[Council Bluffs, IA] — Businesses and organizations are urged to donate personal protective equipment, or PPE, by contacting the county emergency management agency.The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is encouraging Iowa businesses and organizations to donate extra personal protective equipment to assist health care providers and health care facilities responding to COVID-19.

Any type of health care PPE will be welcomed, especially gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks. Local emergency management officials continue to address resource needs locally and beyond.

To donate, please register the available items by clicking on the ‘Donate PPE Here’ icon on the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Website or directly on the Pottawattamie County COVID-19 Information Site. After your registration a member of the logistics support operation will contact you

Iowa National Guard Soldiers from the 1133rd Transportation Company, of Mason City, Iowa, and its detachment in Iowa City, Iowa, delivered four semitrailers of medical personal protective equipment (PPE) to five counties across the state on March 24.

Personal protective equipment is specialized clothing and equipment worn by healthcare professionals to help prevent the spread of disease. It is a vital commodity in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa and across the country.

Guard spokesman Col. Michael Wunn, said “Working in support of the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa National Guard used its heavy hauler, M915A5 Line-Haul Tractor Trucks, to deliver this mission essential equipment to distribution sites in Black Hawk, Johnson, Polk, Pottawattamie and Tama counties.

These missions will continue for the foreseeable future as additional requests for PPE are processed by the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and given to the Iowa National Guard for distribution.”

On March 23, eight Soldiers from the 3654th Support Maintenance Company, out of Knoxville, Iowa, with a detachment in Oskaloosa, Iowa, delivered and assembled two large tents in Oskaloosa for the Mahaska Health Partnership hospital’s COVID-19 response plan.

The Iowa National Guard continues to provide a number of Soldier and Airmen in support of the state’s emergency response efforts. Currently there are 42 service members in a State Active Duty status.

The Iowa National Guard continues to work closely with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Iowa Department of Public Health and other state agencies to monitor the situation in Iowa and is prepared to support future missions in the ongoing effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) learned late today (Tuesday) of the first death associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual was an older adult, 61-80 years of age, and a resident of Dubuque County.

“Our hearts are heavy with the first loss of an Iowan to COVID-19. The thoughts and prayers of our state are with the family during this difficult time,” said Gov. Reynolds. “I continue to urge all Iowans to protect their health and the health of others, especially older individuals and those with chronic health conditions who are most at risk. We all have a role to play in limiting the spread of this virus.”

A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH, updated each morning, and can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431. The state of Iowa has started sharing the number of negative tests conducted at outside labs, and is providing additional information on the conditions of those infected with COVID-19.

A man from Cass County has plead guilty to one count of Wire Fraud, associated with the used vehicle odometer tampering. 52-year old Larry Scott Fulk, owner of 2nd Street Repair in Atlantic, entered his plea Feb. 21st, in U-S District Court. The original indictment handed down June 25, 2019, charged Fulk with 3 counts of Wire Fraud and counts 14 counts of Odometer Fraud.

Fulk faces a maximum sentence of up to 20-years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.  His sentencing was set for July 9^th.

(As previously reported)… According to court documents, beginning on an unknown date, but as early as October 2015, and continuing to about September 2016, Larry Scott Fulk, of Atlantic, and others, devised a scheme to defraud as to material matters and to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, and by intentional concealment of material facts.

The documents indicate that as part of the scheme, Larry Scott Fulk would purchase vehicles on behalf of 2nd Street Repair. He would then remove the odometer clusters from these vehicles and replace them with lower mileage odometer clusters. Afterward, Fulk would post and advertise the vehicles with false odometer clusters for sale on Craigslist on behalf of 2nd Street Repair, at an inflated price.

Craigslist servers are located in San Francisco, California, and Ashburn, Virginia. It was also alleged that Fulk would sell the vehicles with the false odometer clusters to individuals in Iowa, in exchange for money.

The Audubon County Community Foundation has announced grants totaling $121,110 were awarded to eight Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects as part of its spring grant cycle.

The following organizations were awarded grants by the Audubon County Community Foundation Advisory Board:

Organization Project Award

• Audubon County Conservation Board: Playground at Littlefield Recreation Area $7,000.
• Audubon County Fair Board: Grandstand Renovation – Sidewalk and Fencing $8,000.
• Audubon Recreation Foundation: Making the Front Door Accessible $52,110.
• Exira Community Club: Exira Legion Park Playground Project $25,000.
• Exira Lions Club: Brickwork to Building Façade $5,000.
• Friendship Home Foundation: Lobby Elevator Modernization $10,000.
• Gray Community Betterment Corporation: Building Repairs/Tuck Pointing $10,000.
• The Children’s Nest: Changing Tables $4,000

All grantees met the criteria as Audubon County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County were eligible to apply.

For information about donating or establishing an individual foundation/fund, please contact Stacey Goodman, Iowa Foundations Director, at 800-794-3458 or stacey@omahafoundation.org.

The Cass County Community Foundation (CCCF) has announced grants totaling $121, 110 were awarded to 28 nonprofit organizations and community projects, as part of the Spring 2020 grant cycle. The following organizations received their grants from the CCCF Advisory Board:

Organization Project Award

• 309 Club: New Carpet – $1,000
• Anita Child Care Center: Safety Compliance and Toy Updates – $500
• Anita Health and Wellness: Center Cardio Equipment – $6,000
• Anita Volunteer Fire Association: Bunker Gear – $5,000
• Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center: Building Improvements and Renovations,  $8,000.
• Atlantic Parks and Recreation: Mollett Park Improvement $7,410
• Atlantic Public Library: Window Shades $3,000
• Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE): Replace Depot Windows $10,000
• Atlantic Youth Sports Organization: Athletic Complex Fence Improvements $5,000
• Cass County Historical Museum: Preservation of Fashion Design Drawings $3,000
• City of Anita: Project Playground $6,000
• City of Griswold: Community Building ADA Compliant Door $2,000
• Crossroads of Western Iowa: Cass County Family and Friends Outreach $1,500
• Cumberland Public Library: Automatic Doors and New Windows $2,000
• Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department: Fire Tool Acquisition $4,000
• Cumberland Youth Fitness Program: Fitness Center Upgrades $2,000
• Friends of the Griswold Public Library: Technology Updates $2,500
• Griswold Rescue: Patient Reporting Software and Tablets $3,500
• Griswold Volunteer Fire Department: AED and Particulate Hoods $2,700
• Griswold Youth Sports: Sports Complex Improvements $4,000
• Hitchcock House Advisory Board: Foundation Wall Repairs $4,000
• Lewis Public Library: Equipment for Movies and Programs $1,000
• Little Lambs Preschool/Kids Come First: Room Expansion and Security Upgrades $4,000
• Marne Firefighter and Rescue Association: Replacing Aging PPE $4,000
• Massena Historical Society: Barbershop Roof and Window Replacement $4,000
• Massena Public Library: Upgraded Book Displays and Technology Equipment $2,000
• Nishna Valley Family YMCA: Racquetball Court Conversion Project $20,000
• SHIFT ATL: SHIFT Building Rehabilitation $3,000

All grantees met the criteria as Cass County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Cass County were eligible to apply.

For information about donating or establishing an individual foundation/fund, please contact Stacey Goodman, Iowa Foundations Director, at 800-794-3458 or stacey@omahafoundation.org.

Atlantic, IA — The Incident Command team at Cass County Health System has been flooded with questions and offers from local residents about sewing masks to help protect the caregivers coming into contact with patients who may have COVID-19.

CCHS Chief Nursing Officer Amanda Bireline says “We have been overwhelmed with the response from our community wanting to do anything they can to help us. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and the generosity of our neighbors.”

CCHS is currently monitoring the inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE), which would include things like gloves, masks, N95 respirators, face shields, and gowns. CCHS Materials Management Director Derick Hogberg says “At this time, CCHS is well stocked and well prepared, and everyone is being very mindful of the PPE that they are using now. We continue ordering supplies from multiple sources so that we keep ahead of the need.

“Meanwhile, we have to be smart and start making contingency plans – what if we have a surge of cases? Or what if we can’t order any more of these things? We’re being creative and doing everything we can to prepare.”

Just like other healthcare professionals around the country, CCHS is developing creative processes to prepare for the weeks and months ahead. One way that many volunteers have offered to help is by sewing masks. While these cloth masks aren’t comparable to the protection provided by an N95 respirator or maybe even a regular surgical mask, they may be helpful if shortages occur in the future.

There are two styles of masks that are needed. One is the standard rectangular shape, and the other is a more triangular mask that is shaped to cover N95 respirators. Instructions for both styles can be found at casshealth.org/covid-19. If you need the instructions emailed or mailed to you, please call CCHS Foundation Director Dawn Marnin 712-243-7409. Finished masks can be dropped off in a designated tote Monday-Friday from 8 to 4:30 outside of the CCHS loading dock.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Public Employment Relations Board has overturned the firing of a workplace safety inspector, finding that he unfairly faced retribution after reporting a hostile work environment inside the agency. The board found that managers at the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration acted with “express bias” when they opened a disciplinary investigation into Travis Stein for missing a meeting in November 2018. The decision found that the agency had never before punished a worker for missing a meeting and that the investigation of Stein was unfair and incomplete. Stein says the ruling backs his claim that his January 2019 firing was motivated by retaliation and built on false statements.

A traffic stop in Pottawattamie County, late Monday morning, escalated into a pursuit, and the eventual arrest of a man from Council Bluffs. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy on patrol in the area of East Pierce and Grace Streets in Council Bluffs, attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by 24-year old Austin Michael Goodman. Five Deputies were involved in the pursuit. Goodman was charged with Felony Eluding and Theft in the 2nd Degree. He was additionally charged with: Speeding; Reckless Driving and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Goodman was being held in the Pott. County Jail on $10,300 bond.

(Radio Iowa) — A licensed mental health counselor from northwest Iowa has some suggestions for Iowans who’re experiencing anxiety in the midst of a global pandemic. Shawn Scholten works at the Creative Living Center in Rock Valley. “It’s important to separate what is in your control from what is not,” she says. “Focus on those factors that you can control like social distancing, appropriate handwashing and sneezing and coughing, take vitamins, stay hydrated, good nutrition.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, OCCASIONAL anxiety is an expected part of normal life, but for a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. “Anxiety is rooted in the future and anxiety then tends to make us more fear- and anxiety-based and we become very self-focused,” Scholten says, “whereas it’s really a time to be other-focused, to reach out to others and staying community-minded — being more interconnected, but in a safe way.”

Iowans have been seeing empty store shelves, with shortages of hand sanitizer and toilet paper well documented.Scholten urges Iowans to respond rather than react. “I think some of the hoarding is very much a reaction,” Scholten says. “Just take a step and be reasonable, take some deep breaths and respond appropriately.” Scholten’s advice is to acknowledge your emotions and, for example, get creative with modern technology, using smart phones and laptops to videochat with others.

“You know a lot of people today are feeling a lot of similar emotions, some to different degrees than others, and it just validates your feelings when you hear them from somebody else. It affirms: ‘Oh, yes. They’re feeling that way, too,'” Scholten says. “So that, in itself, reduces some of that sense of isolation and loneliness because you can identify with somebody else having the same feelings that you do.” She recommends going outdoors, if possible, to exercise or get fresh air and sunshine — while maintaining proper social distancing from others. She says spiritual resources like devotions, prayer and meditation can help reduce anxiety as well.