DES MOINES -- Nearly 150 students interested in health care careers participated in the HOSA State Leadership Conference March 15-17 in a virtual online competition.      Students virtually attended general sessions, educational symposiums, and competed in more than 40 different competitive events.

    HARLAN -- Congratulations to eight Harlan Community High School musicians who were recognized as accepted or alternates to the 2020 Class 3A Iowa All State-Jazz Band.    The group would have performed at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Convention in early May, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

 STATE (April 17) -- Iowa’s high school spring sports season was officially cancelled on Friday morning by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The decision to cancel girls and boys track, soccer, golf and tennis was based on Friday’s recommendations to keep Iowa schools closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year due to the spread of COVID-19.

 AVOCA -- The AHSTW wrestling team held its 2020 season banquet on March 8 at the high school, handing out multiple awards and recognizing another successful year on the mats. The 2019-20 Vikings finished with a dual record of 17-9 - its only losses against Class 2A teams and 1A state dual qualifiers - and earned  a spot in regional duals for the sixth year in a row.

 REGIONAL -- Fourteen student-athletes from IKM-Manning and AHSTW were recognized on the 2019-2020 WIC Academic All-Conference Team. To be eligible, the student must be a senior who has maintained at least a 3.35 cumulative grade point average.

    STATE -- Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education have announced all school districts and non-public schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year, and will continue to offer continuous learning to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

    STATE -- A new coronavirus website launched Wednesday, April 15 provides daily updated numbers on everything from the number of COVID-19 cases statewide to the number of ICU beds or ventilators available in the state or by region.    Visit coronavirus.iowa.gov for the latest information.    The state’s updated dashboard will be updated daily to include comprehensive tracking of COVID-19 in Iowa.  The new dashboard includes cases, deaths, a

    STATE -- An Iowa State University study predicts the hog industry will be among the hardest hit Iowa industries in the aftermath of COVID-19.    An Iowa State University center in a new report estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic will cost Iowa’s largest agricultural industries at least $6.3 billion per year.    Here’s a breakdown of the projected annual losses by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development:    •  Ethanol: $2.5 billi

    SHELBY -- A Shelby County Sheriff’s deputy died unexpectedly Thursday, April 16.    A statement from the sheriff’s office Thursday reads, “The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office regrets to announce the unexpected passing of Sergeant Donavon Dontje on 4-16-20. Sergeant Dontje started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2006 and was a vital member of the office.    “He touched many lives throughout his career and will be sorely missed.