(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds says state officials are providing new guidelines so nursing homes may reopen to visitors. In early March, long term care facilities were closed to visitors, to reduce the risk that residents would contract COVID-19.  “This time of separation has been extremely difficult for residents of long term care facilities and their loved ones,” Reynolds says. “I’ve heard stories of spouses that have been married for over 60 years who have rarely spent a day apart until these last three months, of sons and daughters who worry they’re missing precious time with an elderly parent.”

The governor says there are also concerns about how social isolation is impacting the mental health of nursing home residents. Dr. Caitlin Pedati, the state medical director, says facilities will get advice from the state on how to handle easing some of the COVID-related restrictions. “Visitation of family as well as of health care personnel, trips outside of a facility, dining practices and group activities,” she says.

Dr. Pedati says facilites will be advised to consider virus activity in the vicinity before making changes.

(Photo by Ric Hanson/KJAN)

Four area fire departments were called to assist Adair Fire, after a semi struck a gas pump, sparking a fire at the Kum & Go, at around 2:45-a.m. today (Friday), in Adair. No injuries were reported. Fire officials report the semi hit the diesel/gas pump, causing electrical wires to spark and ignite. Kum and Go employees were able to act quickly and perform the emergency shutdown, which authorities says helped tremendously.

Photo from the Adair & Guthrie County EMA Facebook page

Within a few minutes, Adair Fire was on scene and was able to get a quick knockdown on the flames, and preventing the fire to reach any nearby buildings. Due to water tower maintenance, water pressure was low, so several area departments were called-in to bring in their tanker trucks and other equipment. Among the agencies assisting at the scene, was the Anita, Casey, Greenfield and Stuart Fire Departments, Adair County Ambulance, the Adair County Sheriff’s Department, Adair Police, and Richter and Son Towing. (Images below are from the Adair Fire & Rescue Facebook page)

Red Oak Police report two arrests. At around 12:25-a.m. today (Friday), 48-year old Kevin Lee Ward, of Des Moines, was arrested in Red Oak, following a traffic stop for speeding. Ward was arrested for Driving While Suspended (with 8 withdrawals in effect). He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a little more than $566 bond. And, a little after 4-p.m. Thursday, 42-year old Brian Keith Shaver, of Red Oak, was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. Shaver was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

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

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police officers fired several tear gas canisters and flash grenades late Wednesday to disperse protesters in Iowa City who were advancing toward Interstate 80. Hundreds of protesters were met by a line of Iowa State Patrol and Iowa City police officers on Dubuque Street blocking their path to the busy highway. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that a speaker identifying himself as a patrol officer ordered the crowd to disperse and warned that the failure to do so would result in the deployment of chemical munitions. The newspaper says that officers fired tear gas canisters when the crowd continued marching north. In the following minutes, the crowd backed up, attempted to rally and again march forward, but eventually were forced back.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill Thursday that will allow convicted felons to get their voting rights back only after they have paid full restitution to victims. The bill becomes effective if the legislature passes a proposed constitutional amendment automatically restoring voting rights for convicted felons. Reynolds, who has pushed for restoration of felon voting rights, initially opposed Republican lawmakers’ efforts to pass the restitution requirement. However, she changed her position once GOP senators said they would not pass the constitutional amendment unless she agreed to the repayment requirement. It’s unclear if the bill will withstand a court challenge since a similar measure in Florida was struck down as unconstitutional.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrats and black leaders are calling for urgent action by state lawmakers to end racial injustice and have proposed several bills during the shortened legislative session. One bill would make it illegal for police in Iowa to use a choke hold or neck restraint unless a person poses an imminent threat. Another would make it illegal for Iowa police departments to hire officers who were fired or resigned while being investigated for serious misconduct or excessive force. Republican leaders in the House and Senate said they’d consider the ideas.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo police charged two people after an attack on a reporter during a late-night protest. Police Thursday charged 29-year-old Irwin Leon Wade III, of Waterloo, with disorderly conduct and rioting, and set his bond at $11,000. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports a 16-year-old also was arrested on similar charges. They were arrested in connection with an attack during a march in Waterloo just before midnight Tuesday. Wade allegedly demanded that Courier reporter Jeff Reinitz leave and then tried to hit him when he refused. Wade then is charged with punching another demonstrator who tried to help the reporter. Reinitz was also allegedly struck by the 16-year-old.

Firefighters from Anita were called to mutual aid with Adair Fire, early this morning, after a semi struck fuel pumps at the Kum and Go, in Adair. There were reports of possible explosions, and the fire spreading toward the convenience store building. Anita Fire was dispatched to the scene at around 2:44-a.m. Some smoke was still visible at around 3:30-a.m.  There was no word on any injuries, and additional details are currently not available.

Ric Hanson photos

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Argus Leader) — A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit against the city of Sioux Falls over the drowning of a 5-year-old girl from Audubon, who fell into Big Sioux River at Falls Park two years ago. Attorneys representing the city asked the court last year to dismiss the lawsuit. The suit was brought by Courtney Jayne, the mother of Maggie Zaiger.

Zaiger fell into the river from river bank rocks on March 18, 2018, during a family trip to the park. Jayne alleges the city is responsible because of a lack of signs and safety fencing in the park. The Argus Leader reports the judge’s ruling will let a jury decide if safety precautions in place at Falls Park at the time of Zaiger’s death were enough.

(Click here to read the Judges’ decision: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6937239-16513299320.html)