Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds held a press conference Sunday afternoon (3/22), following an IDPH report of 22 new, confirmed positive COVID-19 test results, bring the total in Iowa to 90. Presumptive positive cases have been found in Adair, Black Hawk, Allamakee, Pottawattamie, Fayette, Henry, Linn, Story, Carroll, Harrison, Winneshiek, Washington, Dallas, Muscatine, Dubuque, Cerro Gordo, Kossuth, Scott, Sioux, Tama, Woodbury, Polk and Johnson counties. Reynolds announced that the coronavirus is now community spread.

She signed an additional disaster proclamation that takes more steps to protect Iowans and mitigate the spread of the virus. Reynolds ordered salons and barber shops, all medical spas, massage therapy, tattoo establishments, tanning salons and swimming pools will be closed until March 31st, effective 10-p.m. Sunday (3/22).

She said also foreclosures will be suspended on all residential, commercial and agricultural properties. Licensing relied for medical professionals, she said, “Will ensure that doctors, nurses and others who are ready to step-up and serve, are able to do so.” Additional relief will be provided for all Iowans with professional licenses.

On the topic of Child Care, the Iowa Department of Human Services offered new guidelines for child care providers to follow. As the department continues to work with the governor’s office, it is currently finding more spaces to house child care services.

The following guidelines were issued:

• Parents and guardians must drop off children a the door where the children’s temperatures will be taken by a staff member. If a staff member of child has a temperature of 100.4 degrees they must go home.
• Child care services must practice distancing during this time as much as possible.
• DHS suggest removing plush toys from child care services and prohibit toys being brought in from home.
• DHS suggest all blankets the child uses throughout the day be brought home and washed every day.
• Child care services must send DHS updates every day about its availability. DHS has established an online map that shows parents and guardians what child care facilities have openings.

Read the entire text of proclamation below:

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has reported an outbreak of thousands of cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in multiple countries, causing illness and deaths; and

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared a national public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency was issued to coordinate the State of Iowa’s response to this outbreak and such disaster continues to exist; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation declaring that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, a Proclamation of Public Health Disaster Emergency was issued to provide additional needed resources and measures to respond to this disaster, and such public health disaster continues to exist; and

WHEREAS, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 may be substantially reduced by community containment strategies that may include temporarily closing certain public establishments; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Finance Authority are taking action to temporarily suspend foreclosures and evictions within their jurisdiction; and strict compliance with the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 646, 654, 655A, and 656 allowing for the commencement and prosecution of foreclosure proceedings under certain circumstances would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and reduction of foreclosures will help prevent the transmission of infectious disease and help ensure that cases of COVID-19 are controlled and treated; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provision of Iowa law regarding initial licensure for the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state.

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law which prohibit the practice of pharmacy with an inactive or lapsed license or a pharmacy technician who has not been able to be certified because of a closed testing location would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state.

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring in-person continuing education as a condition of professional license renewal or impose continuing education deadlines or requirements that are unable to be satisfied due to this Disaster Emergency would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state and reduction in the need for in-person continuing education will help prevent the transmission of infectious disease and help ensure that cases of COVID-19 are controlled and treated; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring renewal of a processional license upon its expiration during this public health disaster would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring completion of clinical, practical, or internship experience as a condition of obtaining professional licensure to be a school administrator, mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, or speech pathologist or audiologist would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring the completion of background checks for initial applicants as a condition of obtaining professional licensure would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state and reduction in the need for fingerprinting by local law enforcement will help prevent the transmission of infectious disease and help ensure that cases of COVID-19 are controlled and treated; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law setting an application expiration date and deadline for taking certain examinations to be licensed as a professional engineer or land surveyor would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law establishing examination deadlines for appraisers would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law establishing an 18-month examination deadline as a condition for initial licensure for prospective certified public accountant would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring an applicant for a nursing license to complete an examination within ninety-one days of board authorization would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring an applicant for a pharmacist license to complete all components in Iowa within a period of one year from the date the candidate passed the initial component would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Code § 206.5(2)(a) solely as it applies to commercial applicators, public applicators, and private applicators who were certified applicators as of December 31, 2019, would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-280.2 and 645-31.18, requiring out-of-state marital, family therapy, and mental health counselors, or social workers who provide services by telephone or other electronic means to individuals in the State of Iowa to be licensed in Iowa would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Code § 9B.6 requiring personal appearance for notarial acts would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Code §§ 144B.3, 633.279, and 633B.105 requiring personal presence for certain acts would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-21.31 requiring instructional courses for drinking drivers to be delivered in person rather than online would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-221.3, that require an unattended fueling dispenser to provide a public phone would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state.

NOW THEREFORE, I, KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by the Iowa Constitution, Art. IV, §§ 1, 8 and Iowa Code §§ 29C.6(1), 135.140(6), and 135.144 do hereby proclaim a STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER EMERGENCY continues to exist throughout the entire state of Iowa and do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:

ADDITIONAL CLOSURES OF CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS

SECTION ONE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 135.144 (3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, unless otherwise modified by subsequent proclamation or order of the Iowa Department of Public Health, I hereby order that effective 10:00 p.m., March 22, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020:

A.   Salons, including all establishments providing the services of cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring, all as defined in -Iowa Code § 157.1.

B. Medical spas, as defined in Iowa Admin Code § 653-13.8(1).

C.   Barbershops, as defined Iowa Code § 158.1.

D.   Tattoo establishments, as regulated by Iowa Code § 135.37.

E. Tanning facilities, as defined by Iowa Code § 136D.2(5).

F. Massage therapy establishments, where an individual is practicing massage therapy as defined by Iowa Code § 152C.1(3).

G.   Swimming pools and spas, wading pools, water slides, wave pools, spray pads, and bath houses, as defined in Iowa Code § 135I.1, if the pool did not already close under the previous order as an aquatic center.

SUSPENSION OF FORECLOSURES

SECTION TWO.  Pursuant to Iowa Code §§ 29C.6(6) and 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 646, 654, 655A, and 656 allowing for the commencement of foreclosure proceedings, or the prosecution of ongoing foreclosure proceedings, on residential, commercial, and agricultural real property located in the state of Iowa. Suspension of these provisions shall apply during the duration of this Proclamation or any future extension of this suspension.

A.   Nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving any individual of their obligation to make mortgage payments, or to comply with any other obligation that an individual may have under a mortgage.

B. The Iowa Division of Banking and the Iowa Division of Credit Unions are hereby directed to immediately engage with banks, credit unions, mortgage bankers, and mortgage services to identify any tools, means, or methods that could be used to relieve Iowans from the threat of foreclosure.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSING RELIEF

SECTION THREE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters §§ 147.2, 148.3, 148.5, 148C.3, 152.7, 152B.7A,  and any other implementing administrative rules to the extent they prohibit the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant for an individual who has not yet obtained an initial license, if the licensing board determines that the individual has completed sufficient education and should be granted an emergency license to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION FOUR.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 47.10 and Iowa Admin. Code r. 657-2.3, 2.11(2), 3.5(1), and any other implementing administrative rules which prohibit the practice of pharmacy by a pharmacist licensee whose license is inactive or lapsed, or by a pharmacy technician trainee who is unable to become nationally certified due to closed testing locations.  Suspension of these provisions is limited to pharmacist licenses which have lapsed or expired within the five (5) years prior to this Proclamation, and is limited to pharmacy technician trainees whose trainee registration expires between March 18, 2020, and May 31, 2020, and who are unable to sit for the examination due to closed testing locations, and is solely for the duration of this Proclamation.

SECTION FIVE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 80A, 88A, 88B, 89, 89A, 90A, 91C, 99D, 99F, 100C, 100D, 101A, 103, 105, 124, 126, 135, 136B, 136C, 147, 147A, 147B, 148, 148A, 148B, 148C, 148E, 148F, 149, 151, 152, 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D, 153, 154, 154A, 154B, 154C, 154D, 154E, 154F, 155, 155A, 156, 157, 158, 159, 169, 192, 206, 272, 272C, 321, 441, 455B, 459B, 481A, 502, 522B, 535B, 542, 542B, 543B, 543D, 544A, 544B, 544C, and any provisions of the Iowa Administrative Code implementing those chapters, to the extent they impose requirements for in-person continuing education as a condition of professional license renewal or impose continuing education deadlines or requirements that are unable to be satisfied due to this Disaster Emergency. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION SIX.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 80A, 88A, 88B, 89, 89A, 90A, 91C, 99D, 99F, 100C, 100D, 101A, 103, 105, 124, 126, 135, 136B, 136C, 147, 147A, 147B, 148, 148A, 148B, 148C, 148E, 148F, 149, 151, 152, 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D, 153, 154, 154A, 154B, 154C, 154D, 154E, 154F, 155, 155A, 156, 157, 158, 159, 169, 192, 272, 272C, 321, 441, 455B, 459B, 481A, 502, 522B, 535B, 542, 542B, 543B, 543D, 544A, 544B, 544C, and any provisions of the Iowa Administrative Code implementing those chapters, to the extent they set an expiration date or renewal requirement for a professional license that expires during the duration of this Proclamation. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION SEVEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r 281-79.16(4)(a), 645-31.6(2)(b)(12), 645-280.6(3), 645-240.6(2), 657-4.3, 645-300.3(4)(b)(2), 300.6(3)(a), and 300.6(3)(d), requiring the completion of clinical, practical, or internship experience as a condition of obtaining professional licensure to be a school administrator, mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, or speech pathologist or audiologist. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION EIGHT.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa  Code §§ 272.2(17), 272C.3(1)(a), 543B.15(9), and 543D.22, and any provisions of the Iowa Administrative Code implementing those provisions, which require the completion of background checks for initial applicants as a condition of obtaining professional licensure. Suspension of these provisions shall apply during the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to, upon the expiration of this Disaster Emergency, conduct background checks for those applicants and take any necessary action resulting from completion of those checks, up to and including revocation of licensure.

SECTION NINE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 542B.13 and Iowa Admin. Code r. 193C-3.1(1) and 193C-3.2, setting an application expiration date and deadline for taking certain examinations to be licensed as a professional engineer or land surveyor.

SECTION TEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 543D.8 and Iowa Admin. Code r 193F-3.2, 193F-5.3, and 193F-6.3 and any other implementing administrative rules establishing examination deadlines as a condition for initial licensure for appraisers.

SECTION ELEVEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 542.5 and Iowa Admin. Code r 193A-3.6(1) and any other implementing administrative rules establishing an 18-month examination deadline as a condition for initial licensure for prospective certified public accountants.

SECTION TWELVE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 655-3.4(4) requiring an applicant for a nursing license to complete an examination within ninety-one days of board authorization.

SECTION THIRTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 657-2.4(2) requiring an applicant for a pharmacist license to complete all components in Iowa within a period of one year from the date the candidate passed the initial component.

SECTION FOURTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 206.5(2)(a) solely as it applies to commercial applicators, public applicators, and private applicators who were certified applicators as of December 31, 2019.

SECTION FIFTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-280.2 and 645-31.18, to the extent that they require out-of-state marital, family therapy, and mental health counselors, or social workers who provide services by telephone or other electronic means to individuals in the State of Iowa to be licensed in Iowa.

REMOTE NOTARIZATION AND WITNESSING

SECTION SIXTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the personal appearance requirement in Iowa Code § 9B.6, but only to the extent that the notarial act complies with the requirements of section 6 of 2019 Iowa Acts chapter 44 (Senate File 475) and any additional guidance provided by the Iowa Secretary of State regarding approved communication technology.

SECTION SEVENTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 144B.3, 633.279, and 633B.105, to the extent that they require the physical presence of a testator, settlor, principal, witness, or other person, if the person is present in a manner in which the witness or other person can see and hear the acts by electronic means, such as video conference, Skype, Facetime, Zoom, or other means, whether or not recorded.

OTHER REGULATORY RELIEF

SECTION EIGHTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-21.31 to the extent it requires instructional courses for drinking drivers to be delivered in person rather than online.

SECTION NINETEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-221.3, that require an unattended fueling dispenser to provide a public phone.

IMPLEMENTATION AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION TWENTY.  The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Iowa Department of Transportation, and other participating state agencies are hereby directed to monitor the operation and implementation of this proclamation to assure the public’s health and safety.

SECTION TWENTY-ONE.  Nothing contained in this declaration shall be construed as an exemption from any other portion of the Iowa Code or Iowa Administrative Code not specifically identified in this proclamation.

The provisions of this proclamation shall be effective immediately, unless otherwise noted. This proclamation shall not be construed to otherwise modify the proclamations issued on March 17, 2020 or March 19, 2020. This state of public health disaster emergency shall continue to expire on April 16, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended in writing by me.

**************

For more information about COVID-19 in Iowa, click here.

For information on places to donate in Iowa, click here.

For information about unemployment due to COVID-19, click here.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that an ATM theft took place early Sunday morning at the First Heritage Bank, in Farragut. Deputies observed between the hours of 2-and 3-a.m., two men entered the First Heritage Bank entryway and using tools, accessed the ATM, removing an unspecified amount of money.

Still frame images from surveillance video courtesy Fremont County Sheriff’s Office

Deputies contacted the FBI, Omaha Field Office to assist with the investigation. Two male suspects in the theft are also wanted in connection to several other similar thefts in northwestern Iowa.

Anyone with information please contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 712-374-2424, or the FBI, Omaha Field Office, Great Plains Violent Crime Task Force, at 402-493-8688.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 22 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 90 positive cases. There have been  1,215 negative tests conducted at the State Hygienic Lab to date. For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. The press conference will be livestreamed and posted in full on Governor Reynolds’ Facebook Page.

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 22 individuals include:

• Cerro Gordo County, 2 adults (18-40 years)
• Dallas County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Dubuque County, 2 middle-aged adults (41-60 years)
• Harrison County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Johnson County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle-aged (41-60 years), 2 older (61-80 years)
• Kossuth County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Linn County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Poweshiek County, 1 elderly adult (81 years or older)
• Scott County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)
• Sioux County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Tama County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)
• Washington County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)
• Woodbury County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)

A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431. The state of Iowa will soon begin sharing the number of negative tests conducted at outside labs.

Iowans who have traveled recently for business or spring break vacations, whether internationally or domestically outside of Iowa, should strongly consider self-isolating for 14 days. This will support Iowa’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and limit the introduction of the virus from other points of travel.

Iowa has implemented many provisions to emphasize social distancing, and self-isolation after travel is another measure we can take to slow the spread of the virus and avoid quickly overburdening our healthcare system.

Pursuant to Iowa Code, the Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold an electronic meeting beginning 9-a.m. Monday, instead of their normal, in-person session. The meeting is to discuss “Changes in Policies and Procedures in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak,” followed by a Resolution approving temporary amendments to policies.

The meeting is accessible by calling 605-313-6157, and using Access Code 526272#.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Department of Public Health, Saturday, issued a statement with regard to the latest case of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. You can view the statement below

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:20 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State health officials have confirmed 23 new cases of COVID-19 in Iowa to bring the state’s total Saturday to 68. That’s a more than 50% jump from the day before. The Iowa Department of Public Health said in a news release Saturday that Johnson County reported five new cases, Polk County had four, Linn County had three and Allamakee and Black Hawk counties each reported two new cases. The counties of Dubuque, Fayette, Henry, Muscatine, Pottawattamie, Story and Washington each had one new case. Those infected included six who are 61 years or older, nine who are 41 to 60 years old, and eight who are 18 to 40.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City woman who schemed with her husband to illegally harbor a 17-year-old Guatemalan girl in what authorities have called a human trafficking case has been sentenced to a year in prison. The Sioux City Journal reports that 40-year-old Amy Francisco was sentenced Friday in Sioux City’s federal court. She pleaded guilty in November to the single count. Her husband, 38-year-old Cristobal Francisco-Nicolas, pleaded guilty in December to federal counts of smuggling and unlawful possession of identification documents. Prosecutors say Francisco-Nicolas helped smuggle the girl and her father from Guatemala to Sioux City. The girl was found wandering Sioux City streets last June and told police she had been repeatedly raped by Francisco-Nicolas before she escaped.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police have made two arrests in a fatal January shooting in Cedar Rapids — including the arrest of a teen injured in the shooting. Cedar Rapids police say in a news release Saturday that a 17-year-old male was arrested Friday evening for the Jan. 24 shooting that killed 18-year-old Andrew Gaston and injured a 16-year-old boy with him. The 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of voluntary manslaughter and other counts. The 16-year-old boy injured also was arrested on suspicion of robbery and other counts. Police say the shooting happened when Gaston, the 16-year-old and another person arranged to meet with the 17-year-old to buy marijuana, then ambushed the 17-year-old in a plot to rob him.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is seeing a “staggering” number of claims for unemployment benefits as the coronavirus pummels the state and national economy. Officials say the daily number of unemployment claims being filed is similar to what the state would usually receive in a busy month. The job losses are piling up as Iowa has taken moves to limit the spread of the virus by ordering the closure of restaurants, bars and other gathering spots and encouraged people to stay at home. Because of that, Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday signed a state emergency declaration designed to offer an array of relief to Iowa residents.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds today (Saturday), announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for the state of Iowa as of January 31, 2020 and continuing. The declaration allows pandemic-impacted small businesses to apply for low-interest support loans. The declaration comes after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds submitted a federal funding request via the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The Governor said “This SBA Disaster Loan program is vital in assisting our small businesses that have been so heavily impacted by these unprecedented times. “I will continue to work with President Trump and his administration to provide relief to Iowa small businesses as we combat the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa.”

The SBA is now making loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

Applications can be made via the SBA’s website: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Applicants can monitor the status of their applications online after submission. For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or email  disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.