Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:05 a.m. CST
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor has ordered a partial activation of the state emergency operations center in Johnson to prepare for the possibility of novel coronavirus cases in the state, where no cases of COVID-19 have yet been reported. Gov. Kim Reynolds made the announcement Saturday in a written statement. The partial activation of the center began Wednesday. The governor’s office says the center provides for coordination among state agencies and other partners. Beginning Monday, twice-weekly agency coordination briefings will be held to provide the latest information on COVID-19 and to ensure necessary preparedness measures are in place, the governor’s office said.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former director of a Jewish center in Iowa City has been convicted of molesting a 9-year-old boy. A Johnson County jury found 29-year-old David Weltman guilty Thursday of second-degree sexual abuse. Prosecutors say Weltman abused the boy last year as he gave the boy Hebrew lessons at the Hillel House. Police say the boy reported that Weltman once picked him up, carried him into another room and touched him inappropriately. Police say Weltman also confessed to a one-time friend that he has touched a child and that he is sexually attracted to young boysl Weltman is set to be sentenced on April 27.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — It’s time to spring forward again, as the country makes the switch to daylight saving time. Like those in almost all other states, residents in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri will trade an hour of sleep starting Sunday morning for an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. The government expanded daylight saving time in 2007 in an effort to save energy. It now begins on the second Sunday in March and continues until the first Sunday in November. The official change occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday, local time, although people often change their clocks before going to bed Saturday night. Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Colorado man who threw a cup of water on Iowa Congressman Steve King has been sentenced to two years of probation. Blake Gibbins, of Lafayette, Colorado, had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault on a member of Congress. Gibbins admitted he approached a table at a Fort Dodge restaurant on March 22 last year and threw a cup of water at the Republican. Gibbins’ attorney has said Gibbins’ actions were out of character and may have resulted from recent emotional pressure. Gibbins was in Iowa for a family funeral when he approached King, and Gibbins had no criminal history.