DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of one additional positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in an Iowa resident in Harrison County, for a total of 17 positive cases. This individual was tested in Nebraska, and is now recovering under isolation. Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory today has indicated no additional positive cases. All positive cases in Iowa at this time are travel related.

Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a proclamation to temporarily suspend requirements for transportation of food, medical supplies, cleaning products, and other household goods by removing restrictions on oversize and overweight loads.

Gov. Reynolds also held a press conference today (Friday) from the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston to provide an update to the state of Iowa on COVID-19. A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa provided by IDPH can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431.

Iowans can help prevent the spread of illness by following simple daily precautions including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season, and IDPH recommends getting the flu vaccine. Influenza activity is widespread in Iowa and as long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to receive the vaccine.

COVID-19 was first linked to an outbreak in Wuhan, China, but cases have subsequently been identified in several countries, including the U.S. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Those most at risk of the virus are older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Omaha District says it has reached its goal of having the Missouri River mainstem levee system restored to its full height following massive flooding a year ago that devastated levees in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

The Corps said in a news conference Friday that while there is still much work to be done throughout the region, crews had closed 24 breaches along the main river system, spending more than $400 million to date on the work.

District commander Col. John Hudson said crews have moved 4.73 million cubic yards of sand in the effort, “equal to two Empire State Buildings.”

(Radio Iowa) — A judge has declared a mistrial in the case against an Ottumwa woman accused of murdering her child. Friday morning, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the count of first-degree murder against Kelsie Thomas. Thomas was found NOT GUILTY of child endangerment resulting in death. Authorities say Thomas, now 24, strangled her five-year-old daughter Cloe Chandler on July 2018.

Thomas told law enforcement her daughter accidentally hanged herself in a closet but later confessed to the killing in an interview with police. Judge Lucy Gamon declared a mistrial.

The State has the option to re-try Thomas for first-degree murder within 90 days. Discussions on how to proceed will be held at a later date.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa State University has reached a settlement with a group that accused the school of trying to suppress free speech on campus. Speech First sued the university challenging the school’s ban on chalking political messages on sidewalks, the sending of e-mails for campaigns and elections, and the use of the I-S-U Campus Climate Reporting System.

Speech First president Nicole Neily says they dropped the lawsuit after the university agreed to changes in the policy for chalking and emails. She says the school’s Campus Climate Reporting System will also not contact or meet with students accused of “biased” speech.

I-S-U president Wendy Wintersteen issued a statement that says “the allegations of suppression made by Speech First were simply not true.” Wintersteen says no money was paid to Speech First by Iowa State University.

Officials with the Atlantic High School report the Youth Mental Health Night (scheduled for March 18th), has been postponed. A reschedule date is yet to be determined. The event was postponed due to concerns it may not have been well-attended based on fears of the COVID-19 virus.

Atlantic Principal Heather McKay says, “This event is too important not to have a good turnout.” So, they will hold the event intended for students, parents and other interested persons, as soon as possible, once the threat of the virus has been contained.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber today (Friday) provided an update on the district’s plans moving forward, with regard to the COVID-19 virus. Barber said a lot has changed since he and District Nurse Laura Freund sent out a letter explaining what the district was doing, and what parents/guardians and staff can do to stay safe.

“Obviously,” he said, “We have a lot of disappointed students who were planning to travel to Disney World in two weeks.  We are working to see what can be done in the future with this trip. Other nationwide events have been cancelled due to the virus, most of which are national and international events.

“In regards to Atlantic Schools, the recommendations remain the same: wash hands, disinfect, cover your mouth and stay home if you feel ill. We know this is a fluid situation and we will continue to monitor this daily.”

The Iowa Department of Public Health has reported that there are no cases of community spread in Iowa or the Omaha area.  All 16 confirmed cases in Iowa are linked to travel. Barber said “Both the IDPH and CDC have sent out recommendations for schools and update them frequently.  We will work closely with our local Public Health and Emergency Management and if recommendations change, we will take the appropriate steps and actions.

“After consulting with these professionals, we will still be having our High School musical (“Little Shop of Horrors”) performances starting this (Friday) evening.” Performances are as follows: Tonight & Saturday night – 7:30-p.m.; Sunday matinee’ – 2:30-p.m. Admission is $5. Activity tickets will not be accepted.

Barber says “The auditorium will be disinfected after each performance. Our student council blood drive and the Mental Health symposium will be postponed and rescheduled at a later time.  We will evaluate the situation on Monday and send another communication to update everyone.”

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) released a report on arrests dating from March 2nd to the 11th. Most recently, on Wednesday (March 11), Deputies arrested 61-year old Mark Allen Funk, of Griswold, on a Class-D felony charge of Going Armed With Intent, and serious misdemeanor charge of False Imprisonment. Funk was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $6,000 bond. 54-year Steven Darrell Funk, of Griswold, was cited into court for False Imprisonment, in connection with the same incident.

43-year old Jason Richard Tasto, of Lewis, was arrested March 11th on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault 2nd Offense. Tasto was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $1,000 bond.

On Monday, March 9th, Cass County Deputies arrested 26-year old Catherine Josephine Charles, of Atlantic, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Charles was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. There were two arrests last Saturday, in Cass County: 58-year old Charles Clyde Burns, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Burns was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $20,000 bond. And, 33-year old Cody Michael Johnson, of West Des Moines, was arrested March 7th on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Johnson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond.

On Friday, March 6th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year old Tyler Lee Crawley, of Cumberland, and 45-year old John Duane Anderson, of Cumberland, both on one charge of Disorderly Conduct. The men were taken to the Cass County Jail. Anderson was released later that day on $300 bond; Crawley pled guilty to the charge the following day and was released.

On March 5th, 36-year old Balam Andres Soto Marquez, of Des Moines, was arrested on one count of Possession of Marijuana 3rd/Subsequent Offense. Soto Marquez was taken to the Cass County Jail where he later pled guilty to his charge and was transferred to Polk County authorities on a Polk County warrant.

On March 4th, 34-year old Beth Renee Perdue, of Red Oak, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Perdue was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $4,000 bond.

And, on March 2nd, 43-year old Shane Edwin Davis, of Stuart, was arrested in Cass County on a Dallas County warrant. Davis was taken to the Cass County Jail and transferred the following day to Dallas County authorities.

DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith said Friday, that the IDC will postpone County Conventions (Including the March 21st Cass County Convention) to a future date to be determined.

Smith says “After extensive consultation with County Chairs, the State Central Committee, party leaders, and public health officials, we have come to the determination that the spreading coronavirus poses a risk that outweighs a temporary delay in moving the caucus-to-convention process forward. This is not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right decision,” he said.

As of this time, District and State Convention planning will proceed as scheduled. For more information on COVID-19 in Iowa, please visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website for the latest updates and safety precautions.