MONTGOMERY – Montgomery County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Stephanie Burke said today (Thursday), she has set only two polling locations that will be open on June 2 for the 2020 Primary Election. Burke said Montgomery County traditionally has 7 locations available for the Primary Election, but that number has been reduced to only two locations.

Those voters that usually vote at the Elliott Community Building, Red Oak First Christian Church and the Red Oak Fire Station will be voting at the Red Oak Gold Fair Building. Any voters that vote at the Grant Fire Station and the Villisca Community Room will now be voting at the Stanton Fire Station. Burke said the inconvenience is expected to be minor and emphasized this is a temporary move just for this Primary Election due to COVID-19.

Burke added that other precautions besides social distancing will be implemented for the safety of the poll workers.  Auditor Burke also is reminding people to return their absentee ballot. “We still have ballots out there that need to be returned to the Auditor’s office.” A mailed ballot must be postmarked on or before Monday, June 1 or it will not be counted. “Ballots can also be put in the courthouse drop box,” Burke said.

Curbside absentee voting at the courthouse is available. “We are asking voters to park in the courthouse parking lot in the reserved voting spots. They will need to call when they arrive, and we will go to their vehicle.” Ballots may be voted there from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. through Monday, June 1. Voting will be open until 5:00 p.m. on May 29, and also from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.

For more information about the 2020 Primary Election, call 623-5127, follow Montgomery County Auditor & Elections Facebook page or visit www.montgomerycountyiowa.com.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Fewer people filed for unemployment last week in Iowa compared to the week prior, but remained historically elevated as the country deals with the economic fallout of coronavirus pandemic. A report released Thursday the by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 13,040 new claims filed between May 10 and May 16. That was drop from the previous week, when 16,735 people filed unemployment claims in Iowa. Officials say more than 187,000 have filed for unemployment since the outbreak began, and nearly $51 million in unemployment insurance benefits has been paid out. Those industries with the most claims last week included manufacturing, which saw nearly 4,700 claims, health care and social assistance, with 1,216 claims and retail, with 827.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced an expansion of the TestIowa.Com COVID-19 testing, to include anyone who wishes to be tested. Previously, the  website focused on testing for the “essential work force” (health care providers, EMS and others in the health or emergency services field.).

In addition, Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebow confirmed school districts and non-public schools may begin offering summer learning activities for students, effective June 1st.

Other activities, including some related to sports, remain on hold for another month.

Lebow said COVID-19 mitigation efforts will still be in effect for those districts that chose to hold summer activites in-person, as opposed to on-line.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states inched upward in May from April’s record low, but still remained profoundly low as efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the rural economy. The overall index for the region rose slightly to 12.5 from April’s record low of 12.1. Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says nearly three of every four bankers surveyed reported restructuring farm loans to deal with weak farm income. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education held an electronic meeting today (Thursday),and approved a proposal for retaining wall over-excavation at the Trojan Bowl. According to Tim Veach with FRK Architects, soil tests from Certified Testing Service, Inc., of Storm Lake, showed inadequate capacity at multiple locations. Superintendent Steve Barber said the district knew early on that there was a problem, but they didn’t know the scope of the remediation and cost.

CTS said the foundation area for the retaining wall requires 3,500 pounds per square foot (Psf). Several tests performed resulting in the soil failing to meet the project requirements. CTS had recommended the removal of one foot of material and replacing it with one-inch of crushed gravel compacted to 98% of the optimum daily density per regulations. Central Iowa Dirt Works’ bid of $44,911.77, which includes the use of machinery, a GPS Technician, supplies and trucking to the site. Their bid noted a soil tester must be on-site for the duration of the backfill/compaction process.

Steve Barber said the cost could go up, but there’s hope it will go down, too, especially with after Engineer Dave Sturm said there may be cost-saving options available.

Using a formula whereby 68% of the would be used, the cost savings would amount to a savings of around $20,000. Project Liaison Bob Sweeney acknowledged the project came back more expensive than expected.

Sweeney said he would be disappointed and mad, if the costs came in at $42,000 or more.

Officials with the City of Harlan report the “8 Ball Aviation Club” has made the tough decision to cancel this year’s airplane rides and Flight Breakfast at the Harlan Municipal Airport. The event was set to take place Father’s Day weekend (June 20-21). The decision was made with regard to the uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19. Officials say “Hopefully, things will get back to normal, and we may be able to rescheduled another event this year or at least have our airplane rides and Flight Breakfast, next year.” They thank everyone for their support over the years.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal recommendations meant to keep meatpacking workers safe as they return to plants that were shuttered by the coronavirus have little enforcement muscle behind them. That is fueling anxiety that working conditions could put employees’ lives at risk. Extensive guidance issued last month by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls for meatpacking companies to erect physical barriers, enforce social distancing and install more hand-sanitizing stations, among other steps. But the guidance is not mandatory. OSHA’s general guidance plainly says the recommendations are advisory and not a regulation or a new legal obligation.