Officials with the U-S Census Bureau report census takers are now working across all areas of Iowa to visit households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census from now through September 30.  NOTE:  The Census Bureau will follow up with some households by phone.

How to identify census takers?

• Census takers wear a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge
• Census takers will also have official U.S. Census Bureau phones
• To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public in Iowa may contact the Chicago Region Census Center:  312-579-1500

Why is it important to respond to the 2020 Census?

A complete and accurate count of each community ensures that community receives its fair share of representation in Congress and the state legislature and its fair share of billions in federal funds distributed each year to state and local communities for many programs, such as emergency response services, hospitals and clinics, schools, job training, roads, highways and more. Census data is important for decisions by businesses, nonprofits and all levels of government.

Who will census takers be visiting?  

Households that have not yet responded.

2020 Census response rates are updated daily on this interactive map: 2020Census.gov/response-rates

The majority of households have already responded. In Iowa, 69% have responded – which is about one million households. That means almost one in three households will need census taker visits.

Can you still respond in your own to the 2020 Census?  

Yes – Those that respond on their own will not need to be visited to obtain their census response.

Online – visit 2020Census.gov
Phone – call 844-330-2020 – phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Central – seven days a week
If a census taker visits your home or calls you, please answer their questions.
The Census Bureau is also sending emails to low-responding blocks. The email is sent from 2020Census@subscription.census.gov. Please respond.

For non-English language support: 2020Census.gov/languages.

More info on census takers:  2020Census.gov/census-takers

What can households expect when a census taker visits?  

In most cases, census workers will make up to six attempts at each housing unit address to count possible residents. This includes leaving notification of the attempted visit on the door. The notification will include reminder information on how to respond online, by paper or by phone. In addition, census workers may try to reach the household by phone to conduct the interview.

Census takers will go to great lengths to ensure that no one is missed in the census. After exhausting their efforts to do an in-person interview with a resident of an occupied housing unit, they will seek out proxy sources — a neighbor, a rental agent, a building manager or some other knowledgeable person familiar with the housing unit — to obtain as much basic information about the occupants as they can.

Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Census takers will also have materials on hand to help identify the household’s language.

Following local public health guidelines: Census takers have completed training on social distancing and safety protocols, will follow local public health guidelines, and will be required to wear a face mask when conducting follow-up visits.  They will also maintaining social distance of 6 ft. or more, they must practice hand hygiene. And, Census workers should avoid entering homes, and conduct interviews outside as much as possible or practical.

Census Takers Contacting Some Households By Phone  

In order to minimize the need to send census takers to households in person, the Census Bureau is training census takers to follow up with households by phone. Using information provided to the Census Bureau and third-party purchased data, the Census Bureau has a strong contact list for both landlines and cellphones assigned to houses on the Census Bureau’s address list. These phone calls will enable the Census Bureau to have maximum flexibility for conducting field operations, and is one more method that census takers can use to reach non-responding households. Phone calls will be used on an as-needed basis and when in-person contact attempts have not resulted in an interview. If a voicemail is available, the census taker will leave a message asking the household to call one of the Census Bureau’s call centers.

About the 2020 Census – The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone who lives in the United States on April 1, 2020 (Census Day).

WASHINGTON – Today (Wednesday), U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $4.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to 11 EDA Economic Development District organizations across Iowa to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

The EDA investments announced today (Wednesday) include, in this area:

•  Region XII Council of Governments, Carroll, Iowa, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by implementing response strategies and fostering community and business recovery and resiliency efforts.
• Southwest Iowa Planning Council, Atlantic, Iowa, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing technical assistance to communities and businesses.
• Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG), Creston, Iowa, will receive a $390,945 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by taking a multi-level approach towards the recovery of their eight-county service area. SICOG will use this EDA grant to coordinate with local development corporations and chambers of commerce to diversify and expand the region’s manufacturing sector; hire additional staff; and help restore the retail and service sectors.

Those entities, all EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDD), are some of the more than 850 existing, high-performing EDA EDD, University Center, Tribal, and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant recipients invited to apply for supplemental funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The CARES Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, provides EDA with $1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mills County Public Health along with Mills County Emergency Management Agency today (Wednesday) announced the first death associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county. The individual was in the age range of 61-80 and was the 42nd positive case in Mills County. The person passed away in a hospital setting. The disease was originally contracted by community spread.

Mills County Public Health Administrator Julie Lynes said “It is with a heavy heart I make this announcement and we wish to extend our sympathy to this individual’s family. Mills County Public Health and all of our key partners throughout the county and state continue to work to limit the spread and impact of this virus in our communities.”

Officials say preventive health measures are still the best defense against COVID-19. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces. Wear a face mask and maintain social distance when in public. If you are sick, stay home. Carefully consider whether certain social or recreational activities are worth putting yourself or your family at risk.If you or someone you were in close contact with tests positive for COVID-19 and told to quarantine, take it seriously.

By isolating yourself from others during the full 14-day incubation period you will be doing your part to effectively stop the spread of the virus. For further information on COVID-19, visit the Mills County Public Health webpage at http://covid19.millscoia.us.

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

(12-p.m. News) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests and one property damage accident. Authorities say today (Wednesday), 32-year old Cory Robert Kyle,  of Avoca, was arrested on a Sheriff’s Office warrant for Theft 2nd Degree (D Felony) and Driving While Barred (D Felony). Kyle was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $7,000 bond. And, on Tuesday, 41-year old Shawn Glen Wolverton, of Atlantic, was arrested on a warrant for Parole Violation. Wolverton was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held without bond.

Sunday morning, just before 9-a.m. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on 670th Street in Cumberland. A 2014 Chevy Silverado owned and driven by 35-year old Christopher Anderson, of Cumberland, was northbound on 670th Street when Anderson lost control. The pickup entered the east ditch, but Anderson was able to move vehicle back onto the roadway. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $3,000. Anderson was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Harlan Police Department reports two recent arrests. On Tuesday, 27-year old Adam Paul Mason was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. And, on Sunday, 34-year old Brian William Messinger, of Harlan, was arrested on an active warrant. Both men were transported to the Shelby County Jail.

There were also two, non-injury accidents in Harlan over the past week. The drivers in one of the collisions were identified as Michael Heithoff, of Harlan, and JoAnn Schuemann, of Avoca. In the other accident, a vehicle driven by Clara Milks-Zimmerman, of Harlan, hit a legally parked car registered to Peyton Schlater, of Irwin.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party’s signature annual fundraiser will see a major change next month in the wake of a global coronavirus pandemic. For the first time since it began in 1972, the party’s Steak Fry event will be held as a drive-in. The Steak Fry will be held at the Airplane Field at Des Moines Water Works Park. Attendees will be able to watch the program on a large screen and listen in through the radio. Steak, chicken, and vegan dinners will be delivered directly to attendees’ cars. Social distancing rules will be enforced and face masks will be required when attendees are outside of their vehicles. The event drew more than 12,000 people last year.