Crossroads of Western Iowa is hosting a virtual hiring event from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13th.  They are seeking applicants for Residential Coaches in all locations—Atlantic, Battle Creek, Cherokee, Council Bluffs, Missouri Valley, Onawa, and Sioux City.  Residential Coaches are vital to Crossroads’s mission of empowering individuals with disabilities, as they serve Crossroads clients directly and ensure their health and safety in the organization’s Supported Community Living homes. Coaches work cooperatively with the persons receiving services to support them and help them achieve greater independence.

Both day and night shifts are available, as are full-time and part-time opportunities. A high school diploma or GED is required, along with a valid Chauffer’s License, which can be obtained after hiring. Crossroads offers competitive benefits to full-time employees, including a sign-on bonus. Those interested in joining Crossroads can register for the virtual hiring event on the Crossroads website. The registration form asks for your name, email, phone number, and the city in which you’d like to work. Please access the form at: Crossroads of Western Iowa to host virtual hiring event http://Crossroads of Western Iowa to host virtual hiring event

After the form is submitted, their HR team will reach out to schedule an interview during the 1-4 p.m. time slot.

Audubon County Public Health Administrator Bob Nelson, today (Wednesday), provided an update on the status of COVID-19 in his county. In his online message, Nelson reminded residents not to lower their guard and become desensitized to the information that continues to flow from this pandemic.

(Bob Nelson said as of Wednesday, Audubon County had a total of eight positive COVID-19 cases. He said everyone can help prevent the spread of the virus and should watch for the  symptoms. Nelson said if you think you need to be tested, call your physician, or go to www.testiowa.com.)

According to the CDC, COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.

DES MOINES – Today (Wednesday), the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) said it has been notified of 293 additional positive COVID-19 cases, for a total of 10,404 positive cases. There have been an additional 2,309 negative tests for a total of 52,767 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.  According to IDPH, an additional 12 deaths were also reported, 414 are currently hospitalized, and 3,803 Iowans have recovered. At this time, 1 in 50 Iowans have already been tested.

According to IDPH the additional 12 deaths were reported in the following counties:

Black Hawk County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
Clayton County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
Jasper County, 2 elderly adults (81+)
Linn County, 1 older adult (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
Marshall County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Muscatine County, 1 older adult (61-80 years),
Polk County, 3 elderly adults (81+)
Woodbury County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)

The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Iowa now stands at 219. More than 3,800 Iowans have recovered from the virus. Over 63,170 Iowans have been tested. RMCC data from the IDPH shows:

• 34 were admitted within the past 24-hours.
• 151 COVID-19 patients are in an ICU.
• 103 are on ventilators.
• 3,799 In-Patient beds for COVID-19 patients are available.
• 551 ICU beds are available for those patients.
• and, there are 665 ventilators available.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce today (Wednesday), announced the launch of the Atlantic Small Business Relief Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was kick-started by a substantial donation from a community donor. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “We’re so thrilled to launch this initiative. We received a call from a community-minded individual who wanted to do something to show support for local small businesses. They kept hearing the phrase, ‘We will get through this together’, and wanted to do their part in living up to those words. They have graciously donated $10,000 to kick start this fund and we are so thankful for their generosity and look forward to helping as many businesses as we can.”

The fund will be used to provide grants to local small businesses currently suffering economic hardship due to COVID-19. These funds are not intended to replace a loss of actual or anticipated revenue, but to provide businesses with funds to keep them viable during this public health crisis. Applications will be available beginning Monday, May 11th at 9 AM on www.atlanticiowa.com and will close Friday, May 15th at 12 PM. Grants will range between $500 – $2,500. To apply, businesses must have a 50022 zip-code. Atlantic Chamber of Commerce membership for participation is not required, though preference will be given to current members and/or businesses that have not received State and/or Federal funds previously. Applications will be reviewed by a committee and awarded pending availability of funds.

Our small business community is facing many unknown effects of COVID-19. The relief fund provides an opportunity for community members and larger businesses to donate with the reassurance their donations will be used to quickly move resources to where they are most needed and to adapt to evolving needs. To help as many businesses as possible, if you are interested in donating to the fund, contact the Chamber at 712-243-3017, email chamber@atlanticiowa.com or mail donations to 102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022.

Officials with the Adair Fire Department said on their social media page this (Wednesday) morning, that after meeting Tuesday night, their members voted, and “Uunfortunately decided we will be cancelling Chuckwagon Days this summer due to COVID-19.”

The Department says “This was not an easy decision for us to make, but thinking of the safety of our supporters in our community along with our members on the Fire Department, we decided it was the best decision we could make during these uncertain times. Stay posted for events we will have later in the year!”

The Creston Police Department reports a woman from Adair County was arrested Tuesday morning at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. 21-year old Brianna Lawson, of Greenfield, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Violation of a Protection Order. During the course of her arrest, Lawson was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense and Possession of Paraphernalia. She was released from the Union County Jail on a Promise to Appear on all charges.