Author: Theresa Rose

14-day average for positive cases: 14.5%

Number of cases last 3 days: 35

Number of cases last 7 days: 68

Number of cases last 14 days: 129

Percentage of residents 12+ years of age fully vaccinated….54.2%

Henry Public Health is seeing more and more positive cases each day, especially in children. PLEASE help protect yourself and others and wear a mask in public places, social distance, wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, and get vaccinated if you are able! Visit healthyhenrycounty.org/covid for information on walk-in clinics, updated quarantine guidance, and more.

Henry County Public Health is sharing these regular updates to hopefully provide the most helpful information to keep you informed. There is a lot of data out there so they are reporting from their local public health portal, with the exception of the vaccinated percentage which comes from the CDC Data Tracker since that breaks it out by eligible residents instead of just all residents. Some places report the average positivity percentage based on positive tests instead of cases, but people may take multiple tests so that number will be different.

In 1981, several community members were led by the Holy Spirit to open a space for non-denominational Christian fellowship. Initially a social gathering with coffee and music, the mission soon turned to acts of service and outreach. “Offering a Little Help Along the Way” became the adopted motto, and The Fellowship Cup, located in Mount Pleasant, was born. Support quickly grew as contributions began to flow from local churches, businesses, and individuals to finance the vision. Through a great volunteer effort, The Fellowship Cup grew to be the hands and feet of Christ, distributing food, clothing, and offering shelter to individuals and families in need. On Saturday, October 23rd we will celebrate 40 years of service to the community.

Both New London and Winfield Mt. Union School Districts held bond referendum votes Tuesday.  Unofficially the proposition put before the New London voters passed by 68%. 485 votes were cast…328 yes and 157 no.  Voters were asked to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,375,000. The funds are to be used to turn the Clark Elementary gym/multipurpose room into classrooms and then to construct a gym addition to the High School building.

The WMU proposition does not appear to have succeeded. A total of 371 votes were cast…210 no votes and 161 yes votes.  WMU district residents were asked to approve $3,255,000 to provide funds for a combination performing arts/athletic competition facility as well as additions to the Industrial Tech building and the High School.

DES MOINES –  Today (Tuesday), Governor Reynolds and the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) are proud to announce the recipients of the State of Iowa Broadband Grants Program. Two local companies are included in the recipients.

Thirty-nine applicants have been awarded a total of $97,500,000 for broadband infrastructure as part of the latest Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program. OCIO received 178 applications from broadband providers for the Grant Program with requests nearing $300 million.

Danville Mutual Telephone Company is receiving a total of $5,220,175.00 for two projects. Farmers and Merchants Mutual Telephone of Wayland will receive $717,011 for a project near Pekin.

“Expanding broadband across our state continues to be a top priority,” said Gov. Reynolds. “It is clear by the shear volume and scope of applications that the need is there. Today’s award announcement will go a long way toward meeting that need, and we won’t stop here.”

Due to the overwhelming amount of interest and success of this program, the State of Iowa will expedite a new grant opportunity utilizing ARPA federal funds to build upon the $100 million in state funding for this grant program. Details on this new grant opportunity will be released in the near future.

The Salem City Council met last week, and the mayor, with the unanimous approval of the City Council,  appointed the following as the new Library Board of Trustees:

Dora Benter (County)

Christine Hatfield (City) – (she is the special education teacher at the Salem Elementary School)

Robin Henriksen (County)

Samantha Koontz (City)

Janeene Porter (City)

There will be a basic Introductions Workshop on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 at the Salem Public Library, at 6:00.  The meeting is open to the public, but there will not be an opportunity for comment. The new library board will first have to develop bylaws, elect officers, etc..

The Salem City Council was happy to have had so many people interested in serving as more individuals applied than there were positions available for. The Council was also extremely pleased with the diversity in experience and skills that the people appointed  will bring to the Library.

Just after 3 pm today (Tuesday) Mount Pleasant Police were dispatched to East Washington Street for a two vehicle collision in front of the Pepstop.  A car rear-ended another vehicle in the inside eastbound lane of traffic.  After police arrived, one of the subjects involved asked for medical attention and the ambulance was called.  No other details are available at this time.

At its meeting in Ames today (Tuesday), the Iowa Transportation Commission approved $1.5 million in funding to support six public transit projects. The projects are funded under the state Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Fund for new or improved facilities to support public transit services.

Made available each year by the Iowa General Assembly, a transit system can apply to have up to 80 percent of their project funded through this program. To qualify, a transit system must secure local funding for a minimum of 20 percent of the project costs.

These six projects were approved by the Commission.

• Vehicle Storage Facility (SEIBUS-Burlington): $400,000
• Bus Storage and Administrative Facility (Cedar Rapids Transit-Cedar Rapids): $105,356
• New Heating and Air Conditioning System (CyRide – Ames): $331,548
• Bus Storage and Administrative Facility Updates (Corridor Rides-Washington Co.): $472,456
• Office Building Rehabilitation (MIDAS Regional Transit-Fort Dodge): $158,640
• Sliding Door Replacement (Sioux City Transit-Sioux City): $32,000

“The Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Program is an essential source of funding for urgent facility needs of Iowa’s public transit agencies. This program enables transit systems to construct, renovate, and maintain facilities that are critical to the safe and efficient operation of the systems and maintenance of transit vehicles,” said Sree Mitra, Transit Program Manager, Modal Transportation Bureau for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Public transit service is available in all 99 counties. It provides over 24 million rides a year getting the public where they need to go. Visit www.iowadot.gov/transit for more information on Iowa’s public transit systems, and stay connected with Iowa Public Transit on Facebook