Officials with the Atlantic Rotary Club report this spring the annual Rotary High School Senior Recognition like many spring activities was cancelled, but that didn’t prevent the organization from acknowledging the individuals that received Rotary Scholarships.

2020 Rotary Scholarships were presented to Connor Church, Kathryn Saluk and Zachary McKay. Church was the recipient of the Atlantic Rotary Club Community College/Vocational Scholarship. Saluk received the Atlantic Rotary Club 4 Year University or College Academic Scholarship and McKay was the recipient of the Atlantic Rotary Club Rex Moorman Memorial 4 Year University or College Academic Scholarship.

Zachary McKay

Kathryn Saluk

Connor Church

Each of the scholarships are valued at $2,000.

(Updated) – Officials in Montgomery County said Thursday (Today), government buildings that have been closed to the public since March 17, in effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of the community and county employees, are set to reopen normal business hours on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

The Board of Supervisors, in collaboration with county elected officials and department heads, determined that the county is ready to reopen facilities, and they are encouraging the public to continue to respectfully follow safety procedures to make this transition a smooth and safe one.

Auditor Stephanie Burke said “Health screenings will no longer be conducted at the buildings; however, we are encouraging the public to wear masks, use available hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving buildings, and practice social distancing by maintaining at least six feet distance from others. Also, we ask that only customers that are directly required to complete the transactions enter the building. For example: one parent per minor for consent, no other guests including children, etc.”

The Board of Supervisors will work closely with Montgomery County Emergency Management and Montgomery County Public Health to monitor the situation in the community and determine the best way to serve the public during this time. Continuing to access county government services by phone, e-mail, online, or the courthouse drop box is strongly encouraged.

Officers with the Melcher-Dallas Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched at around 11:21-a.m., today (Thursday), to 502 D Main Street East, on a report of a deceased adult. Inside the home, law enforcement found a deceased adult female.

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Major Crime Unit is working with the Melcher-Dallas Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Marion County Attorney’s Office to identify the circumstances surrounding the death.

The Office of the State Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Pending notification of family, the name of the womane is not being released.  Law enforcement is not aware of any threat to the public related to this death.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department has announced that playgrounds, shelters, and the skatepark will all be re-opened on Monday, June 1st.

They are asking users to continue to social distance and follow other CDC guidelines within the parks in order to have fun and be safe.

Oakland Mayor Brant Miller issued a letter to residents on Thursday stating that following a special session of the City Council on Wednesday night, the decision has been made to not open the city pool for the 2020 season.  The closure is not necessarily due to the pandemic but due to a lack of lifeguard applicants to operate the pool this season.

The city advertised for lifeguards for nearly a three month period and only received three applications. Miller said, “We cannot safely operate the pool with only three guards. It was our intention to open the pool and follow CDC guidelines for disinfection in relation to the COVID-19 virus.”

After discussion the council voted 5-0 to close the pool for the 2020 season due to lack of guards to safely operate the pool. Miller said it is the goal of the council and himself to resume normal pool operation in the summer of 2021.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new reports shows Iowa saw a jump in the number of people filing for unemployment last week compared to the week prior as the country deals with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. A report released Thursday the by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 14,586 new claims filed between May 17 and May 23. That was an increase from the previous week, when 13,040 people filed unemployment claims in Iowa. The release says more than $661 million in benefits has been paid out since April 4. Those industries with the most claims last week included manufacturing, which saw more than 3,800 claims, health care and social assistance, with right at 1,400 claims and retail, with more than 900 claims.