The Iowa State Patrol says an Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy suffered minor injuries during a collision late Sunday morning, in Adams County. Officials say 52-year old Deputy Michael Laughlin, of Corning, was driving a 2017 Ford Explorer northbound on Quincy Avenue, enroute to an Emergency Call.

As the SUV approached a northbound 2017 Ford F-250 driven by 57-year old Robert Russell, of Prescott, McLaughlin attempted to pass the slower moving vehicle. The pickup turned left in front of the SUV, causing it to be struck on the driver’s side by the Explorer. Both vehicles continued across a farm entrance and into the west ditch off Quincy Avenue, just south of 180th Street. The accident happened at around 11:55-a.m., Sunday.

Russell was not hurt in the crash. Deputy Laughlin, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported by Adams County Rescue to CHI Health Mercy Corning for treatment of minor injuries.

DES MOINES – Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory has indicated three presumptive positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa residents. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individuals are from Johnson County: one middle-age (41-60 years) adult and two older adults (61-80). Two of the individuals had underlying health conditions. One did not. None required hospitalization and are recovering at home in isolation.

Governor Kim Reynolds said Sunday, “The state of Iowa has been coordinating plans across state agencies, including a partial activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), to protect the health of Iowans and assess our operational needs. While these are the first cases, it may not be the last and it’s why Iowans must continue to practice safe habits like hand washing and staying home from work when sick. My team is engaged through the President’s Coronavirus Task Force, led by Vice President Mike Pence, as well as the nation’s governors to work collaboratively to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

IDPH Medical Director and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Caitlin Pedati said “All three individuals were part of a cruise in Egypt. IDPH is working with local public health to assess potential exposures to others. These cases are an important reminder that all Iowans need to help prevent the spread of illness by washing hands frequently, staying home when ill, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.”

COVID-19 was first linked to an outbreak in Wuhan, China, but cases have subsequently been identified in several countries, including the U.S. These are the first cases identified in Iowa. Confirmatory testing is pending at CDC.

No additional or special precautions are recommended for Iowans beyond the simple daily precautions to combat the flu 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.

For more information about novel coronavirus, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.  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.

URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) — An apartment building in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale caught fire and was damaged extensively, Sunday morning. A spokeswoman for the property’s owner Hubbell Realty, Claire Brehmer said the building in Urbandale’s Ashford Ridge complex was engulfed in flames, Sunday. Firefighters contained the fire by Sunday afternoon to a single building in the complex.

Of the building’s 36 apartments, 31 were occupied. Brehmer said dozens of cats and kittens had been rescued from the building. Brehmer said Hubbell is working with the Red Cross to make sure everyone is safe and displaced residents have a place to stay.

The Creston Police Department, Sunday afternoon, released information about an accident with possible injuries that happened at around 12:40-p.m., Friday.  Authorities say a 2007 Ford 500 driven by 26-year old Stacia Kay Draman, of Creston, was traveling north on S. Maple Street and approaching the intersection with W. Page Street. A 2004 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 17-year old Alexandria Renee Whitfield, of Creston, was traveling east on W. Page and also approaching the uncontrolled intersection, when it was struck on the passenger side by the car.

Draman told Creston Police she did not see the SUV. Whitfield said by the time she saw the Ford, the vehicle was half-way into the intersection. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $5,000. No citations were issued. Authorities say Draman complained of knee pain, but was not transported to the hospital.

The CAM School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular session 6:30-p.m. Monday, in the CAM High School Superintendent’s Office. During their meeting, the Board will discuss the District facilities upgrade Process. A number of district patrons made it to one of three meetings last month, where District Administrators explained the what needs to be done to the facilities, and what the process would be going forward.

The Board, Monday evening, will also act on adopting a Budget Guarantee Resolution and approving a Senior Class, Out-of-State trip. They’ll also hear presentations with regard to the FY 2020-21 School Calendar and Budget, followed by the setting of dates for Public Hearings on those matters. In other business, the CAM School Board will consider Walsh Door & Security bids, award a bid for 2020 Summer mowing. Their final action item, prior to adjourning for an Exempt Session for (Collective Bargaining) Strategy Negotiations, is to Award a Financial Advisor Agreement to aid in School Infrastructure Financing.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A national group is hoping to encourage travelers to visit small towns along the old Route 20 highway with a historic designation. But it’s no an easy feat because it takes cooperation from so many jurisdictions. The road runs through a dozen states, from Boston on the East Coast to Newport, Oregon on the West Coast.

In this Sept. 25, 2017, photo, Bryan Farr, president of the Historic Route 20 Association in Chester, Mass, stands on an original alignment of U.S. Route 20 near Orin, Wy. Highway 20 was moved to the neighboring Interstate 25 where speed limits are set at 80 mph. “Almost every town has a story to tell,” Farr, said. (Bryan Farr via AP)

The effort is gaining traction in Iowa, where the Historic Route 20 Association has won approval from all 35 cities and towns and 11 of 13 counties along the route. But other states, like Indiana, have issued a moratorium on new historic roads.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The captain of a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus told passengers it’s headed to the port of Oakland, California. Grand Princess Capt. John Smith told passengers in an audio address Saturday night that the ship will dock in Oakland. The company that owns the ship says it is expected to arrive on Monday.

A couple from eastern Iowa are among those on-board. Shelley and George Goeppner, of Asbury were headed home when the outbreak was reported. Capt. Smith told passengers that people who require “acute medical treatment and hospitalization” will be taken to health care facilities in California. Other guests will be taken to federally operated isolation sites or transported out of California. The captain said he was not given any information about non-U.S. citizens.

The ship is carrying more than 3,500 people from 54 countries.