CEDAR FALLS — A four-way quarterback competition dominated the preseason headlines for Northern Iowa last August. Walk-on redshirt freshman Will McElvain emerged as the competition’s...

CEDAR RAPIDS — The United States Hockey League conducts its annual drafts Monday and Tuesday. It’s a 3 p.m. start for Monday’s Phase I draft of players with a 2004 birth date....

Editor's note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them are...

I haven’t run a marathon since ... Well, it’s been so long, I don’t even remember. My longest run each week these days is 5 miles ... 5.38 if I’m feeling extra spunky and...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

CEDAR RAPIDS — Darren Lewis knows his voice is minimal. And he isn’t looking for a political debate. “I just wanted to spread some hope and some positivity,” he said....

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jay Whannel is baseball through and through. He was a star player in high school and college, played briefly in the professional independent leagues. He coached in college and...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

Iowa athletics director Gary Barta began Thursday’s meeting of the UI’s presidential committee on athletics with two numbers: It’s been 56 days since the coronavirus pandemic shut...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

I knew the woodcock could see me. It’s uniquely formed head has the eyes over the brain. Set atop its head and splayed, the eyes can notice what’s above and behind like few animals. The...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

CEDAR FALLS — Like many high school seniors across the country, Norwalk’s Bowen Born is unsure when he’ll be able to get on campus at the University of Northern Iowa and begin...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

WooCommerce provides everything you need to start selling subscriptions online, make sales, and grow successfully. Learn how to get started in just 6 steps!

The post How to Start Selling Subscriptions Online appeared first on WooCommerce.

During COVID-19, you might be tempted to stay silent. But your customers need to hear from you! Learn how to craft the right message with the right tone.

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The post How Your Offline Business Can Start Selling Online Fast appeared first on WooCommerce.

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Google’s offering $340 million in free ad credits during COVID-19. Here’s what you need to know to maximize your efforts and not only survive, but thrive!

The post How to Advertise your Products on Google for Free During COVID-19 appeared first on WooCommerce.

The City of Cedar Rapids Thursday morning issued a drinking water boil order for portions of southwest Cedar Rapids. A rupture in a water main feeding the Bowling Street Booster Station and C Street...

Background CEDAR RAPIDS — After a bitter battle between residents and one of the city’s major employers — Cargill — with the city of Cedar Rapids in the middle, in...

The Iowa Supreme Court approved a pilot program in the 4th Judicial District — Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Pottawattamie, Page and Shelby counties — to develop...

Summer is going to look a bit different in the Corridor this year as many, long-cherished events are being canceled or postponed. And the organizations that run those events want you to know they...

As the coronavirus spread from the nation’s meatpacking plants to the broader communities where they are located, it burned through a modest duplex in Waterloo. In the downstairs unit lived...

4:43 P.M.: GOODWILL PLANS TO REOPEN 11 EASTERN IOWA RETAIL LOCATIONS Goodwill of the Heartland will reopen 11 retail locations in Eastern Iowa next week, including all its Cedar Rapids stores,...

CEDAR RAPIDS — Adam Todd, adjusting like many Iowans to a social-distanced lifestyle since the novel coronavirus hit, celebrated a milestone 21st birthday with a drive-by parade Friday...

A 10th wedding anniversary traditionally is celebrated with a gift of aluminum or tin. For Sondy Daggett, her 10th year of marriage to Liz Hoskins was marked with a gift of Champagne and...

11 a.m. Iowa sees 214 more positive tests for coronavirus The Iowa Department of Public Health on Saturday reported nine more deaths from COVID-19, for a total of 252 since March 8. An additional 214...

MANCHESTER
Albert "Bert" Meister, 56, died Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Leonard-Muller Funeral Home, Manchester.

KENNETH ROBERT MARTIN
Iowa City

Kenneth Robert Martin, our loving father and mentor, paddled off from the dock for the last time on May 8, 2020, joining Raymond and Inez, his parents, brother, Arnold, and dear wife, Alice on the big lake.
He leaves behind many stories of a life well-lived that will be retold in our family for generations. Among them: Just after World War II, he was stationed in Guam as an Army Air Corps staff sergeant, where he adopted a stray dog. Unwilling to abandon the pup after the tour was over, he smuggled him aboard ship in a duffle bag, which was discovered by brass before reaching Hawaii. Though denial of on-shore leave in Honolulu was the consequence, dad didn't forsake the dog, and after the pair crossed the ocean together they lived happily in Gary, Ind., for many years. Such is the compassion, devotion and fortitude (and mischievousness!) Ken would demonstrate over and over in his life. While we will miss his warmth and humor terribly, his legacy is plain to see in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are nature lovers as Ken was. We turn over rocks just to see what lies beneath as he taught. We gaze at the stars with the same awe and wonder he showed us. We bless him for these gifts, which will never be forgotten.
To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family, please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.

KAREN K. SIECHERT
Marion

Karen K. Siechert, 80, of Marion, died Friday, May 8, 2020, at the Mercy Hospice House in Hiawatha. Private services will be on Monday at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Entombment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Tamara (Michael) Fensterman of Cedar Rapids and Kimberly (Michael) Katalinich of Hiawatha; and two grandchildren, Stephanie (Jake) Tjepkes and Rachel Fensterman.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Karen was born April 10, 1940, in Marshalltown, the daughter of Fred and Alice (Nekola) Saver. She married Carl W. Siechert on Sept. 23, 1961, in Cedar Rapids. Carl passed away in 2018.
Karen was a cook at AEGON and retired from there after many years of service. She enjoyed hosting both family and friends and everyone delighted in her cooking and fabulous baked goods. Karen was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial donations may be given to the Parkinson's Foundation. Please leave a message or tribute to Karen's family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

MARGY E. SEIFERT
Homestead


Margy E. Seifert, 90, of Homestead, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Wesley Acres in Des Moines. A private graveside service will be held Monday May 11, at Homestead Cemetery in Homestead, with Pastor Lisa Crow officiating. Memorials may be contributed to the Safe Haven of Iowa County. Kloster Funeral Home in Marengo is assisting the family with arrangements.
She is survived by her children, Randy Seifert of Marion, Timothy Seifert (Rodi) of Chicago and Karen Seifert (Melodie) of Urbandale; a granddaughter, Angelique Kramer (Tim) of Cedar Rapids; two great-grandchildren, Mya and Noah Hummel; siblings, Helen Zimpleman of Marengo, Roy Gerard of North Chesterfield, Va., Lorrin Gerard (Carol) of Nevada and Evan Gerard (Judy) of Campbell, Calif.; along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Henry, in 2009.
Margy Elaine Gerard was born March 30, 1930, in Millersburg, Iowa, the daughter of Glen and Leona Charlotte Jones Gerard. She graduated from the Marengo High School in 1948, where she was a member of the Honor Society. Margy and Henry were united in marriage June 27, 1948, at First United Methodist Church in Marengo. Margy worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Louis Clemens for many years, and then as a hostess at Zuber's Restaurant in Homestead. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marengo for more than 70 years, a member of the Eastern Star, the Homestead Welfare Club and the Amana Heritage Society. Margy enjoyed bird watching and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She was a recipe queen, always trying out a new recipe on Henry. She enjoyed spending time with her family and her beloved cat, Spice.
Online condolences: www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

I have been a Johnson County resident since 1977. I grew up in Clear Lake, a small farming community in North Central Iowa. I came to Iowa City after being recruited by Dan Gable to wrestle for the University of Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team and placed 3rd place in the 1980 NCAA Division I.

I met my wife Teresa and we settled in Iowa City. I have two children, Melissa, 36, and Anthony, 25; and grandchildren Emma, 9, Ellie and Emilia, 4-month-old twin girls, and Jack, who passed two just before his 2nd birthday. I am a cancer survivor and support cancer research and patient support.

I was a maintenance supervisor at the old Cantebury Inn, I owned and operated Advance Property Management for 23 years and drove a school bus for First Student, Inc. While working at First Student I was one of the driving forces in the campaign for the workers to unionize with the Teamsters. I was asked to join the Teamsters as a full-time organizer after the campaign, which I did for 13 years. I found my calling as an organizer because I was able to help others stand up for themselves and really change their lives.

I made the decision to run for Johnson County supervisor because we need to bring some common sense back to Johnson County government, and run a smarter government that works for all. The supervisors need to oversee the county departments better to stop wasting county funds paying settlements to individuals because of illegal action by department employees. Rules are for everyone and if you work outside the rules there will be costs and consequences.

I want to bring new blood to the board as well as new ideas. County supervisor is a public service position of honor and trust. Being a supervisor is about following through on jobs you were elected to do for the people. The supervisors need to finish jobs that they started but never completed. You should never leave a job half done!

I hope the voters agree the Johnson County Board of Supervisors need to answer to the public for their actions and their employees. We can no long just “sweep issues under the rug.”

Dean Phinney is a candidate in the Democratic primary for Johnson County Board of Supervisors.

I am absolutely thrilled that the Johnson County Board of Supervisors finally has both a person of color and a female majority on the board.

Why?

Because women make decisions and guide communities in totally different ways than men do. Women have a unique ability to communicate with those who need to be heard and to understand multiple sides of any argument.

Because our entire community needs to be represented on our Board of Supervisors. In Johnson County we have a vibrant, diverse, exciting community with the potential to come together to improve the lives of all our citizens and our community.

Because by including representatives from our entire community on our governing boards, those voices have the potential to be heard, and acted upon. This is the best way for us to hear the voices of all our diverse community. Yes, there are more voices to be heard and future elections will make that difference. We have come a long way from the times when every board member was a white male. Let’s keep going!

Because in Johnson County we purport ourselves to be a liberal, inclusive and vibrant community. We are most vibrant when all of us come together, honor each other, listen to each other, work together for common goals and have fun together.

Because that is the kind of community I long to live in. A community where every voice and concern is heard and people work toward solutions together, not from the top down, but from inclusivity, listening, understanding and taking action together.

Because change is most effective when it comes the roots up, not from the top down. Women and people of color have more experience and success working in this way.

Because men want to fix things and people of color and women are more adept at changing things by listening to the voices of concern.

I am enthusiastically looking forward to working with everybody as a member of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.

Royceann Porter is a candidate in the Democratic primary for Johnson County Board of Supervisors.

COVID-19 is a brutal villain, infecting millions and taking more than 185,000 lives worldwide, just over 100 of which were Iowans at the time of this writing. In the face of this, Iowans are showing the strength of their character. Individual acts of courage have become everyday occurrences. Nowhere is this truer than in our state’s long-term care centers.

The threat facing those in long-term care is unprecedented. Because many who are infected remain asymptomatic, efforts to prevent the virus from being introduced into facilities has proved difficult. Once the virus is introduced, it is hard to impede its spread — and virtually impossible without enhanced testing capabilities and more personal protective equipment (PPE) than we have access to today.

Long-term care providers have taken unprecedented steps to protect their residents, including prohibiting non-essential visitors in early March. Unfortunately, even with these measures and following guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health officials, more than 3,600 long-term care facilities nationwide have been impacted by the virus, including 13 in Iowa.

Yet, in the face of this challenge, our long-term care workers are performing with a valor we have not seen during peacetime in a generation; maybe two.

While many of us are hunkered down in our homes teleworking and spending time with our families, these caregivers are leaving their families to provide care for the loved ones of others. What these caregivers are doing and what they are sacrificing is remarkable. We owe them our gratitude, and we owe them our best efforts to address their critical needs.

Adequate PPE and routine testing for long-term care are paramount. While there has been significant attention paid to providing hospitals with PPE, it is imperative we not overlook those working in long-term care.

More than 70% of long-term care facilities nationwide report they lack enough PPE. This not only puts our caregivers at risk, it also puts the people they care for at greater risk. Preventing the introduction of the virus and containing its spread in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is one of the most important things we must do to relieve pressure on hospitals now.

Testing is a critical area where more support is needed. There are protocols in place to limit the spread of the virus once it is in a facility, including establishing isolation wings where those who have the virus are kept apart from the rest of the residents and are cared for by staff who do not interact with those in the rest of the building. But the virus leaves many of those infected without symptoms, these steps cannot be effectively implemented without broader testing.

We applaud Gov. Kim Reynolds’ recent action to broaden testing for some of Iowa’s long-term care staff. Equally important is the plan to address potential staff shortages which may result from expanded testing. Since a test result only captures an individual’s infection status for a fixed period of time, long-term care staff and residents must be prioritized at the highest level to receive ongoing testing to effectively identify infections and respond as early as possible.

Those one the front lines of this fight need the tools to confront, contain and ultimately defeat the virus. There is reason to be hopeful. Even though residents of long-term care are particularly at risk, most recover from the virus. Caregivers can do even more amazing work if we get them the tools they need: protective equipment, testing and staffing.

It is time to rally around our long-term care residents and staff, and give them the support they need and deserve.

Brent Willett is president and CEO of the Iowa Health Care Association.

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