Three additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in residents of Montgomery County, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to twenty-one (21). Health officials says the three cases contracted the virus via community spread and close contact with a previously reported positive case. One case is an adult (18-40) and two cases are middle-age adults (41-60) and isolating at home.

Sixteen people with the virus have recovered in Montgomery County, two have died, and 1,004 people have been tested altogether.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A police chief says investigators continue to chase leads in the disappearance of a 10-year-old Davenport girl and are still hoping to find her alive. Authorities looking for Breasia Terrell have called off an organized search in Clinton County, which began last week and included hundreds of volunteers. Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski says that investigators have determined their time would be better spent now following up on other leads they have developed.

He says that everyone on the team wants to “find her alive” and that is their intent. Terrell disappeared on July 10 while spending the night at an apartment with her half-brother and his father.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports eight arrests took place from July 12th through the 17th.  Two people were arrested on separate assault charges: 50-year old Kimberly Lynn Lankford, of Greenfield, was arrested July 12th by Greenfield Police. She was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury, following an incident where by she allegedly assaulted her boyfriend, causing several lacerations and other visible marks. Lankford was released from custody the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond; On July 17th, 31-year old Tyler Alexander Estrada, of Stuart, was arrested by Adair County Deputies, for Domestic Abuse Assault causing injury to his girlfriend. Alcohol was believed to have been a contributing factor in the incident. Estrada was released later that same day on a $1,000 cash/surety bond.

There were also three arrests for OWI in Adair County: on July 12th, 37-year old Austin David Peters, of Dickinson, ND, was arrested by Stuart Police, for OWI/1st offense. Peters was released that same day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond; on July 13th, 26-year old Alexy Maritza Lopez, of Allentown, PA, was arrested for OWI/1st offense by the Iowa State Patrol, after the SUV she was driving was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 80 eastbound, near the 94 miler marker. Lopez was also cited for Failure to Maintain Control. A passenger in her vehicle, 23-year old Birdell B. Brockington, also of Allentown, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, after he admitted commercially packaged marijuana found just outside the rolled-over SUV, was his. Brockington and Lopez were released the next day on a Recognizance Bond; And, on July 15th, 45-year old Clint Adam Burk, of Atlantic, was arrested by Adair Police for OWI/1st offense, and Open Container by a driver. He was released later that day on his own recognizance.

Also arrested July 15th, was 24-year old Jesse Andrew Queener, of Stuart. He was taken into custody by Stuart Police, for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order following a dispute over child visitation and/or custody. Queener was released the next day on a $500 cash or surety bond. And, on July 16th, 22-year old Brennan Meyer Weiland, of Greenfield, was arrested by Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies, on a Felony warrant for a Controlled Substance Violation. Weiland was held on a $5,000 cash-only bond for the warrant out of  Wayne County, and released later that same day.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will continue discussion on the District’s Return-to-Learn plan, Wednesday evening during a Work Session in the High School Media Center. The meeting begins at 6-p.m.  At their last meeting on July 8th, the Board agreed with a recommendation from Superintendent Steve Barber, that the District begin on-site learning August 24th, with the understanding that the continuous learning plan be flexible on an as-needed basis, in light of the changing circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Board has not committed to requiring masks for students and/or teacher, but Barber said at the last meeting, moving forward, COVID-19 Health and Safety, as well as Family Dynamics involving student learning need to be taken into consideration, along with whether or not to require masks to worn by students. In other business, the Atlantic School Board Wednesday, will review and discuss updated Board policies, and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

They’ll also discuss upcoming dates, including: 2020-21 Student Registration on Aug. 3rd; the regular board meeting 6-p.m. August 12th; The Board retreat set for August 18th, at the pending date for a new staff “Meet and Greet.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa egg producers who euthanized hens as a result of plummeting demand caused by the coronavirus will be eligible for payments to cover the cost of disposal.The Iowa Disposal Assistance Program has been paying pork producers $40 for each market-ready hog they have been forced to euthanize as a result of supply chain disruptions.

Thousands of hogs were killed as processing plants slowed production in April and May due to coronavirus outbreaks. On Monday (today), the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said the program would be expanded to benefit egg producers who have been forced to reduce the size of their flocks.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum has announced that 19-year old Tate Pilger, of Council Bluffs was sentenced July 15th in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve seven-years in prison for possession of child pornography. Pilger was also ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution and $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund. He will serve ten years of supervised release at the conclusion of his prison term.

The charges against Pilger were the result of an investigation initiated by Facebook who submitted information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a user of their service uploaded suspected images of child pornography via Facebook Messenger. The cyber tip was forwarded to the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and local law enforcement who executed two search warrants at Council Bluffs homes linked to Pilger. Law enforcement located a computer, cell phones, and flash drives which were taken as evidence and analyzed. The forensic analysis revealed Pilger possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging have announced that a limited number of Farmers Market vouchers are available for older Iowans in the Connections AAA service area. Remaining vouchers are available on a first call first serve basis.

Seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers to be used at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. This year since Connections’ senior centers and offices are currently closed to the public, they will be asking individuals to call in and request an application. Requested applications will be mailed out in an addressed postage paid return envelope. Once completed application is received by Connections AAA, vouchers will be mailed out to applicant. Please note applications not completed will not receive vouchers until all information is provided. Please call Connections’ office at 1-800-432-9209 to obtain your application.

Program Criteria:

•  Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than $23,606 Single; $31,894 Married
• Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed. Married couples can jointly apply on one application.

Outline of Process:

•  Applications available by phone 1-800-432-9209.
• Applications will be mailed with a postage paid return envelope.
• Applications must be complete before vouchers will be mailed out.
• Applications are on a first come first serve basis.

Walk-ins will not be accepted at Connections-run senior centers or office locations.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. Sunday afternoon, 20-year old Humberto Felipe Mancinas, of Sidney, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $1,000. Saturday afternoon, 37-year old Dustin Lee Harriman, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for two counts of Failure to Appear. Bond was set at $10,000. And, Friday evening, 62-year old Jim Dean Davis, of Neola, was arrested for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — School districts that plan to reopen classrooms in the fall are wrestling with whether to require teachers and students to wear face mask. The issue has divided urban and rural schools and yielded widely varying guidance. The divide has also taken on political dimensions. In Iowa, Democratic-leaning cities like Des Moines and Iowa City have required masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Smaller, more conservative communities have left the decision to parents. Many states are calling for teachers to wear masks. Some will require masks for students. Many other states are leaving the decision to local officials.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County have arrested 35-year old Michael Lee Dunlap, of Clarinda. Dunlap was taken into custody this (Monday) morning, on a Page County Warrant for Probation Violation. He was arrested in the 2100 block of Highway 2, about seven miles west of Clarinda. Dunlap was transported to the Page County Jail where he is being held on $300 bond pending further court proceedings.