Officials with the Pottawattamie Public Health Department issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, with regard to concerns about Covid-19 exposure to the general public who may have eaten at the Council Bluffs Panera restaurant:

(Radio Iowa) — Many Iowans are putting their travel plans on hold until the coronavirus situation is resolved, but one expert says this may be an ideal time to buy tickets. Some companies are halting business travel as spring break vacations are being cancelled along with concerts and festivals of all sorts. Rose White, spokeswoman for Triple-A Iowa, says concerns about outbreaks of the illness are impacting the entire travel industry.

“While the number of confirmed cases globally has grown to nearly 116,000, of those, 104,000 are in the countries currently on the U.S. government’s ‘avoid travel’ list. This includes China, South Korea, Italy and Iran,” White says. “Certainly, follow the recommendations posted by the U.S. State Department.” One of the State Department’s latest warnings urges all U-S citizens, especially those with underlying health conditions, not to travel by cruise ship.

“Certainly, the latest recommendations will hurt the cruise industry,” White says. “What we expect to happen though is they are going to take all precautions necessary to help insure a safe travel adventure. We can also encounter or expect to receive some substantial discounts as cruise lines adjust their itineraries and make plans for this additional change.”

Cruise lines have enacted policies denying boarding to anyone who has recently traveled in certain countries, while doing enhanced illness screenings on passengers and boosting sanitation practices. Some airlines are slashing fares to entice travelers, while offering more flexible return policies. Since the situation changes from day to day, White encourages all travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance.

“Coverage options can vary based on the type of policy you purchased, when you bought it and your trip’s departure date and destination,” White says. “However, there are some travel insurance providers that are changing their policies to include coverage for claims related to the virus.” If you have a trip already booked, White says to check with your cruise line, airline or hotel to see what waivers they have in place.

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission renewed the licenses for the 19 state casinos it oversees during their meeting today (Tuesday) in Altoona. Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko, also released the economic impact information on the casinos for the last calendar year.

“Over one-point-one-BILLION dollars has been attributed to the Iowa economy as a result of the casino industry in 2019,” according to Ohorilko. He says the figures include all the funds generated and expenses paid to operate the facilities. “This would include things that are required statutory payments — like taxes — but also expenditures for various supplies, construction, payroll expenses, and charitable contributions,” Ohorilko says. “And so, when added together as a whole the impact for 2019 exceeded one-point-one BILLION dollars.”

Ohorilko says the I-R-G-C has a policy that requires the casinos to seek Iowa vendors first. “Of that one-point-one billion dollars, a significant amount of that money was spent with Iowa vendors or folks that reside in the state of Iowa. That is also something that commission focuses on, asks the operators to do,” he says. Ohorilko says 90-percent of the money spent in 2019 went to Iowa vendors. The casino industry impact has topped the one billion mark for several years.

Ohorilko says that was even more impressive this past year after a tough winter saw business way down early on. “Last year was a tough year for the industry due to weather and flooding,” Ohorilko says, “what has been nice to see — at least early on in January, February, and early March — numbers are up.” He says the increased traffic this year is due in part to a milder winter. “But also we think some of it is attributed to sports wagering being offered in the state,” Ohorilko says.

Sports betting began in mid-August and betters are required to register at a casino before they can bet, which casino operators say has helped bring in new customers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say 22 Iowans are among the thousands of passengers and crew who were quarantined on a cruise ship docked in Northern California, and most of them are preparing to return home. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday that 18 of the Iowans will be flown home on a government-chartered plane and kept in isolation in their homes.

None of them have shown symptoms of the COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, but they will be screened before and after the flight. At least 21 of the roughly 3,500 passengers and crew on the Grand Princess cruise have tested positive for the disease.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. Authorities say 56-year old Jerry Paul Crump, Jr. of Shenandoah, was arrested March 3rd, after an investigation into complaint about a Sex Offender who failed to register himself as living in Page County. Crump was arrested at his address in Shenandoah and transported to the Page County Jail, where his bond was set at $2,000.
And, on March 6th, 25-year old Justin Lynn Turner Peery, of Westboro, MO., was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office, on a Page County warrant for Sex Offender Registry Violation/1st offense. He was also being held in the Page County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

The CAM School Board, Monday evening set the date for a Public Hearing on the FY 2021 Budget, which, according to Superintendent Paul Croghan, calls for a levy rate of slightly more than $10.54 per $1,000 property valuation…an increase of 54-cents. That’s still 21-cents less than the district high of $10.75/$1,000. The Budget Hearing will be held 6:30-p.m. April 13th in the Superintendent’s Office Board Room, at the High School in Anita.

The CAM School Board, Monday, approved a summer mowing bid of $750 from Blackie’s Mowing Service for the first year and $800 per year for each of the next two-years. A bid from Walsh Door and Security amounting to $16,697 was also approved, along with the 2020-21 School Calendar, which is similar to the current school year’s calendar. Classes for 2020-21 will begin August 24, 2020, and end May 24, 2021.

The new calendar includes an additional 30-minutes of additional instructional time.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 25-year-old father has been charged with killing his infant son in northern Iowa. Floyd County court records say Shane Morris is charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. Charles City police began an investigation on Aug. 3, when the baby was taken to Floyd County Medical Center. Police say he died the next day of blunt force trauma to the head. A court document says Morris told investigators that he’d tripped while carrying his son and the boy’s head struck a kitchen counter edge.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — For the second time this academic year, a public university in Iowa is paying an administrator to stay home and look for other jobs as part of a legal agreement to quit and not sue. Iowa State University is paying former senior admissions official Consuela Cooper to telecommute until June 15 or until she finds a new job, whichever comes first. Cooper has agreed to resign and “not to seek or accept employment with the university at any time in the future.” It’s similar to a deal the University of Iowa reached with its new chief diversity officer last August.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office says another filing has taken place in advance of the November General Election nominating deadline. Delmar South has submitted his nomination papers for Union Township Trustee, a non-partisan position. The Auditor’s Office said there are still a few positions were no one has filed papers:

Primary Election (filing deadline March 25th):

• County Attorney (Vacancy Position) – Republican
• County Attorney – Democrat
• County Sheriff – Democrat
• County Auditor – Democrat
• Supervisor District 1 – Democrat
• Supervisor District 4 – Democrat.

General Election (filing deadline March 20):

• Edna Township Trustee
• Ag Extension Council (4 positions)
• Hospital Board (1 position left)
• Soil and Water Conservation (3 positions).

Also, the Agricultural Extension filing deadline is Wednesday Aug 26, 2020.  Previous updates from the Cass County Auditor’s Office on candidates submitting nomination papers can be found in separate posts on the News page.