IOWA CITY – The Iowa Department of Corrections report prison inmate Timothy Christopher Bryant, who had been serving a life sentence for the crime of Kidnapping 1st Degree from Polk County, died Sunday. Officials said his death was likely due to complications related to COVID-19 and other preexisting medical conditions.

He died at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Originally housed at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, he had been taken to the hospitals several days earlier for more advanced care as his medical condition began to worsen.  Bryant was 59 years old at the time of his death.

Bryant began his sentence on February 25, 1992.

Mills County Public Health along with Mills County Emergency Management Agency, Monday, announced two additional deaths associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county today. One individual was in the 41-60 age range and the other in the 61-80 age range.

“We have had another sorrowful day in Mills County today.” said Mills County Emergency Management Director Larry Hurst. “I am concerned what the coming holiday season will do for the spread of COVID-19. Everyone needs to do their part to stop the spread of the virus.”

Mills County continues to see a significant number of new cases and an increase in test positivity. We are in the RED Zone, which means we are experiencing high level of community transmission. Mills County residents and businesses must act now to get the spread of COVID-19 under control.

For further statistical data available, in near real time, visit the Iowa Coronavirus webpage at: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A slim lead held by a Republican candidate for an open congressional seat in Iowa has gotten even smaller as counties recount their votes. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks led Democrat Rita Hart by 47 votes in the race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in unofficial results before recounts began last week.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s office says Miller-Meeks’ lead has shrunk to 36 votes out of more than 394,000 cast as the recount continues. So far, 15 of 24 counties have completed recounts and sent their new unofficial totals to the state. None of the four counties Hart carried have reported new totals, including Scott and Johnson.

Glenwood Police report four arrests. On Sunday, 29-year old Kristopher Sparks, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Theft in the 1st and 5th Degrees. His total bond was set at $10,300. And, 44-year old Shane Baxter, of Omaha, was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Eluding. His cash/surety bond was set at $2,000.

On Saturday, 49-year old Tiffany Monson, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Assault causing bodily injury. Her Cash/surety bond was set at $1,000. Also arrested Saturday, was 36-year old Dallas Smith, of Placitas, NM., for Harassment in the 2nd Degree. His cash/surety bond was set at $1,000 also.

Rescue crews and law enforcement are very busy this afternoon, responding to and handling numerous accidents. The latest (as of 2:38-p.m.) is on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 51, where a vehicle rolled into the north ditch. A male occupant was trapped, with a female subject bleeding from the head. Marne and Atlantic Fire along with Cass EMS were responding.

A few minutes earlier, an accident was reported near the Cass-Pottawattamie County line, at Whitepole Road and 525th. Initially, there were no reported injuries, but just before 3-p.m., a woman reported she had suffered a head injury during the accident, when she was struck by a tool box.

And, at around 2:10-p.m., Cumberland-Massena Rescue was called to the scene of an accident on Highway 92, just west of the Cass-Adair County line. No injuries were reported.

Roads are reported to be very slick. Drive with caution!

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests. A little before midnight, Friday, 36-year old Dallas Merrill Smith, of Placitas, NM., was arrested at 221st Street and Highway 34, for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Eluding, Careless Driving, two counts of Speeding and No Valid Driver’s License. His bond was set at $4,000.

Friday evening, 63-year old Norman Dale Bucholz, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a Mills County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree, with bond set at $5,000. Saturday evening, 41-year old Amy Marie Kanuff, of Pacific Junction, was arrested following an investigation into a non-injury, single-vehicle accident at 180th and Jardine Ave, She was charged with OWI/1st offense, and Failure to Maintain Control. Bond was set at $1,000.

Sunday night, 49-year old Christopher Carl Oliphant, of Glenwood, was arrested in Mills County, on a warrant for Contempt of Court. His bond was set at $3,000. And, at around 11:15-p.m. Sunday, 56-year old Terry Lee Prine, of Sidney, was arrested for Violation of an order.  Prine was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.