(Radio Iowa) — It’s RE-opening day for some Iowa businesses. The governor’s order that restaurants, fitness centers and retail businesses close to slow the spread of COVID-19 has been lifted in 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties. “Iowans in many communities will have an opportunity to shop on Main Street, eat at their favorite local restaurant or attend church on Sunday if they choose,” Reynolds says.

The governor’s order limiting public gatherings to 10 or less has been lifted for religious services STATEWIDE, but many denominations do not plan to resume in-person worship. That includes the West Des Moines church Reynolds attends which is sticking with online services. Reynolds says it’s time for Iowans to learn how to manage the virus in the course of their daily lives.

“Covid-19 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon,” The virus will continue to be in our communities and unfortunately people will still get sick until a vaccine is available. Keeping businesses closed for weeks or months longer won’t change that fact and it simply is not sustainable.” Some are expressing concern that residents of the 22 counties where business closures remain in force will travel to the 77 less-populated counties and spread the virus.

Pella, for example, cancelled its annual Tulip Festival, but residents say tourist traffic increased significantly last weekend. Reynolds says she trust Iowans to do the right thing. “I believe that we can begin to get life and busienss back to normal in a safe and responsible way if we all continue to work together and to do our part,” Reynolds says. The latest state report indicates 162 Iowans have died of COVID-19 since the first fatal case was reported in early March.

Test results produced from Sunday through Wednesday morning identified more than 16-hundred new cases. Testing has been prioritized for Iowans who work in meat packing plants or health care settings, including nursing homes where outbreaks have been identified. Iowans with COVID-19 symptoms or those who’ve spent time near someone who has tested positive may also be tested.

Two Pottawattamie County men were arrested Thursday night in Fremont County, after the vehicle they were in was stopped for traveling at approximately 124 miles per hour on Interstate 29. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says deputies pulled the vehicle over at around 8:10-p.m., near mile marker 14.

Grennell

Pond (Photos courtesy the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office)

After they made contact with the driver, 20-year old Eric Pond, of Council Bluffs, Deputies observed the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  And, after a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered approximately 67 grams of marijuana and paraphernalia consistent with distribution of controlled substances.  Property reported stolen out of Omaha, Nebraska was also located in the trunk of the vehicle.

Pond was arrested for speeding, 124 MPH in a 70 MPH zone, Reckless Driving, Theft 5^th Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana. A passenger, 19-year old Cortez Grennell, also fromCouncil Bluffs, was also arrested for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana.

The Iowa State Patrol assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the call.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says testing for the coronavirus in the the new TestIowa program will be reliable and accurate once the machines Iowa bought for the program are validated and set up. Questions have been raised by the Salt Lake Tribune about the accuracy of tests used by the state of Utah and provided by the same company Iowa bought tests and equipment from earlier this month as part of a $26 million contract. Reynolds says the State Hygienic Laboratory in Iowa City has significant expertise in such testing and is validating the machines provided and she’s confident the FDA approved testing system will prove to be accurate.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a second person who works within the Black Hawk County Jail in north-central Iowa has tested positive for COVID-19. The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office says an employee of Summit Food Services, the company that prepares meals for inmates, has been infected with the virus. Sheriff’s Capt. Nathan Neff says the kitchen staff has very limited contact with jail staff and no contact with inmates. Earlier in the week, the jail announced that a nurse who works the overnight shift at the jail had also tested positive. Officials said the nurse had very little contact with staff and inmates.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Spirit Airlines fight was forced to land in Des Moines after a fight onboard that police say started because a passenger who wanted to sleep was upset with people being too loud. Des Moines police say a flight from Los Angeles to Detroit landed at Des Moines International Airport early Thursday. KETV reports the plane was on the ground for about two hours and a passenger was taken off before it continued to Detroit. Sgt. Paul Parizek says no one was arrested. He says the passenger who was removed from the plane was allowed to leave. The investigation is continuing.

NEW SHARON, Iowa (AP) — Police in central Iowa have arrested a woman they say called 911 to report she had shot and killed her husband days earlier. The Des Moines Register reports that 69-year-old Carol Ann Davis, of New Sharon, called the emergency number Wednesday morning to report she had killed her husband at their home on Sunday. Deputies who later arrived at the home found 55-year-old Steve Davis dead with a gunshot wound to his head. Carol Ann Davis told investigators that she shot her husband in his sleep after he complained of issues at work and asked her to shoot him once he fell asleep. She’s being held on $1 million bond.