Adair County election officials remind residents that the Primary Election will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local positions that are up for election include: Supervisor District 1NW, 3SW and 5GF; County Auditor; County Sheriff, and County Attorney (To Fill Vacancy).  Listed below are the candidates who have filed papers with the Adair County Auditor.

Candidate Filing – Primary Election – Tuesday, June 2, 2020 (I=Incumbent)

• Adair County Auditor – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Auditor – (I) Republican: Mandy Berg, of Greenfield.
• Adair County Sheriff – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Sheriff – (I) Republican: Jeffrey L Vandewater, of Winterset.
• Adair County Attorney (TFV) – Democrat: (I) Melissa S Larson, of Greenfield; Adair County Attorney (TFV) – Republican: No Candidate Filed.
• Adair County Supervisor District #1 – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Supervisor District #1 – (I) Republican: Matt Wedemeyer, of Casey.
• Adair County Supervisor District #3 – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Supervisor District #3 – Republican: No Candidate Filed.
• Adair County Supervisor District #5 – Democrat: Thaddeus Hawley, of Greenfield; Adair County Supervisor District #5 – (I) Republican: John A Twombly, of Greenfield.

NEWS RELEASE (Atlantic, IA) – Fareway Stores, Inc. recently announced a $200,000 donation to the Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives (ICCE). The donation provided for $1,000 or more in gift cards to ICCE chamber of commerce members in the communities Fareway serves. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce received $2,000 in gift cards, which will be distributed to local small businesses in the Atlantic Fareway shopping area, and their employees, that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer says “Local chambers have the pulse in each community and how best to serve its small business members during this time of need. We hope this relief reduces some of the stress our community business partners are facing.” Baily Smith, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, said Monday, “We’re extremely thankful to Fareway and the ICCE for donating $2,000 to our community. We are working with Tony Schmidtke, Atlantic Fareway Store Manager, to distribute 40, $50 gift cards to small businesses in the area that have closed or are experiencing shortages due to COVID-19, which has had a negative impact on their employees. Our hope is this money will give workers a boost during this unprecedented time.”

ICCE Executive Director Lane Till said “Our members work diligently every day to strengthen communities throughout Iowa. Through this generous donation from Fareway, our members will have the ability to help support the small businesses that create the heart of each of their communities”. Follow the movement on Facebook with #FarewayShopsLocal, or visit the Atlantic Area Chamber Facebook page, to learn more.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests over the past few days. On April 20th, 27-year old Bukjiok Dobuony, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on Sarpy County, NE., District Court warrants for failing to appear on assault and theft charges. He was initially held without bond on the warrant, but officials in Nebraska later declined to extradite Dobouny, therefore he was released.

On April 19th, 55-year old David Dale Dukes, of Dexter, was arrested in Stuart, for Violation of a Protective Order/Contempt of Court, and OWI/1st offense. Dukes was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond, with 10% acceptable. Earlier that same evening, 40-year old David William Patrick Clayton, of Greenfield, was arrested at Old Greenfield Lake, for OWI/2nd offense and Child Endangerment without injury. He was taken into custody following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident. Two juveniles and one 18-year old person were in the vehicle at the time. The vehicle was found in a precarious position on the edge of the lake and shore.

Clayton’s preliminary breath test (PBT) showed a blood alcohol level of .228, or nearly three times the legal limit. A later test determined a slightly lesser content of .199%.  Clayton was cited and released.

Officials with the Audubon County Relay for Life Committee said today (Monday), “We are sad to share that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 Relay For Life of Audubon County that was set for Friday, June 5^th has been postponed. We feel it is of the utmost importance to keep our cancer survivors and participants safe and healthy in these challenging times. We will keep the community informed as to when the new date is set.”

The Committee says also “Cancer hasn’t stopped so neither can we! Our cancer survivors need us now more than ever! Thank you to everyone for your continued support in the fight against cancer!”

Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday) said the State of Iowa has had 349 new COVID-19 positive test results returned from the State Hygienic and other labs over the past 24-hours, for a total of 5,868. There were also 1,668 COVID-19 Negative test resulted returned, for a total of 32,282. She said 2,061 Iowans have been tested, for a total of 38,150 (or 1 out of every 82 people per capita). Reynold said 2,021 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19, for a recovery rate of 34%. There have also been nine new deaths resulting from COVID-19, for a total of 127. The deaths included eight with pre-existing medical conditions. Three older adults and six elderly adults have died.

According to IDPH the additional 9 deaths were reported in the following counties:

• Black Hawk County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Bremer County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Dubuque County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Polk County, 3 elderly adults (81+)
• Poweshiek County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Washington County,  1 elderly adult (81+)

NOTE:  Yesterday’s new case numbers reported a small number of serology test results along with diagnostic test results. The positive serology test results have been removed and today’s new case numbers are updated to reflect this change.

Some good news came from the Governor with regard to lifting some of the restrictions on businesses and social gatherings. Reynolds said some businesses will be allowed to re-open on a limited basis effective May 1st. Restaurants, Fitness Centers and retails stores previously closed may re-open May 1st at 50% normal operating capacity.  Enclosed malls may re-open at 50% capacity, but play areas and common seating areas, including food court dining, must remain closed. Restaurants in food courts may operate on a carry-out basis.” (The full proclamation is online in its entirety here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.)

She said also, “Social, community, recreational and leisure and sporting events will continue to be limited to 10 people. Limits on spiritual and religious gathering are being lifted. All businesses and churches approved for re-opening must also adhere to distancing, hygiene, public health measure and business guidelines from the Department of Public Health, to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. All other existing closures will be extended through May 15th.

Reynolds said 77 counties have experienced a downward trend in virus activity over the last two weeks.

(Radio Iowa) — Handshakes and public gatherings are not an option for politicians in the age of Covid-19 — so the candidates campaigning for support in Iowa’s June 2nd primaries are trying to make digital connections. J.D. Scholten is the only Democrat running for congress in Iowa’s 4th congressional district. “We’re having to adapt like everybody else and so campaigning means doing interviews and townhalls online,” Scholten said recently during a Facebook live event.

Southwest Iowa Democrats organized an online forum Sunday afternoon with all five of the Democrats who are running for the U.S. Senate. Joey Norris, chairman of Montgomery County Democrats, nudged the crowd watching online.  “All right,” Norris said. “Everybody give a nice, silent, virtual hand clap.” On Sunday evening, the five Republicans running in Iowa’s fourth congressional district participated in a virtual forum hosted by Crawford County Republicans.

Gwen Ecklund of the Crawford County Republican Women says plans for the event were changed because of the pandemic. “So tonight’s panel are all safely participating in their homes or offices, communicating via Zoom,” Ecklund said. The event was broadcast live on K-D-S-N radio and about 120 people watched it live online.