Multiple area fire departments were on the scene Sunday afternoon of a large field fire, west of Harlan. The blaze was reported at 1334 Gingko Road. Harlan, Portsmouth, Panama, Westphalia and Earling Fire Departments were among the many who responded as of 4-p.m. Authorities were asking people to stay away from the area if possible.

In addition, a large field fire was reported in Woodbury County, west of Anthon and south of Moville/Correctionville. The fire was reported at around 2-p.m. to have jumped roads and was threatening some structures.

Wind Advisories were in effect for about the western third of Iowa. Additional information was not immediately available

Officials with the Southwest Valley School District, Sunday, announced a new case of COVID-19. Superintendent Chris Fenster pointed out that there is no school Monday due to Professional Development, so staff will be able to sanitize the facilities. In his video statement on Facebook, Fenster said face masks are still not required, but are “Highly recommended” for students for at least the next week or so.

Fenster said “We have been informed that a staff member at our high school building [in Corning] has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual is no longer on campus. The last time they were here was on a Wednesday, and we are in the process of cleaning and sanitizing these facilities. Please know that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.”

Superintendent Fenster went on to say “The individual who tested positive on October 9th is associated with Southwest Valley High School. The District worked with Taylor and Adams County Public Health to complete contact tracing. We have determined that NO students were within the six-feet for more than 15 minutes during the time the teacher was experiencing symptoms.”

He encouraged parents to monitor their health and that of their children, and if you or your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, to contact your physician immediately. Call Adams-Taylor County Public Health, at 641-322-6283, if you have any additional questions.

(Updated 10-a.m., 10/11) – The State of Iowa’s Coronavirus dashboard today shows there were seven more Positive COVID-19 test results received for Cass County from 10-a.m., Saturday through 10-a.m. Sunday, for a total of 234 cases since the pandemic began.  Since Saturday test Positive test results show: 27 more cases reported in Pottawattamie County, 20 more cases in Mills County; 10 additional cases in Madison County; eight each in Harrison and Union Counties; 5 more in Guthrie County, and four more in Adair County.(See more detailed info. below)

Statewide, there are 1,264 new cases of COVID-19 since 10-a.m. Saturday, for a total of 99,620. There have also been six more deaths statewide, for a total of 1,460. The IDPH says of the reported deaths, 982 were related to a pre-existing medical condition. There have been a total of 861,185 Iowans tested for COVID-19 to-date, with 760,624 total Negative results. There were 5,748 results received since 10-a.m. Saturday, with 5,070 of those Negative, and 669 Positive. Officials say 11.6% of persons tested had a positive test result.  Iowans who have recovered from the virus number 76,254.

Hospitalizations are down slightly from Friday, from 450 Saturday morning to 438 this morning. The IDPH says: 100 patients with COVID-19 are in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 63 people with COVID symptoms were admitted to a hospital; and 40 patients are on a ventilator. Western/Southwest Iowa hospitals report 26 people hospitalized, seven are in an ICU, no one was admitted, and no one was on a ventilator.

There are currently 54 Long-Term Care (LTC) facility outbreaks in Iowa, 1,165 positive cases of COVID among patients and staff at those facilities, and there have been 739 deaths since the outbreak began. The IDPH reports 626 persons recovered from the virus at LTC’s.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases in each county, along with the 24-hour change in case numbers {+#}; the number of persons recovered, and the total number of [deaths] (if any), since the pandemic began,

• Cass, 234 cases {+7}; 190 recovered; 2 deaths
• Adair, 98{+4}; 56; 1
• Adams, 55 {+3}; 30; 0
• Audubon, 116 {+1}; 42; 1
• Guthrie, 329 {+5}; 200; 13
• Harrison County, 443 {+8}; 192; 5
• Madison County, 304 {+10}; 199; 2
• Mills County, 292 {+20}; 150; 1
• Montgomery, 133 {+1}; 102; 5
• Pottawattamie County, 2,649 {+27}; 1,974; 43
• Shelby County, 310 {+4}; 275; 1
• Union County,  187 {+8}; 115; 3

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Joni Ernst says she and other members of the Senate committee should be tested for Covid before they convene confirmation hearings this coming week for President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. “I actually do think that it would be smart to do that,” Ernst said. “I hate to do it without having reasons to do so, but I think if we’re going to be working in close proximity over long hours, it’s probably not a bad idea.”

The hearings are scheduled to start Monday. Both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators are on the Judiciary Committee. During a news conference Sunday, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley was asked if he agrees with Ernst about having all members take a Covid test before Monday’s hearing. “I suppose there’s 99 other ways to answer the question. I can only answer Chuck Grassley’s way,” Grassley said. “I follow the protocols that are given out by the attending physician on Capitol Hill and I’ll continue to follow those.”

Two other members of the committee who attended the White House event for nominee Amy Coney Barrett tested positive for the virus last weekend. Grassley says he has been tested for Covid, but hasn’t revealed when that test was taken. Ernst took a Covid test before she debated her Democratic opponent, Theresa Greenfield, on September 28th. Greenfield says Covid tests for Ernst and other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee makes sense. “That’s a great place to start, absolutely,” Greenfield says. “They should be wearing masks and following public health guidelines. If they’ve been exposed and they should be quarantining.”

Greenfield and Ernst made their comments at separate events Saturday and both candidates wore face coverings as they spoke with reporters.

Red Oak Police say a juvenile and her unidentified passenger were checked by medics for injuries but refused treatment, following an accident Saturday at the intersection of N. 3rd and E. Joy Streets. Authorities say as a 2007 Ford Mustang owned by John Allison, of Red Oak, and driven by 17-year old Allie Jean Marie Curtis, of Red Oak, was turning south on the N. 3rd, Curtis thought she was going to hit a parked car. She over-corrected and lost control of the vehicle. The car left the road and hit a large tree as well as a stop sign. Damage from the accident amounted to $9,100.

Police cited Curtis for Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 5:30-p.m. Saturday, of Deidre Cain. She was taken into custody following an incident in the 1100 block of F Avenue, and charged with Simple Assault. Cain’s bond was set at $300. No other details are available.