News

COVID cases rise; JRMC, MCSD urges vaccinations

Published by admin on Wed, 09/08/2021 - 2:50pm

     Jess Wiedenhoff, Jones County Public Health Community Health Specialist, offered updated COVID figures to the Jones County Supervisors just prior to their Aug. 31 board meeting.

     Jones County’s vaccination rate has now hit 50 percent, sitting at 50.4 percent. Of that, 9,310 county residents have completed the two-dose series of the vaccine; 1,113 have completed the one-dose series.

     In the last 14 days, 82 residents have tested positive; 34 in the last seven days; and five in the last three days.

Jones County Extension welcomes new director

Published by admin on Wed, 09/08/2021 - 2:47pm

     Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach of Jones County hired a new county director, Alexandra (Alex) Monaghan, effective Aug. 25.

News Briefs

Published by admin on Wed, 09/08/2021 - 2:46pm

Lions Club blood drive, Sept. 14

     The Monticello Lions’ Club is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Monticello Berndes Center.

     Bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of ID. For an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information, search sponsor code: Monticello.

 

Jones County MOMs to meet Sept. 9

Jones Co., Anamosa law enforcement involved in shooting investigation

Published by admin on Wed, 09/08/2021 - 2:46pm

     On Aug. 31, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a residence located at 23966 42nd St. in Martelle in rural Jones County. Upon arrival, deputies observed a large structure fire and they also encountered an individual with a knife. Multiple law enforcement officers from the surrounding communities responded to the scene. Initial reports indicate the subject did not comply with orders given by law enforcement to drop the knife. Law enforcement deployed non-lethal and lethal rounds. The subject received multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Supervisors approve amended policy to Employee Handbook

Published by admin on Wed, 09/08/2021 - 2:14pm

     During the Aug. 31 Jones County Supervisor meeting, the board approved an addition to the Jones County Employee Handbook, an amended Temporary Light Duty (Return to Work) Policy.

     The changes to the policy were presented by Jones County Safety Committee members John Klein and County Attorney Kristofer Lyons.

     The policy applies to county employees who sustain some type of injury and cannot perform their normal, regular work duties.

County explores ways to spend ARPA funds

Published by admin on Wed, 09/08/2021 - 2:10pm

     With an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) committee meeting following the regular Jones County Board of Supervisor meeting on Aug. 31, the board approved County Auditor Whitney Hein’s interim ARPA report.

     The county was awarded $4 million in COVID funds from the federal government.

     Hein explained the report, thus far, offers information on the funds already allocated and expensed for, which, for Jones County, is zero.

     “We haven’t spent or committed funds to anything,” Hein said.

MPD urges public to stop for pedestrians at new school crossing

Published by admin on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 10:32am

     With the start of a new school year, the Monticello Police Department and Monticello Community School District wish to remind the public about the rules of the road concerning the crosswalk on E. Oak Street/Highway 38.

     This is the second school year for the crosswalk, which allows school children and pedestrians to cross 38 from El Camino Real to the high school/middle school complex.

     Twice a day, vehicular traffic may experience some congestion for 15 to 20 minutes: before school starts from 7:45 to 8 a.m., and after school gets out from 3 to 3:15 p.m.

Local COVID cases again on the rise

Published by admin on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 10:29am

     In a week’s time, the 14-day COVID positivity rate increased from 10 to 17 percent, as reported on Aug. 24 by Jenna Lovaas with Jones County Public Health.

     “From Sunday into Monday, we’ve seen 13 cases so far this week,” Lovaas told the Jones County Board of Supervisors. “We had our first death reported on Friday (Aug. 20).”

     Lovaas also shared that the Pfizer COVID vaccine had been fully approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), for those 16 years and older.

     “So that good news,” she said.

Woodard sentenced to consecutive terms of life in prison

Published by admin on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 10:29am

     Thomas Woodard, Jr., a former inmate at the Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP), was sentenced to consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of ASP Corrections Office Robert McFarland and ASP Nurse Lorena Schulte.

     The murders took place on March 23 when Woodard and fellow inmate Michael Dutcher attempted to escape from the Anamosa Prison.

     Woodard’s sentencing was handed down by Judge Fae Hoover on Aug. 26 at the Jones County Courthouse.

JCCF grant applications available Sept. 1

Published by admin on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 10:27am

     The Jones County Community Foundation (JCCF) will begin accepting grant applications on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Applications and guidelines are available at dbqfoundation.org/JCCF and are due by Oct. 15.

     Grant priority areas include:

     • Economic well-being

     • Quality of life

     • Educational opportunities

     • Community capital improvements

     • Personal health

     • Jones County tourism and recreation

     • Local heritage

     • Conservation efforts

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