Public Health officials in Mills County, today (Thursday), confirmed two new, positive cases of COVID-19. The latest cases deal with persons 61-to 80-year of age, who contracted the virus through community spread. The two additions bring to 36 the total number of confirmed cases in Mills County. Of those, 32 have recovered. The county reports also, 1,957 people have been tested for COVID-19.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — Iowa 3rd District Democrat Representative Cindy Axne has announced a new grant amounting to more than $1.4-million, to repair pipes and storm sewers in Council Bluffs following damage from last year’s flooding. During last year’s flooding and severe storms, high ground water in Council Bluffs caused multiple storm sewer failures, pipe damage, and sewer collapses. The grant, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), helps fund the replacement of pipes and pavement at nine different sites in the city.

After securing $3 billion for Midwest flood recovery in last year’s federal disaster bill, Rep. Axne has been tracking funding provided to Iowa to help rebuild from last year’s flooding with her Iowa Flood Funding Tracker. With this new grant, the Tracker now details over $562 million in federal dollars spent in Iowa, including at least $80 million from FEMA.

One person was injured during a collision just east of Massena, late Wednesday morning. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, just before 11-a.m., Deputies responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at Highways 148 and 92. An investigation determined a 2002 Chevy Cavalier owned and driven by 22-year old Travis Wade Purdy, of Creston, was traveling south on Highway 148, and had attempted to cross the intersection with Highway 92, when it was struck by an eastbound 2018 Dodge Ram.

The pickup was owned and driven by 69-year old Alan Edward Grobe, of Oakland. Following the collision, Purdy’s car struck a 2018 GMC Sierra owned and driven by 40-year old Cody Lee Platt, of Massena, which was stopped at the northbound stop sign on Highway 148.

Purdy was transported to CCMH by Massena Fire and Rescue. Damage to Grobe’s vehicle is estimated at $8,000 and damage to Platt’s vehicle is estimated at $1,000. Damage to Purdy’s vehicle is estimated at $4,000. Purdy was cited for Failure to Obey Sign and Failure to Yield Upon Entering Through Highway.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa officer who has faced protests for shooting an unarmed Black man in 2016 says he’s being unfairly terminated for giving a break to a driver two days earlier. The Cedar Rapids Police Department fired Sgt. Lucas Jones last month, saying only that he had violated department policy. Protesters had been calling for his dismissal over the 2016 shooting of Jerime Mitchell after a traffic stop. A termination letter released this week shows that Jones was not fired for misconduct related to Mitchell’s shooting. Instead, it shows that the city is faulting him for refusing to arrest a Black woman who was driving with a suspended license two days earlier. Jones is vowing to appeal his termination.

There were no injuries, but damage amounted to $6,200, after a car hit a Casey’s General Store this (Thursday) morning,in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, at around 10:25-a.m., 61-year old Rodney L. Parson, of Red Oak, was driven a 2005 Nissan Altima, and while attempting park in front of the Casey’s at 201N. Broadway, his foot slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator pedal. The result was the car jumping a curb and hitting the east side of the building. The impact caused the wall to be pushed in about one-foot, and resulted in interior damage as well.

No citations were issued.

DES MOINES, Iowa – With anecdotal information circulating on increased sales and use of consumer fireworks, as well as the reduced number of community Independence Day celebrations and fireworks shows, State Fire Marshal Dan Wood is advising Iowans to take extra safety measures this long, holiday weekend. “We understand the desire to fully embrace the July 4th holiday and find fun and creative ways to celebrate and let loose after a difficult spring,” said Wood. “If you choose to do this with fireworks, there are some very important safety measures you should take.”

Nationally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports annual injuries of around 10,000. Specifically, Iowa has experienced a dramatic rise in injuries the last few years with the Iowa Department of Public Health reporting 143 emergency department visits for fireworks-related injuries in 2018. It’s important to note that roughly 46% of those who are treated in Iowa emergency departments are between the ages of 15-34. This is clearly a higher-risk age group.

As part of its education and outreach efforts the State Fire Marshal Division is encouraging Iowans to visit the office’s website The4thRules.com. Here you can find a host of fireworks safety tips including:
•    Refrain from drinking alcohol before and while discharging fireworks
•    Keep spectators at least six feet away from lit fireworks
•    Always supervise children near or handling fireworks. Even simple products like fireworks can be dangerous – burning at up to 2000 degrees
•    Keep a water source handy to douse “duds” or in case of emergency.

In addition to safety measures, it’s important to make sure you’re discharging fireworks legally:
•    Always purchase from a licensed vendor. You can find these listed at The4thRules.com as well
•    Children 18 and younger cannot legally purchase fireworks
•    Be sure you’re purchasing and discharging consumer fireworks. If you check the label anything marked 1.3G or below is for professional use only
•    Check local city or county ordinances. Some communities have increased restrictions on if and when you can shoot consumer fireworks.

The State Fire Marshal Division wishes all Iowans a safe, July 4th holiday.

Two people from Atlantic were arrested this (Thursday) morning, in association with a deceased, emaciated dog left in a ditch in rural Cumberland last weekend. 20-year old Anthony Michael Palijo and 18-year old Makayla Marie Palijo, turned themselves in to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office on Sheriff’s Office warrants charging each of them with one Animal Neglect Causing Injury/Death. Both parties remain held at the Cass County Jail on $1,000 bond each.

The charges stem from the report of a neglected/deceased dog found in a ditch near 650th and Pella Roads on Saturday, June 27, 2020. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office extends its true appreciation and thanks to the public for the information that assisted in charging the subjects.

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has directed $490 million of the $1.25 billion in Coronavirus relief funds Iowa was provided through the CARES Act, to be deposited into Iowa’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.  The deposit will ensure that eligible Iowans continue to receive unemployment insurance benefits, and will also enable Iowa employers to remain in Tax Table 7 for 2021.   Reynolds  says “As we move forward with recovery, I want to minimize the pandemic’s impact on employers so they can focus on growing and reinvesting in Iowa,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Iowa’s employers continue to do an outstanding job during these unprecedented times and today’s action will provide them greater certainty. This move also ensures that our trust fund remains healthy and in a position to weather any storm, including COVID-19.”

According to the Governor, “From the beginning of the pandemic, Iowa has not been charging employers with claims made by laid off employees to ensure employers would not see their tax rates go up because of these claims,” Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend added “Keeping employers in Tax Table 7, saves them over $400 million in unemployment taxes.”

For more information about the Iowa Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, please review https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/2019-status-report-iowa-unemployment-compensation-trust-fund

(Radio Iowa) – State Fire Marshal Dan Wood says the number of licenses approved by his office to sell consumer fireworks was down this year. “We are at 550 for 2020, in 2019 we had 621. In 2018 — it was our high year — we had 891. And in 2017, our first year, we had 674,” according to Wood. He says the pandemic is the likely reason for the drop. “I would say one of the reasons we are down is probably the COVID. I know there was also some question about the availability of product — so that would have something to do with it also,” Wood says.

His office issues the licenses and inspects the places where the fireworks are sold. The rules regarding the use of fireworks is left up to local leaders. “Each local jurisdiction has the ability to set their own hours and dates accordingly. And some don’t and some do,” Wood says. Consumer fireworks can be sold from June 1st through July 8th.