CORALVILLE – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 73-year-old Harry Edward Pedersen was pronounced dead due to natural causes (not covid-19 related), Friday afternoon. He died in a hospice room of the Iowa Medical and Classification Center.

Pedersen had been serving a 50-year sentence for multiple convictions the crime of Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree from Woodbury County. His sentence began on February 15, 1991.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan and New Hampshire and Joni Ernst of Iowa, are leading a bipartisan effort to build a memorial on the National Mall in Washington to honor the troops who served during the “Global War on Terror.” Hassan, a Democrat, said the memorial “will pay tribute to all of the service members who gave their lives so that Americans can stay safe, secure, and free.”

Ernst, a Republican, commanded 150 troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom and is the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate. In 2017, Ernst helped create a private foundation for the memorial.

The Iowa Department of Public Heath at 10-a.m., Saturday, reported an additional 554 positive COVID-19 test results returned from the lab, for a pandemic total of 366,609. There were also three additional deaths reported, for a total of 5,552, including one additional death in each of Adair, Harrison and Shelby Counties. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 2,191 of the State’s total number of deaths.

The number of Long-Term Care facility COVID-19 Outbreaks are down to 10. Hospitalization data show 170 Iowans are hospitalized with COVID, compared to 176 in the previous report. The number of COVID patients in an ICU is down slightly, to 38. There were 33 patients admitted to hospitals over the 24-hour reporting period (compared to 35 previously), and 10 patients remain on a ventilator.

Hospitals in Western & Southwest Iowa report: 17 people are hospitalized for COVID (2 more than on Friday); eight are in an ICU, three patients with COVID symptoms were admitted over the past 24-hours, and one person remained on a ventilator. More than 239,265 Iowans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Health department data shows 822,458 vaccine doses have been administered in Iowa.

Iowa’s 14-day positivity rate is 4.0%, while the seven-day rate is 3.8%.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

• Cass, 1,360 cases; {+2}; 51 deaths
• Adair, 926; {+1}; 30
• Adams, 326 {+1}; 4
• Audubon, 491 {+0}; 9
• Guthrie, 1,175 {+5}; 28
• Harrison County, 1,802; {+2}; 70
• Madison County, 1,562; {+6}; 18
• Mills County, 1,636; {+3}; 20
• Montgomery, 1,042; {+0}; 36
• Pottawattamie County, 10,851; {+27}; 146
• Shelby County, 1,230; {+5}; 34
• Union County,  1,268; {+0}; 31

DES MOINES, Iowa — (UPDATED) The Des Moines Police Department has made an arrest in the fatal shooting a 16-year-old early Saturday morning. At about 4:43 a.m., authorities were called to Broadlawns Medical Center, where a shooting victim was receiving treatment. Police found Elijah Edwardlee Brown-Townsend, of Des Moines, being treated, but he died later from the gunshot wound.

Saturday evening, authorities arrested 18-year old Thomas Londewa Ivy, of Des Moines, and charged him with involuntary manslaughter and carrying weapons. Police said Ivy and Brown-Townsend were in a parked vehicle at a convenience store at the 2300 block of MLK Jr. Parkway.

Authorities said evidence shows Ivy had a handgun and was handing it to Brown-Townsend when the gun was fired. The shooting was deemed accidental. Authorities have received the gun used in the shooting. Other guns were recovered during the investigation.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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

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A woman from Red Oak was arrested this (Saturday) morning, for Public Intoxication. Red Oak Police say 25-year old Cassandra Jane Rohner was taken into custody at around 4:05-a.m. in the 2300 block of Eastern Avenue. Her bond was set at $300.

Police in Red Oak report 46-year old Eric Stephen Pierson, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 6:15-p.m., Friday, in the 300 block of E. Coolbaugh Street. Pierson was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh reports that on Saturday, March 13th, the Anita Town and Country will be hosting a USDA Farmers to Families Food Box distribution at the Anita Community Center (805 Main St.), from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, or as supplies last.

Anyone is welcome to visit the drive-through food box pick-up, and no documentation or proof need is required. Boxes will be given away at no cost or donation. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. The USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes are likely to contain fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat.

For more information, contact: Jodi Irlmeier, Anita Town and Country, 712-762-4234.

Police in Council Bluffs report one person was seriously injured during a collision that occurred at around 6:30-p.m. Friday. The accident happened at the intersection of South 24th Street and Veterans Memorial Highway. Officials say a 2001 Ford Ranger was westbound on Vets Hwy at the same time a 2005 Chrysler Sebring was eastbound, and making a left turn to go north on S. 24th Street.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the Chrysler turned in front of the Ford causing the crash. A passenger in the Chrysler received life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.The names of those involved in the crash were being withheld as of the latest report.

The crash was being investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department Traffic Unit.