reported smoke, but no flames.

Additional information is currently not available.

Severe thunderstorms brought intense wind, rain and in some cases large hail to parts of southwest Iowa, Friday night. According to the National Weather Service in Omaha:

• 8:30-p.m.: Public reports of large trees down and corn flattened 3 miles east of Oakland (Pott. County)
• At around 8:25-pm, a trained storm spotter reported several trees 1-to 2 feet in diameter were down In Hancock (Pottawattamie County), and Emergency Management reported powerlines were down off 380th Street 5 miles w/sw of Hancock.
• At around 8:28-pm, estimated thunderstorms winds of up to 60 mph were reported by a spotter in Hancock, along with Ping-Pong ball size hail (1.5″ in diameter).
• There was a multi-vehicle crash reported on I-80 near Shelby. 511IA reports as of 9:25-p.m., oth east and westbound lanes were blocked. Semi’s were overturned and vehicles were off the road due to high wind and heavy rain. Avoid the area!
• 7:55-pm: Outbuildings damaged and trees down in Persia (Harrison County)

Healthy Cass County is showing up at the Cass County Fair in a big way this year. Healthy Cass County is co-hosting multiple booths in the Commercial Buildings of the Cass County Fair from Friday, July 30th, through Monday, August 2nd. Together with Cass County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and PROSPER, Healthy Cass County is co-hosting a large booth on Mental Wellbeing. Mental Health was identified as the number one health need in Cass County in the 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment, taken by over 470 people from across the county. The mental wellbeing booth is designed to help people learn about how to take care of their own mental wellbeing and support friends and community members when they face challenges. The booth provides information on resources available to people in Cass County, and offers giveaways designed to help people relax.

Healthy Cass County logo

In addition to the mental wellbeing booth, Healthy Cass County is co-hosting another booth in the commercial building sharing information on resources in Cass County including food programs such as Grow Another Row and Cass County food pantries, as well as West Central Community Action programs including Head Start, childcare resources, and more.
COVID-19 Vaccines Available at Fair On Saturday, July 31, a nurse will be offering free COVID-19 vaccines at the Healthy Cass County booth in the commercial building from 4:00-6:00 PM. No pre-registration is required, and walk-ups are welcome.

The vaccines offered at the fair booth will be Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which require only one shot and are available for people age 18 and over. The Healthy Cass County booth is also providing information on where to find COVID-19 tests and vaccines in Cass County for people age 12 and older. Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network that promotes the health and wellbeing of Cass County residents. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across the county. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information.