Author: Theresa Rose

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Thursday afternoon that she is updating the state’s public health emergency declaration. It includes the continued closure of businesses, and school closures through the end of April.

Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration. The proclamation orders the closure of schools until April 30th, waiving time requirements as long as school districts put in place a continuous learning plan.

The proclamation also extends closures and limits placed on bars and restaurants, previously identified retail stores, prohibits social gatherings of more than ten people, and continues to ban nonessential and elective surgeries until April 30th.

And it extends and expands the previously granted regulatory relief and other measures until April 30th. Violating any of Governor Reynolds’ public health orders is a simple misdemeanor.

However, the Governor did say she is not yet ready to order the school closure for the rest of the year.

The Henry County Supervisors and representatives from Henry County Health Center met again Thursday to continue discussion of what transitioning the emergency medical services from HCHC to the county would involve. Following today’s meeting Supervisor Marc Lindeen said his board will take until July 1 to go thru all the information and data from the hospital in order to be prepared to go to the county residents and ask for a September referendum vote.  Lindeen said if the public approves the transition then the county could expect to take over in 2022. Lindeen explained that if the public votes for the change the extra revenue wouldn’t be available until 2022.  He said the county reserves were depleted when the Public Health Department was moved over from the hospital to the county. HCHC Chief Operating Officer Michelle Rosell asked why the actual transition couldn’t take place sooner since there would be revenue coming in shortly after a hand off.  Lindeen wants to see what expenditures will look like for Washington County once a county run ambulance service is operational. He said that date could change if they crunch the numbers and discover the funds are there.

A case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Louisa County in an older adult aged 61-80. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individual is self isolating at home. 

“While this is Louisa County’s first case, it may not be the last, and that’s why we encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority,” said Louisa County Public Health Administrator Roxanne Smith. These actions include:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
• Staying home when ill.

Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house. Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:

• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. There may also be options for you to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.  

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus

and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.

APRIL 3RD, 2020 – FRIDAY AFTERNOON – 1:00 P.M. – NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CENTER
1. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING Chairperson Jodi Jackson
2. ROLL CALL: Jerry Wilhelm, Steve Rotter, Jodi Jackson, Shanon Wellington, and Bob Byczek
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. OPEN FORUM
5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve minutes of the previous meetings (1-5)
b. Accept Treasurer’s report (6-13)
c. Approve payment of claims (Handout)
d. Approve clothes washer rebate for Ben & Malissa Nelson at 303 E. Cleveland St. (14)
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Discuss adopting a utility pandemic/health crisis response operating procedure and/or an Infectious Disease Action Plan COVID-19 Pandemic (15-29)
b. Discuss changes to the service rules (30-32, supplement)
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approve sending out an RFP for an audit for fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022 (33-42)
b. Discuss and take action on making a donation to the New London Junior Baseball Association (43-44)
c. Discuss and take action on waiving the penalties, posting fees and not disconnecting customers retroactive back to March 19, 2020 through a future date (45)
d. Discuss the City & Utility Contingency & Disaster Recovery Plan of Computer Systems (46-48)
e. Discuss offers from third parties to purchase the Windstream debt for pole rental from 2019 (49-53)
f. Review the audit for fiscal year ending 2019 (supplement)
g. Utility Board Meeting, May 1st, 2020 at 1:00 PM, Community Center
8. REPORTS
a. Foreman’s Report – Dave Ford (54-62)
b. Council Minutes (63-70)
9. ADJOURNMENT

On March 31, 2020, at approximately 9:55AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the 100 block of South Maple Street in New London, Iowa, as part of an ongoing investigation.

Upon investigation, on April 1, 2020, Shane Engle, 41 of New London (IA), was arrested and charged with one (1) count of Enticing a Minor Under 13 (class C felony) and six (6) counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor/Possessing a Depiction (each an aggravated misdemeanor).

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Henry County Attorney’s Office, the New London (IA) Police Department and the Canton, Georgia Police Department.

KILJ wants to keep you informed during this time about everything related to the Coronavirus and our community. Just as you are all practicing social distancing, staying home, and following our state and federal guidelines, we have moved our community forum to a virtual round table discussion instead. In conjunction with our Generation Gap program on Friday we will have an extended community forum virtually from 9 to 10:30. Owner Paul Dennison and I, Kadie Johannson will be facilitating this virtual discussion on Friday at 9:00 am right here on KILJ to keep you up to date with what is happening in our listening area. Hear from State Representative Joe Mitchell, Henry County Public Health Coordinator Shelley Van Dorin, Emergency Management Coordinator Walt Jackson, Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee, Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance Executive Vice President Kristi Ray, and State Senator Rich Taylor. We will allow them to give brief updates on how their organizations are responding and we will be taking questions from you to address your community concerns from 9 to 10:30 am. You may email us ahead of time with questions to kiljradio@kilj.com or give us a call at 319-385-8728. Please be sure to tune in to 105.5 FM or stream us online at kilj.com to hear some more updates from community leaders and experts on the Coronavirus this Friday morning at 9 o’clock in a virtual round table discussion.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 52 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 549 positive cases. According to IDPH, 2 additional deaths were reported; one elderly adult (81+) in Polk County, and one elderly adult (81+) in Washington County. There have been a total of 7,304 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 52 individuals include:

• Cerro Gordo County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Clayton County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Clinton County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Dallas County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Des Moines County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Dubuque County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Harrison County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Henry County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Iowa County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Jasper County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Johnson County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Linn County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
• Madison County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Mitchell County, 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
• Muscatine County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• O’Brien County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Polk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 3 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly (81+)
• Pottawattamie County, 1 child (0-17 years)
• Poweshiek County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Scott County, 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Story County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Tama County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Van Buren County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Warren County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Washington County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 5 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)

A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431. The state of Iowa has started sharing the number of negative tests conducted at outside labs, and is providing additional information on the conditions of those infected with COVID-19.

Note: Upon further case investigation, a positive case identified as a Washington County resident was determined to be a resident of Keokuk County. Maps at the IDPH webpage and coronavirus.iowa.gov will be updated to reflect the new information.