(Radio Iowa) — The University of Iowa has canceled study abroad programs in four countries because of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. Iowa State University has canceled spring break programs to Africa, Asia and Europe. I-S-U international risk analyst Shaun Jamieson says the school has canceled the spring programs because of U-S travel restrictions.

“I know that that can be a really disappointing decision for some of our students that were planning on going on these spring break programs,” he says, “but, you know, it’s a difficult decision for us as well, but we make it with the well being of our students in mind.” I-S-U suspended programs in China in late January. Just last week, the university suspended its programs in Italy and South Korea.

About 140 Iowa State students were studying in those countries. About 160 UNIVERSITY OF IOWA students are affected by the school’s decision to cancel study abroad programs in China, South Korea, Japan and Italy. Russ Ganim is the associate dean of international programs. He says some students have found alternative programs in other countries, others have already returned home or will be arriving soon — but very few will actually be coming back to Iowa City.

“Many of those students live either in Des Moines or are from out of state or Cedar Rapids,” he says, “so while we don’t have exact numbers on how many would be coming back to Iowa City, preliminary indications are that we don’t have that many.” Another 160 University of Iowa students are outside the country — but are NOT in countries where Covid-19 cases are spreading.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katie Peikes)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three applicants to fill an Iowa Supreme Court vacancy have close political ties to Gov. Kim Reynolds who, thanks to Republican changes to the judicial nominating process last year, now has a heavier influence over the panel that chooses finalists. Among the 15 applicants to be interviewed Friday by the State Judicial Nominating Commission is Sam Langholz, the governor’s senior legal counsel. If he’s a finalist Reynolds could decide whether her own lawyer becomes the next justice. Democratic Sen. Rob Hogg says it’s a test to see if the commission has turned partisan or continues Iowa’s merit-based selection of judges.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Felons would be required to repay restitution to victims before they could get their voting right restored under a bill passed by the Iowa Senate. Earlier Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds for the first time indicated support for the measure. Iowa is the only state that automatically takes felon voting rights away. Felons must apply to the governor who requires that they have at least a payment plan for court ordered financial obligations. Senate Republicans insisted on complete restitution repayment before they would consider a constitutional amendment automatically restoring voting rights upon the completion of a felony sentence.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police say an arrest has been made in the stabbing death of a Cedar Rapids man. Police say in a news release that 36-year-old Jacqueline Marie Holmes was arrested Wednesday morning at the home where a 35-year-old man was found with a stab wound to his upper torso. The man was later pronounced dead at a hospital. His name has not yet been released. Police say an investigation showed that Holmes had stabbed the victim, with whom she was in a relationship. Holmes has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. She also had an arrest warrant for revocation of probation on other charges of child endangerment, operating while intoxicated and other counts.

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a prisoner serving a life sentence for murder died Wednesday morning at a southeast Iowa hospital. Everett Lyon was pronounced dead due to natural causes at 3:58 a.m. at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. He’d been sent there for a suspected heart attack. The Iowa Corrections Department says Lyon was 71. Lyon was convicted of first-degree murder in Marshall County. Prison records say Lyon had been serving his time at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. His incarceration began on April 10, 1979.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Director Doug Reed, Wednesday afternoon, said an open burning ban was placed into effect for Pottawattamie County, effective at 3-p.m.  The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in
Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county. The ban will remain in place until environmental conditions improve.

The current dry conditions throughout the region have prompted the National Weather Service to issue Red Flag Warnings. The conditions have also spurred an increase in fire responses throughout the county due to controlled fires quickly becoming uncontrollable. Under the current dry conditions, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly.

Reed said “Pottawattamie County has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate incidents like that from occurring.” Reed said also, during these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set-asides or other items during the ban.

Small recreational camp fires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fire place of brick,
metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.
Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or
disobeying a burn ban.

For updated information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on the Pott. County social media and web pages.

The Atlantic City Council breezed through their agenda, Wednesday night. One of the items they covered included action on setting April 1st at 5:30-p.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing on the bids received with regard to an addition to the Atlantic Animal Shelter.

Snyder and Associates Engineers Dave Sturm and Austin Sonntag discussed the plans and specifications for the addition to the shelter’s east side, which is expected to cost $151,000. Sonntag said the 26-by 30-foot steel addition will match the existing building, but the height will be taller than the existing structure.

Snyder & Assoc. Engineers Dave Sturm (left), & Austin Sonntag.

The inside will feature space for cats and kittens that are brought to the shelter or strays that are picked up, and the appropriate cages. It will also house an office, restroom, and adoption room and wash room. Bids for the project will be let Thursday, March 5th, with the deadline for submission as March 31st.

The Lorene Eppelsheimer Estate gifted $135,000 for the project, but additional funds have come in to cover the balance, pending the receipt of bids. In other business, Mayor Dave Jones said he’s spoken with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, and it was decided Fireworks for the 4th of July Holiday will be held Friday July 3rd, so families can spend the weekend taking in activities together.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three applicants to fill an Iowa Supreme Court vacancy have close political ties to Gov. Kim Reynolds who, thanks to Republican changes to the judicial nominating process last year, now has a heavier influence over the panel that chooses finalists. Among the 15 applicants to be interviewed Friday by the State Judicial Nominating Commission is Sam Langholz, the governor’s senior legal counsel.

If he’s a finalist Reynolds could decide whether her own lawyer becomes the next justice. Democratic Sen. Rob Hogg says it’s a test to see if the commission has turned partisan or continues Iowa’s merit-based selection of judges.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police say an arrest has been made in the stabbing death of a Cedar Rapids man. Police say in a news release that 36-year-old Jacqueline Marie Holmes was arrested Wednesday morning at the home where a 35-year-old man was found with a stab wound to his upper torso. The man was later pronounced dead at a hospital. His name has not yet been released.

Police say an investigation showed that Holmes had stabbed the victim, with whom she was in a relationship. Holmes has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. She also had an arrest warrant for revocation of probation on other charges of child endangerment, operating while intoxicated and other counts.

A Republican has thrown his hat into the ring in a Cass County Primary race. Bernard Pettinger will run against Democrat Russell Joyce for the District 5 seat on the Cass County Board of Supervisors.

Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns said Wednesday afternoon, that Pettinger had filed his nomination papers for the June 2nd Primary Election.

The Walnut City Council will hold a Public Hearing 5-p.m. Thursday, on the FY 2020-21 Budget. Following the hearing and related discussion, the Council will act on a Resolution to Adopt the Budget as presented. Other (continued) discussion will be held, with regard to the Walnut Community and Fitness Center, including the possible purchase of a scissor lift, and the consideration of reduced rates for Class Reunions.

The Walnut City Council will also discuss and act on matters pertaining to a Housing Rehabilitation Grant through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Other discussion concerns: Summer Mowing (Opening of bids and possible approval of a Service Agreement & Mowing Contract); and the Walnut Antique Show (including permission to park one trailer on Wed. during the show, and permission to use City Streets for the 2021 show).

And, the Council will hear from Shelly Thompson, with regard to a possible Brick Street Market.

Firefighters from Wiota, Anita and Cumberland were called to the scene of a grass fire just before Noon, today (Wednesday). The incident began as a controlled burn that got out of control, near 720th and Memphis Road. It was called-in at around 11:48-a.m.

All photos by Cass County Emergency Mgmt. Coordinator Mike Kennon.

The National Weather Service has warned about very dry and breezy conditions setting the stage for a grassland fire danger. Be extremely cautious if you are planning a controlled burn, and notify your local fire department.

After more than a decade of displaying an extensive collection of tractors, trucks, farm machinery and more, the owners of the Farmall Land USA Museum, near Avoca, are retiring. Jerry and Joyce Mez own and operate the museum. They plan to close the doors near the end of the harvest season, in late September. The museum, which started out as an Avoca implement dealership that was purchase by Jerry’s father Max, in 1943, has more than 225 pieces in the collection, including various ag-related toys and advertising.

Picture via KNOD

The museum will open for the season on April 4th. Its last day of operation is September 27th. Farmall Land USA…located on Highway 59, north of Avoca near Interstate 80… is open Tuesday-Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5.