IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Experts working to develop models to help Iowa public health officials predict and manage the coronavirus pandemic are racing against time. A contract shows the Iowa Department of Public Health and the University of Iowa College of Public Health didn’t reach a formal agreement to work together to create Iowa-specific pandemic models until April 7. The agreement calls for the college to produce predictive models within two weeks of receiving the department’s coronavirus data, or on another mutually agreed upon schedule. The goal of the models is to help Iowa public health officials and Gov. Kim Reynolds predict the severity of the outbreak and make decisions about specific mitigation strategies.

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

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Authorities in Creston say a Creston Police Officer on patrol last Thursday morning, observed damage to campers parked on Cedar St. The Officer made contact with owner Casey Barber, who, after checking on his property, advised that two windows had been broken out of the campers. It’s not clear when the vandalism occurred. The damage was estimated at $200.

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

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Police in Council Bluffs are looking for a man suspected of being involved in a shooting incident that took place early this (Monday) morning. 43-year old Robert Brokman, of Council Bluffs, is believed to be traveling in a maroon or purple SUV. He is also believed to still be armed and dangerous, so if you see him, do not make contact. If you know where Brokman is, call Council Bluffs Police at 712-328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867(STOP).

Robert Brokman

Authorities say at around 2:11-a.m. (April 13) officers were sent to the 700blk of So. 32^nd for a possible shooting. When they arrived, police located a white female suffering from minor injuries, and four shotgun shell casings at the scene. The victim, 37-year old Taiela Garcia, of Council Bluffs, was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa sheriff has been arrested and charged with domestic abuse and assault. The Des Moines Register on Sunday reported Calhoun County Sheriff Scott Anderson’s arrest. Jail staff confirmed to the newspaper that Anderson was admitted to Webster County Jail. He’s since been released on bond. Court records show Anderson’s ex-wife filed a petition for relief of domestic abuse in October but was denied. Anderson is up for re-election this year.

(Radio Iowa) — Tree pollen season is starting to peak in Iowa, prompting some allergy sufferers to question whether their health troubles are routine or something more sinister. Dr. Jill Poole, an allergist in Omaha/Council Bluffs, says coronavirus shows itself through signs that are much different from seasonal allergies. “The symptoms we most commonly see are going to be itchiness and sneezing, those are your classic spring allergy symptoms,” Dr. Poole says. “That differs from the coronavirus which is usually going to be marked by new symptoms of shortness of breath, a dry cough and a fever.”

Between 20- and 40-percent of all Americans have seasonal allergies, so they’re fairly common. Poole says some people are so caught up with following coronavirus, they forget to use common sense and don’t realize the clear contrasts between allergies and COVID-19. “One way to know the difference is to be aware of your own history,” Poole says. “Most people who had allergies last year will have them again this year. If every year, you start noticing these symptoms, expect that to be what it is this year again. But if you have new symptoms, that’s when there’s cause for concern.”

With all of the disruptions in our daily lives because of the pandemic, many Iowans are under more stress, which Poole says can impact all sorts of chronic diseases. “Stress can certainly affect allergies and asthma,” she says. “I would advise people to try to get control, control helps people deal with stress. Know what your symptoms are, know your own history, and make sure you are supplied with your allergy medications.”

Tree pollen is usually at its worst in Iowa during April through June. Poole suggests you -not- leave your windows open, as that lets the pollen in. Also, if you’ve been outside exercising or doing yard work, shower once you get back inside and change your clothes. Poole is an allergist at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine in Omaha.

(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds has waived state requirements for high school graduation, so the Class of 2020 isn’t in limbo due to COVID-19 closures. The governor’s order will let students graduate this spring even if they have not completed all their credit hours. Storm Lake Community School District Superintendent Stacey Cole says teachers and counselors have been reaching out to the senior class in her district since school was closed — to keep them engaged.

“This has been a reminder to me that educators are champions of hope,” Cole says, “and hope is so important when helping kids dream and become something that no one thought that they could be and that social interaction keeps that hope alive in ways that I don’t think we even recognized before.” Cole says lesson plans for the NEXT school year have to be redone to help returning students make up for the time lost this spring, plus she’s worried about budget issues.

“This is definitely on my list of things that keep me up at night,” Cole says. “…My crystal ball is pretty of cloudy right now, so it’s kind of hard to predict what’s going to happen because I would not have predicted school closures for this length of time.” Thomas Ahart is superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools, the state’s largest district. He says it will take longer than a month next fall to make up for each month that’s been lost THIS school year — because restoring a routine will take time.

“The interaction with their teachers and the interaction with their peers which is really doing almost as much as the academic learning to really develop the whole child,” Ahart says. The two superintendents made their comments this past weekend on the “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S.

The Clarinda Police Department said two male subjects had absconded from the Clarinda Academy Sunday night. The subjects left the facility at around 8:40-p.m., heading westbound. There was no word on their status as of 3:45-a.m. today (Monday).

One of the subjects was a white male wearing grey hoodie pants. The other was a black male wearing dark black sweat pants. If you see persons matching those descriptions, contact your local authorities.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Public Health reported another seven people have died from the new coronavirus and an additional 77 people tested positive for the virus. Six of the deaths were in Linn County and one was in Washington County. Officials said the cases reported Sunday didn’t reflect a full 24-hour period because the agency is moving to a new reporting time frame. Overall, Iowa has had 1,587 positive cases and 41 deaths.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa sheriff has been arrested and charged with domestic abuse and assault. The Des Moines Register on Sunday reported Calhoun County Sheriff Scott Anderson’s arrest. Jail staff confirmed to the newspaper that Anderson was admitted to Webster County Jail. He’s since been released on bond. An Associated Press request for comment to Anderson was not immediately returned Sunday. Court records show Anderson’s ex-wife filed a petition for relief of domestic abuse in October but was denied. Anderson is up for re-election this year.

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — The city of Ankeny is asking for the public’s help to help protect essential city employees by making and donating protective cloth masks for workers. The city says in a written release that it’s especially concerned for the safety of public works, utilities, park maintenance and office staff. The homemade masks would also go to fire, emergency medical staff and police officer to wear while in their stations in between calls. Those emergency responders will wear professional personal protection equipment while on calls where they come in contact with the public.