The driver of a car who failed to obey a stop sign died in a collision Saturday night in southeast Iowa’s Lee County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2008 Ford Mustang was traveling west on 200th Street at around 8:30-p.m., when it ran the stop sign and was struck broadside by a 2016 Freightliner semi traveling north on U-S Highway 218.

After the impact, both vehicles traveled together across the median and came to rest in the southbound lanes of Highway 218. The name of the driver in the Mustang was being withheld by authorities, pending notification of family. The individual was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the semi, whose name was also withheld, and was wearing a seat belt, was injured, and transported by Lee County Ambulance to the hospital in Fort Madison. The semi was registered to NRG Trucking Company, from Woodridge, IL.

The accident remains under investigation.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A White House coronavirus task force has issued new recommendations for Iowa to mandate face masks and close bars in the state’s largest cities to slow the spread of COVID-19. So far, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds hasn’t acted on those recommendations. The Des Moines Register reports that the new recommendations were included in an Aug. 9 report from the task force. The task force’s leader, Dr. Deborah Birx, discussed the recommendations last week with Iowa’s state epidemiologist, Dr. Caitlin Pedati. The report also said bars should be closed, gyms should be closed or limited to 25% of capacity, and social gatherings should be limited to 25 or fewer people in 17 metro areas and 48 counties.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa says its largest school district cannot begin the year with fully remote learning and must offer at least 50% in-person instruction, despite a worsening coronavirus pandemic. Des Moines Public Schools, which has 32,000 students and 5,000 employees, is blasting the decision by Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration to deny its request for a waiver to allow for 100% online learning. The district announced that it will file a lawsuit to challenge the state’s order to reopen schools, a prospect that it says is simply unsafe as the virus spreads through Iowa. The looming legal showdown creates more uncertainty around the upcoming school year.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa is cutting four athletic programs to cope with lost revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Iowa announced Friday that its men’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming and diving and men’s tennis programs will be discontinued at the conclusion of the 2021-22 academic year. Finances are tight after the Big Ten decided to scrap plans for a fall sports season because of the coronavirus crisis. The university will continue to honor all existing scholarships through graduation for student-athletes who choose to remain at Iowa.

A school district in southeast Iowa’s Marion County will be closed for a couple of days at the start of the upcoming week for thorough cleaning, after an outbreak of COVID-19. According to KCCI, officials with the Twin Cedars Community School District sent out a notice to families stating, “We are sad to report that we have had multiple staff members test positive for COVID-19. As well, there are several others awaiting results from testing. These positive tests will require a majority of our elementary school students to be in quarantine for 14 days.”

The district said it would notify the parents of the student impacted. Due to the positive cases, the entire district will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for cleaning, and officials would rely on the Marion County Public Health Department for guidance and consultation.

On Friday, out of an abundance of caution, the school canceled a football scrimmage against Melcher-Dallas.

A collision between a pickup and an SUV Saturday near Waterloo, claimed the life of an eastern Iowa man. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 63-year old Robert Schmaltz, of Raymond, IA, was traveling southbound on I-380 near mile marker 68 at around 11:10-a.m., in the right, outside lane, during a heavy rain storm.

The pickup merged to the left, inside lane and struck the rear of a 2013 Chevy Captiva SUV, driven by 20-year old Emily Droste, of Center Point. The impact caused both vehicles to spin out and come to rest in the outside ditch.

Robert Schmaltz, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.  The Patrol was assisted by Evansdale Police, Fire & EMS, and Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Deputies.

(Council Bluffs) – Connections Area Agency on Aging has announced the organization is offering two, evidence-based workshop series starting in September to benefit Caregivers: “Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers” is proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and improve the quality of life for family caregivers. “Powerful Tools for Family Caregivers” provide caregivers with tools and strategies to better handle the unique caregiver challenges you face.

Are you a Caregiver?  Caregiving takes many forms.  You may help a relative or friend with transportation, housekeeping, grocery shopping, personal care, medications, emotional support, or doctor appointments. Caregiver classes meet online (via Zoom) once a week starting September 17.  Each class runs 90 minutes.  It is for caregivers of adults with chronic conditions.

Class size is limited, and registration is required.  There is no cost for the program but you will receive an opportunity to donate.  For more information, contact Jan Schnack, Family Caregiver Specialist at Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209, Ext. 8116 or JSchnack@connectionsaaa.org

Connections Area Agency on Aging Family Caregiver Program supports people who care for their parents, spouses, or others aged 60+ by providing information, resources and support.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES – Today (Friday), Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency for another 30 days.

The proclamation extends public health mitigation measures currently in place for businesses and other establishments. This includes the requirements for bars and restaurants to ensure six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining or drinking; to ensure all patrons have a seat at a table or bar; and to limit congregating together closer than six feet. Requirements for social distancing, hygiene, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission also remain in place for gyms, casinos, salons, theaters, and other establishments.

As Gov. Reynolds announced yesterday (Thursday), the proclamation also authorizes school districts with buildings damaged by the derecho natural disaster to offer instruction by primarily remote learning with approval of the Department of Education. And those that are unable to conduct even primarily remote learning because of the derecho may apply for a waiver of instructional time from the Department.

In addition, the proclamation suspends certain fees for the replacement of official records by county recorders or the state registrar of vital statistics for records lost, destroyed, or damaged by the derecho natural disaster. The proclamation also extends many of the previously issued regulatory relief measures necessary to respond to this public health disaster, including those related to healthcare, professional licensure, educational workforce, and expiration of driver’s licenses.

The proclamation is now in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

The proclamation can be found online here