(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.

(Radio Iowa) — A long-time, well-known Iowa journalist has died. Dean Borg was host and moderator of the weekly “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S for more than four decades. Borg retired from the program in 2017. “There’s no better place to cover politics than Iowa.” Borg’s comments come from a retrospective aired on Iowa P-B-S just over three years ago. Radio Iowa news director O. Kay Henderson has shared these memories of Borg with Iowa Public Radio, where Borg did part-time work for the past two decades. “I would describe Dean in two parts. There’s the personal part — a true gentleman, a good friend and a devoted family man. Then, there’s the professional part — the tenacious, determined journalist and I think that explains his popularity with the ‘Iowa Press’ audience,” Henderson said. “I think they could see and sense all of that.”

Dean Borg

Borg, who was 81, died of complications of pancreatic cancer. Borg grew up in Forest City and was the first member of his family to attend college. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in journalism, served in the Air Force, worked for the Defense Department and was a war correspondent in Vietnam. Borg returned to Iowa and was a reporter for W-M-T television in Cedar Rapids. He helped launch “Iowa Press” on public television in 1971. Dean and his wife, Sheila, have been long-time residents of Mount Vernon. Borg is survived by his wife. five children and nine grandchildren.

The Borg family will hold private funeral services due to coronavirus pandemic precautions. A memorial service may be scheduled later in the year. The family has suggested memorial donations may be made to the Mount Vernon Schools Foundation to fund an annual scholarship for a high school graduate or to the Iowa PBS Foundation to fund an annual internship for a college student pursuing a degree in journalism.

Red Oak Police report an unknown vehicle struck a legally parked pickup truck, and then left the scene. Officials say a 2018 Chevy Silverado pickup owned by Keith Weiderien, of Red Oak, was parked in the 600 block of Sunset Avenue, when it was hit. The pickup sustained about $1,500 damage. The incident happened sometime between 9-p.m. Friday and 1-p.m. Saturday.

Authorities say the suspect vehicle left a red paint transfer where it struck the pickup. No other details are known. The incident remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) — One of north-central Iowa’s largest employers is suspending most production activities at its facilities in Iowa and nationwide due to the coronavirus pandemic. Forest City-based Winnebago Industries says the actions at the company’s Winnebago, Grand Design RV, Newmar and Chris-Craft facilities is in response to the national spread of COVID-19 and unforeseeable change in business circumstances that have accompanied it. The steps are designed to lower the probability of coronavirus exposure to employees and adjust future production output relative to a fast-changing demand landscape for the company’s products.

Production will be suspended starting this week and based on present conditions through at least April 12th. Winnebago CEO Michael Happe says their top priority is the health and well-being of the company’s employees, business partners, customers and communities. He says the company is also seeing demand for their products shift dramatically as the nation takes appropriate action to curb the spread of coronavirus.

To support employees and their families affected by the temporary production suspension, the company is providing base pay and benefits for the first two weeks.

DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, DUE TO COVID-19, YOU MAY STILL APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO CARRY OR A PERMIT TO ACQUIRE. YOU MAY ALSO RENEW YOUR CURRENT PERMIT, HOWEVER THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION HAS EXTENDED THE EXPIRATION DEADLINE. APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL ONLY.
Applications must printed out and completed. The applications are on the link below noted as Application Forms. You will need to mail the completed application, along with a copy of your training (if applying for a permit to carry) AND a copy of your driver’s license with your current address. You will need to remit the fee as noted below in the form of a check or money order. Do not forget to fill out every section of the form, answer all of the questions, sign and date it. Any incomplete form will be returned with further instruction.

APPLICATION FORMS: https://dps.iowa.gov/…/administrative-servic…/weapons-permit

PERMIT TO CARRY WEAPONS INFORMATION:
The cost is $50.00 for a plastic permit card. This is a uniform card that will be issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This card will be mailed directly to the mailing address provided by the applicant.
Must be 21 and a resident of Iowa.

TRAINING REQUIREMENT:
*Handgun safety training course utilizing an instructor certified by a state law enforcement agency;
*Handgun safety training course utilizing an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association;
*Completion of a hunter education program approved by the Natural Resource Commission, if handgun safety training is noted on the certificate of completion.
*Armed forces small arms training (for those released or retired from Active Duty) – requires documentation of honorable discharge OR general discharge under honorable conditions (DD-214, DD-256, NGB-22, or similar).
*Armed forces small arms training (for those on Active Duty) – requires certificate of completion of basic training or similar.
*Handgun safety training course for security guards, investigators, or special deputies, if such course has been approved by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
*TRAINING EXEMPTION – Documentation that applicant holds or held an Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons issued on or after 01/01/2011.
Applicant must apply in county you reside in.
Applicant must have driver’s license or ID with applicant’s current address on it.
Payment must be made at time of application by check or money order.
Permit is good for 5 years.

PERMIT TO CARRY WEAPONS RENEWAL PROCESS:
Permit holders may apply for renewal within 30 days before or after their expiration date. The application must be filled out again and a $25.00 fee is payable at that time.
When the permit holder is earlier or later than 30 days of expiration, the regular fee of $50.00 applies.
Applicant must renew in county you reside in.
Applicant must have driver’s license or ID with applicant’s current address on it.
Payment must be made at time of application.
Permit is good for 5 years.

PERMIT TO ACQUIRE INFORMATION:
Must be 21 and a resident of Iowa.
The cost is $25.00 for a plastic permit card. This is a uniform card that will be issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This card will be mailed directly to the mailing address provided by the applicant.
There is no training required.
Applicant must apply in county you reside in.
Payment must be made at time of application.
Applicant must have driver’s license or ID with applicant’s current address on it.
Permit is good for 5 years.

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a battery manufacturer in eastern Iowa has been fined $42,000 for workplace safety violations. The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration says Exide Technologies was cited for five different violations and originally faced a penalty of more than $70,000. The Manchester-based business later reached a settlement with the department to pay $42,000.

The Telegraph Herald reports that safety inspectors said company officials exposed employees to a “potential racking system collapse,” exposed two employees to “airborne contaminants” and exposed employees to various hazards.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Officials with the Atlantic Community School District are reminding parents and guardians of students, that  backpack lunches will be served between 9-and 11-a.m., beginning today. The meals will be served by volunteers, under the catwalk at the Washington Elementary School. Adults are asked to please pull your vehicle up to the table. One person can get out of the vehicle and grab the needed amount of food. Each backpack contains two lunches and two breakfasts.

Justin Williams, CCEOC Lead Instructor, says “Our plan is to keep this going Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the school shut down.” If you can not get yourself to this event we will have a delivery service for people in need of it. Please contact jwilliams@atlanticiaschools.org or Pastor Ben Winford @ 712-254-3928, prior to 9-a.m. Williams says “We will keep delivering to people who have already contacted us.”

Police in Red Oak, late Sunday night, arrested 27-year old James Michael Cruz, of Red Oak. Cruz was arrested in the 100 block of W. Joy Street at around 11:35-p.m. for Domestic Assault/1st offense. He was being held without bond, in the Montgomery County Jail.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports a Corning man, Matthew Maeder, was arrested at around 2:10-a.m. Sunday, on charges of Domestic Abuse, and two-counts of Child Endangerment.

And, late last Thursday morning, Jeff Mendenhall, of Corning, was arrested following a traffic stop, on charges of Driving While Barred and Interlock Device Required. He was cited into court and released at the scene.