(Radio Iowa) — State officials report the price of gasoline has fallen 18 cents in the past week. The average statewide price for regular unleaded was two-dollars a gallon on Wednesday. Iowa State University economist David Swenson says it’s due to the international price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. “What’s happened is the Saudis have increased the amount of oil that they’re selling worldwide,” Swenson says, “and they’re able to produce oil much cheaper than anywhere else in the world.”

Crude oil prices are significantly lower, down about 60 percent compared to a year ago. Swenson says it’s too early to see the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on gas prices. “If we have people now actively not just social distancing, but moving more toward quarantine and staying in place that, too, is going to mean a lot less demand for fuel,” Swenson says.

While state officials calculated two-dollars-a-gallon as the statewide average on Wednesday, some stations in Iowa had significantly lower prices. GasBuddy — the Boston firm that tracks prices at more than 140-thousand U.S. outlets — reported a station in Elkader was selling gas for a buck-45 ($1.45) a gallon yesterday (Wednesday). Prices were in the one-60 ($1.60) range in the Sioux City and Cedar Rapids/Marion areas.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports Richard Swartz, of Corning, was arrested at his residence, Wednesday night, on numerous drug charges. At around 5:30-p.m., an off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy witnessed Swartz toss a bag out the window of his vehicle and onto a public sidewalk in front of a residence in Corning. Upon further investigation, marijuana and hydrocodone were discovered inside the bag.

At around 10:47-p.m., Adams County Deputies met with Swartz at his residence. Upon additional investigation, he was charged with two-counts Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor and Possession of a Controlled Substance on real property, both Class-B felonies. He was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Distributing tobacco to a Minor, Possession of Prescription Drugs, and Littering.

JoAnn Runyan, Atlantic High School School to Work Coordinator, reports the Atlantic High School School Trades and Local Employer Recruiting Day scheduled to be held on April 2nd, has been postponed until further notice.

The Trades and Local Employer Recruiting Day is an opportunity for area businesses to showcase various employment opportunities to students in grades 9-12 in the Atlantic Community School District. Businesses are encouraged to recruit students for part-time jobs, summer jobs, apprenticeships, and full-time jobs.

Area employers still interested in participating in the Trades and Local Employer Recruiting Day should reach out to School to Work Coordinator JoAnn Runyan at jrunyan@atlanticiaschools.org.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials have confirmed nine additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total Wednesday to 38. The Iowa Department of Public Health says three of the cases are residents of Johnson County, two are from Polk County, two are from Dallas County and the last two are from Washington and Winneshiek counties. That news follows the announcement that employees at Iowa’s public universities may get an additional 80 hours of paid sick leave under an emergency measure to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Board of Regents President Mike Richards used his new emergency powers to authorize the universities and special schools to provide the extra leave.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Roman Catholic college in Iowa has suspended a longtime priest and faculty member after church officials received an allegation of sexual misconduct dating to the 1990s. St. Ambrose University in Davenport said that it was recently made aware of the complaint against the Rev. Robert “Bud” Grant and is taking the report seriously. The school said the suspension would last until the outcome of an investigation by the Diocese of Des Moines. Grant has been temporarily removed as the sacramental minister at St. Andrew Church in Blue Grass. Grant hasn’t responded to messages left at his work phone and email address seeking comment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Food banks and pantries across the U.S. are scrambling to meet an expected surge in demand as the coronavirus causes many people to at least temporarily lose their jobs. This is happening even as older volunteers have been told to stay home. Also, calls for social distancing are complicating efforts to package and distribute food. Pantries are shifting from letting people select items to giving them a sack filled with food to limit interaction and lessen the chance of passing along the virus. Officials say it makes them less efficient, but they don’t have better options.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Drake Relays that had been scheduled for April in Des Moines have been indefinitely postponed because of the virus outbreak. Drake University said Wednesday that organizers made the decision to protect the “health, safety and well-being” of participants and fans amid concerns about the coronavirus. The track and field event was scheduled for April 22-25, primarily at Drake Stadium. The postponement includes related activities, such as the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Grand Blue Mile and Drake Road Races. Organizers said they would work with local, state and national officials to reschedule the event when it’s safe for all participants.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have arrested a man in the death of his mother, whose body was found earlier that day in her home. Police charged 32-year-old Christopher W. Thompson, of Des Moines, with first-degree murder in the death of 50-year-old Paula Thompson.

Officers were called to the Des Moines home around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for a welfare check on a resident. Officers found the woman dead and police later said she had been killed Friday after arguing with her son.

Police announced they were searching for Christopher Thompson, who then presented himself at the Polk County Jail and was taken to the police department. He was charged after being interviewed by detectives.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials have confirmed nine additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total Wednesday to 38. The Iowa Department of Public Health says three of the cases are residents of Johnson County, two are from Polk County, two are from Dallas County and the last two are from Washington and Winneshiek counties.

That news follows the announcement that employees at Iowa’s public universities may get an additional 80 hours of paid sick leave under an emergency measure to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Board of Regents President Mike Richards used his new emergency powers to authorize the universities and special schools to provide the extra leave.

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Details will be provided as available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a woman has been found dead in a Des Moines, and investigators are questioning a man about the crime. Police say officers were called to the home around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for a welfare check on a resident at the home. Officers who arrived at the home found the woman dead.

Police have not released her name or revealed how the woman died, but say her death is being treated as a homicide. Police had initially said they were searching for a 32-year-old man who may be a witness in the case, but later announced the man had been found.

Two men from Cass County face multiple charges stemming from an incident last week involving what they thought was a suspicious vehicle traveling through the area. According to a Criminal Complaint and Affidavit, 54-year old Steven Darrell Funk, of Griswold, who was initially cited into court for False Imprisonment, was also cited into court for Aiding and Abetting in the commission of going Armed with Intent.  Another Griswold resident, 61-year old Mark Funk, faces a charge of Going Armed with Intent.

Authorities say a woman, her husband and two small children, were traveling in the vicinity of 640^th Street and Tucson Road on March 11th, when Steve and Mark Funk boxed the family’s vehicle-in with a pickup and an SUV. The victims said both men then exited their vehicles and surrounded them before Mark Funk alleged pointed a firearm at the family’s vehicle. Both men have admitted to “boxing in” the car.

Mark Funk was transported to the Cass County Jail, and posted a $6,000 bond the next day.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports an additional filing for the November General Election: Dan Schrier has filed to run for Edna Township Trustee (a non-partisan position). The filing deadline is this Friday, March 20th.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wednesday, issued a statement with regard to State Parks, under the current COVID-19 Emergency. The statement reads:

“At this point, Iowa State Parks are open. Our highest priority is the health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and employees. During this time, we remain diligent in taking steps to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Here’s how you can help:

• According to State of Iowa recommendations, limit your group to less than 10 people when visiting a state park.
• If you have been sick in the last two weeks, please stay at home for your health and the safety of others.
• Avoid popular areas where people may congregate, and also avoid larger groups in general. Areas to avoid may include scenic overlooks, buildings, playgrounds, etc.
• Please maintain distance between you and other park visitors according to guidelines and recommendations by health officials. Please take into consideration the health of others when spending time outdoors.
• Pack extra soap or hand sanitizer. Please be aware that bathrooms and showers are closed seasonally every year through April 15. Due to increased use or at remote locations, soap or sanitizer may not be available.
• Additional information on best practices for keeping you and your family safe can be found online at the CDC website.

Here’s what we are doing:

• If you feel cancelling your stay is the safest choice, we will waive cancellation fees for visits (cabins, campsites, lodges) with arrival dates through April 30, 2020. To cancel without fees, contact the Customer Service Call Center at (877) 427-2757. If you have a lodge or cabin reservation involving groups of 10 or more, we will be contacting you to cancel your reservation. Additionally, the DNR is working to temporarily limit reservations at lodges and cabins to groups of less than 10, so please be aware of changes that may be coming if you are making plans for the spring.
• We are implementing additional cleaning procedures, according to CDC guidelines, such as more stringent and frequent cleaning of cabins and other public areas.
• We are postponing programs and events at all state parks through April 30, 2020. This will help keep visitors safe, and we will reassess this policy in mid-April. We are also temporarily closing any visitor centers or museums managed by state parks.
• We are monitoring the situation. We promise to remain diligent and intentional in protecting you and making your visit a great experience.
• As conditions change, so may our policies on park visitation and overnight stays. We will keep you informed of any changes moving forward.”