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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., March 4, 2020

News

March 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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

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.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Public Health issued a travel notice telling Iowans returning from any country with COVID-19 cases to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return. The countries meeting that description include China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea.. Dr. Caitlin Pedati, an epidemiologist serving as Iowa’s public health medical director, says Tuesday those who become ill should call their doctor’s office and inform them of their recent travel. There are no confirmed cases of the virus in Iowa but experts expect infections are likely. Gov. Kim Reynolds says the state is now doing its own COVID-19 testing at a state laboratory in Iowa City.

LEON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 35-year-old Davis City man has been arrested in the vandalism of a southern Iowa cemetery some six months ago. The Des Moines Register reports that Travis Duane Toney has been charged with third-degree criminal mischief for the veterans memorial and headstones vandalized in August in Leon Cemetery. Police say Toney was linked to the Leon Cemetery vandalism after his DNA was found at the cemetery a week after the incident and that Leon later confessed. Five headstones, benches and a gazebo recognizing veterans were damaged. Leon is about 70 miles south of Des Moines.

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) — Two central Iowa schools were locked down Tuesday after someone reported spotting a suspicious person near one of them. Superintendent Janet Stutz of the Grinnell district says the district office was notified around 8:40 a.m. that the person was seen outside the high school, not far from a K-2 elementary school. Both schools locked the doors, and students and teachers were told to remain in their classrooms. Stutz says it took until around 9:30 a.m. before the person was found somewhere other than inside the school. It’s unclear where. A written statement from Grinnell Police Chief Dennis Reilly confirmed Stutz’s description of events.