ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa-based Pizza Ranch, known for its buffet of pizza, chicken and other offerings, expanded last year, even as the coronavirus pandemic hit the restaurant industry harder than most. Pizza Ranch, based in Orange City, has over 200 locations in 14 states. Chief Administrative Officer Ryan Achterhoff tells the Sioux City Journal that the chain added five new locations last year and has six or seven more openings slated for this year.

Even with the expansion, Achterhoff acknowledged that the past year has been challenging for Pizza Ranch, noting the chain weathered it by becoming more reliant on carryout and deliveries in 2020.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque man who was granted a new trial by the Iowa Supreme Court last year is seeking a change of venue. The Telegraph Herald reports that 28-year-old Fontae Buelow filed Thursday for the change of venue from Dubuque County, saying media coverage of the case has made it impossible for him to get a fair trial there. Authorities say Buelow fatally stabbed his girlfriend, 21-year-old Samantha Link of Peosta, on March 31, 2017, while Buelow has maintained that Link stabbed herself twice in the chest.

Buelow was convicted of second-degree murder in 2018, but in December, the state Supreme Court ordered a new trial, saying information about Link’s prior suicide attempt and mental health records should have been allowed.

The Iowa State Patrol posted on social media, Monday, that it’s been a rough winter for the State Patrol, Dept. of Motor Vehicle Enforcement (DMVE) and DOT snowplows. “Luckily,” officials said, “there have been no serious injuries to our folks, but between Iowa DOT and Iowa State Patrol, 63 of our vehicles have been hit on Iowa roads.” Authorities ask motorists to “PLEASE slow down and watch for us ahead.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa lawmakers are reviewing their options after U.S. Census officials confirm the population data for redrawing congressional and legislative districts won’t be delivered until this fall. Every ten years, the contours of congressional and legislative districts are redrawn to account for population changes. Iowa’s Constitution requires the legislature to approve new maps by September 1st. U.S. Census Bureau officials say the data on which those maps are based won’t be delivered until September 30th.

Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says the realities of the pandemic, the Iowa Constitution and the U.S. Constitution are creating a unique set of challenges and the Senate is evaluating its options on how best to proceed. Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley says lawmakers are working with the Legislative Services Agency to determine what options are available and how to best to maintain the integrity of our highly-praised redistricting process in Iowa.

Des Moines, Iowa -The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau reports a Marshalltown woman recently pled guilty to one count of Theft in the 3rd Degree (Aggravated  Misdemeanor). Authorities say 60-year old Deborah Specht was originally charged with one count of Fraudulent Submissions (Class D Felony) and one count of Theft 1st Degree (Class C Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

Deborah Specht

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime.  We all pay for insurance fraud in the form of higher insurance costs. I appreciate the hard work of our Fraud Bureau and all who participated in the prosecution of this case so Ms. Specht was held accountable for her actions.”

On July 19, 2018, Marshalltown, Iowa experienced severe weather. The investigation found that after the severe weather event Specht fabricated damages to her property and submitted false information regarding the cause of the damage in support of an insurance claim. As a result, Specht received insurance benefits to which she was not entitled. On February 9, 2021, Specht received a deferred judgement after pleading guilty to Theft in the 3rd Degree.  Specht was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,375.82 to her insurer. Specht also received a civil penalty of $625.00 which was suspended and was placed on probation for a period of one year.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

The Iowa Department of Public Health, today (Monday), said there were 206 new positive cases of COVID-19 test results returned from the labs over the past 24-hours, for a pandemic total of 329,304 positive cases. There was one additional death reported, for a total of 5,237. Statewide, 4,727 COVID deaths are attributed to Underlying causes. COVID was a contributing factor to 510 deaths. Deaths at Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities account for 2,132 of the total number of deaths.

Long-Term Care facility outbreaks remain at 35. Officials say 948 LTC patients have tested positive for the virus, and 630 have recovered.

The State data show: 242 people are hospitalized with COVID-19; 57 COVID patients are in an ICU; 35 were admitted over the previous 24-hours, compared to 54 on Sunday, and 28 patients were on a ventilator. In RMCC Region 4 (Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa), 17 are hospitalized with COVID symptoms, five people are in an ICU, four people were admitted over the past 24-hours, and one remains on a ventilator.

Iowa’s statewide positivity rate Monday was 7.9%. The 7-day average was 6.1%. Iowa reports 477,495 vaccine total vaccine doses administered, with 121,794 individuals receiving both doses. Find out how to get vaccinated in Iowa here. Only Adair County reports a 14-day average higher than 15%. That county now reports a 24.4% rate. No other county reports an average higher than 13.4%.

A total of 302,159 Iowans have recovered from the virus.

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, 1,231 cases; {+0}; 47 deaths
• Adair, 770; {+8}; 25
• Adams, 317 {+1}; 3
• Audubon, 453 {+0}; 9
• Guthrie, 1,071 {+0}; 28
• Harrison County, 1,646; {+1}; 68
• Madison County, 1,362; {+3}; 16
• Mills County, 1,457; {+0}; 20
• Montgomery, 954; {+1}; 36
• Pottawattamie County, 9,597; {+0}; 139
• Shelby County, 1,124; {+0}; 32
• Union County,  1,168; {+0}; 31