Cancellations/postponements/announcements

March 16
School
Humboldt, St. Mary's and Twin Rivers Schools are cancelled until April 14. Spring sports/activities are on hold until then.
Wine and Dine
The third annual Wine and Dine trivia night planned for March 20 for Relay for Life has been postponed.
“Due to the concerns of COVID-19 and being in large groups, we are going to postpone the event at this time. I will be working to set another date and we will still have this event. It’s a great event, however, we are concerned about everyone’s health and well-being and we want to follow the suggested guidelines provided by the state and CDC,” Tina Coleman of the American Cancer Society said.
Humboldt County Community Foundation
The Humboldt County Community Foundation check presentation ceremony scheduled for March 19 has been cancelled. Checks will be mailed to recipients.
Town Hall Meeting
Due to the Coronavirus out break the Town Hall Legislative Meeting with Senator Tim Kraayenbrink and Representative Mike Sexton set for Saturday, March 21, at Humboldt City Hall Meeting Room Chamber has been canceled.
Humboldt Recreation Center
The Humboldt Recreation Center is closed indefinitely starting March 17.
St. Mary's Gala
Due to the growing concerns and recommendations regarding large gatherings with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 St. Mary’s Gala will not be held as a public event.
The charity auction will continue but will be conducted via online bidding only. All funds raised via the on-line process will greatly benefit the operations of St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School. Because the gala is the school’s largest fundraiser, please know that your support is needed now more than ever.
Online bidding will begin at 7 p.m. this Saturday, (March 21) with both silent and live auction items. Donors will also be able to purchase Wine Pull chances, Cash raffle, and Tuition Voucher raffles online once the link has been activated. The raffle winners will be drawn one week from Saturday via St. Mary’s Facebook live event on March 28 at 7 p.m. Online bidding will officially end at 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. All purchases can be picked up at the St. Mary’s Rectory, 311 4th St. N in Humboldt, on Monday, March 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please contact the parish office at (515) 332-2856, and direct all questions to Suzanne Newton, snewton@stmaryhumboldt.org.
If you’ve already purchased your tickets to Gala 2020, please let us know if you would like to make it a 100% contribution to the school, or if you would like a refund. Please email your request.
Swap Meet
The Iowa Vintage Swap Meet scheduled for March 28 at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds has been cancelled.
Humboldt Public Library
The Humboldt Public Library doors are closed effective March 17. People may call the library for books during regular hours and they will be placed in a bag near the north entrance with your name on the bag.
Meals from the Heartland
Meals from the Heartland, scheduled for March 21, has been postponed.
Home Show postponed
Due to precautionary measures of avoiding large groups because of the Coronavirus, the Humboldt 7 O’Clock Kiwanis Club has announced that its annual spring Home Show planned for Saturday April 4, has been postponed. The organization is seeking an alternative date for the event, which was planned for the Humboldt County Events Center.
China Painters show cancelled
The Humboldt China Painters Spring Egg Show “Trinkets and Treasures,” scheduled for Saturday, April 4, at the Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt has been cancelled, organizers reported on Monday.

March 17
Day Habilitation closed
LifeWorks’ Day Habilitation Programs in Fort Dodge and Humboldt closed effective March 17, in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to keep people safe. They will remain closed all this week and all next week. “We will reassess the situation on Friday, March 27, and decide if the program should be closed for a longer period of time or if the program should re-open Monday, March 30,” LifeWorks Executive Director Teresa Naughton said.
GC-B Dance
The dance put on by teachers and staff at Gilmore City-Bradgate School will now be Saturday, May 16, from 2-4 p.m. in the GC-B gym. Admission is free for GC-B School and daycare families. Out of district families will be $5 per person. All ages are welcome.
St. Mary's of Humboldt and Sacred Heart of Livermore
All masses and church activities are cancelled for eight weeks.
Humota Theatre
The Humota Theatre is closed until further notice.
Restaurants
By order of the Governor, restaurants will only be able to provide take out food.
Humboldt County Courthouse
In a special meeting Tuesday afternoon, March 17, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved closing courthouse offices to the public until further notice due to the COVID 19 situation.
Courthouse employees will still be working and the public will be able to conduct business through email, mail or by making an appointment for essential services. In addition, Humboldt County Secondary Roads and Humboldt County Conservation offices will be closed to the public.
The board spoke by phone with Kossuth County Emergency Management Director Dave Patton who said Kossuth County had adopted a closed door policy in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID 19, and he recommended Humboldt County do the same.
A declaration by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has extended the due date for driver’s license, license plates and more.
“This is going to spread. The attempt is to slow down the spread to prevent an influx all at once to our health care centers,” Patton said.
Humboldt County Auditor Peggy Rice is encouraging people to vote absentee. She also said information will be posted on the county’s website.
The Humboldt County Food Pantry has gone to drive through service only.
Humboldt County Attorney Jon Beaty said most trials and court services have been limited.
Rice said plans are in place with the county’s software provider should the need arise for county employees to work from home.

March 18

Youth Musical
The 2020 Humboldt Youth Musical, “In the Big Inning,” will now be presented at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on April 25-26. On Saturday, April 25, the performance will be at 5:30 p.m. Supper will be served afterwards (beef burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chips, beans, bars, lemonade/water) for a free will offering.
The performance on Sunday, April 26, will be at 9 a.m. Coffee and bars will be served afterwards for a free will offering. Come support 45 youth from all denominations. For more information contact Michelle McKenna at (515) 890-1915.

Humboldt City Hall
The City has been preparing to minimize any disruption of services for the past week should City Hall be closed. We were hoping to wait longer, however, in discussions with Humboldt County Memorial Hospital and Humboldt County Public Health late yesterday and the announcement that the county courthouse will be closed, we have decided to close City Hall to the public effective end of business day Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Staff will still report to work and carry out the 98% of work that can be done without personal contact with the public. We will still be available by phone and email. Rest assured, we did not come to this decision lightly. Thank you and have a great day.

Dakota City Hall announces closing
With Governor Kim Reynolds declaring a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency due to the COVID-19 virus, the Dakota City will close City Hall to the public starting Thursday, March 19.
Our number one priority is the health and well-being of our employees, our customers, and the community we serve. City staff will continue to work in the buildings, practicing social distancing, and be available to help over the phone and respond via e-mail. The city wishes to thank residents for their commitment as we navigate through this uncertain time.
Residents with any questions can call the City Hall at (515) 332-3083 for general information or email dcity@goldfieldaccess.net
Here is a list of ways to interact with City Hall during the closing.
•Water Bill/Utilities - Drop payments off at drop box in front of City Hall. Mail payments to: PO Box 427, Dakota City, IA 50529
• To initiate or end water service call (515) 332-3083 or email dcity@goldfieldaccess.net
• For online payment visit: https://www.dakotacityiowa.com/
• To sign-up for automatic payments visit: https://www.dakotacityiowa.com/general/page/utility-billing-bank-pay-ach...
The City strongly encourages all residents to follow the guidelines provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Center for Disease Control. See IDPH website for more information https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.

Humboldt County Democratic county convention postponed
Following leadership of the Iowa Democratic Party, the Humboldt County Democratic Party will postpone its county convention, originally scheduled for March 21, to a future date to be determined.
After consultation with county chairs, state central committee, party leaders, and public health officials, the Iowa Democratic Party determined that the potential spreading coronavirus posed a risk outweighing a temporary delay in moving the caucus-to-convention process forward.
Mark Smith, Iowa Democratic chair, said, “This is not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right decision. By their design, caucuses are gatherings built around a sense of community, and throughout every step, we have worked to ensure the process is safe and accessible for every Iowan. However, Iowa Democrats should not have to choose between democratic participation and remaining in good health, and concerns for the wellbeing of our delegates, thousands of volunteers, workers at convention venues, and the public come first.”
District and state convention planning will proceed as scheduled.

March 19
Noon Kiwanis Roast Beef Dinner and Easter Egg Hunt postponed/cancelled
The Humboldt-Dakota City Noon Kiwanis annual Palm Sunday roast beef dinner scheduled for Sunday, April 5 at the Zion Lutheran Church has been postponed indefinitely. The club hopes to hold the dinner on a Sunday in the early fall. Tickets purchased in advance will be good for the rescheduled date. People needing refunds may contact the Kiwanis member they purchased the tickets from. The annual Noon Kiwanis Children's Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, in Taft Park has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus safety protocols issued by the federal government and state of Iowa. It is uncertain if the club will reschedule the event or cancel until spring of 2021. The club apologizes for the necessity to cancel fundraising and community events and appreciates the community's understanding and support.

March 21
Scoop the Loop
Cory Larson posted an idea for next Friday night at 7 p.m., Scoop the Loop or Shag the Drag on Main Street of Humboldt. "With everything going on let's put some smiles on people's faces." Have fun while keeping a safe distance.

March 23
Courthouse now locked
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors in have made the decision to close the county courthouse to the public effective at Noon on March 23, 2020 to limit the spread of COVID-19. This will continue until further notice. "Our goal is to protect the citizens and employees of Humboldt County. Our employees will continue to perform essential county services only by appointment," Humboldt County Auditor Peggy Rice reported in a release. Please contact the department you need by phone if you have questions regarding services or to make an appointment. County departments and phone numbers are listed below.

Assessor’s Office: 515-332-1463
Auditor’s Office: 515-332-1571
Clerk of Court 515-332-1806
County Attorney 515-332-7139
Community Services 515-332-5205
Conservation 515-332-4087
911 Coordinator 515-332-5216
Engineer 515-332-2366
Recorder 515-332-3693
Sheriff/Jail/LEC 515-332-2600
Supervisors 515-332-1571
Treasurer 515-332-1681
Veteran Affairs 515-604-6256
UDMO 515-332-3631

March 24
Food Pantry

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Humboldt County Ministerial Food Pantry, managed by Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc., will be open one day a week with extended hours. Starting the week of March 30th the Food Pantry will be open on THURSDAYS ONLY from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Food pickup will be curbside only and pre-bagged. Please stay in your cars and UDMO staff and volunteers will assist you. We are doing our best to feed our families in need and prevent the spread of Covid-19 while keeping our staff and volunteers safe. Please be patient and understanding through this difficult time.

If you would like to donate food to the pantry you may drop off food outside the west door during these same hours of Thursday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. If you have any questions please call UDMO office at 515-332-3631.

March 26
Humboldt Country Club announced the golf course will open with modified rules on Monday, March 30. There will not be flag sticks and there will be modified cups on each green. Tee times will be required. Call (515) 332-3364 for more information.

April 3
Light the Way Parade
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital EMS, Humboldt County Sheriff's Vehicles, EMA and the Humboldt Fire Department will “Light the Way” on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Step outside your home or look out your windows to see the vehicles drive around the City of Humboldt and Dakota City in a very colorful and very noisy parade! (There will be no one allowed to walk in the parade, this is just for the emergency vehicles.)
This event is to give the Humboldt and Dakota City residents a sign of strength and hope in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parade will start in Dakota City. Vehicles will go South on 7th Street (K Road) from Hwy 3. The emergency vehicles will take mostly north to south streets starting in Dakota City and zig-zag east to west into Humboldt. Emergency vehicles will make a pass down Elmhurst Avenue and around Eagle Ridge and will take West River Drive to Hwy 3. Then will travel Rainbow Drive to 10th Avenue North to Hy-Vee
Also on Friday, April 3 from 7-8 p.m., local citizens are encouraged to "Shag the Drag," by driving up and down Sumner Avenue to wave and honk at friends and enjoy time outside while maintaining responsible social distancing. People can donate non-perishable boxed and canned food items to the food pantry by leaving them in front of Voltage Ink, 602 Sumner Ave.

April 4
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital COVID-19 Update
By Michelle Sleiter, HCMH CEO
There are currently NO known cases of COVID-19 in Humboldt County.
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital is further limiting our visitation restrictions and implementing screening to all entering our facility to protect the health and safety of our patients, residents, tenants and staff.

Effective Saturday April 4th:
• Inpatient Care: No Visitors allowed unless under the following circumstances:
• End of Life Care
• Patient is a minor under the age of 18
• Patient is suffering from confusion or delirium

Emergency Room/Outpatient Areas/Clinic: One designated caregiver per patient
• Designated Caregivers
• Siblings under the age of 16 are not allowed
• Always remain in patient room as appropriate
• Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas
• Free from illness such as fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, runny nose

Long Term Care, Springvale Assisted Living and Springvale Independent Living continue to not allow visitors at this time.
All visitors/vendors will be screened upon arrival to our facility.
We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult to understand, however, restricting visitors is in the best interest of our patients and staff. We encourage all loved ones to use phone calls or video chats on personal phones or mobile devices to communicate. If the circumstance allows, we can also arrange for you to see your loved one through the window or on our available devices.
While there have not been confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Humboldt County as of today, the best way to protect our community from being impacted by an outbreak is prevention. This includes visitor restrictions and screenings like we have implemented to protect our most vulnerable populations.

If you feel that you’ve developed symptoms of COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider and if you plan to visit our hospital, Public Health office, UnityPoint Family Medicine Clinic or Walk-in Clinic, please call ahead.
We will continue to provide updates on our website, www.humboldthospital.org and Facebook Pages, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital and Humboldt County Public
We’re in this Together!

April 7

Treasurer's Office news

On April 2, 2020 Governor Reynolds updated her March 17, 2020 proclamation that waives late penalty on property tax payments through April 30, 2020. Payments must be postmarked on or before April 30, 2020, paid online at www.iowatreasurers.org on or before April 30, 2020, or dropped off in the Humboldt County drop box, located on the north side of the courthouse by the main entrance, on or before April 30, 2020 to avoid late penalties.
The Humboldt County Courthouse closed to the public at noon on March 23, 2020 due to concerns regarding COVID-19 in Iowa and surrounding states. The Treasurer’s Office staff is still working. Mail and online and drop box payments are all being processed daily. The Treasurer’s Staff is also here to answer phone calls and emails. If you have questions, call our office at 515-332-1681.
The Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency includes property taxes, motor vehicle renewals, vehicle purchases and driver license.
If your motor vehicle registration expired January 16, 2020 or later, it will be considered valid until the declared disaster has ended.
If you purchased or transferred a vehicle privately or through a dealer, you will not be required to obtain a title and registration within 30 days. This remains in effect until the declared disaster proclamation is lifted. However, it is important to carry the purchase documents/bill of sale in your vehicle until it is transferred into your name. These are important documents, it would be wise to keep your vehicle locked when not in use as they are difficult to replace.
If your driver license has an expiration date of January 16, 2020 or later, you are not required to renew your driver license at this time. Your expired license will remain valid until the declared disaster proclamation ends. REAL ID has also been extended to October 1, 2021.

April 9

Humboldt LEC announces response protocols; seeks PPEs

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Humboldt County Law Enforcement Center has changed its protocol for answering the phone for calls for service.
County dispatchers will still answer the phone call but before a law enforcement officer or first responder is dispatched for a call, there will be a series of questions that the dispatchers will ask. The answer to questions will determine as to what degree law enforcement and first responders will respond to the call.
“Remember, we are in this together and we will get through this together. We are here to serve and protect the citizens of Humboldt County, but we need to take every precaution we can in order to protect our law enforcement personnel and emergency first responders, as well as members of the public at large,” Humboldt County Sheriff Dean Kruger said in a prepared press release.
Questions asked by the dispatchers will be as follows:
• Do you have fever, respiratory illness (cough or shortness of breath)?
• Have you taken a cruise anywhere in the world during the past 14 days?
• Have you traveled internationally in the past 14 days?
• Do you live with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19 without using proper personal protective equipment (PPE)?
• Have you had close contact (within six feet for more than two minutes) with a person who is visibly sick with respiratory symptoms (ie. sneezing, coughing), or who says they are sick with a fever or respiratory symptoms?
• Have you traveled out of the state of Iowa to a COVID-19 ‘Hot Spot’ or to an area of Iowa with a high number of confirmed cases (ie. Linn, Johnson, Polk, Washington, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott counties)?
“We are here to help you and we can better do so by having you answer these questions,” Kruger said.
The Humboldt County sheriff also asks the public to consider donating any PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), as the Humboldt County Law Enforcement Center continues to receive calls for this equipment.
“There are several healthcare providers within our county that need this equipment. The equipment consists of masks, face shields, gowns, gloves and eye protection. This equipment may be delivered to the Humboldt County Law Enforcement Center, 430 Sumner Ave., and it will be distributed to the appropriate personnel. Please call the Law Enforcement Center at (515) 332-2600 if you have equipment to donate. We appreciate the public’s cooperation during this healthcare crisis,” Sheriff Kruger said.

April 17
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Friday that schools in Iowa will not open this school year. Reynolds announced that Iowa will assume a phased reopening of businesses as appropriate, as outlined by President Donald Trump on Thursday. Reynolds did not say when the first phase would take place or what businesses would be allowed to reopen first. On Friday, Reynolds announced an additional 191 new cases in Iowa, a higher number than seen earlier in the week. Four more deaths were reported in the state bringing the death toll to 64 Iowans from the COVID-19 pandemic. There remains no confirmed cases in Humboldt County as of 4/17/20. Webster and Hamilton counties have reported two confirmed cases of COVID-19, while Wright and Kossuth counties have reported one confirmed case each. As of April 17, there are more than 690,000 cases of the disease in the U.S. with more than 36,100 deaths attributable to the disease. Citizens are reminded to sneeze or cough into their elbow, monitor their temperatures, keep a social distance space of six feet or more, wear a protective face covering in public, wash hands frequently and avoid contact with people known to be infected with COVID-19 if possible. Visit coronavirus.iowa.gov for resources, along with the CDC Coronavirus 19 home page and the Iowa Department of Public Health COVID-19 updates and resources. People suffering from a fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing should call 211 for instructions.