Following the Emergency Use Authorization of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is partnering with county public health departments to vaccinate Iowans. Both vaccines are currently being administered in Iowa to the Phase 1A priority populations of health care personnel and long-term care residents and staff.
As more vaccines become available, Iowa’s Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC), will review guidance issued by the CDC’s advisory group, the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP), to further prioritize populations to receive the vaccine in Iowa. IDAC is currently reviewing ACIP recommendations for Phase 1B and 1C priority populations.
The Caregiver Support Group meetings that were held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon continue to be held through conference calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.
To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432. Then enter the participant code 961847# to be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.
Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory Nona Hansmeier by Marvin and Marjorie Strike, Beverly Shafer, Ryan and Kari Smith, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Roger and Jeanette Ruegnitz, Randy and Karen Loeb, Dave and Laurie Martin, Fred and Geralyn Smith, Jan Brandsmeier, Betty Hogan, Rev.
Blake Boeke and Oceana Nieland of McGregor announce the birth of their daughter, Jayme Jean Boeke, born December 24, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 6 lbs. 6 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a sister, Aaliyah (2).
Grandparents are Carmen Fox of Garnavillo, Jason and Brenda Boeke of McGregor and the late Gene Nieland. Great-grandparents are Jim and Linda Boeke of McGregor and Karen Canny of Platteville, WI.
Kyle Schulte and Rossy Rodriguez of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Emmylou Gene Schulte-Rodriguez, born December 29, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 6 lbs. 7 ozs. and measured 19-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth.
She joins a sister, Ivanna Nahomy-Rodriguez (4).
Grandparents are Mary Schulte of Denver, and Teresa Lovato-Beltran and Juan Rodriguez-De La Rosa, all of Mexico. Great-grandparents are Rosa Beltran-Pastrana and Isabel De La Rosa, all of Mexico.
Casey and Kieran Walsh of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Beauden Lee Walsh, born December 30, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 11 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Kylynn (7) and Jaxtyn (3).
Grandparents are Randy and Teri Kruger and Kim and Phyllis Walsh, all of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Jim and Cheryl Fahey of Decorah and Bev Walsh of Waukon.
Chanda Halvorson and Cody Runice of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Alyxzandr Mikkel Runice, born January 3, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 ozs. and measured 19-3/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Addysen Runice (11), Amiiyah Runice (2), Karsyn Simmons (7), Kaydahlynn Simmons (6) and Karvyr Simmons (3).
Grandparents are Casey and Teuka Halvorson of McGregor, Tina Hill of Cumberland, WI, Jay Runice of Waukon, and Jake Jones and Lisa Christianson of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Judy and Ed Arnold, Linda Riek, Raymond Riek and Sandy Hesse, all of Waukon.
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
March 15: 2021 ARCPLC Signup
Healthy Soil should be our New Year’s Goal by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist
I would like to reflect on some observations of where agriculture is in 2020 as we prepare to launch into 2021. I have a quote from Gus Speth, Co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, on my wall. He says, “I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.”
