Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Iowa rose over a 24-hour period this weekend, but remained below the threshold of 500 that plagued the state since October. The Iowa Department of Public Health said 484 people were being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals on Sunday, up 10 from Saturday but down from 505 on Friday. Saturday’s number of 474 was the first time since Oct. 18 that the number of people hospitalized was below 500. The state reported 730 new cases and two deaths Sunday to give Iowa a total of 304,852 cases and 4,323 deaths since the pandemic began.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Rapids man has been arrested by federal agents on suspicion of being among those who stormed the U.S. Capitol during a deadly pro-Trump insurrection on Jan. 6. The FBI in Omaha, Nebraska, said in a news release that Leo Christopher Kelly was arrested Monday on a federal warrant charging him with three counts: knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, violent entry with the intent to disrupt the orderly conduct of official business and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Kelly is the second Iowa man to be arrested in connection with the Washington, D.C., riot. Douglas Jensen surrendered to police in his hometown of Des Moines on Jan. 8.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A new trial likely won’t be held until late this year for a man whose murder conviction in the gruesome 2017 stabbing of his ex-girlfriend was overturned. The Gazette reports that attorneys for 30-year-old Gregory Davis and prosecutors agreed last week that a new trial won’t be possible until October or November. Davis’ new trial had been set to begin Feb. 1 after the Iowa Supreme Court tossed out his original murder conviction last November, ruling that he didn’t get a fair trial. Davis was convicted in 2018 of first-degree murder and other counts in the death of 29-year-old Carrie Davis, whose body was found rolled in a blanket inside a trailer in Marion.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot will grow to an estimated $730 million after there were no winners Saturday for the lottery’s top prize. The results come as there was also no winner of the Mega Millions jackpot on Friday. That top prize is now estimated at $850 million. It’s been nearly two years since a lottery jackpot has grown so large. The Powerball’s $730 million top prize would be the fifth-largest ever if a lottery player strikes big in Wednesday’s drawing. The Mega Millions’ $850 million jackpot would be the third-largest ever for the drawing on Tuesday.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen, Monday, told the Parks and Rec Board during their regular monthly meeting, that the wells field trails and trails near the KJAN studios are currently closed as the drifts are still too much for their equipment. He explained some drifts are between four-and five-feet tall, and densely packed. They’ve been trying to plow through them, but the equipment has gotten stuck multiple times. Rasmussen said they’re hoping the sun and warmth of the next few days will speed-up the process.

He mentioned also, the Donation Pay Post at the Schildberg Rec Area Dog Park, has garnered over $450 in donations. The generous donations, will be put back into dog park attractions and maintenance. Some of the new attractions they’re hoping to get installed later this Spring, include agility steps and tire obstacles for dogs to climb through or get on top of. Firestone in Atlantic has graciously donated six tire for the department to use. Parks staff will paint the tires and sink them into the ground so they are secured in-place. (See the example below)

Examples of dog future dog park additions

Bryant said also, his dad Brad put together a goal to raise at least $500 to purchase native plants for additional urban conservation tactics and implements throughout the parks system. With donations from many people, including Bryant’s grandparents, $1,100 has been raised to purchase the necessary pollinator plants and create a berm at Sunnyside Park. Bull Creek is another area destined for colorful native plants.

Signs to be used as mile-markers at the Schildberg Rec Area have been mocked-up for installation later this Spring. The Parks and Rec Board was receptive to one design in particular: a post with the top cut-off at an angle. A metal plate with the mile-marker and other information would be mounted to the post. Single-posts would make it easier for the mowers to get around, too.  In other business, Bryant Rasmussen said they are looking to update the Campground Reservation via online registration and payment. A Pay post will also remain in place.

The same process is being implemented for Park Shelter Reservations. QR Codes will be used to make it easy for those who have reserved a shelter, or who want to reserve a shelter, to see which ones are available through an online calendar. And, Rasmussen said Joe Sonntag has created nesting boxes for birds as part of an Eagle Scout Project.

Joe Sonntag with his completed Eagle Scout bird house project.

There are now four owl nesting boxes, 10 bluebird houses and four bat houses. Some of the bat houses will be place around Sunnyside Park, one will be at the Schildberg Rec Area, and at least one along Bull Creek.

The Bluebird houses will be spread out among different locations, including Sunnyside Park. The project serves as the final requirement in order for Atlantic to be considered a “Bird Friendly” community in Iowa. Once the houses are placed, the City can apply for certification.

The Mills County Public Health Dept., Monday, said the Iowa Department of Public Health has issued its guidelines for the administration of the next phase (1B) of COVID-19 vaccinations. MCPH officials say they expect authorization to begin administering vaccine to these populations no later than February 1, 2021. This does NOT mean that the vaccine will be available to all eligible individuals on February 1, 2021.

Beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021, Mills County Public Health will begin accepting names and phone numbers of eligible individuals to be placed on a wait list for vaccine distribution. The phone number to call is (712) 274-3643. This line will be open Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Individuals that call the Mills County Public Health main office to get on the list will be referred to the correct phone number to contact. Listed below are the population groups who will be eligible to receive vaccinations at that time.

• Persons aged 75 and older.
• First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and social workers).
• PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers.
• Individuals with disabilities living in home settings who are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff.
• Individuals and staff living or working in congregate settings.
• Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety.
• Government officials in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session.

At this time, Mills County Public Health is unaware of the number of vaccines or when the State of Iowa will allocate them to Mills County. Continue to monitor the website, KJAN, and social media, for the release of further information as it becomes available.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. 20-year old Madison Nicole Gilliland, of Des Moines, was arrested at around 2:30-a.m. Jan. 10th by Stuart Police, in the Kum & Go parking lot in Stuart, following a traffic stop. She was charged with OWI/1st offense, cited and later released. Gilliland was also cited for speeding 37 in a 25 mph zone.

On Jan. 11th, 26-year old Pastel Renee Force, of Walnut, was arrested by Stuart Police at around 11:30-p.m., after she was stopped while trying to enter the westbound lanes of I-80, in the wrong direction. Force was subsequently charged with OWI/1st offense. She tested at .193 for intoxication. Force was cited and later released.

On Jan. 13th, 26-year old Zachary Michael Anderson, of Stuart, was arrested at the Sac County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 1st Degree. He was released the same day on a Signature Bond. And, 21-year old Payton Alissa Hill, of Menlo, was arrested Jan. 15th on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. She was also charged with Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd or greater offense. Hill was later released on her Own Recognizance.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one weekend arrest. 25-year old D’Angelo Thomas Monson, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree.

And, two people were hospitalized following a collision Friday afternoon, in Mills County. Authorities say 38-year old Howard Erickson, of Omaha, and 46-year old Jason Roark, of Shenandoah, were transported by Malvern and Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, after their vehicles collided head-on at around 1:17-p.m.

Officials say Erickson was traveling east on Highway 34 in a 2018 RAM pickup, when the vehicle went out of control on the snowy road and struck a guardrail. A 2004 Toyota driven by Roark was traveling westbound and unable to avoid the pickup. The vehicles collided in the westbound lane of traffic.