(Radio Iowa) — This summer’s first scheduled county fairs must decide how to continue while COVID-19 is still a threat. Some counties have partially reopened, but large crowds are still banned. Tom Barnes, volunteer manager of the Mighty Howard County Fair, says they’re working on backup plans to judge livestock and other exhibits if the fair, opening June 23rd, is cancelled. If it can continue, he says they need guidance on managing crowds. Barnes says, “If we’re asked by the government or the health department to maintain some sort of surveillance as they come onto the grounds that’s quite a bit of work in a short period of time to get set up.”

The Howard County fair is one of eight Iowa fairs scheduled to open in June. Barnes says they’ll decide what to do by mid-May. The Linn County Fair is scheduled to kick off on June 24th and fair board member Jennifer Dunn says keeping people in the crowd at a safe distance would be difficult to manage. “I think we all understand that fairs won’t look like it did in 2019,” Dunn says. “I think we’ve all come to that realization of how things are.”

Dunn says the fair board is creating backup plans for everything from virtual livestock judging to remote grandstand events. Dunn says, “Maybe there’s a truck and tractor pull but there’s nobody in the crowd and we just stream it virtually.” Dunn says the Linn County fair will work with local health officials to decide how to move forward.

(Reporting by Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

Creston Police report three arrests took place over the past few days. Saturday afternoon, 47-year old Shawn Connelly, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. She was released from the Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) on a Promise to Appear (in court). Friday evening, 23-year old Cody Lamaak, of Afton, was arrested at the Union County LEC on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear on an original, Possession of a Controlled Substance – charge. He was later released a Promise to Appear.Friday afternoon, 37-year old Candace Russell, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. She was also released on a Promise to Appear.

And Creston Police says a man reported that sometime between 7-and 10-a.m. Friday, his belongings were taken from a shelter house at McKinley Park, in Creston, The missing items included: clothing, paperwork and medication that were contained in a large backpack and smaller bag. The loss was estimated at $600.

The Atlantic City Council will meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday in another electronic session via Zoom. One of the items on their agenda, is a “Resolution to require Employees and Visitors to City Buildings to wear face masks.” The issue is, of course, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a request by the Atlantic Library Board for the City’s blessing requiring those entering the library (and other City buildings) to wear the masks in order to further prevent the spread of the virus.

City Administrator John Lund says he reached out to City Attorney David Wiederstein, who agreed the precaution is appropriate. Lund is expected to inform the Council, Wednesday, that if approved, the mask policy:

• Would Apply to the interior of City-owned buildings, only.
• Would Not affect private property, both business and residential, City parks, trails or other City-owned grounds.
• Would Not result in a citation or penalty for failure to wear a mask.
• Would remain in effect only if the City Council feels it is necessary to protect employees and the public.  The policy is not intended to continue indefinitely.

Lund said also, City Departments will be free to respond to employees or members of the public who refuse to follow the policy (if approved) in a manner that is deemed appropriate for the situation. The Council may adopt the Resolution, vote it down or refer it to a City Committee for further discussion. In other business, the Council will act on setting May 20th as the date for a public hearing to amend the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, and the second reading of an Ordinance prohibiting parking on the north side of East 12th Street, as recommended by the Community Protection Committee. The Council passed the first reading on April 15th.

And, the Atlantic City Council will discuss and act on recommendations for the following:

• The Palm Street/Atlantic Golf and Country Club drainage review report (with regard to ongoing storm water management issues). Following discussion and a review of the options available, the Council may elect to reject participation in the improvements requests, ask for additional studies, or defer its decision to a later date. John Lund is expected to recommend the Council select the option most appropriate to resolve or mitigate property damage caused by inadequate city infrastructure in the affected area, and a financial feasibility plan to be developed for review of the City Council.
• A review of bids for the Country Oak/Miller Storm Water Detention Basin Project & the awarding of the bid project. The lowest bid ($21,520) came from Christ Heuton Earthmoving. City Administrator John Lund says the FY 2020 Budget reserves $27,000 for storm water projects. To date, he says, none of that money has been spent on capital improvements. The project, therefore, is budgeted for and the funds are available.

And, they will act on setting the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed contract documents and estimated construction cost for the Atlantic Facade Rehabilitation Project. This is part of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which is in the final stages of pre-construction preparations. The bids will be opened this Friday, and the hearing held during the May 20th City Council meeting.