Officials with the AHSTW School District report the absenteeism due to COVID-19, as well as the expiration of a significant number of quarantines, “Will return absentee percentages in the Primary and Intermediate to a rate that allows” the District to return to full-time face-to-face instruction for grades PK-8, on Monday, Oct. 5th.

It was noted however, that “Due to a continued increase in positive cases, grades 9-12 will return via [the] hybrid model for the week of Monday, October 5th – Friday, October 9th, rather than full-time face-to-face as the other students.” School officials said affected families will receive separate communication from High School Principal Michael Embrock, to let them know whether their students are assigned to attend on “A” days or “B” days as well as more detailed schedule information.

According to the District Administrative Team, “All previously communicated quarantine dates remain in effect, so please note that your child may still have a different return date that what [was] described,” and that “They will continue to attend remotely until their quarantine expires and as long as they are healthy enough to do so.”

For more information, see the letter posted on social media:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds is allowing bars in Iowa’s two largest college towns to reopen next week after a five-week closure helped stop coronavirus outbreaks among young adults. Reynolds signed an order allowing bars to reopen Monday in Johnson and Story counties as long as they follow social-distancing rules.

Breweries, wineries and distilleries are allowed to reopen almost immediately, on Friday at 5 p.m. The venues are often packed with University of Iowa and Iowa State University students. The order says all customers must consume their food and drinks while seated at a bar, booth or table, and must be at least 6 feet apart.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An aide says U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley isn’t believed to have been exposed to anyone testing positive for the coronavirus and is continuing to take normal precautions. Grassley, an Iowa Republican, serves as Senate president pro tempore and is third in the line of succession, following Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Grassley’s largely ceremonial role has taken on new significance since President Donald Trump announced that he and the first lady have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Asked about whether Grassley was taking any new precautions, Grassley aide Michael Zona said Friday the senator was continuing to follow guidance from the Senate doctor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials.

(Radio Iowa) – Vice President Mike Pence, who was on Iowa yesterday (Thursday), has announced he and his wife have tested NEGATIVE for the coronavirus. Pence discussed his work leading the White House Coronavirus Task Force during appearances in Carter Lake and Des Moines. “With American innovation, our dedicated researchers we believe are just literally weeks away from the first coronavirus vaccine for the American people and we’ll have tens of millions of doses available the moment it’s approved,” Pence said.

Pence spoke to about 270 people in Carter Lake and 600 people in Des Moines yesterday (Thursday), mentioning two treatments the F-D-A has approved for Covid patients.”We’ve demonstrated as a nation that we can slow the spread,” Pence said. “We’re going to continue to protect the vulnerable, continue to save lives and we’re opening up America again.”

According to the vice president’s office, the last time Pence and Trump were in close proximity was Tuesday, at the White House.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Health has announced changes in visitor COVID-19 restrictions at long-term care facilities. The changes allow for indoor visits at nursing homes in parts of the state with relatively low positivity rates of coronavirus. The information from the Health Department says the change also allows increased access to important quality of life services such as barbers and beauticians.

And it further expands the definition of ‘compassionate care visits’ so they do not exclusively refer to end-of-life situations. These can include visits to help someone transition into a home or for someone who lost a close friend and is grieving. Nursing home residents have accounted for a little more than half of all COVID-19 deaths in the state.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she is being kept up to date on President Donald Trump and others in the White House who have tested positive for COVID-19. “We want to continue to pray for the president and his wonderful First Lady, Melania. Great individuals — we pray for their welfare and of course for any staff members as well,” Ernst says.

The Republican says she has heard the president has minor symptoms and is in isolation. Ernst says the president has indicated he will continue working through this. “And again, let’s pray for them, please. This is a difficult time in our nation’s history and they could use a little support right now,” Ernst says.

Ernst made her comments after touring a Sioux City Health Clinic. She also plans to meet with Sioux City police officers. Iowa Democrat Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer released a statement on the announcement by PresidentTrump:

“As we have seen firsthand in Iowa and around the country, this virus knows no ethnic, gender, or geographic boundaries and has now reached the President of the United States. I’m praying for the President and First Lady to make a fast and full recovery from COVID-19. I hope this difficult news serves as a call to action for everyone to protect themselves and our communities against the spread of his virus. Be safe and wear a mask.”

Sheriff’s officials in Page County report a traffic stop early Wednesday morning led to a pursuit and foot chase. At around 2-a.m., Deputies arrested 47-year old Gary Lynn Runyon, Jr. , of Coin, for driving while license is barred. Runyon was arrested in Coin. Authorities say during the arrest, Runyon attempted to flee from the arresting Page County Deputy. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit and transported to Clarinda Regional Health Center, by Coin EMS.

Once released from CRHC and able to be held in jail, Runyon was transported to the Page County Jail on $2000.00 bond. Runyon was released on bond, pending further court proceedings.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court is being urged by Democrats and a Latino civil rights group to block a new Republican-backed law that could leave thousands of requesters without absentee ballots. Majority Forward, a group aligned with Senate Democrats, and the League of Latino United Citizens have asked the high court to put the new law on hold immediately.

They’re appealing a ruling released Monday in Johnson County, where Judge Lars Anderson declined to block the new law. Anderson found the law would likely survive judicial review, claiming that requests for absentee ballots do not implicate the fundamental right to vote.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police in Cedar Rapids continue to investigate the death of a woman whose body was found along an interstate highway. KCRG-TV reports that authorities on Thursday identified the victim as 61-year-old Neva Jean Rhyne, of Indianapolis. Also Thursday, her 2005 Buick LeSabre was located. But what happened to her remains a mystery. Rhyne’s body was found along Interstate 380 Monday. Anyone with information is urged to contact Cedar Rapids police.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports the Cass County courthouse will be open for early voting beginning on Monday, October 5th through Monday, November 2nd for all Cass County precincts. The Election room is the County Auditor’s Office which is located on the first floor.  Regular courthouse hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Sunderman says since ballots requested by mail will also be mailed on October 5th, mailed ballots will not have been received by the day that in-person voting begins.  Since the voter’s record will reflect that a ballot has been requested and mailed, voters who have requested ballots by mail are strongly encouraged to wait for their ballots to arrive rather than attempting to vote in person.

Once the voters have received and completed their ballots, the ballots may be mailed; or the ballots may be hand delivered to the Cass County Auditor’s office by the voter or by any person they select.  Ballots are to be delivered to the office of the Cass County Auditor.  Cass County does not have a ‘drop box’ for ballots or election materials.

With social distancing recommended and with full trust in the United States Postal System, Auditor Sunderman encourages all Cass County voters to take advantage of the right to vote early by mail for the 2020 General Election on November 3, 2020.  Several organizations have mailed official applications for an absentee ballot to Iowa voters and nearly 2,000 Cass County voters have already filed an application.  Only one of those application forms needs to be sent to the County Auditor; all additional forms may be discarded or recycled.

The last day to file an absentee ballot request form with the County Auditor and for him to mail you the ballot is October 24th.  Auditor recommends requests be filed as soon as possible. If a voter still needs a request form, absentee ballot request forms are available on the website of the Iowa Secretary of State (https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html); or you may contact the Cass County Auditor and have a form mailed or emailed to you.  Phone: 712-243-4570 or Email: auditor@casscoia.us.

VOTING IN VOTER’S VEHICLE:

In accordance with Chapter 49.53 of the Iowa Code, any voter who is physically unable to enter the polling place, including the Cass County Auditor’s office, has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle.

REGISTRATION / IDENTIFICATION:

All voters are required to be registered in Cass County in order to vote in Cass County.  All voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a ballot.  Voters may register and vote on the same day.  Persons registering and voting on the same day after October 24 will also be required to provide proof of residence.