DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of people filing initial unemployment claims in Iowa jumped last week, even as the state continued reopening after taking steps intended to slow spread of the coronavirus. Iowa Workforce Development reported Thursday that 10,112 people filed initial claims in the week ending June 6. That’s compares with 6,920 people who filed in the previous week.

There were 159,966 continuing weekly unemployment claims last week, a decline of 2,596 from the previous week. The largest number of claims came from people employed in manufacturing, at 2,080. Nationally, nearly 1.5 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week.

Montgomery County conducted its third post-election audit on June 10 under the law designed to monitor and protect election processes. The audit was a perfect match to the results recorded on election night. The law requires the Secretary of State to call for a post-election audit in a randomly chosen precinct in each county. County Auditors supervise a hand count of voters in a given race on the ballots from that precinct and compare the results to the voting machine count on election night. By random selection, Precinct 5 was audited. The polling place location for Precinct 5 is the Grant Fire Station. Due to the pandemic and the combining of precincts, voters for that precinct voted at the Stanton Fire Station on
June 2.

“We have high confidence in the security measures we take for elections,” said County Auditor Stephanie Burke, “but the post-election audit is a good way to prove that the confidence is well-founded.” Two precinct election officials, representing the two major political parties, conducted the count under the supervision of Elections Clerk, Beth Peterson, and Auditor Stephanie Burke. As required in the law, the Auditor’s Office notified the county chairs of both of the two major political parties. The process was witnessed by the Montgomery County Democratic Chair, Joey Norris.

Questions about the post-election audit and other election matters may be directed to the Montgomery County Auditor’s office at 712-623-5127.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The State of Iowa is moving ahead with a $10.3 million purchase to stockpile ventilators for coronavirus patients, even as demand for the breathing machines has dropped and 767 are currently available at hospitals statewide. The head of a distribution company hired to supply ventilators to the state says the decision to buy now is smart because new waves of the virus could still potentially overwhelm hospitals in the coming months. Records show that on March 30, Iowa’s executive branch signed a contract to purchase 500 ventilators for $10.3 million. About 2 ½ months later, a spokeswoman says Iowa has only received five of them and expects to receive the rest over the next several months as production ramps up.

A collision between a semi tractor-trailer and a car in Creston this (Thursday) morning, caused about $2,500 damage, but no one was hurt. Authorities says the driver of the semi, 63-year old Arthu McNaul, of Des Moines, was traveling eastbound on W. Adams Street at around 9:10-a.m., and swung wide left to turn onto Elm Street. McNaul didn’t see a 2006 Lexus LS-250 legally entering the right turn lane beside him. When he initiated the turn, the trailer struck the left front wheel well of the car, driven by 27-year old Brant Adamson, of Creston.

No citations were issued. The semi is registered to Ruan Logistics Corp., in Des Moines.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 25-year old Jessica Marie Larkin, of Creston, was arrested at around 10:30-p.m. Wednesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. She was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Theft in the 5^th degree. Larkin was subsequently released on $300 bond.