(Radio Iowa) — A long-time, well-known Iowa journalist has died. Dean Borg was host and moderator of the weekly “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S for more than four decades. Borg retired from the program in 2017. “There’s no better place to cover politics than Iowa.” Borg’s comments come from a retrospective aired on Iowa P-B-S just over three years ago. Radio Iowa news director O. Kay Henderson has shared these memories of Borg with Iowa Public Radio, where Borg did part-time work for the past two decades. “I would describe Dean in two parts. There’s the personal part — a true gentleman, a good friend and a devoted family man. Then, there’s the professional part — the tenacious, determined journalist and I think that explains his popularity with the ‘Iowa Press’ audience,” Henderson said. “I think they could see and sense all of that.”

Dean Borg

Borg, who was 81, died of complications of pancreatic cancer. Borg grew up in Forest City and was the first member of his family to attend college. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in journalism, served in the Air Force, worked for the Defense Department and was a war correspondent in Vietnam. Borg returned to Iowa and was a reporter for W-M-T television in Cedar Rapids. He helped launch “Iowa Press” on public television in 1971. Dean and his wife, Sheila, have been long-time residents of Mount Vernon. Borg is survived by his wife. five children and nine grandchildren.

The Borg family will hold private funeral services due to coronavirus pandemic precautions. A memorial service may be scheduled later in the year. The family has suggested memorial donations may be made to the Mount Vernon Schools Foundation to fund an annual scholarship for a high school graduate or to the Iowa PBS Foundation to fund an annual internship for a college student pursuing a degree in journalism.

Red Oak Police report an unknown vehicle struck a legally parked pickup truck, and then left the scene. Officials say a 2018 Chevy Silverado pickup owned by Keith Weiderien, of Red Oak, was parked in the 600 block of Sunset Avenue, when it was hit. The pickup sustained about $1,500 damage. The incident happened sometime between 9-p.m. Friday and 1-p.m. Saturday.

Authorities say the suspect vehicle left a red paint transfer where it struck the pickup. No other details are known. The incident remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) — One of north-central Iowa’s largest employers is suspending most production activities at its facilities in Iowa and nationwide due to the coronavirus pandemic. Forest City-based Winnebago Industries says the actions at the company’s Winnebago, Grand Design RV, Newmar and Chris-Craft facilities is in response to the national spread of COVID-19 and unforeseeable change in business circumstances that have accompanied it. The steps are designed to lower the probability of coronavirus exposure to employees and adjust future production output relative to a fast-changing demand landscape for the company’s products.

Production will be suspended starting this week and based on present conditions through at least April 12th. Winnebago CEO Michael Happe says their top priority is the health and well-being of the company’s employees, business partners, customers and communities. He says the company is also seeing demand for their products shift dramatically as the nation takes appropriate action to curb the spread of coronavirus.

To support employees and their families affected by the temporary production suspension, the company is providing base pay and benefits for the first two weeks.

DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, DUE TO COVID-19, YOU MAY STILL APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO CARRY OR A PERMIT TO ACQUIRE. YOU MAY ALSO RENEW YOUR CURRENT PERMIT, HOWEVER THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION HAS EXTENDED THE EXPIRATION DEADLINE. APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL ONLY.
Applications must printed out and completed. The applications are on the link below noted as Application Forms. You will need to mail the completed application, along with a copy of your training (if applying for a permit to carry) AND a copy of your driver’s license with your current address. You will need to remit the fee as noted below in the form of a check or money order. Do not forget to fill out every section of the form, answer all of the questions, sign and date it. Any incomplete form will be returned with further instruction.

APPLICATION FORMS: https://dps.iowa.gov/…/administrative-servic…/weapons-permit

PERMIT TO CARRY WEAPONS INFORMATION:
The cost is $50.00 for a plastic permit card. This is a uniform card that will be issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This card will be mailed directly to the mailing address provided by the applicant.
Must be 21 and a resident of Iowa.

TRAINING REQUIREMENT:
*Handgun safety training course utilizing an instructor certified by a state law enforcement agency;
*Handgun safety training course utilizing an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association;
*Completion of a hunter education program approved by the Natural Resource Commission, if handgun safety training is noted on the certificate of completion.
*Armed forces small arms training (for those released or retired from Active Duty) – requires documentation of honorable discharge OR general discharge under honorable conditions (DD-214, DD-256, NGB-22, or similar).
*Armed forces small arms training (for those on Active Duty) – requires certificate of completion of basic training or similar.
*Handgun safety training course for security guards, investigators, or special deputies, if such course has been approved by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
*TRAINING EXEMPTION – Documentation that applicant holds or held an Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons issued on or after 01/01/2011.
Applicant must apply in county you reside in.
Applicant must have driver’s license or ID with applicant’s current address on it.
Payment must be made at time of application by check or money order.
Permit is good for 5 years.

PERMIT TO CARRY WEAPONS RENEWAL PROCESS:
Permit holders may apply for renewal within 30 days before or after their expiration date. The application must be filled out again and a $25.00 fee is payable at that time.
When the permit holder is earlier or later than 30 days of expiration, the regular fee of $50.00 applies.
Applicant must renew in county you reside in.
Applicant must have driver’s license or ID with applicant’s current address on it.
Payment must be made at time of application.
Permit is good for 5 years.

PERMIT TO ACQUIRE INFORMATION:
Must be 21 and a resident of Iowa.
The cost is $25.00 for a plastic permit card. This is a uniform card that will be issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This card will be mailed directly to the mailing address provided by the applicant.
There is no training required.
Applicant must apply in county you reside in.
Payment must be made at time of application.
Applicant must have driver’s license or ID with applicant’s current address on it.
Permit is good for 5 years.

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a battery manufacturer in eastern Iowa has been fined $42,000 for workplace safety violations. The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration says Exide Technologies was cited for five different violations and originally faced a penalty of more than $70,000. The Manchester-based business later reached a settlement with the department to pay $42,000.

The Telegraph Herald reports that safety inspectors said company officials exposed employees to a “potential racking system collapse,” exposed two employees to “airborne contaminants” and exposed employees to various hazards.