(Radio Iowa) — Iowa U-S Senator Chuck Grassley says there would -not- be support in Congress to extend health care benefits to undocumented workers in the U-S during the coronavirus pandemic. Grassley, a Republican who chairs the powerful Senate Finance Committee, says existing law requires hospital emergency rooms to treat anyone who comes through their doors. “That fits in with ignoring the undocumented part of it and says that they’re a human being,” Grassley says, “and one way or another, everybody’s gonna get, that has this virus problem, is going to be treated.”

The European Union is imposing export bans on certain medical supplies to ensure their own countries have enough, while the U-S has eased import tariffs on some needed medical supplies. At least 20 countries have imposed restrictions on masks, respirators and some medications, including antibiotics. Grassley says for products still coming in, the decision to remove or ease import tariffs should be made on a case-by-case basis.  “For sure, if there’s a shortage we ought to,” he says, “and if there’s not a shortage there probably wouldn’t be a reason to do it.”

Grassley cautions that if countries don’t find a coordinated response on exports, a domino effect could leave everyone worse off. He’s encouraged that world leaders from the “Group of Seven” countries are working on a plan. Coronavirus is “disrupting everybody’s lives,” Grassley says, and the Senate’s passed Phase One of a plan to fund federal efforts to tackle the virus, while Phase Two should be passed soon. “This will help Americans with nutritional assistance, paid and medical family leave, unemployment insurance, tax credits for businesses, testing for the virus, and funding for government efforts to combat the virus,” he says.

Grassley says senators and their staff are holding small meetings in large rooms to allow for social distancing and he’s seen a lot more hand sanitizer around the Capitol, and fewer people.

(Reporting by Amy Mayer, Iowa Public Radio)

Officials in Adams County, today (Tuesday), said “For the safety and concern of the public and our employees due to COVID-19, the Adams County Board of Supervisors will limit access by the public to the Adams County Courthouse. Beginning [today] Tuesday, March 17, 2020, only the southwest door (handicapped accessible) will be open. All persons entering the building will need to check-in at that point with courthouse staff logging their names and addresses and purpose of business. You will be directed to the office that you are needing and then instructed to return and log out. This procedure is being implemented to track exposure should that become an issue. If you are not feeling well or possibly at risk, please refrain from visiting the courthouse.”

Various office staff they said, will be more than willing to assist you by phone or email to conduct business or to answer any questions you may have regarding this situation. Officials recommend you call or email before visiting the courthouse or the Engineer/Secondary Roads Office. Our website www.adamscountyia.com and facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Adams-County-Iowa-785169628245330/ will post other announcements and changes as needed.

Persons needing the Sheriff’s Department should use the east doors by the Sheriff’s Office. There is an intercom for your use to speak with the Sheriff’s Department. 641-322-4444
Office Specific Instructions:

• Treasurer’s Office: Property Taxes can be paid online at www.iowatreasurers.org or by mail. They may also be dropped off in the mail box located on the west side of the courthouse and a receipt will be mailed to you. If you are unsure of the amount of tax due, please call the Adams County Treasurer’s Office at 641-322-3210 for assistance. Driver’s Licenses do not expire until 60 days past your birthday. Please consider waiting to renew at this time unless absolutely necessary.
• Assessor’s Office: 641-322-4312, assessor@adamscountyia.com
• Auditor’s Office: 641-322-3340, acaudit@adamscountyia.com
• Recorder’s Office: 641-322-3744, adamsrecorder@adamscountyia.com
• Attorney’s Office: 641-322-4008, acattyoffice@adamscountyia.com
• Treasurer’s Office: 641-322-3210, actreas@adamscountyia.com
• Conservation Office: 641-322-4793, accb@adamscountyia.com
• Engineer/Secondary Roads: 641-322-3910, engineerofc@adamscountyia.com
• Veteran Affairs: 641-322-4455, veterans@adamscountyia.com
• Emergency Management: 641-322-3263, ema@adamscountyia.com
• Clerk of Court: 641-322-4711

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man who ran a stop sign and caused a fatal crash last summer has been given 10 years in prison. Court records say Julian Espinoza was sentenced Monday in Sioux City. He’d pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by driving recklessly, causing the July 26 crash that fatally injured Ronald Hacker, of Sioux City. A charge of vehicular driving while intoxicated was changed and a charge of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Espinoza’s juvenile son was in his pickup truck at the time of the crash. Hacker died three days later.

Adair-Guthrie County EMA Director Robert Kempf, Monday, said as of 8-a.m. today (Tuesday), Adair and Guthrie County will be launching a new joint website,  www.adairguthriecountycovid.org , as a resource for all of your COVID-19 questions. The site will be updated daily with the most recent press releases, recommendations, screening questions if you are sick, as well as links to other reliable resources to help answer your questions.

Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arber says “In a time of uncertainty, social media becomes a platform for rumors and misinformation. We are aware of misinformation about COVID-19 both locally, across Iowa and nationally. It’s important for Adair & Guthrie County residents to rely on trusted sources of information like the CDC, IDPH and our public health agency.”

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says there were four arrests between March 8th and the 14th. On the 14th, 54-year old Kim Lei Planthaber, of Moline, IL., was arrested following a traffic stop on Interstate 80. She was taken into custody for Operating a Vehicle (a 2019 Nissan Versa) without the Owner’s Consent, and driving without a valid driver’s license. The vehicle in question was a Hertz rental that had been reported stolen out of Moline. Dispatch was advised a female was walking eastbound on I-80 near mile marker 81. She was subsequently identified as Kim Planthaber. The woman was carrying a pillow and a purse, and was only wearing one shoe.

Authorities say when she was approached, Planthaber seemed very confused as to how she got to where she was. She was cold and showed signs of “severe drug use.” EMS received the number of her son, who said she had taken off the day before in a car her husband had rented, and did not tell anyone where she was going. Her son acknowledge the woman had a severe problem with cocaine and methamphetamine, and refused treatment. Her husband reported the vehicle as stolen. Lei remains in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

On March 11th, 34-year old Jordan Eugene Kralik, of Creston, was arrested in Creston, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, for an incident that took place the previous evening, and involved his wife. Kralik was released later in the day on a $300 cash or surety bond. On March 10th, 37-year old Matthew John Harter, of Greenfield, was arrested by Greenfield Police, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a pipe) and Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana). Harter was released later in the day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on March 8th, 21-year old Kaylee Starr Carleton, of Greenfield, was arrested on a Dallas County warrant. Her cash/surety bond was set at $300.

(Radio Iowa) — Fifty dollars for a 12-pack of toilet paper? Iowans are being warned to use common sense and to not give in to ridiculous prices for products that are in high demand because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lynn Hicks, communications director for the Iowa Attorney General’s office, says they’re investigating multiple reports of price gouging at Iowa stores and online retailers. “Whether it’s hand sanitizer or protective masks, they’re seeing high prices,” Hicks says. “We encourage people to send us the information, file a complaint with us and we’ll look into it.”

Iowans are warned to be on-guard when they see offers for a coronavirus cure or treatment — as there are none. Iowans are also getting calls from people claiming to be with a public health organization, when they’re just crooks phishing for your personal information. During an emergency like this, Hicks says it’s natural for prices on some hard-to-find items to rise, but not to the point of gouging. “Prices may be higher because sellers could incur increased costs,” Hicks says, “but when there are situations where the prices have gone up so much and there’s no other reason than somebody’s trying to take advantage of a disaster, that’s when we have the ability to step in.”

The state attorney general’s office has appealed to one of the world’s largest online retailers over reports from Iowans about items with unreasonable prices. “We’ve already been in contact with Amazon,” Hicks says. “They’ve removed several products and offers and a lot of the stuff that’s on there is third-party sellers who are engaged in price gouging so they’ve taken those down.”

Iowans are urged to do research on any organizations or charities claiming to be raising money for victims of the coronavirus by checking with groups like the Better Business Bureau at https://www.give.org. To reach the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, visit www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov or call 888-777-4590.