Health officials in Mills County, Thursday, report two new, confirmed cases of COVID-19. The cases were persons 18-to 40 years of age, both of whom contracted the virus through community spread. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Mills County to 26, with 22 persons having recovered and 1,640 tests completed.

MCPH officials say “We want to remind all county residents that even though the Governor has eased restrictions on businesses and social gatherings, COVID-19 continues to spread in our county. It is now more important than ever to practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm and stay at home when you are ill.”

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Iowa Coronavirus webpage at https://coronavirus.iowa.gov

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests the economy remains weak in those areas as the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect the region. The overall economic index for the region more than doubled to 37.9 in June from May’s 12.5, but it remained at a weak level. Survey organizers say any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said crop prices remain low, and more than one-third of the bankers survey expect that to be a significant challenge over the next year.

At her press conference on Thursday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the formation of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board.

The board has been put together to help generate ideas for programs and policy to help the State of Iowa bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic challenges. Governor Reynolds announced that Ben McLean, CEO, of Ruan Transportation will head up the board.

McLean made a statement at the press conference on what he hopes the board will work to accomplish.

Governor Reynolds said the board will be joined by state agency directors and other private sector and non-profit professionals to make up a number of working groups to focus on different aspects of the Iowa economy.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Wednesday, June 17th of 43-year-old Terrence Russell Frazier of Atlantic on a warrant for Violation of Parole. Frazier was booked into the Cass County Jail without bond.

w/ Chris Parks

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No one was injured during an accident on Wednesday in Red Oak. At 12:20 p.m. Red Oak Police were called to the accident in the 500 block of East Sunset Avenue. After investigation it was determined that a 2010 Chrysler Sebring driven by Riley Brian Caron of Creston was westbound on Sunset Avenue and became distracted by his phone. He struck a legally parked 2019 Chevy Silverado owned by Mark Snyder of Red Oak. Caron rear-ended the pickup and rolled it across the street, where it came to rest in a yard. Caron did not sustain any injuries.

The Silverado was functional and driven from the scene with an estimated $3,000 damage. The Chrysler had to be towed from the scene and was considered a total loss, sustaining an estimated $7,000 damage.

Caron was cited for No Insurance and was arrested for Driving While Suspended.

Two men were injured in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 29 Northbound on Wednesday. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash occurred at the 78 mile-marker at about 11:20 p.m.

A 1999 Ford F-150 driven by 35-year-old Paul A Vail of Council Bluffs was northbound on I-29 and attempted to take the exit ramp Vail lost control and left the roadway, striking a light pole and two trees. Vail and a passenger 61-year-old Jeffrey W. Nielsen were both injured during the crash. Nielsen was flown by UNMC Helicopter to UNMC in Omaha. Vail was transported by Missouri Valley Fire and Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Nielsen was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash and Vail’s life was believed to be saved by having his seatbelt on.

Vail was being investigated for being intoxicated while driving.

At their meeting on Wednesday night the Atlantic City Council set the dates for fireworks usage in the city.  The ordinance that is currently in place allows fireworks use on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th. The council decided at the meeting that they would shift the dates to July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th this year due to the 4th being on a Saturday. The idea was to alleviate having fireworks discharged on a Sunday. The hours on the set dates for usage will be 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The Council also decided that they will set the dates for fireworks discharge in the city on an annual resolution basis.

The Council also reminded residents that the annual city fireworks display will be held on July 3rd at the AMU well fields next to the Atlantic Little League Complex.

(Radio Iowa) — The Internal Revenue Service is renewing its warnings for Iowans to beware of crooks who are trying to pry away their personal financial data. I-R-S criminal investigator Steve Slazinik says more cons are appearing every week during the pandemic.  “As you know, scammers will take advantage of any situation they can to make money,” Slazinik says, “and a worldwide health pandemic is no different.”

Criminals are sending out bogus emails and texts claiming to have a cure for COVID-19, or they’re pretending to be I-R-S agents seeking personal identification so taxpayers can receive their coronavirus stimulus checks. “If it does sound suspicious, it likely is,” Slazinik says. “For instance, the IRS will not call or ask you to verify your payment details. So do not give out your bank account information or other account information, even if someone claims it’s necessary to get the check or to get the payment.”

Slazinik says there are so many scams emerging, it’s difficult to identify and prosecute all of them. He advises anyone with questions to contact the agency directly at irs-dot-gov.