Atlantic Community School District Superintendent Steve Barber, Monday afternoon, said the District will be closed for four-weeks, beginning today (Monday, March 16th). All athletics and activities are cancelled or postponed. The tentative re-open date is Monday, April 13, 2020. More information will be sent out beginning today, to both staff and parents.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds today (Monday), announced assistance for workers and employers impacted by layoffs related to COVID-19.  The guidance includes information for employees filing for unemployment insurance claims, as well as information on programs available for employers. “Iowa has incredible employers accommodating the needs of Iowans during the disruption caused by COVID-19,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The state of Iowa is doing everything we can to ease the process and shorten the time it will take for Iowans to receive unemployment benefits. All of our state agencies continue to work as one team to lessen the impact COVID-19 will have on our economy and our people.”

“Iowa Workforce Development is taking steps to reduce the impact of these claims on employers who have had to temporarily lay off staff due to closures or slowdowns,” said IWD Director BethTownsend. “IWD encourages all employers to utilize paid leave and telework options for employees before utilizing temporary layoffs.  Iowa Workforce Development will continue to monitor the situation, working with our stakeholders and updates will be released on our webpage.”

Unemployment insurance claims:

If you are laid off due to COVID-19 or have to stay home to self-isolate, care for family members or due to illness related to COVID-19, you can receive unemployment benefits, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.  Those requirements essentially include working for wages from an employer who claims you as an employee in six of the last eighteen months and have earned at least $2,500 in the same time period. More specific explanation of benefit eligibility can be found at: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/2019-unemployment-insurance-claimant-handbook
Claimants can expect to receive payment within 7-10 days after the date the claim is filed. Claims that are filed and identified as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19, will not be charged to employers.  Fact-finding interviews for these claims will be waived and not be held although employers will be notified of claims received. IWD will process unemployment insurance payments to ensure payment will continue to be paid in a timely manner.

“The Iowa Workforce Development team is dedicated to providing assistance to employees and employers affected by COVID-19.  Please do not hesitate to contact myself or our team for assistance at 1-866-239-0843,” said Director Townsend.  For more information, visit www.IowaWorkforceDevelopment.gov Updates will be released as they become available.

DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference today from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Johnston, IA at 4:30 p.m. to provide an update to the state of Iowa on COVID-19. The press conference follows Gov. Reynolds recommending schools close for four weeks. The press conference will stream live on Facebook under “Governor Kim Reynolds.”

A traffic stop Sunday in Page County four-miles west of Clarinda, resulted in an OWI arrest. 35-year old Nathaniel Newton Thornton, of Coin, was arrested for O.W.I. 1st offense. Thornton was transported to the Page County Jail on $1,000 bond pending future court proceedings.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate for January was 2.8%. Iowa Workforce Development reported Monday that the rate was unchanged from the revised rate for December. The number of unemployed residents rose slightly in January to an estimated 49,500. The number of people with jobs also increased, to about 1.7 million. Iowa’s rate is tied for the 10th lowest in the nation. The U.S. unemployment rate for January was 3.6%.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the names of a woman and her 5-year-old child who died in a Des Moines residential fire. They were identified Monday as 40-year old Tharassa Page, and her son, Reginald Page. Firefighters sent around 10:45 a.m. Sunday to the duplex found flames coming out of the windows on its north side. Three other people inside the residence escaped to safety. No other injuries were reported. The fire cause is being investigated.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County, Friday, arrested an Essex man on an Assault charge. 35-year old Travis Robert Mayer was arrested at the Douglas County, NE., Jail, on a Page County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault – Felony. He was transported to the Page County Jail and held on $ 5,000 bond, pending future court proceedings.

The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office reports a resident of Delphos, in Ringgold County, was arrested Saturday on theft and drug charges. A Worth County, MO., resident called the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office, with regard to his property that had been stolen. The resident told authorities he suspected the property might be in Ringgold County. An investigation into the incident resulted in the arrest of Kevin Ray, and Jennifer Baker, both from Delphos, IA.

Jennifer Baker

Kevin Ray

The investigation recovered stolen property from Iowa and Missouri. Ray and Baker were both charged with theft in the second degree. Kevin Ray was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were being held in the Ringgold County Jail while awaiting an appearance before the magistrate.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests. Today (Monday), 33-year old Daniel John Vornbrock, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 2:30-a.m., for Driving Under Suspension. Early Sunday morning, 23-year old Demarkus Jaymes Myers, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Saturday afternoon, 39-year old Daniel Charles Thomas, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred.

And, there were two arrests on Friday: 65-year old Harold Arthur Hart, of Shenandoah, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a Page County warrant for Violation of Probation. 29-year old Kayla Leigh Wood, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

From the Cass County Board of Supervisors: Due to the virus outbreak the Cass County Board of Supervisors and elected County Officials would like to advise the public of some changes they will notice when conducting business at the courthouse. In the interest of the health of the public as well as that of our employees the following guidelines are in place effective immediately.

First, for those that are unaware, many county services can be accessed online rather than actually coming to the courthouse. Many drivers license functions, fine payments, etc. are quickly handled either online or by mail. We strongly encourage people to utilize these avenues rather than public exposure whenever possible. If you are unsure if you need to come to the courthouse, please call ahead and you will be given the status of the service you are seeking.

• When entering the courthouse as necessary, you may find some office doors closed with tables outside of the office. Simply knock on the door and someone will come to the door and help you.
• No non-essential services such as genealogy research will be accessible until further notice.
• No visitors or non-essential personnel will be allowed in the Cass County Jail.

If you desire to contact a specific official or department head please go to www.atlanticiowa.com and click on the link labeled Cass County and the department head list. Clicking on the name will generate an email to that specific official. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time