The City Council in Walnut is set to hold a meeting at the Walnut Community Center and online at GoToMeeting (You can also dial in at 1-(669)-224-3412 & use access code 491-221-661). Their session begins at 5-p.m. Among the items on their agenda, is:

• Discussion & possible action on the 1st reading of Ordinance 167, amending the Code with regard to provisions pertaining to water service discontinued and customer deposits.
• Discussion of the Walnut Community & Fitness Center, & Family, Inc. lease renewal.
• The appointment of the City of Walnut Zoning Administrator.
• A Housing Rehabilitation Grant
• Discussion of Property Maintenance.
• Discussion of the City of Walnut Sesquicentennial Celebration.
• And, information with regard to Quarterly Inspection of City Property.

The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Thursday), say (as of 6-a.m.),  no new deaths resulting from the virus were reported, Wednesday. The toll remains 717. However, 411 people tested positive for COVID-19, for a total of 29,701. Negative test results amount to 283,012 (4,065 more than yesterday).  Those who have recovered from the virus number 742.

In Regional Medical Center Coordination (RMCC) data: 145 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized (compared to 149 yesterday); 36 are in an ICU (37 yesterday); 18 were admitted to a hospital (compared to 29 in Wednesday’s report), and 18 are on a ventilator. That’s 3 less than reported earlier. There was no change in the RMCC Region 4 (western/southwest IA) data.

Long-Term Care (LTC) facility outbreaks remain at 20. At those facilities, 558 persons (Staff & patients) have tested positive,. Recoveries from the virus amount to 430, while COVID-19 deaths at LTC’s amount to 381. There has not been much change in area County COVID-19 data, except to say: Audubon County has one less positive case, Shelby County has two more positive cases, for a total of 108, and two more persons recovered (for a total of 81).

Pottawattamie County’s numbers show 712 positive cases (an increase of 21), 599 recovered (11 more than yesterday).

(Radio Iowa) – A new state law that took effect with the first day of July enhances the penalties for those caught abusing, neglecting or torturing pets. The law makes it easier for prosecutors to pursue these cases. A person convicted of seriously injuring or killing a pet could be sentenced to up to two years in prison. A second offense would be a felony. Representative Mary Wolfe, a Democrat from Clinton, says the penalties in the new law are reasonable.

“And will, in fact, provide law enforcement and judges with a better tool to both rehabilitate people convicted of these crimes and perhaps provide a little bit of deterrence,” she says. The new law defines animal abuse as intentionally or recklessly injuring or poisoning a pet. Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, led Senate debate of the bill.

“Countless times we hear stories in the media of just disgusting abuse of our companion animals that so many times are members of our families,” Zaun said. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines, a Democrat, says Iowa’s animal abuse penalties had been classified as the 49th weakest in the country before now. “Iowa has a good animal cruelty bill, not the best, but a good one and I thank all of my colleagues on both sides who have had to compromise,” Bisignano said. “…There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s what makes good legislation.”

Efforts to toughen penalties for animal abuse faltered over the past decade. Farm groups raised concerns that animal rights activists would use an updated law to target farmers. The new law applies to abuse, neglect and torture of “companion animals” and specifically excludes livestock and wild animals.

(DES MOINES) – Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek, Wednesday night released a statement concerning the arrest of 17 individuals Wednesday afternoon/evening on the grounds of the State Capital. In his statement, Parizek said, “Throughout the protest events of recent weeks, a variety of crimes have been committed by persons present at these events. Des Moines Police Department detectives have continued to follow up on these crimes, and arrests are being made.

“Today, officers monitoring a protest at the State Capitol arrested three people for charges related to the damage done during the protest at Hy-Vee, 3221 SE 14th Street, on 20 June 2020. Those arrests were made without incident within the Capitol building.

“As officers and Iowa State Patrol troopers attempted to escort an arrestee out of the building, a large crowd of protestors followed them into the parking lot. The crowd surrounded the officers, with at least one person attempting to physically block their path.

“As officers attempted to arrest this person, several people in the crowd began to assault the officers. Violent physical attempts were made to pull the arrestees from the custody of the police officers. The police officers were also pushed, pulled, hit, and jumped on.

“At one point, a protestor assaulted a police officer by jumping on his back, placing him in a chokehold, and wrestling him to the ground. As they struggled on the ground, the officer was disarmed of his duty handgun. The officer was able to recover the handgun. This protestor was arrested.

“The crowd continued to be aggressive with law enforcement officers. Nearly 50 law enforcement officers from the Des Moines Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, and other State law enforcement agencies were required to restore order. During this process, multiple additional arrests were made.

Pepper spray was deployed during this event. Persons arrested during this event include:

• Indira Sheumaker, 26 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer With Serious Injury, Assault On A Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct, Interference With Official Acts With Injury, and Criminal Mischief – 1st Degree (Hy Vee incident)
• Clayton Stein, 18 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer With Serious Injury, Interference With Official Acts With Injury, Disarming A Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct.
• Matthew Bruce, 24 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer (2 counts), Interference With Official Acts With Injury, Disorderly Conduct.
• Bradley Penna, 31 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer Causing Injury.
• Giovonni Bahena, 22 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct.
• Anna Gebhardt, 29 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer Causing Injury.
• Brandi Ramus (adult – no age available at this time) – Charged with Interference With Official Acts.
• Alexandria Dea, 26 years old – Charged with Interference With Official Acts.
• Louise Bequeaith, 19 years old – Charged with Disorderly Conduct.
• Eva Lewin, 24 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer Causing Injury, Assault On A Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct.
• Jennifer Erwin, 36 years old – Charged with Assault On A Police Officer Causing Injury.
• Kirk Johnson, 50 years old – Charged with Interference With Official Acts Causing Injury, Resisting Arrest.
• Jalesha Johnson, 21 years old – Charged with Interference With Official Acts.
• Jasmine Johnson, 19 years old – Charged with Criminal Mischief – 1st Degree (Hy Vee incident)
• Lashon Winfield, 22 years old – Charged with Criminal Mischief – 1st Degree (Hy Vee incident)
• At least two juveniles were taken in to custody during this event.

Additional arrests connected to this incident may not have yet been processed.”

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s executive branch is getting a grim gift from a company that has long made uniforms for meatpacking workers: a free supply of 500 body bags. Dickson Industries is donating the body bags as the state prepares for a worst-case scenario in which the coronavirus or another health emergency would overwhelm hospitals and medical examiners. The Des Moines-based company makes garments and products for the food processing, medical and other industries, including coats and insulated jackets for meatpacking workers. A state spokesman says the body bags will be kept in a state stockpile, just like 500 ventilators the state is purchasing.

DES MOINES, Iowa. (AP) — Police used tear gas and arrested people at the Iowa Capitol during a protest to persuade Gov. Kim Reynolds to restore voting rights to felons. KCCI reports the police said protesters started the confrontation on Wednesday but protesters accused law enforcement of mishandling the arrests. Videos from the scene show Iowa State Patrol troopers taking some protesters to the ground while others tried to pull authorities away. Des Moines police arrived and more arrests were made. Police say at least 15 people were arrested. Two juveniles also were taken into custody..

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The IBM Client Innovation Center in Dubuque will close within four months, the big tech company said Wednesday, taking nearly 350 jobs with it. Word of the closure first came from Greater Dubuque Development Corp. CEO Rick Dickinson, who told the Telegraph Herald that an IBM official called his office Wednesday morning to inform him that the facility will close by November. IBM spokesman Fred McNeese confirmed that later Wednesday, saying the company will consolidate the Dubuque tech support and outsourcing center with its center in Columbia, Missouri. McNeese says most employees in Dubuque will be given the opportunity to relocate to the Columbia facility or take a severance package.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Police in Waterloo are investigating after dozens of gravestones were damaged in a late-night vandalism spree. Up to 50 gravestones were toppled or moved at Elmwood Cemetery sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Cemetery manager Joe Fox told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that damage ranged from huge markers to a small headstone for a 2-month-old baby named Allen dating from the 1800s. Waterloo police photographed the damage and collected evidence but had made no arrests as of Tuesday night.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, recognized Atlantic Police Officer Cameron S. Ward, who was promoted during the meeting by Chief Dave Erickson, to Sergeant. Ward’s father and Omaha Police Officer/Millard North Middle School SRO Tony Ward, pinned the badge on his son after he was sworn-in.

Atlantic Police Sgt. Cameron Ward gets a hug from his father Tony, following his promotion and badge pinning. (Atlantic Police Dept. Facebook page photo)

Cameron Ward joined the A-PD in Dec., 2016. He’s a native of Griswold and G.H.S graduate. Mayor Dave Jones recognized Chris Dvorak, for her thirty-years of service with the Atlantic Police Department. And. the Council also recognized Crista Wiskus for her 20-years of service to the Atlantic Public Library.

In other business, the Council approved/passed the following:

• An Order to close the alley behind the Fireside Lounge to 7th Street, from 8-a.m. to 11-p.m on July 11th. Owner Mark Foegen plans on holding a street dance with live entertainment, similar to what took place last year, during RAGBRAI.
• They also passed the 3rd & final reading of an ordinance amending the Animal Shelter’s fee schedule to cover State mandated vaccinations of all intake animals and those adopted, if there is no proof of prior vaccinations. The costs, ranging from $13-to-$60 or more, will be passed on to the adoptee.
• The Council passed the 2nd reading of an ordinance amending City Code with regard to Curfew, which will be changed from 6-p.m. to Midnight, to Midnight to 5-a.m. The error was caught by Atlantic Police Lt. Paul Wood and brought to the Council’s attention.
• The Atlantic City Council also approved the 1st reading of an amended ordinance pertaining to Tree Trimmer Licensing. The amendment requires proof of Worker’s Comp Insurance (if applicable), and adds exemptions for: City employees performing tree work as part of their job; Private property owners trimming, removing or cutting trees on their own property or the publicly-owned right-of-way abutting their property, or any exceptions determined valid the Mayor, on a case-by-case basis (such as a declared emergency).
• The Council held and passed the 1st reading of an amended ordinance pertaining to “Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants.” Changes include the addition of mobile food vendors and requirements, bond requirements are changed to insurance requirements, and there are two new exemptions.
• They also passed the 1st reading of an ordinance concerning “Doing Business with the City,” which adds requirements for persons and businesses doing work for the City, to include insurance requirements.
• And, the Council passed the 1st reading of an ordinance pertaining to “Truck & Large Vehicle parking.”

DES MOINES – A new Test Iowa clinic site is scheduled to open in Pottawattamie County on Mon., July 6, 2020. The new clinic site will be located at All Care Health Center, 902 South 6th St., in Council Bluffs.

Clinic sites are partnerships between the State of Iowa and local health care providers to increase access to testing in their communities. Clinics operate and staff the test sites. The state provides testing supplies and processes the samples through the State Hygienic Lab.

This is the second Test Iowa location in the area. The first site opened on May 29 at the Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., also in Council Bluffs. Individuals who wish to get tested at any site must first complete the online assessment at testiowa.com. They will then be directed to schedule an appointment.

Test Iowa is a statewide initiative to expand COVID-19 testing. Locations and hours of operation for all test sites can be found at testiowa.com or coronavirus.iowa.gov.

FORT DODGE – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections said Wednesday, the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility earlier in the day, that an inmate has tested positive for COVID-19.  The inmate is an adult (between the ages of 18 and 40) male, and has been in medical isolation since first notifying staff that he was not feeling well on Tuesday, June 30. The inmate is experiencing mild symptoms, and will receive any medical care necessary as he recovers.

Staff at FDCF have also place the unit that the inmate was originally residing into a quarantine status, and additional testing is underway. Other sections of the facility will be placed on restricted movement status until thorough contact tracing can take place, and expanded testing can be conducted. While under restricted movement, privileges like video visitations will be suspended. Family are encouraged to check the department’s website for more information (doc.iowa.gov).

As expanded testing takes place across the facility for both staff and inmates, it is likely that more positive cases will be found and placed in medical isolation. The department will continue to update information on its website related to these statistics on a daily basis (https://doc.iowa.gov/COVID19). The department will be working closely with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health to ensure all reasonable mitigation steps are being taken.

DES MOINES, Iowa. (AP) — Police used tear gas and arrested people at the Iowa Capitol during a protest to persuade Gov. Kim Reynolds to restore voting rights to felons. KCCI reports the police said protesters started the confrontation on Wednesday but protesters accused law enforcement of mishandling the arrests.

Videos from the scene show Iowa State Patrol troopers taking some protesters to the ground while others tried to pull authorities away. Des Moines police arrived and more arrests were made. It was not immediately clear how many people were arrested or if there were any injuries.

(Radio Iowa) – The state is offering a lifeline to people impacted by the pandemic, but so far very few have accepted. Several weeks ago, the Iowa Finance Authority opened its Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program. Roger Pavey, executive director of Community Action of Eastern Iowa, says it’s for people who’ve lost income due to COVID-19 and have not received federal unemployment benefits under the CARES Act.

“Sometimes it’s just people choosing to not file for unemployment because they have some other, still-lesser opportunity but maybe better than drawing unemployment,” Pavey says. “And then we have a lot of people who maybe they were doing gig-type work – Uber, Lyft, Grub Hub, babysitting – informally on the side.”

Pavey’s agency serves Scott, Muscatine, Clinton and Cedar counties, and as of last week, just 42 people from those four had applied. He’s heard similar reports from other agencies across the state. One possible explanation is applying through the Iowa Finance Authority is, in his words, “cumbersome,” so his agency will help people apply. Income limits vary by county (80% of median income in each county), and those who qualify can receive up to four months of rent or mortgage payments, up to a maximum of 3,200 dollars.

The deadline to apply is December 31st, or when the money runs out – 15 million dollars has been allocated to the program.