(Radio Iowa) – The state is offering a lifeline to people impacted by the pandemic, but so far very few have accepted. Several weeks ago, the Iowa Finance Authority opened its Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program. Roger Pavey, executive director of Community Action of Eastern Iowa, says it’s for people who’ve lost income due to COVID-19 and have not received federal unemployment benefits under the CARES Act.

“Sometimes it’s just people choosing to not file for unemployment because they have some other, still-lesser opportunity but maybe better than drawing unemployment,” Pavey says. “And then we have a lot of people who maybe they were doing gig-type work – Uber, Lyft, Grub Hub, babysitting – informally on the side.”

Pavey’s agency serves Scott, Muscatine, Clinton and Cedar counties, and as of last week, just 42 people from those four had applied. He’s heard similar reports from other agencies across the state. One possible explanation is applying through the Iowa Finance Authority is, in his words, “cumbersome,” so his agency will help people apply. Income limits vary by county (80% of median income in each county), and those who qualify can receive up to four months of rent or mortgage payments, up to a maximum of 3,200 dollars.

The deadline to apply is December 31st, or when the money runs out – 15 million dollars has been allocated to the program.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Iowa Newborn Screening Program, in partnership with the North Dakota Newborn Screening Program, today (Wednesday) began a pilot to screen all newborns for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

SMA is an inherited neurological condition that leads to progressive muscle weakness. Without treatment, the infantile form of SMA typically leads to death in the first two years of life. Untreated later-onset forms of SMA lead to physical disability due to increasing muscle weakness. It’s estimated that nationally, 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 10,000 babies are born with SMA.

The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa will perform screening for SMA on all newborn screening specimens submitted to the Iowa Newborn Screening Program.  If a baby’s screen is abnormal for SMA, the Iowa Newborn Screening Program will contact the baby’s primary care provider with further recommendations.

The Iowa Newborn Screening Program currently screens for over 40 inherited disorders including blood spot screening, hearing screening and critical congenital heart disease screening.

Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies, Tuesday, arrested 21-year old Jeffrey Michael Hackett, of Glastonbury, CT. He was taken into custody on charges filed in Dallas County for Eluding and Reckless Driving.

Hackett was transported to the Dallas County Jail and released later that day on $2,393 bond.

Officials with Mills County Public Health say “With Independence Day upon us, we would like to remind everyone of a few things.This is the time of year where all Americans can celebrate the essence of who we are as a country in many different ways. With this national celebration comes some risk and responsibility.”

The American Red Cross recommends the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to take in a local show put on by professionals. However, if you feel the urge to light off some of your own, follow these tips:

• Be sure to wear proper safety attire and keep some water nearby in the event of a fire.
• Do not allow small children to have fireworks and never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, buildings, or flammable materials.
• When you leave your home to participate in celebrating our nation’s birthday, remember to maintain social distancing habits. This is key especially to those who are high risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
• Wear your cloth face coverings when in public. Be mindful of those around you and remember that we are all in this together. Understand and respect the rules, regulations, and restrictions of your destination if you are traveling outside of the area.
• Different communities and states have different guidelines and rules regarding large gatherings that must be followed. Make yourself familiar with them and stay informed.

Authorities wish everyone a happy, safe, and healthy celebration.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were transported by ambulance to the hospital in Creston, following a multi-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon north of Kent, at P-17 and U-S Highway 34. The accident happened at around 2:20-p.m.  Officials say a 2012 Ford Edge SUV driven by 57-year old Sharon Cline, of Kent, was westbound on Highway 34 and slowing to a stop while waiting for oncoming traffic, before turning south onto Beechwood Avenue. Her SUV was struck from behind by a 2007 Dodge pickup, driven by 55-year old Rebecca Ann Browning, of Prescott. The impact pushed the SUV into the eastbound lane, where it was hit by an eastbound 2019 Jeep Cherokee, driven by 64-year old Phyllis Paulsen, of Emerson.

The impact knocked the Jeep sideways in the center of the highway, before it was hit by a 2002 Pontiac driven by 19-year old Colten Hunter, of Clarinda.  Cline and Paulsen were injured during the collisions, and were transported to the hospital. Damage from the collisions amounted to $36,500.  Authorities say Browning was cited for Failure to reduce speed to a reasonable and proper rate, and failure to provide proof of insurance.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Dubuque say they’ve been informed that the IBM Client Innovation Center will close within four months, taking nearly 350 jobs with it. Greater Dubuque Development Corp. CEO Rick Dickinson tells the Telegraph Herald that an IBM official called his office Wednesday morning to inform him that the IBM facility will close by November. Dickinson says employees in Dubuque would have the opportunity to relocate to an IBM facility in Columbia, Missouri. IBM Dubuque site manager IBM opened the facility shortly after announcing plans to do so in 2009. It employed 1,300 by September 2011, but that number has regularly declined since, to its current 344 employees.