The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus dashboard today (10-a.m., Saturday), shows there were 901 new (Positive) COVID-19 cases reported since 10-a.m. Friday, and six additional deaths. As of this morning, the IDPH reported 79,128 total COVID-19 cases, 57,227 recoveries and 1,264 deaths since the pandemic began. There have been 732,186 Iowans tested for the virus. IDPH reported 6,247 lab test results received in the previous day, with 692 positive results and 5,539 negative results. IDPH reports a positivity rate of 8.5% over the last 14 days. One of four Iowans have been tested for COVID-19, while 1 of 40 have tested positive.

The state reports nine Iowa counties with a positivity rate greater than 15% over the last 14 days, up from eight the previous day. That means public schools in Sioux, Lyon, Crawford, Osceola, Plymouth, Winnebago, Henry, Sac, and Carroll counties can apply for a waiver to offer 100% virtual learning. Sioux, Lyon, Crawford and Osceola counties report a rate greater than 20%, with Sioux County reporting a 29.5% positivity rate.

In the KJAN listening area, Cass County, Madison Counties and Mills Counties each have two new COVID-19 positive cases each. There are three new cases in Audubon and Harrison County, four more cases in Guthrie County, six more cases in Union and Shelby Counties, and 19 more cases in Pottawattamie County.

IDPH reported 39 long-term care facilities with coronavirus outbreaks, unchanged from the previous day. There are 891 positive cases and 463 recoveries within those facilities. There have been 664 deaths in Iowa’s long-term care facilities.

Across the State, hospitalizations are up slightly, to 282. The number of patients with COVID-19 who are in an ICU is down to 81; 34 people were admitted to a hospital with symptoms of the virus, 19 fewer than on Friday, and 40 patients were on ventilators. In western/southwest Iowa, hospitals report nine people are hospitalized with COVID-19; six are in an ICU; two people were admitted to an area hospital with symptoms, Friday, and one person remains on  ventilator.

Here are the latest positive case numbers for southwest/western Iowa (County; Positive Case #’s; number of persons who have (recovered); {deaths since the outbreak began}.

• Cass County: 128 cases; (114); 2 deaths
• Adair County: 62 cases; (42); 1 death
• Adams County: 27 cases; (23)
• Audubon County: 56 cases; (35); 1 death
• Guthrie County: 213 cases; (157); 5 deaths
• Montgomery County: 85 cases; (79); 5 deaths
• Pottawattamie County: 1,953 cases; (1,601); 37 deaths
• Shelby County: 241 cases; (227); 1 death.
• Madison County, 200; (155); 2 deaths
• Harrison County, 169 cases; (152); 2 deaths
• Union County: 120 cases; (85); 3 deaths.
• Mills County: 164 cases; (117); 1 death.

The Iowa State Patrol reports a man died Friday, after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a semi, in Jasper County. Authorities say a 2001 Honda motorcycle operated by 33-year old Brandon Lee James, of Newton, was traveling southbound in the 7700 block of Highway F-48 at a high rate of speed at around 6:30-p.m., when a northbound 2005 International semi driven by 21-year old Jared Joseph Eiklenborg, of Greene, attempted to make a left turn in front of the cycle.

When the Honda crashed into the side of the gravel trailer being pulled by the semi, James died on impact. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputies.

A 26-year old Red Oak woman was arrested a little after 3-a.m. today (Saturday), for Public Intoxication. According to Red Oak Police, Jade Dakota Erynn Bacon was taken into custody in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail. Her bond was set at $300.

Police in Red Oak, Friday evening, arrested a man wanted on a Montgomery County warrant for Failure to Appear, on a charge of Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury. 33-year old James Harlan Rosencrans III was taken into custody at around 7:20-p.m. in the 400 block of Senate Avenue, in Red Oak, and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. His bond was set at $5,000.

Officials with Mid-American Energy are trying to figure out why a blade from a wind turbine broke off and landed in a rural Adair County farm field. KCCI in Des Moines reports the incident happened sometime Thursday or Friday, when nearby farmers discovered the 177-foot long, 18,000 pound blade partially crumpled-up in a field. The land is farmed, but not owned, by Adair County farmer Curt Beane.

MidAmerican Energy spokesman Geoff Greenwood told KCCI that wind turbine blade failures are a rare occurrence. Greenwood said MidAmerican crews will work to find a cause of the wing failure. The last two blade failures the company investigated, he said, were caused by lightning, but he didn’t know Friday, why this particular blade failed near the hub of the turbine.

An Adair County farmer told KCCI Friday that they will ask the Iowa Utilities Board to investigate wind turbines to make sure they are safe.

An Audubon County woman was injured during an accident Friday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports 72-year old Marilyn Hocamp, of Exira, was struck and run over by a vehicle in her driveway, and was flown by Mercy Air One to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

The accident happened at around 6:30-p.m., when a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 47-year old Steven Hocamp, of Exira, was backing up in a gravel driveway toward a residence at 3025 300th Street, near Thrush Avenue. As his mother Marilyn was walking toward the vehicle to meet her son. Steven noticed his mother up by the residence, and continued to back the vehicle up, but didn’t realize his mother was getting closer.

The rear of the vehicle knocked Mrs. Hocamp down and the driver’s side rear tires drove over both of her ankles. The State Patrol was assisted in their investigation by Audubon County Sheriff’s  Deputies and Adair Fire and Rescue.

CENTERVILLE, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Friday night, released additional information concerning an Officer-Involved shooting in Appanoose County. Authorities say the incident began Thursday evening when law enforcement officers in Marion County, Monroe County, and Appanoose County attempted to stop a Ford F-150 for multiple traffic violation and suspicion of operating while intoxicated. A pursuit ensued. The F-150 traveled in excess of 80 mph at points of the pursuit, using both lanes of the rural two lane road.

At 10:11 p.m., at the intersection of Highway 5 and J-18 in Appanoose County, Deputy Sheriff Jordan Harvey, a three-and-a-half year member of the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to deploy stop-sticks in an effort to disable the truck and end the pursuit. The driver of the F-150, identified as 44-year old Scott Ammon, of Albia, eluded the stop-sticks by leaving the roadway and driving into a farm field. Ammon then directed the vehicle towards Deputy Harvey, who discharged his service weapon twice, striking the lower portion of the F-150.

After Deputy Harvey discharged his weapon, the F-150 continued into a parking lot, where it struck the Lighthouse Church before returning to the road and, ultimately stuck a utility pole; disabling the vehicle.
Ammon, who was not injured in the incident, was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Monroe County Jail, where he remains.

Per departmental policy, Deputy Harvey, who was not injured, has been placed on paid administrative leave. As result of the shooting, Appanoose County Sheriff Gary Anderson requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation conduct an independent investigation into the incident. The DCI, with the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol, continue to work the investigation.

The findings of the investigation will be forwarded to the Appanoose County Attorney’s Office for review and determination. No additional information will be released, prior to a determination by the Appanoose County Attorney.