News

Supervisors extend loans in hopes of receiving USDA grant

Published by editor on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 9:19am

At Monday’s meeting, the Wright County Board of Supervisors extended the maturity date for two urban renewal loan agreements. One loan is through First State Bank for $1.6 million with a 3.9% interest rate. This loan was for the purchase of land at the Agri-business park. The other is through Green Belt Bank for $2.7 million with a 2.75% interest rate for the construction of infrastructure and the water supply at the park.

City of Clarion issues updated emergency proclamation

Published by editor on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 9:17am

               A new month, a new emergency proclamation. On May 1, Mayor Duane Asbe and the City of Clarion issued a proclamation superseding the previous one that had been signed at the beginning of April. The proclamation declares “that a state of emergency or public danger still exists within the City of Clarion, Iowa because of the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Wessels running for District 1 Wright County Supervisor seat

Published by editor on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 9:14am

          Jason Wessels has announced that he is running for the District 1 County Supervisor position.  Jason and his wife Jackie, along with their two children, Madison and Tristan, live just outside of Belmond.  Jason is a lifelong resident of Belmond.  He and Jackie owned Allen Home Center, Inc in Belmond from January 2013 to January of 2020.  Jason has worked for Olsen Accounting since January of 2002 and became the owner in January of 2014.  He is an Enrolled Agent with IRS since August 1st of 2012.

Boyd running for Wright County District 3 Supervisor seat

Published by editor on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 9:11am

“Having been in many leadership positions in the past, running for public office seems the right thing to do. My experience and education would be put to good use in these challenging times. Recent events affecting everyone will need special attention to the needs of the people in Wright County. All communities, along with rural folks, will need their concerns addressed in a timely fashion. So many people have been impacted it require changes in politics. This requires changes in the status quo,” Mike Boyd said.

COVID-19 cases spike as state increases testing and prepares to re-open

Published by editor on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 9:07am

An increase in testing shows cases of COVID-19 continuing to spread across Iowa as the state prepares to relax some of its emergency social distancing restrictions.

     The rate of infection from the novel coronavirus has grown at a near exponential rate since March, resulting in Governor Kim Reynolds declaring a state of emergency on March 17, limiting social gatherings and closing most non-essential businesses in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease.

Local food pantry embraces message: “You belong here” - Pantry traffic has boomed in last two months

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2020 - 10:09am

When Hannah Johnson worked to open the First Lutheran Clothing Closet and Food Pantry last summer in Clarion, she likely could not have predicted what would be happening less than a year later. Though their original mission started out focusing more on clothing, the food side has become the focal point currently. In the last month and half, this much needed source for food and other goods has been busier than ever.

Mental health: How Wright County is putting patients first, Part 2

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2020 - 10:06am

Part 2 of 2

 

Wright County and CSS are continually evolving and finding the most effective ways to help people with mental health issues, developmental disability services, substance abuse treatment, and general assistance for eligible persons.  That is why they are always setting goals for the future.

Clarion’s Festival in the Park cancelled this year

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2020 - 10:02am

Last week, the Clarion Chamber Board made the difficult decision to cancel Clarion’s largest annual city-sponsored event, Festival in the Park. The festival is held each year in mid-June. This move has followed many other Iowa communities and organizations cancelling or indefinitely postponing events due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines.

Supervisors hear update about Prestage COVID cases and accept bid to remodel communications center

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2020 - 9:58am

At the regular meeting Monday morning, the Wright County Board of Supervisors heard from Sandy McGrath, Environmental Health Director, on COVID-19 measures in the county. She noted that those that tested positive at Prestage Foods are isolated at home and the facility has undergone deep cleaning. McGrath said that they are now in the surveillance and monitoring phase at Prestage.

Clarion council finally approves budget

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2020 - 9:56am

                 The regular meeting of the Clarion City Council on Tuesday, April 21 was again held via conference call. The council again passed several resolutions during the meeting. One of the resolutions was to approve the city’s fiscal year 2020-2021 budget. This was preceded by a public hearing for the budget. No public comments had been submitted. The budget approval had been delayed from last month to fully meet public notice requirements. City Administrator Clint Middleton noted that nothing in the budget had changed from last month.

Wright County Monitor

P.O. Box 153
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-532-2871
Email: news@wrightcountymonitor.com

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