The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus dashboard, Saturday (today),said there were eight additional deaths reported over the previous 24-hours, bringing the pandemic death toll to 5,878. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 2,299 of the total number of deaths across the state.

There were seven additional positive test results for COVID-19 returned from the labs, for a total of 388,331. There remain three Long-Term Care facility outbreaks, with 30 positive cases among residents and staff within those facilities.

Iowa reports over two-million (2,005,757) COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, and 851,762 individuals have completed the vaccine series.

Health officials say COVID-related hospitalizations are on the rise, from 226 Friday to 233 Saturday, and there are 50 COVID patients in an ICU (unchanged from Friday). The IDPH says 57 people with COVID symptoms were admitted to a hospital across the state, compared to 43 the previous day. And, 19 patients remain on a ventilator.

RMCC Region 4 hospitals (those in western/southwest Iowa) show: There are 25 hospitalized with COVID, two more than on Friday; 11 COVID patients are in an ICU; six people were admitted with symptoms of COVID, and there are now three COVID patients on a ventilator.

The 14-day positivity rate in Iowa is unchanged at 4.6%. There’s also no change in the seven-day positivity rate, which stands at 4.3%.

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, 1,422 cases; {+0}; 54 deaths
Adair, 963; {+0}; 32
Adams, 339 {+0}; 4
Audubon, 511 {+1}; 9
Guthrie, 1,258 {+0}; 29
Harrison County, 1,886; {+1}; 73
Madison County, 1,676; {+0; 19
Mills County, 1,747; {+0}; 20
Montgomery, 1,080 {+1}; 37
Pottawattamie County, 11,771; {+0}; 162
Shelby County, 1,333 {+0}; 37
Union County, 1,320; {+0}; 32

An Iowa man has been indicted on charges related to the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January. KCCI reports the U.S. Attorney’s Office said 37-year-old Kyle James Young, of Redfield, assaulted officer Michael Fanone and attempted to take a weapon from an officer.

Young faces charges that include obstructing official proceedings, aid and abetting, civil disorder, assaulting certain officers, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted building or grounds, impeding ingress and egress in restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence on restricted building or grounds, impending passage through the Capitol grounds or building, acts of physical violence in the Capitol building or grounds, civil disorder, assault on an officer, and robbery.

The FBI’s field office arrested Young on Wednesday. Authorities said photo evidence linked Young to the Capitol attack.

(Atlantic, IA) – You are invited to visit The Armory at 201 Poplar Street in Atlantic on Sunday, April 18th anytime between 1:30 and 4:00 pm. This is not the usual sit-down program but a come-and-go visit including the Drill Floor. Numerous military footlockers are usually on display in the Military Museum but only a limited amount of contents can be displayed. Two of the footlockers have been chosen for display on the Drill Floor where uniforms, medals, and equipment can be laid out on tables. The quantity and variety of items held by those trunks is amazing.

Family members of Ray Underwood and Ralph Fritz donated these artifacts to be preserved. Underwood was in the Army 1955 to 1953 and taught engineering to soldiers at Ft. Leonard Wood. Fritz was a WWI participant serving in Germany, France and Luxembourg. Quotes from letters to home are included.

The Military Library will be open be to show off many new shelves and to check out books. The Military Museum special feature is a display of hats. Atlantic History Center will also be available. Take a look back at the history of KJAN.

Many people have been asking about the Drill Floor. How is it being used? What are plans for the future? Currently it is not in an attractive state and is being used for storage. Go up the outside steps to the original front door of The Armory. An elevator is an available alternative. Stroll around the Drill Floor. Take a look at conditions and share ideas for future use.

It is time to open the doors with a huge space for distancing and limited attendance at any one time. Please wear a mask. For more information see ariseAtlantic.org or Facebook: Rock Island Society Enterprise or call 243-5445. Also find the YouTube link to view last month’s program A Tour of the Armory.

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department, Friday, said there were two arrests that day. 43-year-old Rebecca Phillips, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Serious Assault. Her bond was set at $1,000. And, 45-year-old Chad Clark, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense. Bond was set at $2,000.

On Thursday, Glenwood Police arrested 54-year-old Lori Crump, of Glenwood, on a Mills County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Her bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Friday, announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions.
The following (area) appointments are subject to Senate confirmation:

• Iowa Autism Council 
  Wendy Andersen, Treynor
• County Finance Committee
  Kourtney Irlbeck, Carroll
• Early Childhood Iowa State Board
  Mary Petersen, Harlan
• Electrical Examining Board
  Marg Stoldorf, Red Oak
• Board of Nursing 
  Amber Mahrt, Denison
• State Soil Conservation Committee
  Margaret McQuown, Red Oak