Iowa’s Coronavirus dashboard today (Thursday), indicates 41 people have died from complications of COVID-19 since yesterday’s record 47 deaths, for a total of 2,312. There is one more death to report in Shelby County, where the total now stands at nine. The number of deaths attributed to a pre-existing condition statewide are at 1,327, while deaths at Long-Term Care facilities amount to 1,038, 15 more than on Wednesday. Three more long-term care facilities report COVID-19 outbreaks, bringing the total to 152. Those care facilities report 4,647 positive cases and 1,796 recovered. Cass County’s three LTC facilities have a total of 208 confirmed positive cases and 123 recovered.

Officials say there have been 3,331 new confirmed, Positive cases of the virus reported since yesterday, for a total since the pandemic began, of 222,278. Cass County has 12 new positive cases, for a total of 797. Mills County crossed the 1,000+ mark for positive cases, at 1,012. Pottawattamie County positive cases continue to grow exponentially, to 6,081 as of today.

Hospitalizations have fallen from 1,305 Wednesday to 1,269 today. There are: 271 patients in intensive care (2 more than Wed.); 193 patients admitted in the last 24 hours, down from 198 previously; and there are 142 people on a ventilator, Compared to 150 previously. In western/southwestern Iowa: there are 60 COVID patients in the hospital (down from 64 Wed.); 17 are in an ICU (two less than before); 10 people were admitted to a hospital, compared to six previously, and seve people are on a ventilator, one less than before.

The state’s data shows that 1,194,529 Iowans have been tested for coronavirus. Test results received yesterday amounted to 8,712, with 6,737 coming back Negative and 1,923 Positive. Iowa’s statewide 14-day positivity rate continues to decline, now at 18.6%. The Individual Positivity rate is also at 18.6%. Cass County’s Positivity rate remain at 20.3%. Taylor County has the highest rate in southwest Iowa, at 24.6%. Audubon County is the lowest, at 10.8%.  A total of 970,158 Iowans have tested negative for COVID-19.

The IDPH says 124,522 Iowans have recovered from the virus. In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases in each county, along with the 24-hour change in case numbers {+#}; the number of persons recovered, and the total number of [deaths] (if any), since the pandemic began,

• Cass, 797 cases {+12}; 497 recovered; 21 deaths
• Adair, 425 {+3}; 201; 8
• Adams, 164 {+3}; 84; 2
• Audubon, 293 {+8}; 166; 1
• Guthrie, 732 {+6); 410; 15
• Harrison County, 1,060 {+36}; 698; 28
• Madison County, 673 {+10}; 372; 4
• Mills County, 1,017 {+18}; 442; 7
• Montgomery, 449 {+13}; 203; 10
• Pottawattamie County, 6,109 {+184]; 3,457; 67
• Shelby County, 748 {+13}; 439; 9
• Union County,  750 {+16}; 283; 6

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:25 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The historically close race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District seat has gotten even closer. Democrat Rita Hart has cut Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ lead to eight votes out of more than 394,400 cast, with recount boards in all but one of the district’s 24 counties reporting the results of their recounts. On Wednesday, Hart netted 26 votes in Scott County and another vote in Jasper County after their recount boards adjourned. Clinton County’s recount board will meet on Saturday to finish reviewing about 5,000 absentee ballots.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska is creating the nation’s largest tribal national park on a forested bluff overlooking the Missouri River and a historic site of its people. The tribe says the 444-acre park will allow it to tell the story of the Ioway people and provide a rustic getaway where people can hike, camp and bird-watch. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Ioway Tribal National Park will overlook a historic trading village once used by the Ioway people to barter for buffalo hides and pipestones with other tribes. That site includes three burial mounds that date back 3,000 years.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa reported 47 additional deaths from COVID-19, Wednesday, the highest single-day toll. Deaths reported on an individual day can be effected by delays in completion of death certificates and other factors, but the data from the state Department of Public Health makes clear Iowa is continuing to see an increase in deaths from the virus. Johns Hopkins University says the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Iowa has risen over the past two weeks from nearly 16 deaths per day on Nov. 10 to 28 deaths per day on Nov. 24. In the month of November alone, 555 people in Iowa have died of COVID-19. The state data shows 3,365 additional positive cases were reported in the past 24 hours.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A University of Iowa fraternity has been suspended for hazing, with a report citing verbal abuse and and an incident where new members were required to drink dangerously high amounts of alcohol. The university says the violations were by the Acacia Fraternity. The Cedar Rapids Gazette obtained an investigative report through a public records request. The suspension lasts through 2024. One allegation said that in the spring semester, new members were ordered to stay in the fraternity house attic until they consumed alcohol that included 60 to 90 cans of beer, along with vodka and a gallon of a drink called Jungle Juice. Several new members got sick.

A man from Nebraska was listed in serious condition following a shooting Wednesday evening, in Council Bluffs. Officers responded to the incident in the area of 800 N. 34th Street at around 6:20 pm, following a report of shots fired and a male subject who was possibly struck by a bullet.

Officers arrived and located the victim, 24-year old Daquon Berry, of Columbus, NE., suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was laying in the parking lot to the east of the apartment buildings in the area. Berrywas transported to UNMC.  As of the latest report, the suspect(s) is unknown and have not been identified. No other persons were injured during the incident.

The investigation is ongoing by the Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with any information that was in the area at the time of this incident is encouraged to contact this Division at 712-328-4728 or they may call Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The historically close race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District seat has gotten even closer. Democrat Rita Hart has cut Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ lead to eight votes out of more than 394,400 cast, with recount boards in all but one of the district’s 24 counties reporting the results of their recounts.

On Wednesday, Hart netted 26 votes in Scott County and another vote in Jasper County after their recount boards adjourned. Clinton County’s recount board will meet on Saturday to finish reviewing about 5,000 absentee ballots.

The Harlan Police Department reports two recent arrests. On Monday, 54-year old Roxanne Mare Poorker, of Harlan, was arrested on three charges, following a traffic stop. She was taken into custody for OWI, Violations of a restricted license, and failure to use headlamps when required. And, on Nov. 20th, 19-year old Randi Lynn Hess, of Harlan, was arrested on an Assault charge.

The H-PD says there were also two accident, one on Nov. 21st, the other on Nov. 23rd, neither of which resulted in any injuries. The accidents involved vehicles driven by: Jacqueline Larsen, of Avoca, and Tyler Thompson, of Harlan; and, Allan Watts of Harlan, along with David Benak, of Council Bluffs, respectively.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska is creating the nation’s largest tribal national park on a forested bluff overlooking the Missouri River and a historic site of its people. The tribe says the 444-acre park will allow it to tell the story of the Ioway people and provide a rustic getaway where people can hike, camp and bird-watch.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Ioway Tribal National Park will overlook a historic trading village once used by the Ioway people to barter for buffalo hides and pipestones with other tribes. That site includes three burial mounds that date back 3,000 years.

Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke reports Absentee voting will begin on Monday, November 30, 2020 for the December 15, 2020 Special Election to elect a Board of Supervisor in District One to fill a vacancy. The Auditor’s office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for in-person voting. The last day to request and vote an absentee ballot in-person at the Auditor’s office is Monday, December 14, 2020. You must provide proof of identification before voting.

Eligible Electors must live in District One. District #1 map can be viewed at www.montgomerycountyia.gov or at the Auditor’s office. Only those voters living in District One can cast a vote in this election.

Absentee Request Forms are available on the County Website at montgomerycountyia.gov or at the Auditor’s office. Request forms will have to be completed prior to receiving an absentee ballot. Return your request form as soon as possible.

Request forms and ballots can be mailed, dropped off at the county Auditor’s office or in the official county drop box located at the courthouse. The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. If anyone has questions about voter registration, absentee ballots, or voting, call the Auditor’s office (712)-623-5127.

Three suspects were taken into custody Wednesday morning, in Council Bluffs, in connection with an investigation into a stolen vehicle. Council Bluffs Police report two of the suspects have multiple felony warrants. Items in possession of the suspects, at the time of arrest, were four loaded handguns (one was reported stolen Wednnesday morning) and two trucks that were stolen within the past 24 hours (one was taken this [Wed.]morning). The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Joshua Holmes, of Council Bluffs, along with 29-year-old Dalton Holland and 22-year-old Javon Smith, both of whom are from Omaha.

Javon Smith

Joshua Holmes (Top photo) & Dalton Holland.

Authorities say at around 8:30-a.m., Wednesday, Officers received information about a stolen vehicle in the 1800 block of Avenue C. Officers coordinated an approach while three subjects were outside the suspected stolen truck. Upon arrival, suspect Joshua Holmes entered the driver’s seat of a 2005 Chevy Silverado, and attempted to flee. The Chevy was blocked-in by Police vehicles and could not leave. Suspect Dalton Holland jumped from the bed of the truck and ran on foot. The third suspect, Javon Smith, ran from the passenger side of the Silverado. He was located about two blocks away and apprehended. Authorities say Holmes had two loaded handguns on him, and was wearing a ballistic vest. Two more handguns were found in the Silverado. A second truck, a 2018 Dodge RAM 1500, was on location and confirmed stolen.

Holmes was charged with: Theft in the 1st Degree; Possession of a controlled substance/meth; Felon in possession of a firearm; fugitive from justice; interference with official acts, and Possession of paraphernalia

Holland was charged with: Theft in the 2nd Degree; Felon in possession of a firearm; eluding a police officer, and interference with official acts.

Smith faces charges that include: Felon in possession of a firearm; eluding a police officer, and interference with official acts.

Atlantic High School Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor Eric Miller reports the Atlantic FFA Chapter placed 4th in the annual Iowa FFA Farm Management Career Development Event virtually on November 12th. Members of the first place team included: Drey Newell, Caroline Pellett, Gunner Kirchhoff, and Garrett Reynolds.

Drey Newell, Caroline Pellett, Garrett Reynolds, Gunner Kirchhoff

FFA teams from 26 chapters participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Farm Management. The 95 individuals who participated in the event each completed an objective test which had three sections: economic principles, records and analysis, and risk management. All team members worked together to solve a problem related to break even analysis.

The Iowa FFA Farm Business Management Career Development Event was made possible with support from the Iowa Farm Business Association through the Iowa FFA Foundation. Dr. Ron Deiter, Professor of Economics at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, was the Career Development Event coordinator and prepared the test.

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The Iowa FFA Association is a youth organization of over 16,100 student members as part of 246 local FFA chapters across Iowa. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Iowa FFA Association was organized by delegates from 23 schools at Iowa State College on May 17, 1929 and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The Iowa Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the Iowa FFA Association online at IowaFFA.com, on Facebook, and Twitter.

Atlantic, IA —Cass County Health System (CCHS) officials have announced increased visitor limitations for patients will begin on Monday, November 30. CCHS Chief Nursing Officer Amanda Bireline says “We truly believe that visitors are good medicine. While we know that many hospitals and clinics are not allowing any visitors, we continue to make it a priority to put ourselves in the shoes of our patients and their loved ones. We will keep allowing visitors as long as it is reasonable and feasible to do so. With increased COVID-positive patients, allowing visitors around the clock becomes a challenge.”

Bireline added “These patients need a higher level of care, which can strain staff who are juggling more than ever these days. Because of the increased spread in our community, and the increased hospitalizations, we felt it was the time to dial up our visitor limitations.”

Beginning on the 30th, the visitor policy is as follows:

• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older and in good health.
• All visitors must always wear a mask over their nose and mouth; additional PPE may be required dependent upon the patient’s diagnosis.
• Outpatients may have one visitor with them during their appointment.
• Inpatients may have one designated visitor.
• Daily visiting hours will be between 3 and 6 pm only.
• Emergency Department patients may have one designated visitor with them; visitors may be asked to leave at any time if staff deems it necessary for the health and safety of either the patient or visitor.
• Obstetrics patients will have two designated visitors/support persons who are 18 years of age or older and in good health.
• Special exceptions may be made in all departments on a case-by-case basis for pediatric patients, end-of-life patients, or other unique situations.

All visitors will be screened at the entrance before being allowed to proceed. CCHS encourages friends and family to use technology to keep in contact with their loved ones.