The Iowa Department of Public Health on Thursday (today as of 10-a.m.) reported 295 new positive COVID-19 tests and five additional deaths. At 10 a.m., the health department reported 398,791 total positive tests, 353,564 total recoveries and 5,994 total deaths since the pandemic began. Twenty-four hours earlier, the health department reported 398,496 total positive tests and 5,989 total deaths. State data shows 1,216,277 people have been fully vaccinated in Iowa, with 2,538,058 total doses administered.

Iowa’s COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline. In the last 24 hours, the 14-day average dropped from 3.7% to 3.6% and the 7-day average dropped from 3.4% to 3.2%. There have been 4,929,002 virus tests administered in Iowa. COVID-19 hospitalizations are up slightly from 159 to 162 overnight. There are 42 patients in ICU and 19 patients on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western & southwest Iowa), there are: 10 patients hospitalized with COVID or symptoms of the virus; three people with COVID are in an ICU; No new admissions to area hospitals are reported, and no one was on a ventilator in the latest report.

Iowa is again down to a single long-term care facility with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Risen Son Christian Village, in Pottawattamie County, reports nine positive cases among residents and staff. There have been 2,333 deaths reported in Iowa’s care facilities.

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, 1,470 cases; {+6}; 54 deaths
Adair, 985; {+0}; 32
Adams, 349 {+0}; 4
Audubon, 530 {+0}; 10
Guthrie, 1,298 {+2}; 30
Harrison County, 1,930; {+2}; 73
Madison County, 1,763; {+5; 19
Mills County, 1,791; {+5}; 22
Montgomery, 1,111;{+0}; 38
Pottawattamie County, 12,226; {+7}; 168
Shelby County, 1,369 {+2}; 37
Union County, 1,364; {+1}; 33

(Atlantic) -Long-time Cass County Assessor Brenda Nelson tells KJAN News she has accepted a similar position with the City of Ames, and will be leaving the County in less than two-weeks. Nelson was one of two finalists interviewed in April for the Assessor’s job in Ames. A city assessor is responsible for assessing all real estate within city limits to determine property taxes. The position in Ames became vacant after former City Assessor Greg Lynch decided to retire after 15 years on the job. Nelson is a native of Elk Horn. Her father became a field appraiser and worked for the Shelby County Assessor’s Office for 13 years. In 1997, Nelson followed his footsteps.

Cass Co. Assessor Brenda Nelson

She applied for a job in the Cass County Assessor’s Office, was hired by her predecessor Linda Campbell, and when Campbell retired, took over the post she’s held, since 2003.

She was offered the City of Ames Assessor’s job Wednesday evening (May 12^th). She says she’ll be leaving Cass County in a couple of weeks. In fact her last day on the job is May 26^th.

Once she leaves office, Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman will fill her position until a replacement is found. Nelson acknowledges finding her replacement will likely not be easy, because of the requirements and a shortage of available candidates. The County has an option for finding an interim or shared Assessor, if a full-time person cannot be found.

The matter will likely be discussed during a Conference Board meeting set for this evening at 5:30, which Nelson plans on attending. She told KJAN News in Ames she’ll have a larger staff, which she’ll have to rely on initially, because of the expanded scope of her responsibilities.

Brenda says she thanks all the people she’s worked with over the years in Cass County.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund is stepping up to help the Atlantic Police Department with thei summer kids program again this year.  The fund donated $300 to sponsor shirts and whatever else is needed.  Fund spokesperson and Trevor’s mom, Melanie Petty, says “It is our hope that the children involved and the department volunteers have a great time this summer.”

Atlantic Police Lt. Devin Hogue receives a check from Grant Petty, w/the Frederickson Foundation. (Photo submitted)

All funds given out in Trevor’s name are raised at the annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament.  This year’s tournament will be held on Saturday, August 14th at Nishna Hills golf club.  Team registration is now open and anyone wanting to donate to the silent auction or become a hole sponsor can contact Melanie Petty at 249-3696.  The fund is a 501©3 non profit organization which was organized after Trevor’s tragic death in June of 2009.   To date the fund has given back over $250,000 to the things that Trevor loved or took part in during his 21 years.

A man being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail on Theft and Meth charges, was presented with a warrant from Nebraska, Tuesday. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports 29-year-old Christian Joseph Lopez, of Omaha, was wanted on a Sarpy County, NE warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. Lopez was returned to the custody of Corrections staff once he was read the warrant, and sent back to his jail cell.