IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A historic surge in unemployment claims continued last week in Iowa as more workers lost their jobs in an economy devastated by the coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday that 67,334 people in Iowa filed for unemployment benefits in the week that ended April 4. That is roughly the population of Waterloo, Iowa’s sixth largest city. The labor department said the claims were a 20 percent increase over those filed in Iowa the prior week, which had been a high for the state. Pandemic-related layoffs in several industries, from health care to food services, were driving factors behind Iowa’s claims.

Police in Creston report 62-year old Rodney Cottrell, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at his residence. Cottrell was taken into custody for Possession of Paraphernalia. He was subsequently  cited, and released on a Summons to Appear in court.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police in Cedar Rapids say two people have been injured in a workplace shooting at an exterior siding manufacturing plant. Police say the shooting happened around 5 a.m. Thursday when a person entered Associated Materials, shot two people and fled the property. Police say the two victims appear to have suffered wounds not believed to be life-threatening. Police say investigators don’t believe the shooting was random and believe they know who the shooter is. Police say the shooter is still on the run and has not yet been found.

Officials with Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan report the Harlan Rural Health Clinic will close daily at 5 p.m. The clinic will not be open evening hours until further notice. Also, the Elk Horn, Earling and Avoca Clinics are now closed and will remain closed until further notice.

The Shelby Clinic will continue to operate according to their normal schedule as follows:
· MONDAY: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
· TUESDAY: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
· WEDNESDAY: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
· THURSDAY: 8:00 am – 11:30 am
· FRIDAY: 8:00 am – 11:30 am