DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures and relaxing additional regulations to support the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. The proclamation also calls on law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of these mitigation efforts. Gov. Reynolds discussed the new proclamation at her 11:00 a.m. press conference. View that press conference on her Facebook page here.
Fan Restrictions Announced for State Tourney
Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s 2020 State Basketball Tournament will play Friday’s games with spectator restrictions due to increasing concern of the spread and impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
March Madness 2020 Will Be Unlike Any NCAA Tournament Ever
Indianapolis, Indiana — The NCAA announced on Wednesday that both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments will be played without fans after consulting with its coronavirus advisory panel. Read more
Call for Fire Trucks
It is with heavy hearts we make this final request.
The family of Chief Jerry Meyer and the Sheldon Fire Company are requesting area fire departments to bring apparatus to honor Chief Meyer at his funeral Saturday 10-6-2018. Meet at the Sheldon Fire Station no later than 9:00a.m. Saturday for staging.
A meal will be served at the Sheldon Fire Station after the funeral for attending departments.
Please text Scott Meinecke 712-348-2511 with your town, number of trucks and personnel that will be staying for lunch no later then Friday 3:00 p.m.
The Sheldon Fire Company and Chief Meyers family thank you for your support.
Winter Storm Warning Wednesday
A powerful late winter storm will bring snow and strong northerly winds, to southeast South Dakota, parts of southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa through tonight. Snow will become widespread by mid afternoon as cooling coincides with increased moisture. The highest threat for heavy snowfall amounts have now shifted into southwest Minnesota and much of northwest Iowa. Areas west of Interstate 90 can expect 2 to 6 inches of new snow, with lesser amounts in the far northwest from Chamberlain into the De Smet area. Be sure to stay tuned for the latest updates on the developing winter storm.
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 AM CDT THURSDAY. * TIMING...RAIN WILL GRADUALLY DEVELOP THIS MORNING AND CHANGE TO SNOW THIS AFTERNOON. PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR SLEET WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING THE TRANSITION IN THE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON. PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING THE EVENING. SNOW WILL DIMINISH LATE TONIGHT. * ACCUMULATIONS...4 TO 8 INCHES WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. VERY LIGHT ICE ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE ON ELEVATED SURFACES. * WIND AND VISIBILITY...STRONG NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS BETWEEN 20 AND 35 MPH GUSTING AS HIGH AS 45 MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH WINDS DECREASING LATE TONIGHT. VISIBILITY IN FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW MAY BE REDUCED TO UNDER A QUARTER MILE AT TIMES. * IMPACTS...MIXED PRECIPITATION...TRANSITIONING TO FALLING SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WILL LEAD TO DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS... INCLUDING DURING THE EVENING COMMUTE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS...AND VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED FURTHER DUE TO STRONG WINDS BLOWING SNOW AROUND. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
Elk Shot in Monona County
An elk of unknown origin in west central Iowa was shot at the request of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Sunday morning to protect the Iowa deer herd and domestic livestock from the potential impacts of chronic wasting disease and other diseases.
Elk sightings in Iowa are fairly common and when an elk is spotted, the DNR works with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to determine status of elk and the best available options. If the elk can be returned to the proper owners, then they are. If not, they then pose a risk to spreading CWD and/or other diseases and are dispatched.
The bull elk, estimated at 3-4 years old, was killed Sunday morning by a Monona County deputy sheriff as directed by the DNR after it appeared in front of a farmer combining his field. The animal was examined for identification markings without success and was buried according to Iowa livestock burial regulations in Monona County Monday morning. The brain stem and lymph nodes were removed for testing.
While the risk that escapees are introducing CWD or TB to Iowa’s wild deer may be small, the consequence to the resource is enormous and it is a risk that should be avoided.
Removing a wandering elk is the responsibility of the Iowa DNR working in conjunction with the IDALS, and is not allowed by the public.