(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s governor grew emotional today (Friday), when addressing claims that the threat of COVID-19 is being overblown. Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s well aware of those claims.

Reynolds was asked this afternoon during her daily news conference about critics who say business closures are an over-reaction. Reynolds says she has had to make some hard decisions in the midst of a pandemic.

Reynolds says these orders are a necessity.

Reynolds says she’s hoping the FEDERAL stimulus package that just passed congress this afternoon will help many Iowans get through these really tough times. Most every American will get a 12-hundred dollar check and unemployment benefits will be expanded.

LEMARS, Iowa – A man from northwest Iowa arrested Thursday, and charged with three counts of Purchasing/Possessing Depictions of a Minor in a Sex Act. The charges are aggravated misdemeanors.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 39-year old Aaron Matthew Henry, of Remsen, was arrested in Plymouth County, following an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, along with assistance from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A move by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to halt elective medical procedures during the coronavirus emergency has halted abortions in the state. The action comes as Iowa is experiencing a surge in new positive cases of coronavirus. Public health officials on Friday announced 56 new confirmed cases and two additional deaths.

Reynolds spokesman confirms her actions Thursday halt abortions until April 16. Iowa now has 235 positive cases and three deaths. One adult over age 81 in Poweshiek County died and another between 61 and 80 died in Allamakee County. Public health officials say 32 Iowa residents are hospitalized.

MAPLETON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they have made an arrest in the late January shooting death of a Mapleton teen. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 17-year-old Jay Lee Neubaum was arrested Friday in Whiting, on a charge of first-degree murder in the Jan. 31st death of 16-year-old Joseph Hopkins. Neubaum was being held at a juvenile detention center on $1 million cash bond.

Mapleton police and medical crews found Hopkins’ body after responding to a 911 call about a shooting the night of Jan. 31. Mapleton is about 40 miles southeast of Sioux City.

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Health System is repurposing two of its satellite clinics to provide well-care exclusively to healthy children and expectant mothers. A well-care visit is defined as a visit for preventive care or management of a chronic condition, without acute symptoms.

Starting Monday, March 30, the Griswold Medical Center and Anita Medical Center will become well clinics staffed by Dr. Angela Weppler and Jessica Jackson, ARNP. Both providers have many years of experience in prenatal/OB and pediatric care, as well as general medical care. Dr. Weppler and Jackson will see obstetric patients as well as provide well-child checks by appointment only. Each provider will work two days each at both locations. The Griswold and Anita Medical Centers will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 to 4:30. We recognize that this may create inconvenience for patients traveling between communities and we appreciate the public understanding that these steps are necessary to help protect the health of our citizens.

Dr. Weppler and Jackson will also continue to care for healthy patients with chronic illnesses with those appointments done via telehealth services. Those who need to be evaluated in person will be carefully screened prior to coming into any clinic. Patients with acute illnesses will be directed to call Atlantic Medical Center to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Weppler and Jackson will temporarily cease providing care at Atlantic Medical Center. This is part of our effort to keep them away from any potential exposures to COVID-19, providing additional protection for our pregnant and pediatric patients.

All of our other providers will only work from Atlantic Medical Center and Massena Medical Center. Massena Medical Center will operate as usual until further notice. All patients with respiratory illnesses are being cared for in an isolated area of Atlantic Medical Center by a limited number of providers dedicated to that work space.

Although Rapid Care has temporarily been suspended, same-day care is readily available at the Atlantic Medical Center from Monday through Saturday. At this time hours remain the same: 7 am – 7 pm Monday through Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm Friday and 8 am – 12pm on Saturday. Calling ahead for all appointments is encouraged. Anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms/fevers/cough should call 712-243-2850 before coming to Atlantic Medical Center.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports the first positive case of COVID-19 in Taylor County. The patient is an adult (age18-to-40) who is recovering at home. Due to medical privacy and Iowa laws, no other information was released.

As reported Thursday, Montgomery County’s first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Montgomery County Public Health Agency has completed an investigation with the patient and will continue to track and monitor the patient’s status over the next several days. The individual is a middle-age female (41-60 years) and is self-isolating at home.

No other information is being released on the patient. For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Iowa Coronavirus webpage at https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/

The Cass County Food Policy Council has revamped a Facebook page to provide up-to-date information on Cass County food pantries. The page, Cass County Iowa Local Food, Farmers Markets, and Food Access, also provides information on farmers markets, and other local food opportunities. Cass County Supervisor Steve Green says “During this time, it’s really important that people in the county are aware of resources available because we don’t
want anyone going hungry.”

Cass County is home to four food pantries: the Atlantic Food Pantry, the Anita Food Pantry, the Lord’s Cupboard (in Griswold), and Cumberland Care & Share Pantry. As our pantries have faced COVID-19, they have adjusted their services, and are likely to continue doing so. For example, the Atlantic pantry is not requiring referrals during COVID-19.

Green says “It’s great that we are getting up-to-date information out to people online, but we also need people to check in on each other—particularly elderly neighbors—to make sure they know how to access food through the pantries.” For more information, follow Cass County Iowa Local Food, Farmers Markets, and Food Access on Facebook or contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at 712-249-5870 or by email at bhoegh@iastate.edu.

Cass County Food Pantry Information:
Please note: Pantries are asking Cass County residents to only use the pantry in their home community (For example, if someone is from Atlantic, they are asked to use the Atlantic pantry, not use the Cumberland, Anita, or Griswold pantries). This will help pantries to be able serve everyone better in this difficult time.

Food Delivery: If you need food delivered to your home because you are quarantined due to COVID-19, please call your pantry at least two days in advance of the pantry’s open hours. See below for phone numbers.

Anita Food Pantry: (serves Anita, Massena, Cumberland, Wiota, and Bridgewater.)
Phone: (712) 762-3645; Address: 208 Chestnut St, Anita, IA 50020
Hours: 1st & 3rd Saturday, 9:00am – 11:00am

Distribution: Items will be carried to cars. People are asked to follow signs and not get out of cars. The pantry will function like a drive through.

Donations: make checks to “Anita Food Pantry” (mail to: PO Box 96, Anita, IA 50020)

Cumberland Care & Share Pantry: (serves Cumberland, Massena, Bridgewater)
Phone: (712) 774-5818; Address: 317 Monroe St, Cumberland, IA 50843
Hours: 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 4:00pm- 5:30pm

Donations: make checks to “Cumberland Care & Share” (mail to: 317 Monroe St, Cumberland, IA 50843)

Lord’s Cupboard of Griswold (serves Griswold School District)
Phone: (712) 778-4178; Address: 100 Cass St., Griswold, IA 51535
Hours: 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Donations: make checks out to “The Lord’s Cupboard” (mail to 55546 Wichita Rd. Griswold, IA 51535)

Atlantic Food Pantry: (serves Atlantic)
Phone for Atlantic pantry delivery requests: (712) 249-3026 (Stacey Weis)
Phone for other pantry questions: (712) 243-5019 (9-11 AM Mondays and Thursdays)
Address: 19 W. 4th St., Atlantic, IA 50022
Hours: Thursdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (or until line ends- please show up at 1:00)

Food Referrals will not be needed, and clients may come to the pantry as needed during this epidemic time.

Distribution: The pantry’s usual choice options and individual face-to-face interviews will be discontinued at this time. Food will be distributed in an “express” fashion with sacks pre-prepared inside the pantry to limit wait time and reduce traffic inside the pantry building. Distribution to clients will occur outside the front door of the pantry. Only pantry volunteers will be allowed inside the pantry.

Donations: make checks to “Atlantic Food Pantry” (mail to: 19 W 4th Street. Atlantic, IA 50022). Someone will be at the pantry to accept money or food donations Monday and Thursday mornings from 9-11 AM.

The pantry is currently giving out certain foods, so they are asking that food donations focus on the following items: Soup (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, chicken noodle, tomato), Ramen noodles (chicken, beef), Hamburger Helper, canned beef ravioli, instant sides (packages)- pasta and sauce or potatoes, cereal (in boxes), corn muffin mix, bread, crackers (saltines), canned fruit (peaches, pears, applesauce, cocktail), canned tuna,
macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables (corn, green beans, peas), peanut butter (18 oz. creamy), quick oats, “complete pancake and waffle mix (no milk needed), syrup, bar soap, toilet paper.