SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Sioux City Journal) — 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.

A grass-roots effort by citizens in Atlantic looks to organize volunteers to grocery shop for those who are not able to do so, with regard to the current COVID-19 Outbreak. According to one of the organizers, Stacey Weis, the group formed a Facebook page called Atlantic Iowa Community Assistance.

Their goal is to shop for the elderly, single moms with infants, and those with a compromised immune system (or other form of health that makes them susceptible to viruses like COVID-19 and the common flu).

For persons who do not have access to, or familiarity with, the internet, you may call one of four local numbers to arrange for a volunteer to pick up your grocery list and money for the groceries, before shopping for you and either bringing them to you (dropped-off at your door), or you may have them picked-up at secure drop-off site. There is no charge for the service, and tipping is not necessary. This is strictly being done on a volunteer basis.

If you are financially unable to pay for groceries, organizers will pass your information along to other, appropriate groups or charitable organizations who may be able to help. If there is a demonstrable need in the surrounding communities within Cass County, call and let them know.

Please feel free to call one of the following persons for help, between the hours of 8-a.m. and 5-p.m.:

• Stacy Weis:             (712)-249-3026
• Danyell Thompson: (712)-249-0089
• Marsha Watts:        (712)-243-4568
• Bobbi Jo Mathisen: (712)-249-3899.

The Iowa Department of Public reports, that as of mid-day today (Saturday), there are 68 confirmed cases of COVID-19 spread across the State, with the majority in Johnson and Polk Counties. The IDPH says to date, there have been 1,049 negative tests conducted at the State Hygienic Lab.

The ages of those affected are as follows:

Child (age 0-17): 1

Adult (age 18-40): 18

Adult – Middle Age (41-60): 23

Older Adult  (age 61-80): 23

Elderly (age 81 & up): 3.

The number of infected males: 33; Females: 35.

According to IDPH, the locations of the 23 latest confirmed COVID-19 cases are as follows:

• Allamakee County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Black Hawk County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 elderly (81 years or older)
• Dubuque County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Fayette County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Henry County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Johnson County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Linn County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Muscatine County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Polk County, 2 middle age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Pottawattamie County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Story County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Washington County, 1 middle age 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.

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.

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference on Sun., March 22 at 2:30 p.m.

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.

The Griswold School District’s Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting 5:30-p.m. Tuesday, in the Conference Room at the High School. On the agenda is:

1. A Hearing on the 2020-21 Budget.
2. Consider approval of the Budget as written.
3. A Hearing on the 2020-21 School Calendar
4. Consider approval of the 2020-21 Calendar as presented.
5. Approval of a Pandemic Pay Resolution.
6. Consider approval of a Medicaid Reimbursement Contract as written.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse. On their agenda is a Public Hearing in the proposed FY 2021 County Budget, followed by action on recommendations by the County Compensation Board, for elected officers’ FY 2021 compensation, and action on: adopting the FY 2021 Secondary Roads Budget, and FY21 Cass County Budget.

The Board will also open, and consider, bids for the Cold Springs State Park road paving project, and act on a Resolution to appoint a Cass County Representative/Commissioner to SIRHA (The Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority), with a three-year term beginning April 9, 2020.

Board Chair Steve Baier says Cass County Information Technologist Andrea Goins has set up a “Zoom” meeting for those wishing to attend the Board of Supervisor’s meeting and budget hearing electronically.  A camera will be set up for video. The meeting access is:

https://zoom.us/j/138870131?pwd=dnRLK2ZjcWQ2SWpMQm0wK1c0b2pwUT09

Baier says he will “Make every reasonable effort as we conduct the meeting and hearing so
that questions can be asked or comments can be expressed.” For those attending in-person, someone will be at the lobby doors beginning at 8:45-a.m. Tuesday, to admit you. A reminder: the State mandate says no more than 10 people may gather at a site. Please consider viewing the meeting electronically.

The Iowa Board of Medicine, Friday, said public orders have been issued for two Iowa-licensed physicians. Both have practiced in western Iowa. Officials say 41-year old Nicholas J. Kuiper, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, who formerly practiced general surgery in Grinnell, Waterloo, and Carroll, entered into a Stipulated Order – Agreement Not to Practice with the Board, on March 12, 2020.  The Board alleged that Dr. Kuiper violated appropriate professional boundaries in violation of the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa.  In addition, Dr. Kuiper was arrested November 15, 2019, and charged with second-degree criminal mischief, operating while intoxicated, and eluding.  Under the terms of the March 12, 2020, Stipulated Order – Agreement Not to Practice, Dr. Kuiper agreed that he shall not engage in any aspect of the practice of medicine under his Iowa medical license until the Board has entered a final decision in this case.

And, 41-year old Doctor Travis R.B. Brownell, who formerly practiced emergency medicine in Sioux City, Iowa, and currently practices in Fort Dodge, had the terms of his disciplinary order terminated by the Board on March 12, 2020.  On August 8, 2014, Dr. Brownell entered into a combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement with the Board.  The Board charged Dr. Brownell with violating the terms of a physician health contract that he entered into with the Iowa Physician Health Program (IPHP) for substance abuse.  Under the terms of the August 8, 2014, combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement, the Board issued Dr. Brownell a Citation and Warning and ordered him to pay a $2,500 civil penalty.

The Board also placed Dr. Brownell on probation for a period of five (5) years subject to substance abuse and mental health counseling and monitoring.  On March 12, 2020, the Board terminated the terms of Dr. Brownell’s disciplinary order and his Iowa medical license was returned to its full privileges, free and clear of all restrictions.