Officials with the City of Atlantic, Monday, report for the safety of the public, the City is closing the use of City playgrounds, as the surfaces on playground equipment can sustain the COVID-19 virus for an extended period of time, and crews cannot sanitize the surfaces effectively. Green space in the parks will remain open to the public. Shelter reservations will also not be taken at this time to limit group gatherings.

Here is the full statement from Atlantic Parks & Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen:

“Things can change relatively quickly and the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department is taking necessary steps to insure the safety of the public looking to use the parks.  The spread of the virus relies heavily on the availability of new hosts to infect, and is completely at the mercy of finding a new host, because it cannot self-replicate. (Harvard Medical School, Coronavirus Resource Centre, Harvard Health Publishing)  The parks will remain open but the Parks and Recreation Department DOES NOT encourage children to play on the playground equipment.  Think “Park not Playground”.

The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) can remain infectious for hours up to 9 days depending on the material (National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine) and the playground equipment cannot be properly sterilized.  Along with the playgrounds all the restrooms will remain closed to limit the locations where the virus can remain infections and shelter reservations will not be accepted to limit the sizes of groups using the parks.

There is an abundance of green space which can still be utilized while following the regulations set forth by Governor Reynolds and the CDC regarding no more than 10 in a group, social distancing, frequent handwashing, coughing into your sleeve, staying home when you don’t feel well, and everything else.  The Parks and Recreation Department is looking to insure the safety and well-being of all individuals looking to get out and enjoy the parks during this time.

We understand and hope you enjoy the green space which is available, but we strongly encourage you to follow these recommendations and stay off the playgrounds. The City is continuing to evaluate all our operations in order to ensure the safety of the public and our employees. I shall update you if further changes occur.”

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests and one incident of snack theft.  A woman from Creston reports on March 4th, that sometime between the 4th and March 6th, someone got in to her storage unit in Creston. The thief got away with 15 cases of Little Debbie snacks, valued at $300.

Authorities said also, 23-year old Wesley Richard Oliphant, of Creston, was arrested March 10th at the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office. Oliphant was arrested on a Union County warrant for driving while barred. He was later released on $2,000 bond. Also arrested March 10th, was 21-year old Tommie Lynne O’Neall, of Creston. She was taken into custody at the Union County Sheriff’s Office on a Union County Warrant for Theft in the 4th degree. O’Neall was released from jail after serving the balance of her time.

The Atlantic Fire Department and Medivac Ambulance were called a little after 12-p.m. today, to Hubbard Feeds at 60260 Marne Road, where a fire was reported in the basement of the mill. All personnel were out of the building at last report. The fire appeared to be out by around 12:20-p.m. Additional details are currently not available.

Photo’s by Chris Parks

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous recent arrests. AT around 11:45-p.m. Sunday, 25-year old Donald Wayne Doebelin was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following an investigation into a property damage accident. At around 7:30-p.m. Sunday, 31-year old Kyle William Tearney, of Minden, was arrested following a reported disturbance in Minden. Tearney was arrested for felony Child Endangerment w/substantial Risk, and Domestic Abuse Assault w/bodily injury – 2nd offense.

At around 10:55-a.m. Sunday, a 17-year old male was arrested for Assault Causing Serious Injury (without Intent). A 17-year old male also was arrested at around 1:40-a.m. Sunday, following a traffic stop that escalated into a pursuit. The teen was charged with Eluding while exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more, and Reckless Driving. Friday night, 34-year old Trafonia Massenberg was arrested for Driving While License suspended or revoked, and OWI/1st offense, following an accident on I-80 at mile marker 38.

Friday afternoon, 33-year old David William Wicker, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on valid Pottawattamie County warrants and numerous other charges, stemming from a vehicle pursuit. His charges include: Assault (with a dangerous weapon) on Persons in Certain Occupations; Eluding (Plus participating in a felony or resulting in serious injury); Reckless Driving; Theft in the 5th Degree, and on a hold for another law enforcement agency. His bond was set at $5,300.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office said also, 40-year old Karre Christine Odell, of Council Bluffs, was transported from the Cass County Jail in Atlantic, to the Pott. County Jail, to address warrants in Pott. County for Violation of Probation.

The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office is still temporarily closed to the public. Any candidates still needing to file their paperwork before the Primary Election deadline (March 25 at 5:00 p.m.) MUST CALL 712-623-5127 to set up an appointment to do so. The office is still available to answer all calls and emails.

Candidates Filed as of March 23 for the June 2 Primary Election:

• Auditor: Stephanie Burke – Republican, Incumbent
• Sheriff: Jon Spunaugle – Republican
• Supervisor District #3: Bryant Amos – Republican, Incumbent; Randy Cooper – Republican
• Supervisor District #5: Donna Robinson – Republican, Incumbent

Officials with the City of Atlantic, Monday (today), said effective Tuesday, March 24th, the Main (shared) lobby for City Offices and the Police Department (at City Hall), will be closed until further notice. If you need to speak with a Police Officer, please call 243-3512 for assistance. To speak with City Office personnel, please call 243-4810. Leave all payments, permits and all other paperwork in the drop box.

The City appreciates your understanding.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 15 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 105 positive cases. There have been a total of 2,043 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 15 individuals include:

Allamakee County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
Dubuque County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Hancock County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
Johnson County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
Linn County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)
Muscatine County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)
Polk County, 1 adult (18-40 years),  1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)
Wapello County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Woodbury County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)

A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431. The state of Iowa has started sharing the number of negative tests conducted at other labs, and will soon provide additional information regarding hospitalization and recovery.

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. The press conference will be streamed and posted in full on Governor Reynolds’ Facebook Page.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are cutting the number of inmates in Iowa’s prisons and jails, citing concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus. Officials told The Des Moines Register COVID-19 has yet to be confirmed in any Iowa prison or jail. But an ACLU spokeswoman says it poses a particular menace to the overcrowded facilities, where there’s no ability to maintain social distance.

A spokesman says the Iowa Corrections Department is expediting the placement of about 700 prisoners who are approved for parole or work release. A judge has reduced terms for some jail inmates in Scott County.

Atlantic resident Sally Richter has formed a group on Facebook entitled “Entertain the Town Cass County,” designed to allow 10 people or less to gather and try and have fun, while at the same time making lives better, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of the upcoming events include:

• Tuesday, March 24 – Make a Poster: Pick a positive funny saying or picture to put on it! Must be large! The group will take them to the care centers and place in their yard.
• Saturday, March 28 -Window Walk/Drive Scavenger Hunt.
• Wednesday, April 1st – Book Buddies.

For more information on these and future events, go to the Entertain the Town Cass Co Facebook page.

(Radio Iowa) — Residents of the western Iowa town of Le Mars found a way to beat the boredom of being isolated by the coronavirus took to their cars to “scoop the loop.” Close to 200 cars, pickups, and even an occasional semi were seen driving on Central Avenue, (the city’s main street). The vehicles were traveling back and forth a distance of about five blocks heading north and then making a U-turn turning around at the teardrop and going south through the downtown area.

One individual participating in the driving caravan says it reminded him of the days when he was in high school, looking for possible dates. The people were notified of the activity through social media.