The Iowa Department of Public Health reports 539 more Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, and 18 more have died. The IDPH says that out 81,288 tests administered, 12,912 are positive for COVID-19 (1 out of every 242 per capita), an increase of 1.4%.  289 people have died, to date. No new, LTC facility outbreaks were reported over the past 24-hours.

The RMCC database shows: 394 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19; 143 are in an ICU; 28 were admitted over the past 24-hours, and 5,618 are recovering. Contrary to her statement Monday about announcing changes in restrictions on Iowans’ businesses and activities, Governor Kim Reynolds said today she would delay that announcement until Wednesday, instead.

(She says her team, the administration and IDPH are still reviewing information, and that her decision will be made by carefully, and driven by data.)

Reynolds said the restrictions reduced for some businesses as well as churches, are cautiously being followed by those businesses and churches.

She said “Many are taking extra time to make sure that they are ready to safely serve their customers and communities.”

(She said “lifting restrictions is not a mandate, that businesses must re-open, but for those that are ready, it’s an opportunity to get back to business, bring employees back to work, and get Iowa’s economy moving ahead.”)

Three people were arrested Sunday afternoon, in Thurman. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports 42-year old Matthew Demorest, 38-year old Pamela Demorest, and 22-year old Dakota Moss, all of Thurman, were taken into custody following a call at around 2:40-p.m., about a large disturbance at Main and Filmore, in Thurman. Authorities say a large group of people had gathered in the street and a physical confrontation broke out.

Dakota Moss

Pamela Demorest

Matthew Demorest

An onlooker videoed the altercation and three arrests for Disorderly Conduct Fighting in Public, were made at the scene. The incident remains under investigation with more arrests possible. All three bonded out after posting the three-hundred-dollar cash bond.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Sunday, of 33-year old Jana Lynn Gray, from Sidney. Gray was arrested following a disturbance in the 1000 block of Cass Street in Sidney.

Jana Gray

Her arrest stemmed from a call at around 3:30-p.m., about a female that was being belligerent. During the investigation Gray was arrested of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Assault of a Law Enforcement Officers with no Injuries.

She was taken to the Fremont County Jail and bonded out after post the one-thousand-dollar cash or surety bond.

(Update!) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Tuesday press conference on COVID-19. We will provide live audio of the presser on KJAN as well. The press conference is set to begin at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold a session via YouTube, Wednesday evening. At 6-p.m., the Board will enter into an Exempt session to discuss strategy matters relating to the employment conditions of employees not covered by the collective bargaining law, under Iowa Code. The exempt session will not be open to the public, and therefore not viewable on YouTube, but the regular meeting to follow WILL be available immediately following the conclusion of the exempt session. School officials say if you are planning to view the meeting on YouTube (https://youtu.be/pZ21qb9sEc4), please stand by for the regular meeting to begin after the exempt session.

During the Board’s regular meeting, they are expected to take action on the resignations of: Alex Bales – HS Teacher/Speech Coach/Fall Play Director; Emily Krummel – MS Teacher; Hillary Zimmerline – MS Teacher/MS Volleyball Coach; Derek Hall – Freshman Football Coach, and Macie Harringa – MS Cross Country Coach. They will also act on contract recommendations for: Mary McBride – Special Education Teacher (Link Center), and, Sarah Rose – MS/HS Guidance Counselor.

The Atlantic School Board is also expected to discuss: a Facility Project Update; a report on the 2018-19 Audit, and, Return To Learn/Return to Open. Action items include (But are not limited to the following):

• Approval of the 2018-19 Audit report
• A June 2021 Out-of-State trip by Middle School Students, to Washington, D.C., under the guidance of Mr. Paul McKay. The trip is taken every other year, and includes several points of interest, a tour of Capital Hill, and more, with the idea of reinforcing things they have studied in history.
• The Board will act on 2020-21 Student Fees. No changes will be made except to the Adult Lunch Prices, which are regulated by the Federal Government, and requires the price to be increased 10 cents, from $3.75 to $3.85.
• The Board will act to approve a 2020-21 AEA Purchasing Agreement, which allows the district continued participation in the AEA cooperative purchasing program for school food service and other purchasing opportunities.
• Other action items include: An agreement with Children’s Square/Heartland Family Service Consortium for 2020-21; An 80/20 Transportation Director Sharing Agreement with the Griswold School District; Approval of 2020-21 Sponsors/Contracts & Winter Sports Coaching Contracts; Milk, Bread and Waste Management bids.

Following their regular meeting, the Atlantic School Board will enter into a closed session for the Superintendent’s Annual Evaluation.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office report 23-year old Brent Joseph Burke was arrested late Sunday night, following an investigation into a disturbance in Council Bluffs. Burke was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree and Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault. And, 33-year old Jessica Marie Rogers was arrested Friday night following a criminal mischief complaint in Crescent. Rogers was charged with OWI/1st offense and Reckless Driving. The incident remained under investigation.