A fire that officials say was most likely caused by discarded smoking materials, destroyed a home in Hancock Wednesday afternoon. The fire was reported a little before 3:10-p.m. at 409 E. Duncan Street. The flames had fully engulfed the front porch when the first firefighting crews arrived, and were quickly spreading throughout the house. The home’s owner, daughter and some dogs escaped before the flames consumed the structure.

Firefighters from Hancock, Oakland, Avoca, and Walnut Fire Departments responded to the scene.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A historic surge in unemployment claims continued last week in Iowa as more workers lost their jobs in an economy devastated by the coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday that 67,334 people in Iowa filed for unemployment benefits in the week that ended April 4. That is roughly the population of Waterloo, Iowa’s sixth largest city. The labor department said the claims were a 20 percent increase over those filed in Iowa the prior week, which had been a high for the state. Pandemic-related layoffs in several industries, from health care to food services, were driving factors behind Iowa’s claims.

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

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DES MOINES, Iowa – Every year the Urban Forestry Awards luncheon recognizes cities, college campuses and utilities that demonstrate a variety of dedication to the importance of trees in their respective categories. All awards are presented on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This is the 30th year for the awards presentations. To qualify for the Tree City USA award, a city must have either a city forester or an active city tree board, have a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program, and have a tree planting and maintenance plan.

Among those cities receiving a 2020 award Tree City USA award was:

• Atlantic – The 25th year in a row the City has won the award.
• Carroll
• Clarinda
• Council Bluffs
• Denison
• Glenwood
• Harlan
• Onawa
• Red Oak
• Westphalia
• and Winterset.

Police in Creston report 62-year old Rodney Cottrell, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at his residence. Cottrell was taken into custody for Possession of Paraphernalia. He was subsequently  cited, and released on a Summons to Appear in court.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police in Cedar Rapids say two people have been injured in a workplace shooting at an exterior siding manufacturing plant. Police say the shooting happened around 5 a.m. Thursday when a person entered Associated Materials, shot two people and fled the property. Police say the two victims appear to have suffered wounds not believed to be life-threatening. Police say investigators don’t believe the shooting was random and believe they know who the shooter is. Police say the shooter is still on the run and has not yet been found.

Officials with Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan report the Harlan Rural Health Clinic will close daily at 5 p.m. The clinic will not be open evening hours until further notice. Also, the Elk Horn, Earling and Avoca Clinics are now closed and will remain closed until further notice.

The Shelby Clinic will continue to operate according to their normal schedule as follows:
· MONDAY: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
· TUESDAY: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
· WEDNESDAY: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
· THURSDAY: 8:00 am – 11:30 am
· FRIDAY: 8:00 am – 11:30 am

(Radio Iowa) — Winnebago Industries is planning to restart production of specialty trailers at its plant in Forest City on Monday. Chad Reece, Winnebago’s director of corporate relations, says the company’s plans align with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and from state public health officials.

“We have a lot of different things going on and there are parts that would necessitate coming on sooner than others,” Reece says, “but everything that we are doing is based on the safety of our employees, our business partners, and our communities.” Production of motorhomes at facilities in Lake Mills, Forest City, Waverly and Charles City plants is currently scheduled to start back up the week of May 4th.

“And what I would point out on that is that what we all believe at this point, but as we know conditions are fluid around this country and the world, basically,” Reece says. Winnebago employees will undergo daily health checks and the company is taking additional precautions, like having employees practice social distancing where appropriate. Winnebago’s president said in a written statement these are uncertain times and his top priorities are the health of employees and the company’s financial stability.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — Some workers at a large corn processing plant in eastern Iowa have been told to stay home after four of their colleagues have tested positive for coronavirus. Archer Daniels Midland spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said Wednesday that operations at the plant in Clinton are continuing but with staffing changes. The company said that the four workers who have tested positive are in quarantine and recovering at home. In addition, ADM said that it has asked all colleagues who worked “in close proximity” to the infected individuals to self-quarantine at home. Anderson would not say how many workers are currently at home due to their exposure.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa public health officials say that 97 more Iowans tested positive for coronavirus infection, increasing the state total to 1,145. One person died in Linn County, where the highest number of cases are reported. The virus has now claimed 27 lives in the state and infections have now been found in 79 of Iowa’s 99 counties. The data also shows increase hospitalization in recent days with 122 people now in hospitals, up 17 percent from the day before. Public health officials say Wednesday that the increase is due to changes in how the state gathers the information.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The National Weather Service says flooding remains a concern in several states along the Missouri River, even though the weather has been kind so far this spring. The agency says the flood risk is high in eastern South Dakota, eastern North Dakota, eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, eastern Kansas and Missouri because the soil remains wet. However, a lack of rain and the warm temperatures this spring have allowed snow to melt gradually across the Plains without increasing the risk. Officials have trimmed their forecast for how much water will flow down the Missouri River in 2020, but it is still expected to be a wet year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials at the state’s largest school district have announced plans for completing the school year without having students return to the classroom. Starting on Monday with seniors, Des Moines Public Schools will begin teaching courses online. Other high school students will begin online courses April 20 and students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade will do so starting April 27. The district has surveyed students to determine those who don’t have computer or internet access. Staff will distribute equipment this week to seniors and to other students later. Printed material will also be distributed to students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade.