Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials have confirmed nine additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total Wednesday to 38. The Iowa Department of Public Health says three of the cases are residents of Johnson County, two are from Polk County, two are from Dallas County and the last two are from Washington and Winneshiek counties. That news follows the announcement that employees at Iowa’s public universities may get an additional 80 hours of paid sick leave under an emergency measure to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Board of Regents President Mike Richards used his new emergency powers to authorize the universities and special schools to provide the extra leave.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Roman Catholic college in Iowa has suspended a longtime priest and faculty member after church officials received an allegation of sexual misconduct dating to the 1990s. St. Ambrose University in Davenport said that it was recently made aware of the complaint against the Rev. Robert “Bud” Grant and is taking the report seriously. The school said the suspension would last until the outcome of an investigation by the Diocese of Des Moines. Grant has been temporarily removed as the sacramental minister at St. Andrew Church in Blue Grass. Grant hasn’t responded to messages left at his work phone and email address seeking comment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Food banks and pantries across the U.S. are scrambling to meet an expected surge in demand as the coronavirus causes many people to at least temporarily lose their jobs. This is happening even as older volunteers have been told to stay home. Also, calls for social distancing are complicating efforts to package and distribute food. Pantries are shifting from letting people select items to giving them a sack filled with food to limit interaction and lessen the chance of passing along the virus. Officials say it makes them less efficient, but they don’t have better options.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Drake Relays that had been scheduled for April in Des Moines have been indefinitely postponed because of the virus outbreak. Drake University said Wednesday that organizers made the decision to protect the “health, safety and well-being” of participants and fans amid concerns about the coronavirus. The track and field event was scheduled for April 22-25, primarily at Drake Stadium. The postponement includes related activities, such as the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Grand Blue Mile and Drake Road Races. Organizers said they would work with local, state and national officials to reschedule the event when it’s safe for all participants.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have arrested a man in the death of his mother, whose body was found earlier that day in her home. Police charged 32-year-old Christopher W. Thompson, of Des Moines, with first-degree murder in the death of 50-year-old Paula Thompson.

Officers were called to the Des Moines home around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for a welfare check on a resident. Officers found the woman dead and police later said she had been killed Friday after arguing with her son.

Police announced they were searching for Christopher Thompson, who then presented himself at the Polk County Jail and was taken to the police department. He was charged after being interviewed by detectives.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials have confirmed nine additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total Wednesday to 38. The Iowa Department of Public Health says three of the cases are residents of Johnson County, two are from Polk County, two are from Dallas County and the last two are from Washington and Winneshiek counties.

That news follows the announcement that employees at Iowa’s public universities may get an additional 80 hours of paid sick leave under an emergency measure to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Board of Regents President Mike Richards used his new emergency powers to authorize the universities and special schools to provide the extra leave.

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Details will be provided as available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a woman has been found dead in a Des Moines, and investigators are questioning a man about the crime. Police say officers were called to the home around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for a welfare check on a resident at the home. Officers who arrived at the home found the woman dead.

Police have not released her name or revealed how the woman died, but say her death is being treated as a homicide. Police had initially said they were searching for a 32-year-old man who may be a witness in the case, but later announced the man had been found.

Two men from Cass County face multiple charges stemming from an incident last week involving what they thought was a suspicious vehicle traveling through the area. According to a Criminal Complaint and Affidavit, 54-year old Steven Darrell Funk, of Griswold, who was initially cited into court for False Imprisonment, was also cited into court for Aiding and Abetting in the commission of going Armed with Intent.  Another Griswold resident, 61-year old Mark Funk, faces a charge of Going Armed with Intent.

Authorities say a woman, her husband and two small children, were traveling in the vicinity of 640^th Street and Tucson Road on March 11th, when Steve and Mark Funk boxed the family’s vehicle-in with a pickup and an SUV. The victims said both men then exited their vehicles and surrounded them before Mark Funk alleged pointed a firearm at the family’s vehicle. Both men have admitted to “boxing in” the car.

Mark Funk was transported to the Cass County Jail, and posted a $6,000 bond the next day.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports an additional filing for the November General Election: Dan Schrier has filed to run for Edna Township Trustee (a non-partisan position). The filing deadline is this Friday, March 20th.

Officials with the CAM School District report, during the school closure, the CAM Community Schools Food Service Department will provide an opportunity for families to drive through or walk up to pick up free meals for their families. Pickup will occur two times a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

Monday’s pickup will include 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches and Thursday’s pickup will include 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches. Meals will be distributed between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm in front of the High School in Anita, Middle School in Massena and in front of the Methodist Church in Cumberland.

Please stay in your car and wait for the meals to be brought to your car and passed through the window. You will be given a number of meals based on the number of children in ages 2-18 based on your household. The first pickup date is Thursday, March 19th.

Meal Sites and Times:
CAM High School
1000 Victory Park Road
Anita, IA
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

CAM Middle School
207 East 6th Street
Massena, IA
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

In front of the Methodist Church
302 5th Street
Cumberland, IA
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

If this time creates a hardship for you to pickup the meals, please call 712-762-3231or e-mail twilliamson@cam.k12.ia.us to see if we can arrange another time for pickup.

A link to sign up for the FREE meals is on the CAM homepage www.camcougars.org

The Page County Sheriff’s Office, Sunday, charged 35-year old Travis Robert Mayer, of Essex, with 23 counts of Violation of a protection order. Mayer allegedly violated the protection order after he was served March 13, 2020 in the Page County Jail, where he is being held on a charge Of Domestic Abuse Assault.

The charges stem from an investigation between the Page County Jail and Page County Sheriff’s Office.