(Radio Iowa) — Iowa State University has reached a settlement with a group that accused the school of trying to suppress free speech on campus. Speech First sued the university challenging the school’s ban on chalking political messages on sidewalks, the sending of e-mails for campaigns and elections, and the use of the I-S-U Campus Climate Reporting System.

Speech First president Nicole Neily says they dropped the lawsuit after the university agreed to changes in the policy for chalking and emails. She says the school’s Campus Climate Reporting System will also not contact or meet with students accused of “biased” speech.

I-S-U president Wendy Wintersteen issued a statement that says “the allegations of suppression made by Speech First were simply not true.” Wintersteen says no money was paid to Speech First by Iowa State University.

Officials with the Atlantic High School report the Youth Mental Health Night (scheduled for March 18th), has been postponed. A reschedule date is yet to be determined. The event was postponed due to concerns it may not have been well-attended based on fears of the COVID-19 virus.

Atlantic Principal Heather McKay says, “This event is too important not to have a good turnout.” So, they will hold the event intended for students, parents and other interested persons, as soon as possible, once the threat of the virus has been contained.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber today (Friday) provided an update on the district’s plans moving forward, with regard to the COVID-19 virus. Barber said a lot has changed since he and District Nurse Laura Freund sent out a letter explaining what the district was doing, and what parents/guardians and staff can do to stay safe.

“Obviously,” he said, “We have a lot of disappointed students who were planning to travel to Disney World in two weeks.  We are working to see what can be done in the future with this trip. Other nationwide events have been cancelled due to the virus, most of which are national and international events.

“In regards to Atlantic Schools, the recommendations remain the same: wash hands, disinfect, cover your mouth and stay home if you feel ill. We know this is a fluid situation and we will continue to monitor this daily.”

The Iowa Department of Public Health has reported that there are no cases of community spread in Iowa or the Omaha area.  All 16 confirmed cases in Iowa are linked to travel. Barber said “Both the IDPH and CDC have sent out recommendations for schools and update them frequently.  We will work closely with our local Public Health and Emergency Management and if recommendations change, we will take the appropriate steps and actions.

“After consulting with these professionals, we will still be having our High School musical (“Little Shop of Horrors”) performances starting this (Friday) evening.” Performances are as follows: Tonight & Saturday night – 7:30-p.m.; Sunday matinee’ – 2:30-p.m. Admission is $5. Activity tickets will not be accepted.

Barber says “The auditorium will be disinfected after each performance. Our student council blood drive and the Mental Health symposium will be postponed and rescheduled at a later time.  We will evaluate the situation on Monday and send another communication to update everyone.”

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) released a report on arrests dating from March 2nd to the 11th. Most recently, on Wednesday (March 11), Deputies arrested 61-year old Mark Allen Funk, of Griswold, on a Class-D felony charge of Going Armed With Intent, and serious misdemeanor charge of False Imprisonment. Funk was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $6,000 bond. 54-year Steven Darrell Funk, of Griswold, was cited into court for False Imprisonment, in connection with the same incident.

43-year old Jason Richard Tasto, of Lewis, was arrested March 11th on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault 2nd Offense. Tasto was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $1,000 bond.

On Monday, March 9th, Cass County Deputies arrested 26-year old Catherine Josephine Charles, of Atlantic, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Charles was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. There were two arrests last Saturday, in Cass County: 58-year old Charles Clyde Burns, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Burns was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $20,000 bond. And, 33-year old Cody Michael Johnson, of West Des Moines, was arrested March 7th on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Johnson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond.

On Friday, March 6th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year old Tyler Lee Crawley, of Cumberland, and 45-year old John Duane Anderson, of Cumberland, both on one charge of Disorderly Conduct. The men were taken to the Cass County Jail. Anderson was released later that day on $300 bond; Crawley pled guilty to the charge the following day and was released.

On March 5th, 36-year old Balam Andres Soto Marquez, of Des Moines, was arrested on one count of Possession of Marijuana 3rd/Subsequent Offense. Soto Marquez was taken to the Cass County Jail where he later pled guilty to his charge and was transferred to Polk County authorities on a Polk County warrant.

On March 4th, 34-year old Beth Renee Perdue, of Red Oak, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Perdue was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $4,000 bond.

And, on March 2nd, 43-year old Shane Edwin Davis, of Stuart, was arrested in Cass County on a Dallas County warrant. Davis was taken to the Cass County Jail and transferred the following day to Dallas County authorities.

Cass County Wellness Program Coordinator Brigham Hoegh said Friday, that “Due to concerns for spread of disease and accessibility, the Cass County Farmers Market Pre-Season Vendor Workshop will be held March 16th via phone conference, from 12:30 to 3:30 PM. All materials will be supplied electronically.”

The Cass County Local Food Policy Council and Cass County ISU Extension encourage those considering vending at Cass County farmers markets in 2020 to attend the free workshop. Those interested in attending the workshop are asked to RSVP by March 15th to Hoegh at 712-249-5870, or by email at bhoegh@iastate.edu. Registrants will receive the phone conference number and electronic materials. While all presenters will join the conference by phone, attendees needing assistance participating in the phone conference may join the call at the Cass County Community Center. Those planning to join the phone conference at the community center are asked to RSVP to ISU Extension at 712-243-1132.

The pre-season workshop has been designed to cover topics of interest to both experienced vendors and those just starting to consider participating in farmers markets. Experts in the areas of food safety and market licensing requirements, farmers market insurance, and resources from the Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship will present at the workshop. During the last 30 minutes of the workshop (3:00-3:30), vendor information will be provided for Cass County Farmers Markets, including the Anita Farmers Market, the Atlantic Farmers Market, and Produce in the Park.

DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith said Friday, that the IDC will postpone County Conventions (Including the March 21st Cass County Convention) to a future date to be determined.

Smith says “After extensive consultation with County Chairs, the State Central Committee, party leaders, and public health officials, we have come to the determination that the spreading coronavirus poses a risk that outweighs a temporary delay in moving the caucus-to-convention process forward. This is not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right decision,” he said.

As of this time, District and State Convention planning will proceed as scheduled. For more information on COVID-19 in Iowa, please visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website for the latest updates and safety precautions.

Officials with non-profit West Central Community Action (WCCA), in Atlantic, report the decision has been made to close all of their emergency clothing rooms from now (March 13th) through March 27th, due to growing concerns over the COVID-19 virus. The organization will also not be accepting donations during the aforementioned time frame. WCCA Food Pantries will however remain open, where available (The Atlantic WCCA office does not have a food pantry).

WCCA says it will continue to monitor the situation and continue to develop and implement plans, based on CDC recommendations.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Johnson County said today (Friday), they have no indication that the coronavirus has spread beyond 14 residents who tested positive after a cruise to Egypt. Johnson County Public Health Director Dave Koch told reporters that he has seen no indication of “community spread” in the Iowa City area. At the same time, he acknowledged that not all of those on the cruise or a second to Egypt that was cut short have been tested for the virus.

Both cruises were sponsored by a Johnson County bank rewards club for members age 50 and older.

A fire in the engine compartment of an International semi tractor-trailer this (Friday) morning, was apparently caused by an electrical/wiring malfunction. Griswold Firefighter Andy Steffen told KJAN News the fire happened at around 8:20-a.m., on the property of Ray Wilson at 60253 Wichita Road, south of Griswold. Wilson said the truck had been sitting for three or four days, so the engine would not have been hot. When he looked out the window this morning, he saw smoke coming out from under the hood/engine cowling.

Wilson rushed outside and used a hose to extinguish most of the fire before firefighters arrived. He told fire crews it sounded like the truck was trying to start when he approached it. Steffen said that sometimes happens with an electrical fire. Wilson’s quick action, Steffen said, prevented the flames from spreading to shed that housed vehicles and equipment. The shed was about three-or four-feet away from the truck.

There were no injuries. The truck sustained an estimated $15-to $20,000 damage. Griswold Fire was on the scene for about 20-minutes.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met this past Wednesday. According to the minutes provided by County Auditor/Board Secretary Dale Sunderman, the Board considered bids for lawn care, snow removal and trash pick-up. Two bids were received for Calendar Year 2020 (CY2020). The low bid from Erickson W.S.S was approved by unanimous vote. Two bids were also received for FY2021 snow removal, but because they were not detailed in the same manner, the board postponed action until after more information is obtained. And, the Supervisors approved the lone bid from Cook Sanitation Service for FY 2021 sanitation services/trash removal. Their bid was less than current service fees.

A motion made to re-appoint Brenda Nelson as commissioner of Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority failed by a roll-call vote for lack of a majority (Supervisor Mark O’Brien was absent). The appointment will be reconsidered when the full board is present at their next regular meeting. In other business, new account manager Group Benefit Partners representatives reviewed renewal information for the County’s ISAC Group Health Program, and the voluntary group dental program, for FY2021.  The County also has a mini-self-funded health insurance program and flex benefits program and contracts with a third party administrator for those by calendar year.  Options for reducing third party administration costs were discussed.  The discounted renewal rates for the health program are nearly the same as current rates (increase of $1 per month for a ‘single plan’ and a decrease of $2 per month for a ‘family plan’.

Sunderman says also, the Board asked Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon about steps he was taking to protect the ‘courthouse’ from the COVID-19 virus.  At his invitation, Cass County Health Systems Public Health Nurse Linda Edelman and Nurse Darci Young, were invited to Wednesday’s meeting to discuss COVID-19. Information discussed included what the County should do to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Edelman said persons should not panic; and said the public is more at risk of catching the flu than COVID-19.  It was recommended, that like any business, the County should have plans in place for any illness that may take a considerable number of people out of the workplace.  Precautions to be taken should be those everyone should have been taking all of their lives as far as keeping the facilities clean, good hygiene practices and the things you would do in any flu season.  If a person has a virus, that person should call medical personnel prior to going to the clinic or hospital so proper precautions may be taken as they arrive.

A good source of information on COVID-19 is the Iowa Department of Public Health website (idph.iowa.gov)