DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pressure from medical experts and politicians on the federal and state level is building for a mandatory shelter-in-place order from Gov. Kim Reynolds who rejects such a move as unnecessary. The state is reporting 66 new cases for a total of 614 and two additional deaths, meaning 11 have died. Eli Percenevich, an epidemiologist physician overseeing infection prevention research at the University of Iowa, says the metrics Reynolds uses to decide her response isn’t staying ahead of the growth of infections and deaths. He joins Iowa Democratic legislative and congressional leaders in calling on Reynolds to issue a stay at home order.

Officials with the Atlantic Police Department said Thursday (Today), that  they have canceled their summer activities, including: the zoo trip; camp out; golf tournament, and Family Night Out. In one way or another, officials said, the backbone of those programs is donations and sponsorships from many great local businesses. With businesses doing whatever they can to stay afloat, and the uncertainty of when this pandemic will be over,” the unfortunate decision was made, to put those programs on hold for this summer.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) was notified today (Thursday) of 66 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 614 positive cases. According to IDPH, two additional deaths were reported: 2 older adults (age 61-80) from Linn County. There have been a total of 8,054 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 66 individuals include:

Allamakee County, 1 child (0-17 years), 2 adults (18-40 years), 4 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80) years
Black Hawk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Boone County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Bremer County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Buchanan County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
Cedar County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Cerro Gordo County, 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
Clay County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Clinton County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Dallas County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
Delaware County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Jefferson County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
Johnson County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
Jones County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Linn County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 4 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
Mahaska County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Marshall County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Muscatine County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
Polk County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 3 older adults (61-80 years)
Poweshiek County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Scott County, 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Tama County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Van Buren County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Warren County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
Washington County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Winneshiek County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
Woodbury County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)

The Iowa Secretary of State (State Commissioner of Elections) has stated that Centers for Disease Control (CDC) encourages social distancing, so voters in Iowa are being asked to consider voting absentee by mail.  On Tuesday, March 31st, the Secretary of State announced he had decided to commit to a statewide mailing of absentee ballot request forms for the June 2, 2020 Primary Election.  “The mailing will go to each active registered voter in Iowa, and the forms will be postage paid for return mailing to County Auditors.”

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman recommends that the voters of Cass County take advantage of the right to vote early by mail.  You may apply for an absentee ballot now, but ballots will not be mailed until on or after April 23rd.  Absentee ballot request forms are available on the website of the Iowa Secretary of State  (https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html) or you may contact the Cass County Auditor and have a form mailed or emailed to you.  Phone: 712-243-4570.

The CDC also believes that people aged 65 years and older may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID- 19 and should stay home and avoid close contact. A majority of Iowa’s Precinct Election Officials (PEOs) are older than 65, and several PEOs, statewide, are declining to serve as PEOs for this primary election.  In response, the State has temporarily waived some of the restrictions in regard to the combining of voting precincts.  For this and other reasons, the majority of County Auditors in Iowa are combining precincts for the 2020 Primary.

The Cass County Auditor (Local Commissioner of Elections) has decided to combine the regular 13 Cass County voting precincts into 5 combined precincts and chosen voting locations which he believes will best serve the voters of Cass County.  Those combined precincts and voting locations are (twp=Township):

• COMBINED PRECINCT 1: Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th); for voters in Atlantic 1st Ward & the Brighton, Grove, Pymosa, Washington Twp/Marne.
• COMBINED PRECINCT 2: Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th); for voters in Atlantic Wards 2,3, 4 & 5.
• COMBINED PRECINCT 3: Griswold Community Bldg. (601 2nd St); for voters in the Bear Grove, Cass Twp/Lewis; Edna, Victoria Twp & Noble, Pleasant Twp/Griswold
• COMBINED PRECINCT 4: Anita Community Center (805 Main St); for voter in the Benton, Franklin Twp/Wiota & Grant, Lincoln Twp /Anita.
• COMBINED PRECINCT 5: Cumberland Community Bldg. (200 W 2nd); for voters in the Massena Twp/City of Massena & Union Twp/City of Cumberland.

(Radio Iowa) — State tax collections dropped nine percent in March. That drop is NOT due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Legislative Services Agency. It happened because the State of Iowa sent out 70 MILLION dollars more in state income tax refunds THIS March compared to LAST March. The state fiscal year began July 1st.

Through March 31st, there’s been a four-point-two percent increase in total state tax receipts. The first impact of the pandemic — the closure of many businesses and layoffs for thousands — will be shown by the end of April report on state tax collections.

ANKENY, Iowa – April 2, 2020 – With spring planting season just around the corner, many Iowa farm workers will need to obtain a restricted commercial driver’s license to assist with farm operations. To limit the number of people who come into the service centers and reduce their potential exposure to COVID-19, the Iowa Department of Transportation will be reviewing applications and issuing restricted commercial driver’s licenses remotely and mailing them out to these customers. If you need to obtain a restricted commercial driver’s license, please contact our CDL Program administrators at cdl.program@iowadot.us.

What is a restricted commercial driver’s license?
A restricted commercial driver’s license may be issued to eligible suppliers or employees of suppliers of agricultural chemicals, fertilizer, seed or animal feeds to operate a Class B or Class C vehicle for up to 180 days during a calendar year. For more information please visit https://iowadot.gov/mvd/CDL/Restricted-CDL.

On March 20th, Governor Reynolds announced the temporary suspension of penalties and interest for delayed property tax payments until April 16, 2020. Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marhsall says “Taxes will still be marked delinquent if they were not paid by March 31, but late interest and penalty on property tax payments will NOT apply until April 17.”

Marshall said also, “You may renew your vehicle tags online at this time and we will send your registration and validation sticker. We also have a drop box for paperwork, please call the office for other assistance. 712-243-2975.”

The City Council in Walnut will hold their meeting via “Go To Meeting,” this evening, starting at 5-p.m.  Members of the public may attend the meeting using the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/WalnutCityCouncil1/april-2-2020-city-council-meeting, or, dial-in using your phone at 1-571-317-3122. Access Code 418-608-261.  If you are new to GoToMeeting, download the app at https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/418608261 and be ready when the meeting starts.

On the Council’s agenda this evening, is discussion with regard to: City Property Closures; the Walnut Antique Show; Walnut Community & Fitness Center; a Housing Rehabilitation Grant, and a FY 2019-20 Budget Amendment. The Council will then act on a motion to amend the FY2019-20 Budget by $10,000 in the General Government Fund, and $10,000 in the Program of Public Safety, with the Public Hearing being set for 5-p.m., May 7th.

Police in Council Bluffs, Wednesday, arrested 69-year old Hershal James “Jim” Ratliff of Council Bluffs, on numerous sex offense charges. Ratliff was taken into custody on four Counts of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, one Count each of Lascivious Acts with a Minor, Solicit Commercial Sexual Activity and Indecent Exposure. Thee charges stem from an investigation by the Council Bluffs Police Department that began in August 2019.

Hershal “Jim” Ratliff (CB-PD photo)

Authorities say a juvenile female had provided detectives with information on Ratliff’s involvement in criminal sexual activity. In January 2020, a second female came forward and provided additional, similar information on Ratliff’s criminal activity. With that information, detectives were able to request warrants for offenses mentioned. Officials says the investigation is on-going Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-4728.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa is among the five states which do not have some sort of a shelter-in-place or stay-at-home order within its borders. The top two Democrats in the legislature are urging Governor Kim Reynolds to join change that.  Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen of Des Moines and House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard of Charles City say issuing a statewide shelter-in-place order would send a clearer message about the serious nature of this pandemic. They say the current patchwork of recommendations is confusing and there’s a growing frustration about the lack of information on Iowa’s plans and capabilities for combatting COVID-19. The two Democratic lawmakers say data provided by private researchers shows Iowans are taking some steps to flatten the curve of COVID cases, but the dramatic increases in case numbers show it’s not enough.

The other states which do not have shelter-in-place orders are North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Arkansas. There are eight other states where orders are in place in cities or regions. Earlier this week, Governor Reynolds said she can’t lock the state down because it would disrupt the supply chain and impact essential workers. The two Democratic lawmakers say other governors have exempted critical occupations in their shelter-in-place orders.

Senator Pedersen and Representative Prichard also called on the governor to release more information about the state’s efforts. Yesterday, Reynolds was asked if she will release the data she’s using to make COVID-19 decisions. “We’re looking at the percent of the population greater than 65. We’re looking at the percentage of identified cases requiring hospitalization,” Reynolds said in reply. “We’re looking at the rate per 100,000 impacted in the past 14 days. We’re looking at the number of long-term care outbreaks, so those are some of the metrics that we’re looking at, but there are other assumptions going into it as well.”

Reynolds did not say whether she would release any of that data to the public.