washingtontimes--2020-05-16--Virus complicates driver education courses

GUTTENBERG , Iowa ( AP ) - Before Staci Herman slides behind the wheel to begin her driving exam , she must first pull her mask over her face , yank her gloves over her hands and make sure she has signed a waiver verifying that she does not have a fever .
Finally , after she has completed every step of the protocol , she can drive .
Recently , students from Clayton Ridge High School in Guttenberg and Central High School in Elkader finished up the online portion and started moving to the driving portion of their 30-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa Community College .
In pre-pandemic days , the students would have had their parents drop them off at school for in-person instruction to complete the first portion of the course .
But instead , the teens were able to hop on the class by opening up their laptops , putting on their headphones and connecting to the Zoom video call .
Although it was driving instructor John Hess ’ first time teaching the course through Zoom , he made it work .
“ They watched the video , and they will go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , ” he told the Dubuque Telegraph Herald .
“ They are at home in their bedroom or living room for the class , but they can grab their phone and chat with their partner for the test.
” Hess said he delivered driving books to all of his students , and during the Zoom class , he reviews each chapter with his students .
“ It ’ s basically like in a classroom , ” he said .
“ A lot of kids are comfortable being at home taking the class.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also take the class through NICC .
He said he planned to teach it in Dubuque later this summer but already is preparing for it to be all online as well .
But right now , students in Dubuque are not able to drive with instructors like Hess due to the social-distancing restrictions that Dubuque County and 21 other counties remain under .
And until they can drive with an instructor , students will not be able to receive their driver ’ s permits or licenses , he said .
“ They do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drive six hours with an instructor , ” Hess said .
“ Right now , they wouldn ’ t be able to drive with me in Dubuque.
” Darcy Doty , director for driver and identification services at the Iowa Department of Transportation , said students who already completed driver ’ s education and their six hours with an instructor can go to the DOT website to fill out an application to receive a paper license through the mail .
“ For students that are turning 16 , if they have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their license processed remotely , ” she said .
“ We review that and call the family and make sure they have approved it.
” Although a few glitches popped up during the Zoom driver ’ s ed class , overall everything went smoothly , Herman said .
“ I liked it very much because I was going to be on a very tight schedule to get to Guttenberg with extracurricular activities , ” she said .
“ I think it is very beneficial to people that may struggle in new areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody was watching them the whole time.
” Herman said she is a little bit nervous about the driving portion of the class , but as long as she follows all the safety measures , she thinks it will be all right .
“ I think it ’ s going to be more of a challenge with this whole COVID-19 thing , but as long as we wear the masks and gloves , I don ’ t think it will be too much of a challenge , ” she said .
Like Herman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the class was moved online .
She lives about 20 minutes away from the campus and said the daily trek would have grown tedious for her parents .
“ I have never taken an online class , but I have already planned to take many of my college classes online , ” Hansel said .
“ I got to see some of my friends on Zoom and talk to them about that.
” At West Delaware Community School District , Superintendent Kristen Rickey said students also will sign up to complete a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our normal driver ’ s ed teacher will provide instruction as he always does with the same content and standards , but in a virtual setting , ” she in an email .

GUTTENBERG, Iowa (AP) - Before Staci Herman slides behind the wheel to begin her driving exam, she must first pull her mask over her face, yank her gloves over her hands and make sure she has signed a waiver verifying that she does not have a fever.
Finally, after she has completed every step of the protocol, she can drive.
Recently, students from Clayton Ridge High School in Guttenberg and Central High School in Elkader finished up the online portion and started moving to the driving portion of their 30-hour driver’s education course through Northeast Iowa Community College.
In pre-pandemic days, the students would have had their parents drop them off at school for in-person instruction to complete the first portion of the course. But instead, the teens were able to hop on the class by opening up their laptops, putting on their headphones and connecting to the Zoom video call.
Although it was driving instructor John Hess’ first time teaching the course through Zoom, he made it work.
“They watched the video, and they will go over some notes and can work in groups,” he told the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. “They are at home in their bedroom or living room for the class, but they can grab their phone and chat with their partner for the test.”
Hess said he delivered driving books to all of his students, and during the Zoom class, he reviews each chapter with his students.
“It’s basically like in a classroom,” he said. “A lot of kids are comfortable being at home taking the class.”
Hess said students in Dubuque County also take the class through NICC. He said he planned to teach it in Dubuque later this summer but already is preparing for it to be all online as well.
But right now, students in Dubuque are not able to drive with instructors like Hess due to the social-distancing restrictions that Dubuque County and 21 other counties remain under.
And until they can drive with an instructor, students will not be able to receive their driver’s permits or licenses, he said.
“They do their classroom online, but they have to drive six hours with an instructor,” Hess said. “Right now, they wouldn’t be able to drive with me in Dubuque.”
Darcy Doty, director for driver and identification services at the Iowa Department of Transportation, said students who already completed driver’s education and their six hours with an instructor can go to the DOT website to fill out an application to receive a paper license through the mail.
“For students that are turning 16, if they have a permit, they can request to have their license processed remotely,” she said. “We review that and call the family and make sure they have approved it.”
Although a few glitches popped up during the Zoom driver’s ed class, overall everything went smoothly, Herman said.
“I liked it very much because I was going to be on a very tight schedule to get to Guttenberg with extracurricular activities,” she said. “I think it is very beneficial to people that may struggle in new areas, and they didn’t feel like somebody was watching them the whole time.”
Herman said she is a little bit nervous about the driving portion of the class, but as long as she follows all the safety measures, she thinks it will be all right.
“I think it’s going to be more of a challenge with this whole COVID-19 thing, but as long as we wear the masks and gloves, I don’t think it will be too much of a challenge,” she said.
Like Herman, Brooke Hansel said she was happy that the class was moved online. She lives about 20 minutes away from the campus and said the daily trek would have grown tedious for her parents.
“I have never taken an online class, but I have already planned to take many of my college classes online,” Hansel said. “I got to see some of my friends on Zoom and talk to them about that.”
At West Delaware Community School District, Superintendent Kristen Rickey said students also will sign up to complete a portion of their driving course virtually.
“Our normal driver’s ed teacher will provide instruction as he always does with the same content and standards, but in a virtual setting,” she in an email.


washingtontimes--2020-05-16--Care delays took physical, mental toll on patients

MANKATO , Minn. ( AP ) - Larry Ballman anxiously watched the cancer on the right side of his face and neck spread from late March into the first weeks of April .
A lump of squamous cell carcinoma went from about half the size of a golf ball to an egg within a week , he said , and his discomfort grew with it .
“ You ’ ve got cancer growing - and I ’ ve had cancer before - and you don ’ t sleep , ” he told the Mankato Free Press .
“ You wonder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be like in two weeks.
” All of it was happening in the aftermath of the state ’ s late-March halt on elective procedures in clinics and hospitals , a response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Cleveland , Minnesota , man ’ s case was more emergent than elective , but delays associated with the state ’ s order pushed his surgery back by weeks .
Facing a tougher recovery because of it , Ballman said he feels like state leaders were calling the shots on his medical care despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the scars on his face , which he called “ uglier than the devil , ” will serve as maddening reminders of the ordeal .
He needed more than 100 stitches after surgery .
“ At first the surgery should ’ ve taken three hours , ” he said .
“ Instead it was an eight-hour procedure.
” In contrast to the outwardly visible and physical nature of Ballman ’ s cancer , Lisa Carlson ’ s experience waiting for her breast cancer surgery was more about the mental toll .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was scary walking out of her appointment with her care team in Mankato on March 20 not knowing when she ’ d receive surgery .
“ It kind of takes your breath away , ” she said .
“ As a person who had a new cancer diagnosis and type A personality , as soon I knew I had it , I wanted it out .
I wanted it gone.
” Her surgeon , Dr. Tara Krosch of Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato , said not knowing when the surgery could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in as a doctor .
“ There ’ s nothing worse to hear than you have breast cancer , ” she said .
“ But now we had to say , ‘ Wait , and there ’ s nothing we can do about it.
’ ” Carlson was more sad than angry at the time , but acknowledged it might be different if her cancer had spread to her lymph nodes .
A couple of weeks after her surgery , she said she recognizes the tough situation both her doctors and state leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tim Walz ’ s executive order suspending elective procedures forced hospitals and clinics to quickly reshuffle appointments .
Elective procedures ceased entirely , while many more pressing operations such as Ballman ’ s and Carlson ’ s were delayed .
The order was an unprecedented precaution against an unprecedented problem .
Delaying care was partly about stocking up on personal protective equipment in case COVID-19 ’ s peak hit the state .
“ If we did elective surgeries , we would not have gowns and PPE in place , ” Walz said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four weeks you ’ ve given us , we ’ ve built up our supplies.
” Doctors raised more concerns about delayed care as the order dragged on into early May .
Elective care will resume as soon as May 11 , but the backlog in cases could take a while to get through .
Resuming all procedures soon also won ’ t change the fact Ballman and other patients face harder recoveries .
His surgeon , Dr. Brett Baldwin of Mankato Clinic , said he felt as if his hands were tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage 2 cancer to a stage 4 cancer due to that delay , ” he said .
” It ’ s fairly uncommon for things to grow that fast , of course , but he was in that unlucky time and place.
” The clock on Ballman ’ s care delay began March 18 , when his medical team explained he ’ d need a neck dissection to remove the cancer from his right neck and lymph nodes .
The order to delay elective procedures took effect March 23 .
His care team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed based on guidelines from the American College of Surgeons .
The surgery was initially set for April 3 , but scheduling difficulties related to what procedures were prioritized pushed it back to April 17 , Baldwin said .
Now post-operation , Ballman could need ongoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation instead of just the surgery followed by radiation .
While Ballman said the swelling and pain from so many stitches have at least gone down in the weeks since , he still thinks it ’ ll be a while before life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was something Baldwin never thought he ’ d face in health care .
“ I feel like the autonomy of patients is compromised as well as autonomy as a provider of these patients , ” he said .
“ We put our patients ’ care and treatment at the forefront of anything we do , and having the diagnosis and ability to treat this patient but being told by regulations that we can ’ t is frustrating.
” Ballman wasn ’ t his only patient whose care was delayed .
The surgeon said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is glad it ’ s being lifted because it ’ ll get more people the care they need .
Carlson , meanwhile , said she ’ s relatively fortunate to have caught her cancer so early and avoided post-op chemotherapy .
She also began an oral medication while waiting for surgery , which Krosch said might not have been possible if the cancer were more aggressive .
Under normal circumstances , she would ’ ve had her operation in late March or early April .
It ended up happening on April 23 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a once-in-a-lifetime thing , ” Krosch said of the care delays .
” It ’ s nothing any of us would prefer to see again.
” Krosch ’ s patients usually receive their operations within a couple of weeks .
The anxiety associated with waiting is a huge reason why .
Carlson , of Fairmont but a patient at Mayo in Mankato , certainly felt the anxiety .
“ You kind of feel like a loss of control .
It ’ s a little scary.
” Having her whole family shelter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college and her son is home from high school - helped , as did Krosch ’ s frequent updates .
Martin County has among the most COVID-19 cases per capita in the state , so they ’ re taking the stay-home order seriously .
Carlson said she ’ s basically only left the house for her medical appointments since March .
Her treatment will continue with oral medication for the next five to 10 years along with monthly injections to offset the medication ’ s side effects .
She considers herself lucky and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health .
Like so many others whose lives have been impacted by COVID-19 , she does also feel a bit angry these days .
Not at anyone specifically , more so at how this life-altering pandemic put people in unheard of positions without any precedents to fall back on .
The pandemic is why her son ’ s graduation ceremony - which she so looked forward to during her wait - isn ’ t likely to happen .
And it ’ s why she shed so many tears while waiting for her cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger ?
Yes , ” she said .
“ But it ’ s anger about why did that have to happen when I ’ m going through something so difficult .
”

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - Larry Ballman anxiously watched the cancer on the right side of his face and neck spread from late March into the first weeks of April.
A lump of squamous cell carcinoma went from about half the size of a golf ball to an egg within a week, he said, and his discomfort grew with it.
“You’ve got cancer growing - and I’ve had cancer before - and you don’t sleep,” he told the Mankato Free Press. “You wonder what in the hell it’s going to be like in two weeks.”
All of it was happening in the aftermath of the state’s late-March halt on elective procedures in clinics and hospitals, a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cleveland, Minnesota, man’s case was more emergent than elective, but delays associated with the state’s order pushed his surgery back by weeks.
Facing a tougher recovery because of it, Ballman said he feels like state leaders were calling the shots on his medical care despite his doctors pushing to move forward.
And the scars on his face, which he called “uglier than the devil,” will serve as maddening reminders of the ordeal. He needed more than 100 stitches after surgery.
“At first the surgery should’ve taken three hours,” he said. “Instead it was an eight-hour procedure.”
In contrast to the outwardly visible and physical nature of Ballman’s cancer, Lisa Carlson’s experience waiting for her breast cancer surgery was more about the mental toll. She also had to wait weeks, saying it was scary walking out of her appointment with her care team in Mankato on March 20 not knowing when she’d receive surgery.
“It kind of takes your breath away,” she said. “As a person who had a new cancer diagnosis and type A personality, as soon I knew I had it, I wanted it out. I wanted it gone.”
Her surgeon, Dr. Tara Krosch of Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, said not knowing when the surgery could proceed is a hard position to be in as a doctor.
“There’s nothing worse to hear than you have breast cancer,” she said. “But now we had to say, ‘Wait, and there’s nothing we can do about it.’”
Carlson was more sad than angry at the time, but acknowledged it might be different if her cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. A couple of weeks after her surgery, she said she recognizes the tough situation both her doctors and state leaders were trying to work through.
Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order suspending elective procedures forced hospitals and clinics to quickly reshuffle appointments. Elective procedures ceased entirely, while many more pressing operations such as Ballman’s and Carlson’s were delayed.
The order was an unprecedented precaution against an unprecedented problem. Delaying care was partly about stocking up on personal protective equipment in case COVID-19’s peak hit the state.
“If we did elective surgeries, we would not have gowns and PPE in place,” Walz said in late April. “In the four weeks you’ve given us, we’ve built up our supplies.”
Doctors raised more concerns about delayed care as the order dragged on into early May. Elective care will resume as soon as May 11, but the backlog in cases could take a while to get through.
Resuming all procedures soon also won’t change the fact Ballman and other patients face harder recoveries. His surgeon, Dr. Brett Baldwin of Mankato Clinic, said he felt as if his hands were tied.
“That upstaged him from a stage 2 cancer to a stage 4 cancer due to that delay,” he said. ”It’s fairly uncommon for things to grow that fast, of course, but he was in that unlucky time and place.”
The clock on Ballman’s care delay began March 18, when his medical team explained he’d need a neck dissection to remove the cancer from his right neck and lymph nodes. The order to delay elective procedures took effect March 23.
His care team recognized his surgery shouldn’t be delayed based on guidelines from the American College of Surgeons. The surgery was initially set for April 3, but scheduling difficulties related to what procedures were prioritized pushed it back to April 17, Baldwin said.
Now post-operation, Ballman could need ongoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation instead of just the surgery followed by radiation. While Ballman said the swelling and pain from so many stitches have at least gone down in the weeks since, he still thinks it’ll be a while before life returns to normal.
The delayed situation was something Baldwin never thought he’d face in health care.
“I feel like the autonomy of patients is compromised as well as autonomy as a provider of these patients,” he said. “We put our patients’ care and treatment at the forefront of anything we do, and having the diagnosis and ability to treat this patient but being told by regulations that we can’t is frustrating.”
Ballman wasn’t his only patient whose care was delayed. The surgeon said he understands why the order happened but is glad it’s being lifted because it’ll get more people the care they need.
Carlson, meanwhile, said she’s relatively fortunate to have caught her cancer so early and avoided post-op chemotherapy. She also began an oral medication while waiting for surgery, which Krosch said might not have been possible if the cancer were more aggressive.
Under normal circumstances, she would’ve had her operation in late March or early April. It ended up happening on April 23.
“We’re hoping it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Krosch said of the care delays. ”It’s nothing any of us would prefer to see again.”
Krosch’s patients usually receive their operations within a couple of weeks. The anxiety associated with waiting is a huge reason why.
Carlson, of Fairmont but a patient at Mayo in Mankato, certainly felt the anxiety. “You kind of feel like a loss of control. It’s a little scary.”
Having her whole family shelter in place - her daughter is home from college and her son is home from high school - helped, as did Krosch’s frequent updates.
Martin County has among the most COVID-19 cases per capita in the state, so they’re taking the stay-home order seriously. Carlson said she’s basically only left the house for her medical appointments since March.
Her treatment will continue with oral medication for the next five to 10 years along with monthly injections to offset the medication’s side effects. She considers herself lucky and encourages people to be proactive about their health.
Like so many others whose lives have been impacted by COVID-19, she does also feel a bit angry these days. Not at anyone specifically, more so at how this life-altering pandemic put people in unheard of positions without any precedents to fall back on.
The pandemic is why her son’s graduation ceremony - which she so looked forward to during her wait - isn’t likely to happen.
And it’s why she shed so many tears while waiting for her cancer to be removed.
“Is there anger? Yes,” she said. “But it’s anger about why did that have to happen when I’m going through something so difficult.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-16--Barber Clair Mehus follows profession of father, grandfather

MINOT , N.D. ( AP ) - Her grandfather was a barber .
Her father was a barber .
Now she ’ s a barber and thoroughly enjoying it .
“ I really love cutting hair .
It definitely is what I was supposed to do , ” said Clair Mehus , Arrowhead Barber in Minot .
There was a time though when Mehus wasn ’ t so sure she wanted to pursue a career of cutting hair and trimming beards .
Following her graduation from Williston High School she had no intention of becoming a barber .
She hadn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either .
“ Finally , just to appease my father , I enrolled at Moler Barber College in Fargo , ” Mehus told the Minot Daily News .
“ I ’ ve been doing this since 2004 .
Now I own a shop and dad ’ s working under me.
” Her father cut hair for 35 years at several different locations in North Dakota .
Mehus brought him out of retirement so he could help out as needed at Arrowhead Barber .
“ We ’ re North Dakota people born and raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good team .
He ’ s working a couple of hours a day , ” said Mehus .
Like many other businesses , Arrowhead Barber was closed down due the coronavirus pandemic .
That meant a loss of income for Mehus .
To make matters worse , her husband also found himself out of work when his company made cuts because of declining business due to the coronavirus .
“ It ’ s been kind of a bumpy road .
To have both of us down was definitely a big , big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Mehus .
“ One day at a time .
That ’ s all we can do.
” With some precautions in place , Mehus reopened Arrowhead Barber May 4 .
Once again she is cutting hair and trimming beards .
Clients that had gone for weeks without having their hair cut were more than eager to see her back behind the barber chair .
It was more than OK for Mehus too .
“ It feels good to be back at work , that ’ s for sure , ” remarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even know how to explain it .
It ’ s been crazy times .
People have been coming in and the phone is ringing non-stop.
” Mehus said she knew the demand for haircuts was growing each and every day of the coronavirus shutdown .
She even contemplated cutting hair out of her garage until she learned she ’ d likely get in trouble for doing so .
Now she is cutting hair for many who have gone several more weeks than usual between visits to the barber .
“ They are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling themselves werewolves , ” laughed Mehus .
“ They are hairy , really overdue .
Some ask me to take some extra off in case I get shut down again.
” Mehus said she gets home from work now sore and tired and hungry from the long hours standing and cutting hair , but likes the feeling .
“ I don ’ t like not working , ” said Mehus .
“ I ’ ve been doing something since I was 15 years old.
” A change of procedures is part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Extra cleaning is done after each client receives a hair cut or trim .
“ Lots of extra cleaning .
My sinus cavities are starting to hurt but I will be cleaning like this all the time , ” said Mehus .
“ I cleaned before but never to this measure .
The coronavirus definitely opened my eyes to this.
” Inside Arrowhead Barber there are several chairs for customers to sit on , and magazines to read , while waiting their turn in the barber chair .
This past week though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chairs were seldom used and the magazines virtually untouched .
A sign near the door of the business lists guidelines for operation , including that only one client be in the shop at a time .
Those waiting for a haircut are asked to wait outside the barber shop until called in by Mehus .
Masks are encouraged , not required .
And , reads the guideline list , allow extra time for cleaning between clients and practice social distancing .
Once in the barber chair though , Mehus enjoys the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me it ’ s the people .
I enjoy visiting with people , ” said Mehus .
“ And they are happy to get a haircut .

MINOT, N.D. (AP) - Her grandfather was a barber. Her father was a barber. Now she’s a barber and thoroughly enjoying it.
“I really love cutting hair. It definitely is what I was supposed to do,” said Clair Mehus, Arrowhead Barber in Minot.
There was a time though when Mehus wasn’t so sure she wanted to pursue a career of cutting hair and trimming beards. Following her graduation from Williston High School she had no intention of becoming a barber. She hadn’t decided on any other profession either.
“Finally, just to appease my father, I enrolled at Moler Barber College in Fargo,” Mehus told the Minot Daily News. “I’ve been doing this since 2004. Now I own a shop and dad’s working under me.”
Her father cut hair for 35 years at several different locations in North Dakota. Mehus brought him out of retirement so he could help out as needed at Arrowhead Barber.
“We’re North Dakota people born and raised. Dad working with me makes for a good team. He’s working a couple of hours a day,” said Mehus.
Like many other businesses, Arrowhead Barber was closed down due the coronavirus pandemic. That meant a loss of income for Mehus. To make matters worse, her husband also found himself out of work when his company made cuts because of declining business due to the coronavirus.
“It’s been kind of a bumpy road. To have both of us down was definitely a big, big challenge. But we made it,” said Mehus. “One day at a time. That’s all we can do.”
With some precautions in place, Mehus reopened Arrowhead Barber May 4. Once again she is cutting hair and trimming beards. Clients that had gone for weeks without having their hair cut were more than eager to see her back behind the barber chair. It was more than OK for Mehus too.
“It feels good to be back at work, that’s for sure,” remarked Mehus. “I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s been crazy times. People have been coming in and the phone is ringing non-stop.”
Mehus said she knew the demand for haircuts was growing each and every day of the coronavirus shutdown. She even contemplated cutting hair out of her garage until she learned she’d likely get in trouble for doing so. Now she is cutting hair for many who have gone several more weeks than usual between visits to the barber.
“They are just so glad to get their hair cut, calling themselves werewolves,” laughed Mehus. “They are hairy, really overdue. Some ask me to take some extra off in case I get shut down again.”
Mehus said she gets home from work now sore and tired and hungry from the long hours standing and cutting hair, but likes the feeling.
“I don’t like not working,” said Mehus. “I’ve been doing something since I was 15 years old.”
A change of procedures is part of the reopening of Arrowhead Barber. Extra cleaning is done after each client receives a hair cut or trim.
“Lots of extra cleaning. My sinus cavities are starting to hurt but I will be cleaning like this all the time,” said Mehus. “I cleaned before but never to this measure. The coronavirus definitely opened my eyes to this.”
Inside Arrowhead Barber there are several chairs for customers to sit on, and magazines to read, while waiting their turn in the barber chair. This past week though, despite being busy from opening to closing, the chairs were seldom used and the magazines virtually untouched.
A sign near the door of the business lists guidelines for operation, including that only one client be in the shop at a time. Those waiting for a haircut are asked to wait outside the barber shop until called in by Mehus. Masks are encouraged, not required. And, reads the guideline list, allow extra time for cleaning between clients and practice social distancing.
Once in the barber chair though, Mehus enjoys the presence of her customers.
“For me it’s the people. I enjoy visiting with people,” said Mehus. “And they are happy to get a haircut.


washingtontimes--2020-05-16--Priests, nuns hope daily walk offers comfort amid pandemic

GRAND ISLAND , Neb .
( AP ) - Five days a week , the priests and nuns of St. Mary ’ s Cathedral lead a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Grand Island to bring healing and peace to people during a time of fear and illness .
Five people take part in the walk , which begins at 4:30 p.m. each weekday .
One of the priests carries a consecrated host , which Catholics believe is the body of Christ .
The host is exhibited in a vessel called a monstrance .
Another member of the group carries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week the church has carried out the Eucharistic procession in Grand Island .
“ There ’ s a long tradition in the Catholic church , during times of plague or famine or war , to process with the Blessed Sacrament through the community .
It ’ s a way to try to bring the presence of Jesus to heal whatever is ailing us , ” the Rev .
Jim Golka , pastor of St. Mary ’ s Cathedral told The Grand Island Independent .
Each weekday morning , the church announces on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procession will take , so parishioners in the area are ready .
They ’ ve covered most of the streets to the north and east of the church , where many parishioners live .
“ We believe one of the gifts that God gave us is the presence of the Blessed Sacrament , the presence of Jesus , ” Golka said .
Jesus “ is present to us many ways .
But this particular way blesses the Catholic faithful .
So at this time , when people can not come to church and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not receive the Lord in Communion , we just felt this desire to bring the Lord ’ s presence in the Blessed Sacrament to the people , “ he said .
Catholic churches often have Eucharistic processions on two Sundays during the year - the Feast of the Body of Christ , also known as Corpus Christi , and on Divine Mercy Sunday .
Whereas those are times of celebration , this is something different .
The Eucharistic procession is not necessary , “ but it ’ s something that we just kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Golka said .
Someone told him , “ Father , this is a great thing you ’ re doing.
” “ And I said , ‘ No , Jesus is the one who does it .
We just get to walk with him.
’ ” Jesus heals , blesses and cares for people , he said .
“ We just try to minister to that.
” The walkers have gone outside the church ’ s immediate area .
At least half the members of the parish are Hispanic people “ who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golka said .
“ We want to cover most of the boundaries of our parish , but when you ’ re blessing people , there ’ s no boundaries.
” The “ Walking with Jesus ” procession is livestreamed each day , averaging about 5,000 viewers .
The walk will continue “ as long as the Lord tells us to , ” Golka said .
The procession leaders ask parishioners not to walk with them .
Families are urged to stay in their own groups and away from other families.
” If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re welcome to come out in the front yard and kneel , ” he said .
If someone in the house is sick , “ that person often appears in the window , and we ’ re able to bless them from outside , ” Golka said .
“ People will see us from a block away , and you can see them drop to their knees , because they know the Lord is coming.
” “ Their faith humbles me , ” he said of the people who fall to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Jesus in front of them and they really want him to come into their life and help them .
When you see that kind of faith , it can ’ t help but humble me.
” At each stop , one of the priests offers a blessing .
The other priest asks families how they ’ re doing and if there ’ s anything for which they would like the priests to pray .
Once in a while , people will drive up to the processional .
When they do that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good social distance .
The priests bless them , they get back in their cars and drive away .
“ You see the faith of the people who are really hungry for the Lord , ” said Golka , who believes many members of the parish are fearful .
“ We have a large number of people from our parish who are sick .
I think on one day we had 14 people from our parish in the intensive care unit.
” During the procession , Golka is accompanied by the Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Rohweder ; and one of the two nuns currently serving the parish , Sister Jesusmerling and Sister Jesusmaikelyn .
Also along is the person carrying the camera .
Some non-Catholics have asked the priests for a blessing , which is “ great , because again , the blessing of God is bigger than any one parish and one faith , ” Golka said .
Have they received any objections ?
“ There have been a few people who have stopped to ask what we ’ re doing , and when we try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have appreciated it and some haven ’ t .
But I ’ m not too worried about that .
I think whenever Christ walks through the streets , he faces some opposition , so that ’ s OK. ” Six days a week , the two priests present a holy hour , beginning at about 9:30 a.m .
They then say two Masses - in English at 10 and in Spanish at 10:30 .
Those services are livestreamed from the rectory chapel .
The priests are also busy with funerals .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week for the last three weeks , ” Golka said .
Bringing Christ ’ s presence into the middle of them ” heals them and brings them peace , ” he said .
Most of the recent deaths have been related to COVID-19 .
“ I think more than half of the funerals that we ’ ve presided at have not shown up in the paper , ” Golka said .
For some reason , “ they don ’ t do an obituary .
So there ’ s more deaths than people know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them are older ?
“ My experience has been part of it is because they ’ re older and a large number of them work at JBS , ” he said .
“ So the people who are working at JBS tell me that they are afraid , but they need to go to work , if they are able.
” Some of the people who kneel along the procession route are members of a new Spanish-speaking chapter of Catholic Daughters of the Americas .
They hold up signs in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re also “ just asking for healing for the whole world , ” Golka said .
The procession may be viewed on multiple platforms of the parish , including : www.facebook.com/stmarysgi/ and the Catedral de Santa Maria Facebook page .
It may also be seen on YouTube at St. Mary ’ s Cathedral Grand Island Nebraska .

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - Five days a week, the priests and nuns of St. Mary’s Cathedral lead a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Grand Island to bring healing and peace to people during a time of fear and illness.
Five people take part in the walk, which begins at 4:30 p.m. each weekday. One of the priests carries a consecrated host, which Catholics believe is the body of Christ. The host is exhibited in a vessel called a monstrance. Another member of the group carries burning incense.
This is the third week the church has carried out the Eucharistic procession in Grand Island.
“There’s a long tradition in the Catholic church, during times of plague or famine or war, to process with the Blessed Sacrament through the community. It’s a way to try to bring the presence of Jesus to heal whatever is ailing us,” the Rev. Jim Golka, pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral told The Grand Island Independent.
Each weekday morning, the church announces on its two main Facebook pages what route the procession will take, so parishioners in the area are ready.
They’ve covered most of the streets to the north and east of the church, where many parishioners live.
“We believe one of the gifts that God gave us is the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the presence of Jesus,” Golka said.
Jesus “is present to us many ways. But this particular way blesses the Catholic faithful. So at this time, when people cannot come to church and cannot gather in public and cannot receive the Lord in Communion, we just felt this desire to bring the Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament to the people,“ he said.
Catholic churches often have Eucharistic processions on two Sundays during the year - the Feast of the Body of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi, and on Divine Mercy Sunday. Whereas those are times of celebration, this is something different.
The Eucharistic procession is not necessary, “but it’s something that we just kind of felt called to for our community,” Golka said.
Someone told him, “Father, this is a great thing you’re doing.”
“And I said, ‘No, Jesus is the one who does it. We just get to walk with him.’”
Jesus heals, blesses and cares for people, he said. “We just try to minister to that.”
The walkers have gone outside the church’s immediate area. At least half the members of the parish are Hispanic people “who really live all over town,” Golka said. “We want to cover most of the boundaries of our parish, but when you’re blessing people, there’s no boundaries.”
The “Walking with Jesus” procession is livestreamed each day, averaging about 5,000 viewers.
The walk will continue “as long as the Lord tells us to,” Golka said.
The procession leaders ask parishioners not to walk with them. Families are urged to stay in their own groups and away from other families.” If the procession comes by their house, “they’re welcome to come out in the front yard and kneel,” he said.
If someone in the house is sick, “that person often appears in the window, and we’re able to bless them from outside,” Golka said. “People will see us from a block away, and you can see them drop to their knees, because they know the Lord is coming.”
“Their faith humbles me,” he said of the people who fall to their knees. “They believe this is Jesus in front of them and they really want him to come into their life and help them. When you see that kind of faith, it can’t help but humble me.”
At each stop, one of the priests offers a blessing. The other priest asks families how they’re doing and if there’s anything for which they would like the priests to pray.
Once in a while, people will drive up to the processional. When they do that, the walkers ask them to maintain a good social distance. The priests bless them, they get back in their cars and drive away.
“You see the faith of the people who are really hungry for the Lord,” said Golka, who believes many members of the parish are fearful. “We have a large number of people from our parish who are sick. I think on one day we had 14 people from our parish in the intensive care unit.”
During the procession, Golka is accompanied by the Rev. Joseph Thambi, associate pastor; seminarian John Rohweder; and one of the two nuns currently serving the parish, Sister Jesusmerling and Sister Jesusmaikelyn. Also along is the person carrying the camera.
Some non-Catholics have asked the priests for a blessing, which is “great, because again, the blessing of God is bigger than any one parish and one faith,” Golka said.
Have they received any objections?
“There have been a few people who have stopped to ask what we’re doing, and when we try to explain it to them, some have appreciated it and some haven’t. But I’m not too worried about that. I think whenever Christ walks through the streets, he faces some opposition, so that’s OK.”
Six days a week, the two priests present a holy hour, beginning at about 9:30 a.m. They then say two Masses - in English at 10 and in Spanish at 10:30. Those services are livestreamed from the rectory chapel.
The priests are also busy with funerals. “We’ve averaged about three funerals a week for the last three weeks,” Golka said.
Bringing Christ’s presence into the middle of them ”heals them and brings them peace,” he said.
Most of the recent deaths have been related to COVID-19.
“I think more than half of the funerals that we’ve presided at have not shown up in the paper,” Golka said. For some reason, “they don’t do an obituary. So there’s more deaths than people know of.”
Are parishioners vulnerable because many of them are older?
“My experience has been part of it is because they’re older and a large number of them work at JBS,” he said. “So the people who are working at JBS tell me that they are afraid, but they need to go to work, if they are able.”
Some of the people who kneel along the procession route are members of a new Spanish-speaking chapter of Catholic Daughters of the Americas. They hold up signs in support of the priests and the parish. They’re also “just asking for healing for the whole world,” Golka said.
The procession may be viewed on multiple platforms of the parish, including: www.facebook.com/stmarysgi/ and the Catedral de Santa Maria Facebook page.
It may also be seen on YouTube at St. Mary’s Cathedral Grand Island Nebraska.


washingtontimes--2020-05-16--'Wishing tree' lets neighbors express hopes during pandemic

LINCOLN , Neb .
( AP ) - The big oak tree on 31st Street waves in the wind like a giant feather duster .
Its trunk is solid and bare of branches halfway to the sky .
It seemed like the perfect tree .
And so last week , Kerri and Nate Denell and their four kids wrapped rope around that wide oak ’ s trunk , twining it in circles like a string of Christmas lights .
They set Lysol and hand sanitizer at its base , along with a small box filled with ribbons and marking pens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light pole near the street : MAKE A WISH EVERYONE WELCOME And the wishes began to appear : The Denells have lived in the big , stone house on the corner of a wide , tree-lined street for three years , according to the Lincoln Journal Star .
Nate is a family practice doctor .
Kerri is a social worker on hiatus , running her own small business and raising a son , Erazim , 10 , and three daughters , Reese , 8 , and 5-year-old twins Sadie and Elizabeth , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apples on a breezy morning this week .
One of things that the pandemic has brought to their lives is more time for the already voracious readers in the house to read , their mom said earlier this week .
And most nights , family members gather in a small sitting room to take turns reading a book aloud to each other .
Last month , they read “ The Wishtree , ” by Katherine Applegate .
The chapters were short , illustrated with falling leaves and pencil drawings of raccoons and blackbirds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us were completely engrossed in it and got through it really quickly , ” Kerri says .
“ We loved it.
” The book told the story of Red , an ancient oak tree , known in its fictional neighborhood as “ the wishtree.
” The story covered lots of ground and the Denells talked about its message , taking care of trees and our planet , and caring for our neighbors and people new to our neighborhood - immigrants from far-off places and people with religions different than our own .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is Muslim and moves in across the street from a boy named Stephen - both of them down the block from Red .
“ The tree ’ s mission is to bring these two little people together to be friends , ” Kerri says .
“ It ’ s all about the spirit of community to bring people together , especially during challenging times.
” The book told the history of the wish ribbons that were placed on the tree each May 1 from the time it was a sapling .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funny and sweet story of nature and friendship , the Denells couldn ’ t let the book go .
They decided to name their big oak trees , too .
Jupiter for the tree near the intersection .
Mickey ( after the mouse ) for the tree to the south .
“ And we decided to make one a wishing tree , ” Kerri says .
She sent an email to friends : “ Our family recently read aloud a wonderful story of hope .
It sparked so much love in our hearts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … Come and tie a wish onto the tree .
We hope this will become a neighborhood tradition that will lift spirits , bring connection and inspire goodness.
” And those people came , leaving their wishes behind .
I wish for people to be their own version of brave .
I wish for a cure for COVID-19 .
I wish for Christian McCaffrey to win the MVP and the Panthers to win the Super Bowl .
Strangers and passersby left ribbons covered with wishes , too .
The walkers and the bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired people and the young people and the families .
I wish for health , happiness and hope .
I wish for sports to resume as soon as possible .
The Denells kept the rope and the ribbons up all day Friday and all day Saturday .
Ribbons started to cover the rope , fluttering like butterflies in the wind .
They wrote their own wishes .
Nate , the doctor , wished for a COVID-19 vaccine .
Kerri , the kind-hearted mom , wished for everyone to have hope .
Erazim wished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wished for “ everyone to love God.
” Sadie , who broke her leg last fall , had a far-reaching , three-word wish : “ All bones heal.
” Elizabeth was even more concise in her wish : “ Coronavirus ends.
” On the windy morning a reporter arrived , they gathered around the tree .
The street was busy with delivery trucks and walkers .
One dog walker shouted a greeting , but said his dog ’ s wish was probably not one they ’ d want on their tree .
Kerri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She hadn ’ t planned to read them , feeling protective of the wish-makers and their privacy .
But the reporter was curious , and then her husband was curious .
So they did .
I wish to have a Lamborghini .
I wish for peace within myself and all my world .
The wishes went on and on .
A dog .
A happy life .
A cure for lymphoma .
For mommy to never die .
To be a cowgirl .
To see a friend .
They read the deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misspelled wishes from small children .
They plan to keep the tradition alive each May Day .
But this year , with the hand sanitizer and the wide spaces between the wish-makers , it was a way to mark the moment , too .
To acknowledge that this is how we are living .
To bring some light and love into their corner of the world .
“ It ’ s less about the wish , ” Kerri said .
“ It ’ s more a symbolic place to find hope , especially @ @ @

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The big oak tree on 31st Street waves in the wind like a giant feather duster.
Its trunk is solid and bare of branches halfway to the sky.
It seemed like the perfect tree.
And so last week, Kerri and Nate Denell and their four kids wrapped rope around that wide oak’s trunk, twining it in circles like a string of Christmas lights.
They set Lysol and hand sanitizer at its base, along with a small box filled with ribbons and marking pens.
Kerri attached a sign to the light pole near the street: MAKE A WISH EVERYONE WELCOME
And the wishes began to appear:
I wish for a monster truck.
I hope for a good life.
I wish for a swimming pool.
Healing for those suffering.
My family stays safe.
The Denells have lived in the big, stone house on the corner of a wide, tree-lined street for three years, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
Nate is a family practice doctor. Kerri is a social worker on hiatus, running her own small business and raising a son, Erazim, 10, and three daughters, Reese, 8, and 5-year-old twins Sadie and Elizabeth, who circled the tree on scooters and munched apples on a breezy morning this week.
One of things that the pandemic has brought to their lives is more time for the already voracious readers in the house to read, their mom said earlier this week.
And most nights, family members gather in a small sitting room to take turns reading a book aloud to each other.
Last month, they read “The Wishtree,” by Katherine Applegate. The chapters were short, illustrated with falling leaves and pencil drawings of raccoons and blackbirds, opossums and owls.
“All of us were completely engrossed in it and got through it really quickly,” Kerri says. “We loved it.”
The book told the story of Red, an ancient oak tree, known in its fictional neighborhood as “the wishtree.”
The story covered lots of ground and the Denells talked about its message, taking care of trees and our planet, and caring for our neighbors and people new to our neighborhood - immigrants from far-off places and people with religions different than our own.
People like Samar, a little girl who is Muslim and moves in across the street from a boy named Stephen - both of them down the block from Red.
“The tree’s mission is to bring these two little people together to be friends,” Kerri says. “It’s all about the spirit of community to bring people together, especially during challenging times.”
The book told the history of the wish ribbons that were placed on the tree each May 1 from the time it was a sapling.
After they turned the last page of the funny and sweet story of nature and friendship, the Denells couldn’t let the book go.
They decided to name their big oak trees, too.
Jupiter for the tree near the intersection. Mickey (after the mouse) for the tree to the south.
“And we decided to make one a wishing tree,” Kerri says.
She sent an email to friends: “Our family recently read aloud a wonderful story of hope. It sparked so much love in our hearts we wanted to share it with you … Come and tie a wish onto the tree. We hope this will become a neighborhood tradition that will lift spirits, bring connection and inspire goodness.”
And those people came, leaving their wishes behind.
I wish for people to be their own version of brave.
I wish for a cure for COVID-19.
I wish for Christian McCaffrey to win the MVP and the Panthers to win the Super Bowl.
I wish I could make people healthy.
Strangers and passersby left ribbons covered with wishes, too. The walkers and the bike riders and the dog people. The retired people and the young people and the families.
God please stop coronavirus.
Coronavirus, go away.
I wish for health, happiness and hope.
I pray for a REPLACEMENTS reunion.
I wish for sports to resume as soon as possible.
The Denells kept the rope and the ribbons up all day Friday and all day Saturday.
Ribbons started to cover the rope, fluttering like butterflies in the wind.
They wrote their own wishes. Nate, the doctor, wished for a COVID-19 vaccine. Kerri, the kind-hearted mom, wished for everyone to have hope.
Erazim wished that “everyone has fun.” Reese wished for “everyone to love God.”
Sadie, who broke her leg last fall, had a far-reaching, three-word wish: “All bones heal.”
Elizabeth was even more concise in her wish: “Coronavirus ends.”
On the windy morning a reporter arrived, they gathered around the tree. The street was busy with delivery trucks and walkers.
One dog walker shouted a greeting, but said his dog’s wish was probably not one they’d want on their tree.
Kerri carried a typed list of the wishes. She hadn’t planned to read them, feeling protective of the wish-makers and their privacy.
But the reporter was curious, and then her husband was curious.
So they did.
I wish for happy, healthy kids.
I wish to have a Lamborghini.
I wish for peace within myself and all my world.
The wishes went on and on. A dog. A happy life. A cure for lymphoma. For mommy to never die. To be a cowgirl. To see a friend.
They read the deep wishes and the heartfelt wishes and the misspelled wishes from small children.
They plan to keep the tradition alive each May Day. But this year, with the hand sanitizer and the wide spaces between the wish-makers, it was a way to mark the moment, too. To acknowledge that this is how we are living.
To bring some light and love into their corner of the world.
“It’s less about the wish,” Kerri said. “It’s more a symbolic place to find hope, especially now …”


washingtontimes--2020-05-16--Dark stores: Janesville Mall weathers COVID-19 shutdown

JANESVILLE , Wis. ( AP ) - These days , when Janesville Mall General Manager Julie Cubbage walks the mall ’ s concourse , she ’ s alone with the echoes of her own footfalls against shining tile .
In the half-dark of the 650,000-square-foot mall that ’ s been almost completely shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic , Cubbage ’ s only daily companions are the faceless mannequins standing sentinel behind caged-off entries to the mall ’ s idled shops .
The mannequins ’ attire is early spring fashion left untouched since March 17 .
That ’ s the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Tony Evers ’ orders to protect public health in a pandemic that now has run weeks and will continue to run its course for untold weeks or months .
Cubbage said the coronavirus pandemic and the state ’ s corresponding business shutdowns and public gathering bans have the mall and other idled retailers facing perhaps their biggest-ever existential threat .
“ My biggest fear is we will have stores that simply won ’ t reopen later this year .
This pandemic has just been devastating to a lot of retailers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so to speak , with the shift to online shopping .
This pandemic is not helping with that , ” Cubbage told The Janesville Gazette .
Is anybody in there ?
Cubbage is among a skeleton staff who returns to the idled mall day after day .
She wears a cloth face mask and rubber gloves while walking the concourse .
Canned music plays from ceiling speakers to a crowd of no one .
“ It ’ s really kind of creepy to hear your own breathing echo off the walls and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Cubbage said .
The retail sector , which supports about 14,000 jobs in Rock County , has undergone a shakeup of layoffs and furloughs because of state-mandated temporary closures .
Some retailers are allowed to continue as “ essential ” businesses , absorbing an overflow in consumer demand .
Increased demand and logistical strain tied to the pandemic has spurred some retailers to begin aggressively hiring .
Some local hotspots right now include Blain ’ s Farm & Fleet and Walgreens and CVS pharmacies , according to recent online job listings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s stores don ’ t face hiring pressure or temporary shortfalls in inventory .
While some mall stores have a few staff taking inventory and servicing online sales , many of the mall ’ s stores have been idled more than 40 days .
One recent morning , Dick ’ s sporting goods , one of the mall ’ s anchor stores , had a lone customer standing on the sidewalk outside the store , apparently waiting for a curbside pickup .
It was the only outward evidence of any action at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-required layoff notices , athletic shoe chain Finish Line announced April 14 it was furloughing more than 130 employees at several of its Wisconsin stores - including all 11 employees that run the Finish Line store at the Janesville Mall .
The furloughs are tied to the pandemic and the state ’ s shutdown , and they ’ ll run however long the state requires shopping malls to remain closed , Finish line said in its notices .
Some analysts believe it could be well into summer before many states begin to significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cubbage said , she ’ s watched the mall industry struggle to disprove analysts who ’ ve declared brick-and-mortar retail a dead industry .
A pandemic now is bleeding money from mall retailers and malls themselves , more so every day as malls are forced into a void of mandated isolation .
“ It ’ s hard to get rent when retailers don ’ t have any sales .
They don ’ t want to pay their rent because they don ’ t have any sales , ” Cubbage said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mall is going through right now.
” The Janesville Mall has battled for years to redefine itself as a retail venue after it lost three major anchor stores since the end of the Great Recession .
The mall in the last four years has added a few large chain stores as anchors .
And more recently , it ’ s drawn a growing number of independent , mom-and-pop retailers ranging from fresh food shops to barber shops .
The most recent brightening in prospects for the 50-year-old mall came earlier this year when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mall ’ s ownership , RockStep Capital , on a deal to bring a multi-million-dollar indoor sports complex and the junior hockey franchise Janesville Jets to the site now occupied by the defunct Sears store .
But recently , a group of private backers for the sports complex asked the city to shelve planning on the project , likely until next year .
The backers say private fundraising for the $ 30 million project has flatlined during the COVID pandemic .
Cubbage said she couldn ’ t comment on the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the sports complex .
RockStep Capital officials did not respond to Gazette requests for comment on what a delay to the sports complex project could mean to the mall .
During a walk through the mall , Cubbage pointed out one new mall tenant , Five Star Barber Shop , which she said opened on the north end of the concourse just before the pandemic hit .
It ’ s one of the small , independent , local businesses Cubbage said the mall is trying to help get government small-business rescue loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the loan programs are tailored to businesses that are firmly established or have been in operation for at least a few years , she said .
Chain bookstore Books-A-Million was one of the few shops at the mall that showed any signs of life .
Store Manager Judy Robinson and another employee worked behind the bookstore ’ s pull-down security gate , packing unsold books to return to publishers for credit .
Robinson said she ’ s had limited interaction with merchants at neighboring stores because when they come in they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like her .
“ It almost feels as if you ’ re working before or after store hours , until you realize like six hours have gone by and there ’ s not another soul you ’ ve seen besides your coworker , ” Robinson said .
Books-A-Million ’ s storefront displays were still loaded with Easter-themed plush dolls .
Robinson assumes she ’ ll go straight from a spring motif to a “ summertime reading ” theme if her store reopens in time .
Cubbage said the mall , like all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the state that would spell out terms of an economic restart and how that might apply to indoor shopping malls .
She said the pace at which individual mall stores might reopen could depend largely on how the state handles businesses such as malls , which are designed to draw large-scale shopping crowds .
Cubbage believes some mall stores might operate with plastic barriers between customers and checkout clerks , among other social distancing measures , for months or even permanently .
“ We ’ ve thought for years we ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I wonder what we will see now , ” Cubbage said .
“ This is a very different time , and I don ’ t think some things are ever going to go back to being how they were ever again .
”

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) - These days, when Janesville Mall General Manager Julie Cubbage walks the mall’s concourse, she’s alone with the echoes of her own footfalls against shining tile.
In the half-dark of the 650,000-square-foot mall that’s been almost completely shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic, Cubbage’s only daily companions are the faceless mannequins standing sentinel behind caged-off entries to the mall’s idled shops.
The mannequins’ attire is early spring fashion left untouched since March 17. That’s the day the mall shuttered to the public under Gov. Tony Evers’ orders to protect public health in a pandemic that now has run weeks and will continue to run its course for untold weeks or months.
(On May 11, Evers allowed nearly all nonessential businesses to reopen as long as they serve no more than five customers at a time, partially lifting the restriction that has kept them closed for weeks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.)
Cubbage said the coronavirus pandemic and the state’s corresponding business shutdowns and public gathering bans have the mall and other idled retailers facing perhaps their biggest-ever existential threat.
“My biggest fear is we will have stores that simply won’t reopen later this year. This pandemic has just been devastating to a lot of retailers. We were already in a retail apocalypse, so to speak, with the shift to online shopping. This pandemic is not helping with that,” Cubbage told The Janesville Gazette.
Is anybody in there?
Cubbage is among a skeleton staff who returns to the idled mall day after day. She wears a cloth face mask and rubber gloves while walking the concourse. Canned music plays from ceiling speakers to a crowd of no one.
“It’s really kind of creepy to hear your own breathing echo off the walls and to see no people, just mannequins,” Cubbage said.
The retail sector, which supports about 14,000 jobs in Rock County, has undergone a shakeup of layoffs and furloughs because of state-mandated temporary closures. Some retailers are allowed to continue as “essential” businesses, absorbing an overflow in consumer demand.
Increased demand and logistical strain tied to the pandemic has spurred some retailers to begin aggressively hiring. Some local hotspots right now include Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Walgreens and CVS pharmacies, according to recent online job listings.
Right now, the mall’s stores don’t face hiring pressure or temporary shortfalls in inventory.
While some mall stores have a few staff taking inventory and servicing online sales, many of the mall’s stores have been idled more than 40 days.
One recent morning, Dick’s sporting goods, one of the mall’s anchor stores, had a lone customer standing on the sidewalk outside the store, apparently waiting for a curbside pickup. It was the only outward evidence of any action at the mall.
According to a set of state-required layoff notices, athletic shoe chain Finish Line announced April 14 it was furloughing more than 130 employees at several of its Wisconsin stores - including all 11 employees that run the Finish Line store at the Janesville Mall.
The furloughs are tied to the pandemic and the state’s shutdown, and they’ll run however long the state requires shopping malls to remain closed, Finish line said in its notices.
Some analysts believe it could be well into summer before many states begin to significantly remove business restrictions.
Ups and downs
For years, Cubbage said, she’s watched the mall industry struggle to disprove analysts who’ve declared brick-and-mortar retail a dead industry. A pandemic now is bleeding money from mall retailers and malls themselves, more so every day as malls are forced into a void of mandated isolation.
“It’s hard to get rent when retailers don’t have any sales. They don’t want to pay their rent because they don’t have any sales,” Cubbage said. “It’s a vicious cycle that every mall is going through right now.”
The Janesville Mall has battled for years to redefine itself as a retail venue after it lost three major anchor stores since the end of the Great Recession. The mall in the last four years has added a few large chain stores as anchors. And more recently, it’s drawn a growing number of independent, mom-and-pop retailers ranging from fresh food shops to barber shops.
The most recent brightening in prospects for the 50-year-old mall came earlier this year when the city announced it was negotiating with the mall’s ownership, RockStep Capital, on a deal to bring a multi-million-dollar indoor sports complex and the junior hockey franchise Janesville Jets to the site now occupied by the defunct Sears store.
But recently, a group of private backers for the sports complex asked the city to shelve planning on the project, likely until next year. The backers say private fundraising for the $30 million project has flatlined during the COVID pandemic.
Cubbage said she couldn’t comment on the impact of COVID-19 on the mall’s bid for the sports complex. RockStep Capital officials did not respond to Gazette requests for comment on what a delay to the sports complex project could mean to the mall.
Working through it
During a walk through the mall, Cubbage pointed out one new mall tenant, Five Star Barber Shop, which she said opened on the north end of the concourse just before the pandemic hit.
It’s one of the small, independent, local businesses Cubbage said the mall is trying to help get government small-business rescue loans to bridge the COVID-19 shutdown. But many of the loan programs are tailored to businesses that are firmly established or have been in operation for at least a few years, she said.
Chain bookstore Books-A-Million was one of the few shops at the mall that showed any signs of life. Store Manager Judy Robinson and another employee worked behind the bookstore’s pull-down security gate, packing unsold books to return to publishers for credit.
Robinson said she’s had limited interaction with merchants at neighboring stores because when they come in they are cordoned off inside their stores, just like her.
“It almost feels as if you’re working before or after store hours, until you realize like six hours have gone by and there’s not another soul you’ve seen besides your coworker,” Robinson said.
“It’s very eerie.”
Books-A-Million’s storefront displays were still loaded with Easter-themed plush dolls. Robinson assumes she’ll go straight from a spring motif to a “summertime reading” theme if her store reopens in time.
Cubbage said the mall, like all others in Wisconsin, awaits a decision by the state that would spell out terms of an economic restart and how that might apply to indoor shopping malls. She said the pace at which individual mall stores might reopen could depend largely on how the state handles businesses such as malls, which are designed to draw large-scale shopping crowds.
Cubbage believes some mall stores might operate with plastic barriers between customers and checkout clerks, among other social distancing measures, for months or even permanently.
“We’ve thought for years we’d entered a new era of retail, but I wonder what we will see now,” Cubbage said. “This is a very different time, and I don’t think some things are ever going to go back to being how they were ever again.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-16--Town offers fixer-uppers to reduce blight, bring in taxes

ROCK FALLS , Ill. ( AP ) - The city seems to have found a way repair some of its blighted neighborhoods .
The city is establishing a Homestead Program that will help turn vacant or rundown properties into livable homes , and turn those who want to put in the time and effort to improve those properties into homeowners .
“ The city over the last 2 years has really had more than their fair share of abandoned properties , and some of them we ’ ve been advertising and taking bids on , ” City Administrator Robbin Blackert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expensive and onerous , sometimes costing more in attorney fees and advertising than the city will make from the sale .
In reviewing the state ’ s Urban Redevelopment Act , Blackert found the Homestead Program , and thought it would be a good fit for Rock Falls .
Under the program , the city will list available properties on its website and spell out the process for obtaining them .
The city isn ’ t looking to charge for the homes , but will do inspections as work is being done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be done and by when .
The homesteader will be required to live there for 3 years once the place in habitable .
“ This would allow us to be able to offer these homes to people at little or no money , ” Blackert said .
“ We might be able to provide homes for someone who , say , haven ’ t been out of high school for very long or they are very interested in the building trades and they ’ re handy .
This would let them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the city and the neighborhood will benefit : The program will give a home to a person who will fix it up and put it back on the tax rolls and and make neighbors happy because they won ’ t have to deal with the vagrants , animals or trash that abandoned properties can attract , she said .
Officials hope to have the program up and running sometime this summer , although the COVID-19 pandemic has everything on hold .

ROCK FALLS, Ill. (AP) - The city seems to have found a way repair some of its blighted neighborhoods.
The city is establishing a Homestead Program that will help turn vacant or rundown properties into livable homes, and turn those who want to put in the time and effort to improve those properties into homeowners.
“The city over the last 2 years has really had more than their fair share of abandoned properties, and some of them we’ve been advertising and taking bids on,” City Administrator Robbin Blackert said.
That process, though, is expensive and onerous, sometimes costing more in attorney fees and advertising than the city will make from the sale.
In reviewing the state’s Urban Redevelopment Act, Blackert found the Homestead Program, and thought it would be a good fit for Rock Falls.
Under the program, the city will list available properties on its website and spell out the process for obtaining them.
The city isn’t looking to charge for the homes, but will do inspections as work is being done, to let the homesteader know what needs to be done and by when. The homesteader will be required to live there for 3 years once the place in habitable.
“This would allow us to be able to offer these homes to people at little or no money,” Blackert said. “We might be able to provide homes for someone who, say, haven’t been out of high school for very long or they are very interested in the building trades and they’re handy. This would let them fix up the house.”
The homeowner, the city and the neighborhood will benefit: The program will give a home to a person who will fix it up and put it back on the tax rolls and and make neighbors happy because they won’t have to deal with the vagrants, animals or trash that abandoned properties can attract, she said.
Officials hope to have the program up and running sometime this summer, although the COVID-19 pandemic has everything on hold.
___
Source: Sauk Valley Media, https://bit.ly/3d12cB8


washingtontimes--2020-05-16--Five years later, Delmont still living with scars of tornado

YANKTON , S.D .
( AP ) - On that May morning in 2015 , the Sunday school classes had gathered in the Zion Lutheran Church basement shortly after worship services .
Moments later , a loud noise pierced the air - sirens warning of a tornado descending upon the town .
The Sunday school teachers and children took cover as the F-2 twister roared through the Douglas County community of Delmont with wind speeds of at least 130 miles per hour .
The Sunday school members drew on their faith as they huddled and prayed .
Their prayers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they found their way out of the rubble .
They emerged to find the century-old brick church had lost its roof , stained glass windows and pipe organ .
The Rev .
Brian Lemcke said his congregation and the rest of Delmont was spared in an important way .
“ God blessed us with no injuries to anyone present ( in the church basement ) , ” he told the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan .
“ Although both the parsonage and church buildings were virtually destroyed , along with many homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blessed with no deaths and only minor injuries in Delmont.
” The tornado hit for just a few seconds , but its aftermath has remained for years .
Last Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of the May 10 , 2015 twister - with the date falling on a Sunday and Mother ’ s Day both then and now .
Lemcke has been pastor of the church since 2018 and has seen the tornado ’ s impact on his congregation .
“ The lives of many people were changed that day , but God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new and more useful facility , ” he said , noting some items were used from the former church building .
The tornado ’ s anniversary brings intense memories not also only for residents but for first responders , volunteers and others who worked with cleanup and getting the town back on its feet .
Douglas County Emergency Manager Pat Harrington said the storm started between Wagner and Dante in Charles Mix County .
The twister moved north-northeast into Douglas County before stopping four miles north of Delmont .
“ Normally , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ A straight-line wind is one thing , but an actual tornado is fairly uncommon in the morning.
” The tornado traveled 17.3 miles and was 400 yards wide .
The twister destroyed several farms , many miles of barbed wire fence and a considerable amount of debris - some papers were found in Letcher , 60 miles to the north .
“ For what that town ( Delmont ) went through , it was a miracle that no one was killed or that there weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An estimated 20 buildings were damaged in Delmont , including the town ’ s fire hall .
Nine people were treated for injuries , with seven released from the hospital shortly afterward .
The 911 dispatch in Lake Andes put out a call for all available assistance , with firefighters and ambulance crews arriving from within a 60-mile radius , Harrington said .
At the time , he reported assistance from 14 fire departments and six EMS units accounting for 140 firefighters and more than 35 EMTs .
The first responders conducted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residences and marked houses with an “ X ” to show the structure had been checked and no one was there .
“ We didn ’ t know what we were going to find as far as ( injuries ) or even deaths , ” Harrington said .
After the injured residents were transported for treatment , the first responders met at the baseball field to develop a plan .
The town had lost its electricity , water and phone service .
In addition , officials cited the danger of leaking propane tanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with residents not allowed back into town until responders could guarantee their safety .
Then-Gov .
Dennis Daugaard declared a state of emergency during his visit that afternoon .
He met with then-Mayor Mae Gunnare , Fire Chief Elmer Goehring and Harrington for a briefing .
The governor remained for a town hall meeting that evening .
Besides coordinating the first responders , Delmont officials faced hundreds - perhaps thousands - of non-residents descending on the community .
“ Keeping everything organized and maintaining crowd control was a big deal .
We had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We had people who came to see their mom and dad or other relatives , to see if everything was OK. , ” Harrington said .
“ But we also had certain people who just wanted to come to Delmont and see it , to see what was going on .
We literally had people from Sioux Falls driving around and trying to get into Delmont ( to see damage ) .
” Authorities also sought to keep away looters .
The South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Douglas County sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only Delmont residents allowed inside the town ’ s limits .
The Tripp-Delmont school in Tripp was set up as an emergency shelter for displaced Delmont residents , Harrington said .
However , to his knowledge , only one person used the shelter because everyone else stayed with family and friends .
Fire protection remained a concern , not only because of no water supply but also because the new fire hall - which had yet to be dedicated - was destroyed and collapsed on the firetrucks and equipment inside .
Goehring made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire protection for about a week .
In addition , fire departments , along with the South Dakota Department of Forestry , loaned or gifted trucks and equipment for Delmont ’ s usage .
In addition , the authorities sought a way of controlling the traffic and crowds which came to Delmont each day .
Yankton County Emergency Manager provided and set up the Rapid Tag method of identification badges used to register and classify individuals as resident , volunteer , media or other role .
“ You had to wear those badges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Harrington said .
“ Anyone who didn ’ t have one of those badges was quickly escorted out of town.
” In the days following the tornado , Delmont received a visit from Sen. John Thune and then-Rep. Kristi Noem of the South Dakota congressional delegation .
The third member , Sen. Mike Rounds , couldn ’ t attend personally but sent a staff member .
Daugaard returned in another capacity - as a private citizen picking up debris , without media coverage or other fanfare , Gunnare said at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local , state and federal officials on receiving assistance , Harrington said .
An emergency operations center was set up , and the National Guard and Red Cross played a major role , he added .
In addition , Delmont received state assistance in removing more than four tons of debris , which could have cost the city $ 330,000 and beyond the residents ’ ability to pay , Gunnare said at the time .
The city also received donations of trees , machinery and 1,200 pounds of grass seed , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site , which just wasn ’ t feasible , ” Harrington said .
“ We had to work out something with the county to use some of their ground a couple of miles away.
” In a manner of paying it forward , Gunnare received advice from the Wessington Springs mayor and finance officer about their town ’ s recovery following its June 2014 tornado .
After the Delmont tornado , Gunnare was invited to an international disaster conference in Minneapolis for a session on small communities ’ response to disasters .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year ’ s Eve Day parade and celebration , the firemen ’ s sausage supper , the kuchen festival and the Twin Rivers Old Iron Association ’ s harvest festival .
Also , residents Elizabeth “ Sam ” Grosz and Barb Hoffman launched an effort to hang red wooden cardinals to brighten the town and symbolize new birth and hope .
In addition , Delmont city maintenance man Leo Holzbauer purchased the “ Onion House , ” whose trademark domes had sustained damage , in order to keep the building in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harrington fought back emotions upon recalling memories and seeing photos from the damage and recovery process .
“ In all honestly , I look at weather a whole lot differently after this storm .
Things can happen that you don ’ t expect , ” he said .
“ Sometimes , it seems longer than five years ( since the tornado ) , and then sometimes it seems like it ’ s been just a couple of weeks .
By far , it ’ s the largest event that I ’ ve worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t there every day , but we were still dealing with it more than a year later .
Recovery is a long process.
” Goehring , who was named the 2018 South Dakota Firefighter of the Year , said the tornado will continue to impact Delmont .
“ We didn ’ t ask for this ( tornado ) , and we didn ’ t have choices .
We just rolled with it , ” he said during a post-tornado interview .
“ This will stay with us for the rest of our @ @

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) - On that May morning in 2015, the Sunday school classes had gathered in the Zion Lutheran Church basement shortly after worship services.
Moments later, a loud noise pierced the air - sirens warning of a tornado descending upon the town. The Sunday school teachers and children took cover as the F-2 twister roared through the Douglas County community of Delmont with wind speeds of at least 130 miles per hour.
The Sunday school members drew on their faith as they huddled and prayed.
And then, silence.
Their prayers were answered: The tornado passed, and they found their way out of the rubble. They emerged to find the century-old brick church had lost its roof, stained glass windows and pipe organ.
The Rev. Brian Lemcke said his congregation and the rest of Delmont was spared in an important way.
“God blessed us with no injuries to anyone present (in the church basement),” he told the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. “Although both the parsonage and church buildings were virtually destroyed, along with many homes and other structures in town, we were blessed with no deaths and only minor injuries in Delmont.”
The tornado hit for just a few seconds, but its aftermath has remained for years. Last Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of the May 10, 2015 twister - with the date falling on a Sunday and Mother’s Day both then and now.
Lemcke has been pastor of the church since 2018 and has seen the tornado’s impact on his congregation.
“The lives of many people were changed that day, but God has brought us back together into a new and more useful facility,” he said, noting some items were used from the former church building.
TO THE RESCUE
The tornado’s anniversary brings intense memories not also only for residents but for first responders, volunteers and others who worked with cleanup and getting the town back on its feet.
Douglas County Emergency Manager Pat Harrington said the storm started between Wagner and Dante in Charles Mix County. The twister moved north-northeast into Douglas County before stopping four miles north of Delmont.
“Normally, you don’t have a tornado mid-morning,” he said. “A straight-line wind is one thing, but an actual tornado is fairly uncommon in the morning.”
The tornado traveled 17.3 miles and was 400 yards wide. The twister destroyed several farms, many miles of barbed wire fence and a considerable amount of debris - some papers were found in Letcher, 60 miles to the north.
“For what that town (Delmont) went through, it was a miracle that no one was killed or that there weren’t more injuries,” Harrington said.
An estimated 20 buildings were damaged in Delmont, including the town’s fire hall. Nine people were treated for injuries, with seven released from the hospital shortly afterward.
The 911 dispatch in Lake Andes put out a call for all available assistance, with firefighters and ambulance crews arriving from within a 60-mile radius, Harrington said. At the time, he reported assistance from 14 fire departments and six EMS units accounting for 140 firefighters and more than 35 EMTs.
The first responders conducted a door-to-door search of the town’s residences and marked houses with an “X” to show the structure had been checked and no one was there.
“We didn’t know what we were going to find as far as (injuries) or even deaths,” Harrington said.
After the injured residents were transported for treatment, the first responders met at the baseball field to develop a plan. The town had lost its electricity, water and phone service. In addition, officials cited the danger of leaking propane tanks.
Delmont was evacuated that afternoon, with residents not allowed back into town until responders could guarantee their safety.
Then-Gov. Dennis Daugaard declared a state of emergency during his visit that afternoon. He met with then-Mayor Mae Gunnare, Fire Chief Elmer Goehring and Harrington for a briefing. The governor remained for a town hall meeting that evening.
Besides coordinating the first responders, Delmont officials faced hundreds - perhaps thousands - of non-residents descending on the community.
“Keeping everything organized and maintaining crowd control was a big deal. We had people coming to help with cleanup. We had people who came to see their mom and dad or other relatives, to see if everything was OK.,” Harrington said.
“But we also had certain people who just wanted to come to Delmont and see it, to see what was going on. We literally had people from Sioux Falls driving around and trying to get into Delmont (to see damage).”
Authorities also sought to keep away looters. The South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Douglas County sheriff’s office locked down the town, with only Delmont residents allowed inside the town’s limits.
The Tripp-Delmont school in Tripp was set up as an emergency shelter for displaced Delmont residents, Harrington said. However, to his knowledge, only one person used the shelter because everyone else stayed with family and friends.
Fire protection remained a concern, not only because of no water supply but also because the new fire hall - which had yet to be dedicated - was destroyed and collapsed on the firetrucks and equipment inside.
Goehring made arrangements with other departments to provide round-the-clock fire protection for about a week. In addition, fire departments, along with the South Dakota Department of Forestry, loaned or gifted trucks and equipment for Delmont’s usage.
In addition, the authorities sought a way of controlling the traffic and crowds which came to Delmont each day. Yankton County Emergency Manager provided and set up the Rapid Tag method of identification badges used to register and classify individuals as resident, volunteer, media or other role.
“You had to wear those badges, and it created an accountability piece,” Harrington said. “Anyone who didn’t have one of those badges was quickly escorted out of town.”
In the days following the tornado, Delmont received a visit from Sen. John Thune and then-Rep. Kristi Noem of the South Dakota congressional delegation. The third member, Sen. Mike Rounds, couldn’t attend personally but sent a staff member.
Daugaard returned in another capacity - as a private citizen picking up debris, without media coverage or other fanfare, Gunnare said at the time.
Gunnare and others worked with local, state and federal officials on receiving assistance, Harrington said. An emergency operations center was set up, and the National Guard and Red Cross played a major role, he added.
In addition, Delmont received state assistance in removing more than four tons of debris, which could have cost the city $330,000 and beyond the residents’ ability to pay, Gunnare said at the time. The city also received donations of trees, machinery and 1,200 pounds of grass seed, she said.
“Delmont had this little rubble site, which just wasn’t feasible,” Harrington said. “We had to work out something with the county to use some of their ground a couple of miles away.”
In a manner of paying it forward, Gunnare received advice from the Wessington Springs mayor and finance officer about their town’s recovery following its June 2014 tornado. After the Delmont tornado, Gunnare was invited to an international disaster conference in Minneapolis for a session on small communities’ response to disasters.
MOVING FORWARD
After the tornado, Delmont residents revived the New Year’s Eve Day parade and celebration, the firemen’s sausage supper, the kuchen festival and the Twin Rivers Old Iron Association’s harvest festival. Also, residents Elizabeth “Sam” Grosz and Barb Hoffman launched an effort to hang red wooden cardinals to brighten the town and symbolize new birth and hope.
In addition, Delmont city maintenance man Leo Holzbauer purchased the “Onion House,” whose trademark domes had sustained damage, in order to keep the building in the community.
During a recent interview, Harrington fought back emotions upon recalling memories and seeing photos from the damage and recovery process.
“In all honestly, I look at weather a whole lot differently after this storm. Things can happen that you don’t expect,” he said. “Sometimes, it seems longer than five years (since the tornado), and then sometimes it seems like it’s been just a couple of weeks. By far, it’s the largest event that I’ve worked with as emergency manager. I wasn’t there every day, but we were still dealing with it more than a year later. Recovery is a long process.”
Goehring, who was named the 2018 South Dakota Firefighter of the Year, said the tornado will continue to impact Delmont.
“We didn’t ask for this (tornado), and we didn’t have choices. We just rolled with it,” he said during a post-tornado interview. “This will stay with us for the rest of our lives.