The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies arrested 37-year-old Jarod Brown, of Corning, on April 28th, following an ongoing investigation. Brown was charged with Lascivious Acts with a Child, and Drug Distribution to persons under the age of 18. His cash-only bond was set $25,000.

Last Sunday, Adams County Deputies were contacted about a vehicle that had been broken into, which resulted in the theft of two handguns. On Monday, it was reported that a handgun and rifle were stolen from another vehicle in a different location. Upon further investigation, a 16-year-old male was charged with four Class-D Felony counts of Trafficking stolen weapons, two counts of Burglary from a vehicle in the 3rd Degree, and Theft in the 5th Degree. The juvenile was released to the custody of their parent. A 17-year old male faces the same charges associated with the incidents. That juvenile was transported to the Eldora Juvenile Detention Center.

And, at around 10:30-p.m. Sunday, a traffic stop on Highway 34 in Adams County, resulted in the arrest of 22-year-old Damion Cappello, of Winterset, for OWI/2nd offense, Driving While Barred, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense. A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year old Callysta Lage-Guttormson, of West Des Moines, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. Both subjects were transported to the Adams County Jail.

(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 in Iowa. This variant is also referred to as the India variant because it was first detected there. We are still learning about the characteristics of this strain.

B.1.617 is not designated as a “variant of concern,” indicating that there is not currently evidence of increased transmissibility or more severe disease caused by this variant. However, we share this information as a matter of public interest given the virus impact and newly issued travel restrictions to India. The P.1 and B.1.1.7 variant strains which were previously confirmed by IDPH are considered “variants of concern.”

The cases were detected in and adult and an older adult in Jefferson County. IDPH and local public health have initiated contact with the individuals to understand exposures and initiate the public health monitoring process. The process includes notifying anyone with whom the individuals have been in close contact. As always, affected individuals are advised to isolate in accordance with IDPH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.

The case was identified by the State Hygienic Lab (SHL). SHL is doing sequencing to understand what strains are circulating here in Iowa and contribute to the understanding of COVID-19 activity in the United States. Routine analysis of genetic sequence data assisted in identifying the new variant strain in Iowa.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent this, or any other currently circulating strain of the virus from spreading through the population. Since the vaccine is now open to all Iowans over the age of 16, we have the opportunity to use this tool to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities,” said Dr. Caitlin Pedati, IDPH State Medical Director and Epidemiologist.

The CDC is tracking COVID-19 variants here.

Iowans who have not been vaccinated should visit https://vaccinate.iowa.gov/ to find a provider and schedule an appointment.

The emergence of new variants underscores that it remains critical for Iowans to continue the mitigation efforts that we know work to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Practice social distancing with those outside your household
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
• Stay home if you feel sick
• Get tested if you are exposed to, or have symptoms of COVID-19
• If you have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, review CDC guidelines here

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous arrests from the past week. At around 1:10-a.m. today (Tuesday), 27-year-old Alex Michael Clausen, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Failure to Maintain Control of a motor vehicle, following an accident near the Crescent, at Rosewood and I-29. His bond was set at $1,000. Monday night, 44-year-old Brandy Danielle Kermoade, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Treynor, on a warrant for Violation of Parole. Monday afternoon, 39-year-old Justin Allen Messmore, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Council Bluffs, on a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. On Monday afternoon also, 51-year-old Les WAyne Berkenbosch, Jr., of Council Bluffs, a Pott. County Jail inmate, was served with a warrant for OWI/1st offense, and returned to his cell.

Sunday evening, 55-year-old Todd Michael Walker was arrested in Hancock, after authorities received a report a juvenile female had been left at the Casey’s General Store, by her step-father. Walker was charged with Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. Sunday afternoon, 40-year-old Anthony Lee Nielsen was arrested following a traffic stop. He was taken into custody for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked and transported to the jail without incident.

At around 3:40-a.m. Saturday, 38-year-old Victor Harold Wright was arrested following a traffic stop on a vehicle that used the emergency median to make a U-turn on I-680, near Crescent. Wright was charged with Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.  At around 12:30-a.m., Saturday, 37-year-old Ross Rolland Koley was arrested following a traffic stop on I-29 in Council Bluffs. He was charged with OWI/1st offense.

Late Friday evening, 33-year-old Amanda Jo Larsen was arrested in Council Bluffs, for Theft in the 3rd Degree (property/loss valued at $750-$1,500). And, Thursday evening, 28-year-old Marsaides Angela Kay Byus was arrested in Macedonia, after authorities received a call about a trespasser. Byus was charged with Burglary in the 3rd (non-vehicle), Disorderly Conduct (loud noise), and Interference with official acts. Late Thursday morning, two 17-year-old females were cited for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, after authorities received a call about the odor of marijuana at the Underwood High School. The teens were released from custody after receiving their citations.

(Radio Iowa) – The southwest Iowa town of Hamburg is taking an important step in the continuing recovery from the 2019 Missouri River flooding. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 A-M Wednesday, for a major levee rehabilitation project. Hamburg Mayor Cathy Crain says the reinforced levee will be raised eight feet which will help the community in three primary ways.  “The first is building that three-mile levee, and building it that tall, which means that it’s going to be over a hundred feet wide,” Crain says. “In addition to that, the DOT is going to be raising the two roads that go through the levee to the very same height as the levee.”

Aerial photo of Hamburg – Ditch 6 shows scope of damage from the flooding. Photo taken Mar. 17, 2019. – US Army Corps of Engineers photo

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials and the city signed a project agreement in February to allow raising the levee, significantly increasing the flood risk management benefits the levee provides the city. The expansion is the first project in the nation to utilize the authority to raise the height of a federal levee system. Floodwaters over-topped and severely damaged the levee two years ago, leading to significant flooding in Hamburg. In addition, Crain says the Iowa Department of Transportation is building another levee southwest of Interstate 29 to prevent water from swamping the interstate, as it did two years ago.

(Updated) – Yet another case of a motorist traveling in excess of 100-mph has been reported in Iowa. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ryan Devault told KJAN news a Trooper tweeted an image of a radar clocking a motorist on Interstate 29 in Fremont County, traveling at 107 mph.

It was the first triple digit speeder of the week, according to Devault. So what was the motorist’s excuse?

ISP radar pic via Trooper Ryan Devault (Twitter)

Trooper Devault says incidents of persons traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour began occurring in 2020, when COVID kept more people off the roads.

Now that the number of cases of COVID are declining and people are feeling more confident about hitting the road, Devault says less people are speeding, but those authorities to see, are blatantly in violation of the law.

Over the past year, motorists have been clocked speeding as high as the low 140’s in some cases. Trooper Devault reminds motorists there are stiff penalties that go along excessive speeds, and the fine is only one part of the price you’ll pay.

Insurance rates also go up dramatically. Devault says while you’re on the road, keep a close eye for motorcyclists. As the weather gets warmer, the two-wheel and three-wheel machines will be on the pavement, and they can be hard to see. He advises you turn your head to make sure they aren’t beside you when you switch lanes, and keep on eye on your rearview mirror, to see if they are approaching.

The Iowa Department of Public health Tuesday, reported 389 new COVID-19 positive tests, but there were no additional deaths.  The health department reports 395,738 total positive tests, and 5,959 total deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Iowa reports 2.39-million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered and 1.1-million total vaccine series completed. The state’s 14-day positivity rate is 4.0%. The seven-day rate is 4.2%. Both are unchanged from Monday.

Hospitalizations across the state jumped from181 on Monday to 195 on Tuesday. Iowa reports also: there are 48 patients in ICU (3 more than on Monday); 34 people with symptoms of COVID were admitted (an increase of four), and, 23 patients are on ventilators (3 more than last reported). In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western/southwest Iowa), the numbers are lower than on Monday. There are 13 COVID patients hospitalized; six remain in an ICU; there no new admissions of people with symptoms of the virus, and one person remains on a ventilator.

One of Iowa’s long-term care facilities is reporting a COVID-19 outbreak. The Urbandale Care Center is back on the IDPH radar, with 19 additional positive cases and 17 recoveries. The state reports 2,320 care facility deaths since the pandemic began, that’s unchanged from Monday.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

Cass, 1,458 cases; {+3}; 54 deaths
Adair, 979; {+0}; 32
Adams, 349 {+0}; 4
Audubon, 519 {+3}; 9
Guthrie, 1,285 {+1}; 29
Harrison County, 1,923; {+0}; 73
Madison County, 1,736; {+10; 19
Mills County, 1,781; {+2}; 21
Montgomery, 1,102;{+2}; 37
Pottawattamie County, 12,110; {+23}; 165
Shelby County, 1,362 {+2}; 37
Union County, 1,355; {+0}; 32