Officials with the United Methodist Church said Saturday, that “Effective immediately, the congregations of the Manning United Methodist Church in Manning, and the United Church of Manilla, in Manilla, have suspended worship services through the end of March.” The move officials said, was in response to COVID-19 concerns. Pastor Joel Sutton said in the statement, “No one in our congregations have knowingly been exposed to this virus. This action is being taken simply as a recommended preventative measure of limiting social contact in large crowds.”

The suspension also includes Friday night worship at The Source. The regular worship schedule will resume April 5th. If you have any questions, contact the church office at 712-655-3928.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers across all 50 states seeking to limit the public’s access to information will soon have more eyes watching their work. The National Freedom of Information Coalition is launching a new bill-tracking program that aims to identify, in real-time, all pieces of legislation that would affect government transparency in the states.

At a time when the number of reporters covering state government has dropped significantly, transparency advocates hope the program will allow them to more easily identify bills that harm or help the public’s right to know.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A Dallas County resident who hadn’t traveled out of state has tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first “community spread” of the virus in Iowa. Speaking at a news conference in Johnston, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the 18th person who has tested positive for the COVID-19 was 61 to 80 years old. While others who tested positive had been infected after being in regions where the disease was more widespread, the latest case indicates the virus was becoming more common in Iowa. Reynolds said people should avoid gatherings of more than 250 people but she declined to cancel K-12 school unless more people tested positive.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal courts in Nebraska are nixing all jury trials and grand juries for the rest of the month in a move to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, state courts in Iowa and Nebraska are taking some precautions. An order from Nebraska’s Supreme Court chief justice says those at elevated risk of transmitting COVID-19 are barred from attending trials. In Iowa, state courts may conduct meetings and hearings remotely. For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for some people, it can lead to more severe illness, including pneumonia.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Wet, heavy snow blanketed much of Nebraska overnight into Saturday morning as a late winter snowstorm swept the state and headed into Iowa.  In eastern Nebraska’s Omaha, between 2 and 4 inches of snow fell overnight into late Saturday morning as the storm headed east in Iowa. Some areas southwest of Omaha saw event higher snow totals.

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.”

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Corrections has been implementing measures, policies and protocols to prevent the spread and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in the state prisons.

Effective immediately, visiting has been cancelled at all state prisons until further notice. This is being done out of an abundance of caution for the department’s vulnerable population.

While most other correctional departments across the country have also suspended visiting, this decision is rarely easy. The DOC realizes the impact this can have on institution morale over time, and also knows the value of keeping inmates connected with their families. To help address this concern, the department has been exploring reduced cost or free phone calls, reduced cost O-mails, and is working to establish the capability for video visitations.

Regarding the department’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus on the prison population, Director Dr. Beth Skinner commented, “Our staff are taking every precaution within our power to ensure that the prisons are ready to prevent and respond to the introduction of COVID-19.” She also went on to say, “we are working closely with all relevant state agencies such as Iowa Dept. of Public Health and Homeland Security Emergency Management to ensure that we’re taking every step we can to minimize the impact that this virus will have on our population.”

The Griswold and Exira-EHK Community School District Boards of Education will hold their regular (Separate) meetings, Monday evening, in Griswold and Elk Horn, respectively.

The Griswold Board meeting gets underway at 5:30-p.m. in the Conference Room at the High School. New Business on their agenda includes (But is not limited to):

• Considering approval of: A Resolution in Support of the 2020 Census; The 2020-21 Preschool Handbook; Middle School/High School Reward Day Changes; The purchase of a Middle School Gym curtain, and consider approval of the 2020-21 Technology Budget.
• The Board will discuss Technology/Book fees for 2020-21.
• They’ll also consider approval of mowing bids.
• Act on setting Driver’s Education fees.
• Approve the 1st reading of 200 series Board Policies, and review other policies.

The Griswold School Board will act on approving: the GCEA Master Contract; The 2020-21 MS/HS Vocal Teacher Sharing Agreement with Villisca; a 2020-21 Elementary Guidance Sharing Agreement with Riverside; and, an Industrial Tech Program Sharing Agreement with Atlantic. The Board will consider terminating the shared Elementary Art Teacher agreement with CAM for 2020-21, and discuss a Middle School/High School Principal Search.

In Elk Horn, the Exira-EHK Board will discuss and/or act on approving:

• A 20/80 sharing agreement with IKM-Manning, and an 80/20 Assistant SBO/HR Position sharing agreement.
• A Budget Guarantee Resolution to levy property tax for FY 2020-21, for the Regular Program Budget Adjustment (as allowed under IA Code).
• Approve publishing the proposed 2020-21 Budget and Set a Public Hearing date for 6-p.m. April 13th.
• Approve a Waiver for Spanish IV (It was offered, but no one registered for the course)
• and, act on approving: A flooring bid for the High School Hallway & Exira Cafeteria, along with Personnel matters (Hires, Transfers, Resignations, etc.).

(Latest update 9-p.m.) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Saturday night, held a broadcast update on the latest COVID-19 information for the State of Iowa. Reynolds said another person has tested positive, this time in Dallas County (a specific location inside the county was not made public), bringing the total number of positive cases to 18. That person, who is between the ages of 60-and-81, was not affiliated with any of the prior, cruise ship COVID-19 cases. This case was what was called “Community Spread.”

“We are confident that we now have community spread (the coronavirus) in our state,” Reynolds said. “Community spread occurs when individuals have been infected with the virus and public health cannot specifically identify the source of the infection or determine how or where they became infected.” The counties affected include Pottawattamie, Carroll, Harrison, Dallas and Johnson.

The Governor and health officials recommend Iowans refrain from gathering in groups of 250 or more. Persons age 60 or older with underlying conditions, Reynolds said, “Should stay at home and avoid gatherings or other situations of potential exposures, including travel to affected areas.”

They are NOT recommending any school closures at this time, but remind you that this is still a “Very fluid situation.” Based on CDC guidance, she said, “If a school has a positive case in a student, faculty member or visitor, we recommend a short-term suspension of a few days, for cleaning to mitigate the spread of the virus. If there is significant absenteeism…they should consider a short-to-medium length suspension of 2-to 4-weeks, or for substantial community spread…”and we are NOT there yet”…we would begin to look at longer suspensions of 4-to 8-weeks or more.”

On Saturday, the Board of Regents of the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University has requested all students, staff and faculty abroad return to the United States. The Board of Regents is allowing each university president to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Health Care organizations are asked to consider their contingency plans at this point, and to consider alternative, “Tele-health can support the needs of Iowans.”

Here is the complete IDPH Press Release from 3/14/20:

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of one additional positive case of an Iowan with COVID-19, for a total of 18 positive cases. The individual is an older adult age 61-80, and a resident of Dallas County. Additionally, IDPH has determined, based on the new COVID-19 case and the announcement this evening of community spread in Omaha, Neb., there is now community spread in our state.

Community spread occurs when individuals have been infected with the virus in an area and cannot specifically identify the source of the infection, or do not know how or where they became infected. Due to the detection of community spread, there are new recommendations for individuals with underlying conditions, and all Iowans should be prepared for cancellations and disruptions in routine activities.

Mitigation measures should be implemented immediately to have the most significant impact on slowing the spread of the virus.  Leaders of institutions and organizers of events should begin to act on their contingency plans related to large gatherings, including church services. Iowans should not hold or attend large gatherings of more than 250 people, and consider making adjustments for smaller gatherings with high risk groups.

Health care organizations should also review their contingency plans and consider how telehealth can support the needs of Iowans. At this time, school closures are not recommended. Based on CDC guidelines:

• If a school has a positive case in a student, faculty member or visitor, we recommend a short-term suspension of a few days for cleaning to mitigate spread of the virus.
• If there is significant absenteeism of staff and students, they should consider a short to medium length suspension of 2 to 4 weeks.
• For substantial community spread, longer suspensions of 4 to 8 weeks or more are recommended.

Iowans should do their part to protect their health and the health of others:

• Individuals 60 years of age and older with underlying conditions should stay at home and avoid gatherings or other situations of potential exposures, including travel to affected areas.
• Consider personal social distancing measures: avoid large gatherings, limit the number of attendees per gathering.
• Consider working remotely or online learning when possible.
• Encourage staff to telework (when feasible), particularly individuals at increased risk of severe illness.
• Limit non-essential work travel and gatherings.
• Follow CDC guidance regarding school closures if a school-based case is identified, implement short term suspension for school cleaning and contact tracing, and alter schedules to reduce student mixing. Cancel extracurricular activities as needed.

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.

State agencies are taking the following steps:

The Iowa Department of Public Health encourages long term care facilities to align their practices with recent guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which limits non-essential visitors to long term care facilities. In addition, IDPH is requesting that long term care facilities report to the department when greater than two staff or residents are ill with respiratory symptoms without another diagnosis.

The Department further encourages long term care facilities to implement additional visitor limitation protocols as deemed necessary to protect the life and safety of their residents.

Today, Iowa Veterans Home announced it is restricting all visitors to both residents and staff in accordance with new national guidelines for nursing homes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Only Iowa Veterans Home staff will be allowed access, and all staff will be screened prior to entering.

Similarly, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) suspended all in-person visitation for their six state-run facilities to prevent risk to the individuals served and to mitigate against community-spread. The Department will consider limited exceptions and is offering virtual options to allow continued communication with loved ones.

In addition, DHS is putting policies in place to ensure access to childcare during this time, including financial and operational assistance. These include paying child care providers based on enrollment rather than attendance, and expediting licensing to enable increasing capacity. Childcare inspection and regulatory functions will shift to provide technical assistance focused on hygiene and sanitation. DHS also recognizes the stress that emergency events cause children and families and are developing strategies to identify and address their needs.

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.