(Updated 10:45-a.m., 6/11/20) – The Iowa Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard as of mid-day today (Thursday), shows nine more people have died from the virus over the past 24-hours, for a total of 638. Of the 207,057 tests that have been completed, 22,785 Iowans tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 331 since Wednesday. Negative test results amount to 183,872. The number of Iowans who have recovered from the virus was up 475 to 13,827.
RMCC data show Iowans who are hospitalized with COVID-19 number 242, three less than yesterday. Officials say 75 are in an ICU (two more than Wednesday), 20 were admitted over the past 24-hours, and 48 were on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (southwest/western IA): 8 people are hospitalized (2 more than Wed.), 3 are in an ICU (up 1 from Wed.), two persons were admitted to the hospital, and 2 are on ventilators.
Long-Term Care (LTC) facility outbreaks are down to 36. The number of LTC staff/patient testing positive for COVID-19 was up slightly, to 1,376. Those who have recovered are up just a bit, to 808, and there were no changes to the LTC facility-related deaths, which stands at 312.
Here’s the latest county-by-county breakdown, with the number of positive cases, and (The number recovered):
FORREST “Woody” GRUGAN, 74, of Brayton, died June 1st, at his home in rural Brayton. A Celebration of Life Memorial Graveside Service for FORREST “WOODY” GRUGAN will be held 11-a.m. Monday, June 15th, in the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Adel, with Military honors will be provided by the Van Meter American Legion, Post #403 with the Army flag detail provided by Camp Dodge. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.
A (separate) Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on July 11th, at 11-a.m., at the Bethany Evangelical Free Church, (2144 310th Street) in rural Brayton.
FORREST “WOODY” GRUGAN is survived by:
His his wife – Eunice Grugan, of Brayton
His son – Bradford Grugan, of Newell
His sister – Priscilla Grugan-Hall, of Williamsport.
His brothers – Kirk Grugan, of Muncy, Pennsylvania; and Farren “Joe” Grugan, of Center Point, Alabama.
His brothers- and sisters-in-law, other relatives and friends.
Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 75. Our Low this morning, 56. Last year on this date the High was 79 and the Low was 53. The Record High on June 11th was 99 in 1892 and the Record Low was 36 in 1903.
(Radio Iowa) — Thirty Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to impose new limits on the power of the state’s top election official to adjust election rules during an emergency. Secretary of State Paul Pate expanded the days of “early voting” for the June Primary AND mailed absentee ballot request forms to every registered voter to boost voting by mail during the pandemic. Senator Roby Smith, a Republican from Davenport, says one person shouldn’t have that much authority.
“There needs to be checks and balances on elected officials. I learned that way back in third grade,” Smith says. “And right now, an elected secretary of state can do whatever he wants during an emergency when it comes to election law…that is not good.” Two Republicans joined all the Democrats in the Senate to oppose the bill. Senator Todd Taylor, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says due to COVID-19 concerns, the unprecedented steps Pate took this spring may be needed for the fall election, too.
“You are suppressing the vote by taking away an option in these unprecedented times to expand access,” Taylor says. Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, says the bill is an embarrassment. “God help us,” Jochum said. “This is nothing more than trying to rig an election.” Senator Smith chastised Democrats and those in the media who’s criticized his plan. It no longer allows county officials to verify a voter’s identity on an absentee ballot if the voter fails to put an I-D number on the return envelope.
“This bill is about security. Right now, there’s no voter ID when it comes to absentee ballots. All you’ve got to do is put your name on it, sign it, send it in. No drivers license number? No voter ID number? This says that you need to fill it out, voter!” Smith says. “…Just like if I sent an application to the bank for a loan, filled my name out, signed it and sent it in and I forgot to put my Social Security number on it — not a single bank in this country would ever fill in the Social Security number for you.”
The most common mistake on an absentee ballot is forgetting to sign it. The bill gives voters six more days to go into the county auditor’s office and put their signature on the ballot. It also forbids COUNTY officials from reducing the number of Election Day polling places by more than 35 percent. The legislation now goes to the Republican-led House.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley says he is cleared for all physical activity after missing most of last season with a groin and core muscle injury. Mosley said during a video conference call that he is confident he will be good to go when training camp begins. Mosley was one of the Jets’ biggest offseason additions last year when he signed a five-year, $85 million deal. He had a strong debut with New York in the regular-season opener but injured his groin late in the game. Mosley ended up missing all but two games with the injury.
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s amateur draft began with the first of a pandemic-shortened five rounds. Arizona State slugger Spencer Torkelson was taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Detroit Tigers. The Baltimore Orioles selected Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad at No. 2., Minnesota right-hander Max Meyer was third and went to Miami. Texas A&M lefty Asa Lacy was No. 4 to Kansas City. Vanderbilt shortstop Austin Martin went to Toronto to round out the first five picks.
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr. cruised down the stretch and won his first NASCAR Cup race of the season on Wednesday night in the first race under the lights at Martinsville Speedway. Truex won the Martinsville grandfather clock on the paperclip-shaped track at just 0.526 miles. He won for the first time with new crew chief Jason Small. Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano made it a 2-3-4 finish for Team Penske. The race started shortly after NASCAR issued a ban of the Confederate flag. Bubba Wallace had called for NASCAR to ban the flag and finished 11th.
UNDATED (AP) — U.S. Soccer’s board of directors has voted to repeal a 2017 policy that required national team players to stand during the national anthem, a rule adopted after Megan Rapinoe kneeled in support of Colin Kaepernick. The board made the decision during a conference call. Rapinoe took a knee during the anthem at a pair of national team matches in 2016. She said she wanted to express solidarity with Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who silently took a knee during the national anthem before NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice.
UNDATED (AP) — Any cheering at the Memorial might sound different from mask-wearing fans. The Memorial on July 16-19 is scheduled to be the first PGA Tour event with spectators, and the tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus is starting to develop plans. Tournament badges are sold out because only about 8,000 fans will be allowed. Spectators will park their own cars — no more shuttles — and have their temperature taken upon arrival, along with a CDC health questionnaire. Anyone with a temperature 100 degrees or higher will be asked to stay at home.
Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hold the pork chop on a stick and get a butter cow rain check. This summer’s Iowa State Fair was cancelled Wednesday due to concerns about the coronavirus, marking the first time since World War II that the annual gathering won’t be held in Des Moines. Without comment, the state fair board voted 11-2 to cancel the fair, which typically caps an Iowa summer with an 11-day run in mid-August. The fair is the biggest attraction in Iowa, typically drawing more than 1 million visitors who check out the butter cow, buy countless kinds of food typically skewered with a stick and stroll through 445 acres of barns, carnival attractions and even a campground. Officials in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana also have cancelled their fairs.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa bars, restaurants, theaters and other businesses will be able to pack in more customers beginning Friday under a proclamation Gov. Kim Reynolds says reflects a decline in the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly three weeks after Reynolds allowed such businesses to open with a 50% capacity limit, she announced Wednesday plans to end the restrictions as long as establishments practice social distancing and ensure additional hygiene practices. Swimming pools, senior centers and adult day care centers also may open if they follow public health guidance. The governor eased restrictions as state health data showed an increase of seven deaths and about 340 cases since Tuesday.
STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A longtime employee of Tyson Foods in Storm Lake has died of coronavirus as an outbreak centering around the pork processing plant devastates the region. An attorney representing his estate says 60-year-old Ken Jones died last week after spending about two weeks in a hospital. Jones, a resident of Alta, was a maintenance employee who worked at the plant for 12 years. He leaves behind a wife and two children, one adult and one 9-year-old. Tyson announced last week that 591 employees at the Storm Lake plant have tested positive for the virus out of more than 2,300 who were tested.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Black Lives Matter protesters are rallying inside the Iowa Capitol building, shouting “I can’t breath” and “Justice now” in an effort to convince lawmakers and the governor to take action on issues of racial inequality. A group of about two dozen protesters on Wednesday peacefully but loudly gathered in the public space between the main entrances of the House and Senate. Sen. Brad Zaun, a Des Moines Republican, met with the group’s leader and promised to work on issues the group raised. Protesters also banged on the office door of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and asked for a meeting. They were disappointed when they were told by staffers to schedule a meeting.
Mills County Public Health officials said Wednesday, they have been notified of an additional, confirmed case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mills County. The individual is between the ages of 0-18, and is self-isolating. Mills County Public Health has followed a total of 22 positive cases in their county.
This has included conducting investigations and tracing the potential contacts for all cases, to identify individuals who came into close contact and should also monitor their health symptoms and self-isolate. Health officials say “We want to remind all county residents that even though the Governor has eased restrictions on businesses and social gatherings, COVID-19 continues to spread in our county. It is now more important than ever to practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm and stay at home when you are ill.”
“Please be mindful when you are out in the community. Maintaining distance between you and others is crucial for preventing the spread of contagious illnesses such as COVID-19. By minimizing the amount of close contact we have with others, we reduce our chances of catching the virus and spreading it to our loved ones and within our community.”
The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held an electronic meeting Wednesday evening, during which they approved the resignations of: Justin Williams, 9-12 At-Risk Teacher/JV Football & Asst. Tennis Coach; Kathy Swinnerton, Special Education Paraeducator; and Ernie Hawthorne, Special Education driver.
They also approved contract recommendations for: Amberley Schechinger – 7th Grade Math Teacher; Liz Reid – 8th Grade Math Teacher; Brandon Baggett – H.S. Language Arts Teacher; and Bryce Casey along with Kelly Juhl – as Summer Grounds keepers. Late addition contracts not on the original agenda, were approved for: Derek Handel, Freshman Softball Coach; Terry Hinzmann, to run the Credit Recovery Summer School and Alisa Kool’s, transfer from Title Reading to Second Grade Teacher.
The Board also acted on Spring Coaching Contracts for: Ed DenBeste – Head Boys Golf; Kathy Hobson – Head Girls Golf; Mike McDermott – Head Boys/Girls Tennis; Matt Mullenix – Head HS Girls Track; Derek Hall – Asst. Girls HS Track; Abby Becker – Head Boys HS Track; Jeremy Blake – Asst Boys HS Track; Joe Brummer & Trace Peterson – MS Boys Track; Casey Pelzer & Taylor Williams – MS Girls Track; Dan Vargasson – Asst, HS Girls Soccer; Oran Perkins – Head HS Boys Soccer; Matt Smith – Asst HS Boys Soccer.
The following positions remain open: Asst. Boys/Girls Tennis, and Head HS Girls Soccer. In other business, the Board received Facilities Project updates from Snyder & Associates Engineer Dave Sturm and Project Liaison Bob Sweeney. Sturm said drainage continues to be an issue on the south end of the Trojan Bowl, and the recent rain hasn’t helped.
Sweeney said the retaining wall issue has been a thorn in his side, and is close to running over-budget, but that he is confident with adjustments and contractor cooperation, the price tag will not be exceeded.
The Board approved an internet/infrastructure purchase for connectivity in light of the continuous learning environment requirements. The District will spend an estimated $40,000 altogether for the equipment and labor. The transmitter/receiver will be located above the Cass County Courthouse. District Information Technology Director Roger Warne and NishnaNet’s Scott Bennett helped to identify the need for internet infrastructure and what would best serve the district. Warne said it’s important not to wait any longer to get the necessary system pieces and get them installed.
Superintendent Steve Barber said CARES Act Funds and PPEL money will pay for the project. In other business, the Board decided to continue with their Zoom meetings for at least another month. Once their in-person meetings resume in the High School Media Room, unless guidance changes from the Dept. of Public Health, social distancing will be observed and there will be a limit on the number of people who may attend directly. The meetings will likely be broadcast via Zoom, as well, until further notice.
The Atlantic School Board approved the purchase of a mower from Ultimate Lawn and Power in Atlantic, for $10,819.69. They also approved Superintendent Barber’s contract for 2020-21, which includes a two-percent salary increase; a 2020-21 School Business Official Contract with the CAM School District for the services of Atlantic Finance Director/Board Secretary, Sarah Sheeder. CAM pays 30% of the cost and Atlantic gets funding for five students as part of the agreement, which has been in effect for the past two-years, and CAM wishes to continue.
One of their final action items, was allowing parents to transport their athletes to baseball and softball games in light of COVID-19, and the issuance of permission slips for parents to sign. Superintendent Barber…
Pottawattamie County Public Health, Wednesday, reported 15 new cases of COVID-19. Of the newly reported cases, one is from Carter Lake, one is from Treynor, and 13 are from Council Bluffs. Two of the cases are epi-linked and the others were tested between June 2nd and 9th. Eight of the individuals are between the ages of 18-and 40, five are from 41-to 60, and two are 61-to 80 years of age.
Including epi-linked cases, PCPH reports 452 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, with 239 having recovered, five currently hospitalized, and 187 persons self-isolating. Bases on contact tracing investigations, 126 Pott. County COVID-19 cases are the result of community spread.
As of June 10th, the demographics of COVID-19 positive individuals in Pottawattamie County are as follows:
STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A longtime employee of Tyson Foods in Storm Lake has died of coronavirus as an outbreak centering around the pork processing plant devastates the region. An attorney representing his estate says 60-year-old Ken Jones died last week after spending about two weeks in a hospital. Jones, a resident of Alta, was a maintenance employee who worked at the plant for 12 years.
He leaves behind a wife and two children, one adult and one 9-year-old. Tyson announced last week that 591 employees at the Storm Lake plant have tested positive for the virus out of more than 2,300 who were tested.
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