DES MOINES – Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory has indicated two additional positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa residents, a total of 16 positive cases. An additional 16 tests were negative.  According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) both cases are tied to the same Egyptian cruise as other positive cases. Both are older adults (61 – 80 years), one is from Johnson County and one is from Carroll County. Both are recovering at home in isolation. And, as previously mentioned, one case is in Pottawattamie County, separate from the other test positives.

IDPH also put out guidance to PK-12 school administrators on COVID19 policies, linked here.

Gov. Reynolds said Thursday, “The health and safety of our students, teachers, and faculty is a top priority. At this time, the Iowa Department of Public Health is not advising any school closures. We are finalizing key decision points needed to mitigate COVID19 to provide school districts with thorough guidance. This situation remains very fluid, and we will continue to equip local school districts with the information they need. If any school districts have questions or concerns, please reach out to IDPH.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa’s largest school district, will cancel all classes and activities for at least 17 days starting Friday evening. The news Thursday came as health officials announced two new cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, bring the state’s total to 16. In a letter sent to staff, Superintendent Thomas Ahart announced Thursday that classes wouldn’t immediately return after spring break next week. Ahart expressed hope that classes could resume March 30 but given the “dynamic situation,” officials would have to adjust as needed. The move will effect the district’s 33,000 students and 5,000 employees. The school district’s decision comes as many colleges are taking similar actions.

(Radio Iowa) — A coalition of organizations is lobbying legislators to expand the state’s trail system. Iowa Bicycle Coalition executive director Mark Wyatt says the governor’s plan to raise the state sales tax would place money in the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund. “Greater investment in trails through the ‘Invest in Iowa Act’ will only accelerate the community and workforce development that we do need in this state,” Wyatt says. “But most of all, Iowa trails make Iowa a great place to live.”

Groups pushing to convert abandoned railroad lines to trails are joining with members of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and economic development officials to stress the need for improved access to spots for hiking, biking and swimming. Wyatt says many towns that have developed trail systems have seen the economic impact and health benefits.

“Because people that get physical activity often are healthier,” Wyatt says. Wyatt says a study his group did nine years ago found bicycle trails created an annual impact of 365 million dollars. Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa joined the groups at a news conference on the statehouse steps. He says investing in trails reaps tremendous dividends. “We’ve been chasing smokestacks and in many cases giving away useless tax credits instead of taking a good, hard look at the quality of life issues that attract and keep young people in our state,” McKean says. “And trails rank way up there in that equation.”

Governor Kim Reynolds is holding a town hall meeting in Ankeny tonight (Thursday) to discuss her “Invest in Iowa Act” which includes more money for trails. It also would lower some taxes, but raise the state sales tax and it’s unclear if the legislature will vote for the plan.

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Supreme Court has thrown out a lawsuit by a Sioux City woman who lost her arm to flesh-eating bacteria. Sharon Susie fell and injured her arm in 2012 and went to the urgent care clinic of Family Health Care of Siouxland. An x-ray found only swelling in the arm and she was told to ice it. Susie got worse the next day and was taken to Mercy Medical Center.

Doctors found the flesh-eating bacteria and amputated her arm and eight toes. Susie filed a lawsuit that claimed she would not have lost the arm if she had been given antibiotics at the clinic. The district court threw the case out saying the expert witness in the case could not directly tie the lack of antibiotics to the loss of her arm.

The State Appeals Court overturned that ruling. The Iowa Supreme Court sided with the district court — saying no expert witness provided testimony that getting antibiotics any earlier would have allowed her to save her arm.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State budget experts have reduced the estimated revenue for the state by $12.3 million from their December calculation. That means lawmakers must make a slight adjustment to their plans for the 2021 fiscal year starting in July. With an ending balance of more than $400 million, the adjustment won’t be significant.

The Iowa Revenue Estimating Conference now estimates revenue at $8.24 billion, or $146 million more than the current year. Iowa’s budget director David Roederer says the coronavirus isn’t likely to affect 2020 fiscal year and the revenue impact on the fiscal year starting in July is difficult to predict.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa’s largest school district, will cancel all classes and activities for at least 17 days starting Friday evening. In a letter sent to staff, Superintendent Thomas Ahart announced Thursday that classes wouldn’t immediately return after spring break next week.

Ahart expressed hope that classes could resume March 30 but given the “dynamic situation,” officials would have to adjust as needed. The move will effect the district’s 33,000 students and 5,000 employees. The school district’s decision comes as many colleges are taking similar actions.

Officials with the Audubon County Hospital and Clinics said Thursday (today), “To protect our patients, families, and health care workers during the global outbreak of COVID-19 the following temporary visitor restrictions are being implemented effective immediately (3/12/20).”

The visitor restrictions are temporary and subject to change as necessary. Only primary caregivers will beallowedto visit patients. Primary caregivers must be at least 18 years of age and older and include: Parents/stepparents, spouse/significant other or other defined caregiver.

Visitors must be screened by nursing staff before visiting the patient at least once per day. The visitor must be free from illness such as fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, or runny nose. Visitors must remain in patient rooms as appropriate and limit movement within the facility.Exceptions may be made in certain situations as approved by the patient care team. All visitors are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the patient’s room.

Officials said also, that “Effective Friday, March 13 at 9:30 p.m. the ACMH Fitness Center will be closed to the public until further notice”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports 40-year old Jason Paul Rodriguez, a/k/a “Chico,” of Council Bluffs, was sentenced today (Thursday) in Council Bluffs U-S District Court. Rodriguez will serve 30 years in for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The prison terms for each conviction will be served concurrently. Hewill serve 10 years of supervised release after his prison term.

Authorities say Rodriguez organized and led a large-scale drug trafficking operation from 2016 until his arrest in April 2019. Rodriguez and his co-conspirators distributed more than 220 pounds of methamphetamine. Co-defendants Lacey Jo Smalley and Erik M. Barber have pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at a later date. The conspiracy involved dozens of others and the investigation is ongoing.

Rodriguez was arrested on April 30, 2019, following a traffic stop. A drug dog alerted law enforcement to the presence of approximately eleven pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle. $14,933.55 in cash was also seized.

The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, South West Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, Clarinda Police Department, Audubon Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Page County Sheriff’s Office, Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Intelligence, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Atlantic, IA – Officials with the Cass County Health System said Thursday, they are indefinitely postponing several upcoming public events. This measure is being taken to help protect the health of our community from the spread of COVID-19. The impacted events include:

· The CCHS Foundation Gala scheduled for March 28, 2020 is postponed until further notice.
· All Healthy U sessions are postponed until further notice.
· All Healthy U & Baby, Too! sessions are postponed until further notice.

As this situation progresses, we will keep the public updated about other postponements or cancellations.

The Atlantic Rotary is asking all parents, students, and community members: do you know a teacher who deserves recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty? The Atlantic Rotary Club is seeking nominations for the 7th Annual Rotary Club of Atlantic Outstanding Teacher Award, and would love to hear from you! The award, designed to recognize excellence in education in the Atlantic Community Schools, can be given to any certified, full-time teacher who spends at least 60% of his/her time instructing students.

The teacher selected will receive recognition at a school employee event, and will also receive a $3000 cash award. The award may be used to enhance the educational resources of the teacher, further the teacher’s education, or for any other purpose which the selected teacher deems appropriate.

The Atlantic Rotary Club has been a dedicated supporter of education in the community for many years through senior scholarships, and annual events such as senior recognition and new teacher welcome. In addition, they are frequent contributors through funding for many school needs such as updating technology in the classroom, supporting curriculum for local preschools, and a number of other school requests. Members of our club have been continually insistent that we also recognize and support the talented educators that are the heart of our schools, and we are very happy we have been able to continue this program.

Justin Williams and Karen Vogl, Atlantic High School CCEOC teachers were the 2020 award winners. They both continue to teach here in Atlantic. The outstanding nominees each year make this process difficult and exciting.

For teachers to be considered for the 2020 award, completed nomination forms, including letters of support, must be received by Monday April 13th. Nominated teachers will be evaluated based on their skill with students, classroom management, parent communication, peer interaction and community involvement. Teachers must be nominated by three individuals- they can be current or former students, parents of students, co-workers, or any combination of these. Forms were sent via email to all current parents through from the Atlantic Community School System in March. Application materials may be found on the Rotary Club of Atlantic website: www.atlanticrotary.com under the Grants and Scholarship tab.

It is the intention of the Atlantic Rotary Club, through this award, to recognize and reward outstanding educators in our public school system who exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” through their continuous dedication to students, parents, peers and the larger community, as well as the art and practice of education. This award is funded by proceeds from the Atlantic Rotary Club’s annual auction, which is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and community members.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum reports that on March 5, 2020, 52-year old Gregory Herbert Markham, of Carter Lake, was sentenced to 151 months (nearly 12 1/2 years ) in prison, after he plead guilty to Transportation with Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity, and Distribution of Child Pornography, and 120 months for the Distribution of Marijuana and Cocaine to a Person Under the Age of Twenty-One. The sentences will run concurrently (at the same time).

Markham’s term of imprisonment is to be followed by supervised release for seven years. Markham was ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution. The investigation into his activities began in March 2019, when a Douglas County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Department Deputy encountered a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Travel Inn. The driver was subsequently arrested and the two females involved in this matter were left at the motel.

One of the females contacted the Defendant Markham for a ride. Markham picked up the two females, ages seventeen and eighteen from the Omaha motel and drove them to his home. Markham had previously transported one of the females from Omaha across the state line to his home for prostitution. Markham allowed the females to stay at his home and set up prostitution dates for sex. He also provided them with cocaine and marijuana. Markham took pictures of the seventeen year old on his cell phone and distributed the child pornography to a friend.

The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Omaha FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, Carter Lake Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.