(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s secretary of state is encouraging Iowans to vote-by-mail in the June 2nd Primary and Paul Pate has extending the absentee voting period to a total of 40 days. Pate released a recorded message late Monday:

“The safety of voters takes precedence and by encouraging Iowans to vote absentee, we can reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19,” Pate said. “We still plan on having our polls open on June 2nd for voters who prefer to cast ballots in person, but this effort will help reduce the risk of infecting others.”

Pate has added 11 days to the vote-by-mail period for the June 2nd primary — so it will now begin on April 23rd. During primary elections earlier this month in Arizona, Florida and Illinois, election officials announced public health precautions like disinfecting voting booths and machines regularly, plus poll workers were given gloves, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer.

But there were reports of poll workers failing to show up, causing lines and — in some cases — polling sites had to be moved or consolidated.

General Information

Referrals: Referral notes are required except for senior citizens (55yrs) and those on Social Security Disability. They can be obtained from West Central Community Action (712) 243-5421, Cass County General Assistance at the Courthouse  (712) 243-4424, a church, or medical provider. Please call them first for instructions on how to receive the referral.

• Phone: (712)243-5019 (9 – 11 AM Mondays and Thursdays)
• Address: 19 W. 4th St., Atlantic, IA 50022
• Hours: Thursdays, 1:00pm – 2:00 pm (or until line ends – please come to the pantry at 1:00 pm)

Food Distribution

The Atlantic Food Pantry will be taking the following precautions to prevent the possible spread of illness that might affect our clients, their families, or our volunteers:

– The pantry’s usual choice options and individual face-to-face interviews will be discontinued at this time. Food will be distributed in an “express” fashion with sacks pre-prepared inside the pantry to limit wait time and reduce traffic inside the pantry building. Distribution to clients will occur outside the front door of the pantry. Only pantry volunteers will be allowed inside the pantry

– Clients will be given hand sanitizing gel before handling food donation items and be urged to keep separation between themselves in the line.

– All volunteers will use disposable food handling gloves and practice good hygiene behavior including good handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer.

– Frequently touched surfaces (table tops, doorknobs and rails, handles, desks, phones, toilets, faucets, etc.) will be cleaned and sanitized more frequently – before and after the pantry, and other times as needed.

– Pantry volunteers who exhibit symptoms or who have been exposed to someone with fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficult breathing will be asked to stay home and contact their health care provider. Clients who present with such symptoms will be asked to return home and seek medical attention.

Donation Suggestions

As always, cash donations are very useful for purchases of staples given out regularly. The pantry is currently giving out certain foods, so we are asking that food donations please focus on the following items:

cream of chicken soup
cream of mushroom soup
tomato soup
chicken noodle soup
ramen noodles (chicken, beef)
hamburger helper
beef ravioli (cans)
instant sides (packages) – “pasta & sauce” or potato
cereal (boxes)
Jiffy corn muffin mix
bread
crackers (saltine)
canned fruit (pears, peaches, cocktail, applesauce)
bar soap
tuna (cans)
macaroni and cheese
canned corn, green beans, peas (12-15 oz. cans)
toilet paper
peanut butter (18 oz. creamy)
“Quick” oats
“complete” pancake & waffle mix
waffle syrup

DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Reynolds today (Monday) announced the launch of a new Iowa Small Business Relief Program that will provide financial assistance to small businesses that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers eligible small businesses grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000 in addition to offering Iowa businesses a deferral of sales and use or withholding taxes due and waiver of penalty and interest.

“Small businesses are the source of thriving main streets and community pride across Iowa,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The Small Business Relief Grant Program is another way we can support our small businesses during this unprecedented time.”

Iowa Small Business Relief Program Grant:

To be eligible for a small business relief grant, eligible businesses must:

• Be experiencing business disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Have employed between 2-25 people prior to March 17, 2020

The Small Business Relief Grants will assist eligible businesses in maintaining operations or reopening business following the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may not be used to pay debts incurred prior to March 17, 2020.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority will review grant applications for eligibility and will determine the grant amount by the level of impact including loss in sales revenue and employees. Notification of award decisions and disbursement of grant funds will be expedited.

Tax Assistance:

The Iowa Department of Revenue will review each application as applicable, to determine if it is appropriate to grant a deferral of the eligible taxes and waiver of penalty and interest.

The dual application for grant assistance and tax deferral is available at iowabusinessrecovery.com. The deadline for applications is March 31 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). The program may be restricted due to funding availability.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests and one incident of snack theft.  A woman from Creston reports on March 4th, that sometime between the 4th and March 6th, someone got in to her storage unit in Creston. The thief got away with 15 cases of Little Debbie snacks, valued at $300.

Authorities said also, 23-year old Wesley Richard Oliphant, of Creston, was arrested March 10th at the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office. Oliphant was arrested on a Union County warrant for driving while barred. He was later released on $2,000 bond. Also arrested March 10th, was 21-year old Tommie Lynne O’Neall, of Creston. She was taken into custody at the Union County Sheriff’s Office on a Union County Warrant for Theft in the 4th degree. O’Neall was released from jail after serving the balance of her time.

The Atlantic Fire Department and Medivac Ambulance were called a little after 12-p.m. today, to Hubbard Feeds at 60260 Marne Road, where a fire was reported in the basement of the mill. All personnel were out of the building at last report. The fire appeared to be out by around 12:20-p.m. Additional details are currently not available.

Photo’s by Chris Parks