The Iowa Department of Public Health (today, 10-a.m. Friday), reports there are 558 new positive cases in COVID-19 test results returned from the labs over the past 24-hours, for a pandemic total of 331,622 positive cases.  There were also 15 additional deaths, for a pandemic total to-date of 5,336. Statewide, 4,803 COVID deaths are attributed to Underlying causes. COVID was a contributing factor to 533 deaths. Deaths at Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities account for 2,139 of the total number of deaths.

Long-Term Care facility outbreaks declined to 27 Thursday to 24 on Friday. Officials say 675 LTC patients have tested positive for the virus, and 444 have recovered.

The State data show hospitalizations have gone from 252 Thursday to 241 today (Friday). COVID patients in an ICU increased from 59 to 60. The State says 43 people with COVID symptoms were admitted to hospitals over the previous 24-hours, and 26 patients were on a ventilator. In RMCC Region 4 (Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa), 14 are hospitalized with COVID symptoms, five people are in an ICU, two people were admitted over the past 24-hours, and two people are on a ventilator.

Iowa’s statewide positivity rate continues to decline, from 7.2% Thursday to 7.1% Friday, and the 7-day average is down to 5.1%, as compared to 5.4% Thursday.

A total of 307,596 Iowans have recovered from the virus.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

• Cass, 1,241 cases; {+2}; 48 deaths
• Adair, 787; {+5}; 26
• Adams, 317 {+0}; 3
• Audubon, 465 {+1}; 9
• Guthrie, 1,074 {+1}; 28
• Harrison County, 1,651; {+1}; 68
• Madison County, 1,379; {+1}; 17
• Mills County, 1,461; {+1}; 20
• Montgomery, 958; {+4}; 36
• Pottawattamie County, 9,663; {+14}; 140
• Shelby County, 1,136; {+2}; 32
• Union County,  1,177; {+3}; 31

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man who police say intentionally ran over and killed a local college instructor has been convicted of second-degree murder in the case. The Des Moines Register reports that a jury found 50-year-old Jason Sassman guilty on Tuesday. Sassman had been charged with first-degree murder in the April 5 death of 38-year-old Lauren Rice.

Police have said Sassman was using meth when he intentionally ran over Rice as she walked her dog, which also died. Rice was an instructor at Des Moines Area Community. Police say Sassman told investigators he ran down Rice because he believed she was a criminal about to kill someone.

DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 19, 2021) — Officials with the Healthiest State Initiative have announced the winners of the 2021 Healthiest State Annual Awards. The winners were recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of their students, employees and fellow Iowans.

Healthy Cass County logo

The winners in the 10 categories are:

The winners were announced during virtual award ceremonies recorded Feb. 15-18 and aired on the Healthiest State Initiative’s Facebook page. Each winner was awarded a monetary prize to continue their work focused on improving the health and wellness at their site. Jami Haberl, Healthiest State Initiative executive director said “Even though we were not able to have an in-person ceremony this year, these finalists and winners still deserved to be recognized by the Healthiest State Initiative as well as their fellow Iowans.  We look forward to seeing how they use their award funds to further their already impressive efforts.”

The Healthiest State Annual Awards were sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Nemours and HealthPartners UnityPoint Health. To see more from the 2021 Healthiest State Annual Virtual Awards and to re-watch the ceremonies, visit IowaHealthiestState.com/Awards.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Sheriff’s officials in southeast Iowa’s Wapello County report a man allegedly attempting to break into a home was shot by the homeowner, and later died. Authorities received a 911 call at around 9:19-p.m. Thursday. The caller explained a man was attempting to gain into their residence, located between Ottumwa and Agency, on 97th Avenue. A preliminary investigation determined the suspect – whose name was not immediately released – did forcibly enter the home before being shot by the home owner.

The man was transported by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospital, where he died. The incident remains under investigation by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Iowa DCI, Iowa State Patrol, Wapello County EMA and Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Friday (today), issued a report on four recent arrests. On Feb. 13th, authorities arrested 34-year-old Jeremy Carrier-Tischer, of Harlan, following a traffic stop in Shelby.  Upon further investigation, it was learned that Carrier-Tischer’ driving privileges were suspended through the State of Iowa, and he had an active warrant out of Pottawattamie County. Carrier-Tischer was charged with driving while suspended. He was taken into custody without incident and transferred to the Shelby County Jail. He was released later after posting both required surety bonds.

On Feb. 11th, 40-year-old Bryan Christopher Heller was arrested and charged with driving while suspended, following a traffic stop on Peach Road.  Heller was taken into custody without incident and transferred to the jail. He was released the following morning on his own recognizance.

And, there were two arrests Feb. 9th, in Shelby County: Croix Karl Brink was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 191 at F-32.  Upon further investigation Brink was charged with possession of controlled substance (marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, and fined for improper registration plate lamp.  He was taken into custody without incident and booked into jail, where he was held under a $1,300 bond, until the following morning, when he was released on his own recognizance.;  And, authorities were dispatched Feb. 9th to a residence in Shelby along Station Street, for a domestic assault situation taking place.

Upon further investigation, and visible injuries, 33-year-old Amanda Jean Thurman was taken into custody and formally charged with domestic abuse assault with injury.  She was held without bond, until making an initial appearance the following morning. Thurman was released on her own recognizance after her court appearance.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Red Oak Police report a woman from Shelby County was arrested Thursday at the Harrison County Jail, on two valid Red Oak P-D warrants. The warrants charge 26-year old Mariah June Isabella Clark, of Portsmouth, with Animal Neglect resulting in Death, and Cruel Treatment of Animals. The Neglect charge is from the State and holds a $2,000 bond. The Cruelty charge is by the City Red Oak, and carries a $300 bond.

Clark was transported from Harrison- to Montgomery County, and held on a total bond of $2,300.

A Casey’s General Store in Council Bluffs was robbed early this (Friday) morning. Authorities say Officers were sent to the store at 510 23rd Avenue following the incident that happened at around 2:14-a.m.  Upon further investigation, Police were informed an unknown white male entered the store and showed the clerk a note, asking for cash in the drawer. The man left the store on foot and fled with an unknown amount of cash.

Still frame surveillance image from the store.

The suspect was described as wearing a black coat, red hooded sweatshirt, a white face mask and white gloves. If you have any information about the crime, or were in the area and may have seen the suspect, please call the Council Bluffs Police Crime Stoppers line at 712-328-7867.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate have approved spending 21-million dollars on new computer software for key state agencies. Governor Kim Reynolds approved a 21-million dollar contract with a company called “Workday” in 2019. Then, in 2020, Reynolds attempted to use 21-million dollars of federal funding for the computer system, but the U.S. Treasury ruled it was not an admissible use of pandemic relief money. House Democrat Leader Todd Prichard of Charles City says the original contract also sidestepped state competitive bidding rules. “To be perfectly frank, this is fishy,” Prichard says. “…I think there are too many unanswered questions as to why this process was handled the way it was and we deserve answers before we are asked to to approve something that has too many unknowns.”

Representative John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake, says the current system is antiquated and must be replaced.  “It uses code language called COBOL that was developed in 1959…costs $10 million a year to operate and has many problems,” Wills says. “…It has become increasingly evident that if we do not do something soon, our entire state payment system could stop at some point.”

The state has already paid to use the cloud-based computing system offered by Workday at Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Transportation.