The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrested at around 2:30-p.m. Wednesday, of 34-year old Joshua John Weeks, of Lorimor. Weeks was charged with OWI 3^rd, possession of a dangerous weapon while under the influence, and felon in possession of a firearm. He was being held in the Union County Jail on $11,000 bond.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a gift certificate stimulus campaign to support local retail businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith says “With the new State mandated retail closures that were announced yesterday (Thursday), and slower foot traffic for retailers still open, we wanted to do something that would bring money into their business right now and allow shoppers the ability to come into stores later.” Participating retailers are listed on www.atlanticiowa.com. Gift certificates will be available for purchase online in increments of $5 – $50. Purchases must be paid by debit or credit card. The Chamber will mail the gift certificate to the shopper and the business will be reimbursed for the amount immediately. Certificates expire December 31, 2020, giving shoppers plenty of time to use them.

Smith says “With these certificates, residents are able to support local retailers while complying with government mandates. We encourage residents to purchase certificates to use at a later date, give as gifts or save for Christmas shopping.”

Participating retailers include: Advanced Computer Graphics & Solutions (ACGS), Akin Building Center, Atlantic Motor Supply (NAPA), Atlantic Locker Service, Aunt B’s, Boes Repair, Inc., Bonnesen’s, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Brymons Interiors, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Choice Printing & Supply LLC., Deter Motor Company, Dvorak Tire & Service, Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, Henningsen’s Processing Plant, McAtee Tire, Olsen’s Outdoor Power, Orschlen’s Farm Supply, Something For You, The Fish Store, The Franklin Market (excludes Coffee Girl), The Picker’s Parlor, The Uppercut & More Boutique and Unique Salon & Spa.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — More than three dozen more Iowa Army National Guard members have been activated to join the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The guard says soldiers from the 67th Troop Command have established an operations and planning cell at the Iowa City Readiness Center. They will prepare and coordinate guard support to agencies in the eastern half of Iowa. Other guard members have been delivering medical supplies in support of the Iowa Department of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The guard says more than 90 guard members are on duty to handle coronavirus response missions across Iowa.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (The Gazette) — Iowa’s three public universities have announced grading options as the COVID-19 pandemic forces students into online education instead of classroom instruction. University of Iowa and Iowa State University undergraduate students are being allowed to take the letter grades their instructors record or choose a pass/nonpass option. The Gazette reports that the new option could help students who, for example, don’t do as well as they believe they could have without the coronavirus-related disruptions.

The University of Northern Iowa already has a credit/no credit option but has modified and expanded its use. The pass or not-pass marks won’t factor into a student’s grade-point average.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials say Nebraska’s total of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to 81. The Nebraska Health and Human Services Department says 1,584 tests have come back negative. Officials also report that Nebraska’s initial claims for unemployment benefits skyrocketed with the rest of the nation’s amid the coronavirus pandemic. The claims rose to nearly 16,000 last week from a little less than 800 the week before. In other coronavirus news, election officials say they still plan to hold the state’s May 12 primary election as scheduled.