News

City Council holds short meeting last week

Published by editor on Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:01am

The Clarion City Council meeting held on Tuesday, August 18 was quite brief with only one agenda project. The council voted to reinvest a maturing CD with First National Bank for 12 months at a .6% interest rate.

In the individual reports, City Administrator Clint Middleton informed the council that he will now be submitting a written report to the council prior to the meeting. This will save time during the meeting and also go into the record which can be accessed later. These reports will be available to the public upon request.

Read more about City Council holds short meeting last week

COVID-19 data update decreases Wright County’s 14-day positivity rate

Published by editor on Fri, 08/21/2020 - 9:38am

This week, the State of Iowa addressed a COVID-19 data reporting issue and implemented a change to resolve it, resulting in a decrease in the 14-day average positivity rate for Wright County.

The issue occurred due to limitations within the Department of Public Health’s reporting system. New test results for individuals who had tested previously had been unintentionally assigned to the date of their first test. Case reporting has now been adjusted to reflect the most recent lab reporting date, rather than the date of the first test result.

Read more about COVID-19 data update decreases Wright County’s 14-day positivity rate

Swinging and remembering

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:26am

Marlin Klehm loved a good swing. His family says that if you couldn’t find Marlin, you could often track him down by finding a swing overlooking the water. After he passed away earlier this year, it didn’t take long for the Klehms to think of a fitting tribute for the family patriarch.

Read more about Swinging and remembering

Water main replacement underway for south Clarion

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:20am

Residents on the south side of Clarion might have had to take a detour while driving recently or deal with a short water shutoff. However, according to Clarion Director of Public Works Jon DeVries, that will be a small price to pay for the benefits they will receive when the current Water Main Replacement project is completed.

Read more about Water main replacement underway for south Clarion

Sanders takes Grand Champion

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:18am

Phoebe Sanders is at it again! She recently received Grand Champion for her FFA Market Lamb at the state competition. Sanders and her middleweight lamb Tyson took home the top honors this year. Last year, she had received Reserve Grand Champion. Sanders, a C-G-D grad from Eagle Grove, admits that things were pretty different this year considering the state fair was cancelled. Though the event was held at the fairgrounds, there was no big crowd and no sale of champions. However, Sanders said that did not stop her from putting in more work than she ever had before.

Read more about Sanders takes Grand Champion

Prestage withdraws request for employment numbers extension

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:17am

At their regular Monday morning meeting, the Wright County Board of Supervisors discussed the developer agreement with Prestage Foods of Iowa with regards to their agreed upon employment numbers. In the agreement, Prestage committed to having 922 full-time equivalent jobs to get a 32% tax rebate off their annual property tax of $2.5 million. However, the company noted that due to labor disruptions caused by COVID-19, they have been unable to achieve that number.

Read more about Prestage withdraws request for employment numbers extension

ISH is looking forward to patients coming back for in-person appointments

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:16am

In March, when the world changed due to COVID-19, healthcare of course did as well. At hospitals and clinics, including our local Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics (ISH), patients were asked to delay appointments in some cases. Elective surgeries were put off and rescheduled. Visitors were restricted, and telehealth appointments became the new normal.

Read more about ISH is looking forward to patients coming back for in-person appointments

New coordinators bring their passion to Wright County Extension

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:15am

There are some new smiling faces hanging around the Wright County Extension office lately. In the last few months, the local extension has welcomed two new coordinators into their midst. Missy Loux is a new Program Coordinator, while Emily Zahurones is the new County Youth Coordinator.

Read more about New coordinators bring their passion to Wright County Extension

Big Bud 747 Tractor leaves Iowa August 28

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:12am

The date has been announced for Big Bud leaving Iowa! On August 28, Big Bud will be loaded onto two semi-tractor/trailers and head out for home in Montana.

Big Bud is a 900 plus horsepower beast with a 16-cylinder engine and can farm 3 acres per minute. He is 27' long, 20' wide, 14' tall and comes with an 8' tire diameter. This awesome monster holds 1000 gallons of fuel and weighs 130,000 lbs. It is the largest farm tractor in the world!

Read more about Big Bud 747 Tractor leaves Iowa August 28

Serology Testing: Understanding Antibody Testing for COVID-19

Published by editor on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:11am

A serology test looks for the presence of antibodies, which are specific proteins made in response to infections. Antibodies are detected in the blood of people who are tested after infection; they show an immune response to the infection. Serology test results are especially important for detecting previous infections in people who had few or no symptoms. The following information focuses on serology testing in relationship to COVID-19.