IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Elections officials in Iowa are worried about the state’s rising number of coronavirus cases, saying that any illnesses or absences among key workers and volunteers could hinder their services through Election Day. A week before the election, Iowa is reporting a new high 7-day average of about 1,300 daily infections, record numbers of hospitalizations and a surge in deaths.

County elections commissioners say they hope the virus does not sideline any of their small full-time staffs and experienced poll workers. Officials warn any unexpected absences or last-minute substitutes could lead to delays and long lines, particularly because social distance will be required for those waiting.

Rural customers west of Clarinda, west of Bedford and west & north of Gravity are going to be getting Fiber Internet service from FMTC’s Fiber-to-the-Home network. USDA and FMTC officials say the service will be implemented after the company completes a project which has been funded by USDA’s ReConnect program. The project will bring ultra-fast, reliable and unlimited Fiber Internet service to 954 people, 115 farms and at least eight businesses in Page and Taylor counties, after the more than 167 miles of fiber is buried.

Kevin Cabbage, FMTC CEO, says “FMTC is pleased to receive a USDA ReConnect 50/50 Grant/Loan award of $4.8million to bring service to customers in these areas –who need it so badly. We hope to start this project in late 2021 or spring of 2022, yet we’ve learned that with fiber projects many factors will impact the timeline. The program allows us 5 years to complete the project, but clearly we hope to do it quicker, because we know customers are in need of great Internet.”

Cabbage mentioned that the map shown at an on-line award presentation last week, just shows the areas that were eligible to receive that ReConnect funding –and that FMTC will likely build to a few more locations in the region than are shown on the award maps. He said that part of their planning involves making those decisions and then communicating with customers who can get service.

Rural Red Oak customers, Cabbage says, are certainly interested to learn the status of the project that will bring them Fiber Internet. In December of 2019, FMTC was awarded 6.45 million in the first round of the ReConnect awards. The pandemic had a big impact on USDA’s ability to allow FMTC to submit or approve paperwork –which slowed the project’s start. All paperwork is in order now, and work was set to begin this fall on the building in Red Oak that will house the fiber equipment.

Plans call for fiber construction crews to start in May 2021. FMTC’s Fiber Internet is reliable and capable of delivering ultra-fast Internet of up-to-1,000Mb (1Gig)to each customer. Information about these projects or FMTC can be found on their website at myfmtc.com, under the Fiber Projects menu

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Public Health has a limited supply of influenza vaccine as part of an initiative to immunize adults with no insurance, who are under-insured, or who have limited access to influenza vaccine.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling Cass County Public Health at 712-250-8008. The vaccine will be administered in their office at 1408 East 10th Street. Weekend appointments may also be available; if needed, please ask when you call to schedule.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided adult influenza vaccines to states to increase influenza vaccine coverage in the United States as a critical part of COVID-19 response work. Increasing adult influenza coverage will result in a decreased strain on the nation’s health care system.

This one-time initiative for the 2000-21 influenza season allowed states to order adult influenza vaccine and provide it to those who are uninsured, under-insured, or live in areas where they may have limited access to receive the vaccine.

BONDURANT, Iowa (AP) — Amazon has announced it’s looking for more than 1,000 employees to help fill customer orders at its new Bondurant facility, and early applicants could see $500 bonuses. The online retailer says work at the new warehouse is expected to open at the end of 2020. Kirsten Wenker with Amazon tells television station KCCI that jobs range from picking, packing and shipping to human resources and information and technology positions.

Positions start at $15 per hour and come with comprehensive benefits including health, dental and a 401(k) from the first day. The company said it will offer a $500 bonus for people who apply early.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new special agent in charge has been name to the Omaha field office of the FBI. The agency says Eugene Kowel started his new post in Omaha on Monday. The office covers covers Nebraska and Iowa. Kowel started his career with the FBI in 2005 and has worked in the New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles field offices, as well as FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, he earned his law degree from the New York University School of Law and served as an assistant district attorney in New York City before joining the FBI. Kowel replaces Kristi Koons Johnson, who served in the role for nearly 14 months before she was named assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles field office.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County say an Afton man was arrested Monday night on an assault charge. 47-year-old Christopher Hatfield Davis faces a charge of Domestic Assault. He was being held in the Union County Jail without bond, until seen by a Judge.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold an in-person and dial-in session Wednesday (Oct. 28), in Greenfield. Their meeting in the Courtroom at the Courthouse, begins at 9-a.m. During their session the Board will act on a Child Abuse Prevention Grant draw-down, receive and/or discuss a DNR Inspection Letter, with regard to the Adair County Landfill, and discuss the FY20 Audit Engagement Letter.

The Board will also continue discussion with regard to COVID-19, and the Adair County Northwest Wind Farm Urban Renewal Plan (URP). The latter includes:

• a Resolution setting the dates of a consultation and a public hearing on a proposed Amendment number 2, to the Adair County NW Wind Farm URP.

In other business, the Board will hear from County Recorder Janelle Schneider, with regard to a Bulk Images Agreement, and, Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, with regard to a Radio Ownership discussion.

(Dial-in number: (605)-313-6157       Access Code: 526272#)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two accidents took place Monday morning. A little before 11-a.m., a 2020 Chrysler driven by 22-year-old Michael McCormick, of Villisca, was traveling west on Highway 34, when the vehicle left the road, entered the north ditch, and rolled onto its side. McCormick was transported by Malvern Rescue to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak.

And, at around 5:45-a.m. Monday, 18-year old Genevieve Hartshorn, of Malvern, was driving a 2007 Toyota northbound on Ingrum Avenue, and attempted to slow down to pull over. She told authorities her brakes locked-up, causing her to lose traction. The vehicle left the road and slid into a ditch. It then struck a tree before coming to rest. There were no injuries reported.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests over the past week. This past Saturday night, 31-year-old Adam James Magill, of Greenfield, was arrested on two counts Possession of a Controlled Substance, after he was found to be in possession of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and three bags of a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine. He was also found to be in possession of a glass pipe with white residue consistent with the use of meth. Magill was arrested after a deputy saw him leaning against a car at the intersection of 160th Street and the Fontanelle Road. Prior to questioning Magill, the deputy learned the man’s license plate had expired in 2019. Magill was released from custody the following day on his own recognizance.

On Oct. 18th, 29-year old Shane Sim Blackford, of Chariton, was arrested at the Lucas County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Blackford was released the following day on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are being cautious about developing plans for the holiday travel season ahead, according to a survey by Triple-A Iowa. Spokesman Mark Peterson says the coronavirus pandemic is a key influence in how comfortable people feel about traveling between now and the end of the year.  “Nearly two-thirds of our travelers, about 64%, are concerned about traveling in the holiday season due to the pandemic, however, confidence is improving,” Peterson says. “Nearly half say they’re comfortable traveling now, compared to this time last year when the pandemic was just beginning.”

Still, only about one in five Iowans surveyed said they plan to travel during the holidays this year, that’s down about 40-percent from a year ago. The busiest travel holiday of the year is just less than a month away, well, in a typical year. “Thanksgiving is the big family one,” Peterson says. “People have a tendency to travel over that four- or five-day break and Thanksgiving is probably a little more family-oriented. We might get some more traveling but just not as much as last year.”

In the short-term, the survey found about one in ten Iowans say they will not be doing any traveling over the next week because of the presidential election. “People want to make sure that they vote and this, obviously, means it’s the people that want to do it in person,” Peterson says. “Obviously, they can take care of it through the mail but a lot of people like to walk in that door, go up there and do it the old-fashioned way and that has an influence for some people.”

The majority of Iowans (79%) say they are most comfortable traveling in their personal vehicle, which provides more personal control over cleanliness and social distancing. The survey found 64-percent of Iowans are still uncomfortable taking a commercial flight, though a federal study says the risk of contracting the virus on an airplane is minimal.