Atlantic, IA —Cass County Health System (CCHS) officials have announced increased visitor limitations for patients will begin on Monday, November 30. CCHS Chief Nursing Officer Amanda Bireline says “We truly believe that visitors are good medicine. While we know that many hospitals and clinics are not allowing any visitors, we continue to make it a priority to put ourselves in the shoes of our patients and their loved ones. We will keep allowing visitors as long as it is reasonable and feasible to do so. With increased COVID-positive patients, allowing visitors around the clock becomes a challenge.”

Bireline added “These patients need a higher level of care, which can strain staff who are juggling more than ever these days. Because of the increased spread in our community, and the increased hospitalizations, we felt it was the time to dial up our visitor limitations.”

Beginning on the 30th, the visitor policy is as follows:

• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older and in good health.
• All visitors must always wear a mask over their nose and mouth; additional PPE may be required dependent upon the patient’s diagnosis.
• Outpatients may have one visitor with them during their appointment.
• Inpatients may have one designated visitor.
• Daily visiting hours will be between 3 and 6 pm only.
• Emergency Department patients may have one designated visitor with them; visitors may be asked to leave at any time if staff deems it necessary for the health and safety of either the patient or visitor.
• Obstetrics patients will have two designated visitors/support persons who are 18 years of age or older and in good health.
• Special exceptions may be made in all departments on a case-by-case basis for pediatric patients, end-of-life patients, or other unique situations.

All visitors will be screened at the entrance before being allowed to proceed. CCHS encourages friends and family to use technology to keep in contact with their loved ones.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft that occurred in Exira. Authorities said Wednesday (today) the theft occurred between November 14th and 19th. The suspect(s) took several Dewalt brand tools and Dewalt accessories (20V, 40V, and 60V; no 18V).

Dewalt stolen items include: a chain saw, 40V battery chargers, 40V batteries, 60V Flex 2.5gal portable air compressor, 60V grinder, fast charger, 20V batteries, 20V to 18V converter, 20V impacts, circular saw, 20V compact blower, 20V grease gun and battery in a case, 20V drills, 16-piece drill bit set, 20V MAX LED flashlight, and a hand held buffer.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The historically close race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District seat could be approaching a tie. Democrat Rita Hart has cut Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ lead to 35 votes out of more than 394,400 cast, with all but three of the district’s 24 counties reporting the results of their recounts. The race is the closest in the nation, and both sides expect it to tighten further as Scott, Jasper and Clinton counties finish their recounts in the coming days.

A single-digit victory for either candidate is a possibility, as is a tie, which would result in a winner’s name being drawn from a receptacle such as a hat or bowl.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday (Today) provided information about an injury accident that took place Saturday, Nov. 14th. Authorities say at around 7:38-a.m., a Guthrie County Deputy responded to a head-on collision at the intersection of Highway 4 and 141, east of Bagley. An investigation determined a 2014 Ford Explorer driven by 43-year old Sara Marie Anderson, of Templeton, was traveling east on Highway 141, while a 2000 Ford Windstar van driven by 34-year old Codey Allen Savage, of Jefferson, was traveling westbound.

Anderson, and her 13-year old passenger, Haley Nelson, told authorities they saw the van in their lane of travel. Anderson tried to avoid hitting the van by going into the westbound lane, but Savage swerved into the west lane at the same time before the vehicles collided head-on. Savage told authorities afterward, he could not accurately recall how the accident happened. A witness to the collision corroborated Anderson’s account of the story.

Sara Anderson suffered suspected minor injuries. Haley Nelson complained of pain and possible injury. A third passenger in the SUV, 43-year old Sara Ferneding, was trapped in the vehicle and suffered suspected minor injuries. She was extricated by mechanical means. Ferneding and Anderson were transported by Panora EMS to Mercy Hospital in downtown Des Moines, while Nelson went to the Dallas County Hospital by Dallas County EMS. Savage was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Mercy downtown, for treatment of suspected serious injuries.

The vehicles were totaled in the crash, with an estimated $40,000 damage altogether. An Iowa DOT highway sign sustained $1,500 damage.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday (today), reported the arrest at around 6:45-a.m., of 24-year old Cheyenne Rose Lopez, of Underwood.  Lopez was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Her bond was set at $2,000.

And, a nine-year old girl was injured during a rollover accident late Tuesday morning, in Mills County. Authorities say a 2002 Jeep driven by 30-year old Alexsandra Sturm, of Henderson, was traveling north on Highway 59 near Devore Avenue, when, due to the snowy road conditions, the SUV left the road and entered the west ditch, where it rolled over. The child was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled. She suffered minor injuries and was transported by Henderson Rescue to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. No other injuries occurred.