(Radio Iowa) – The amount of COVID-19 vaccine the state of Iowa is being sent is expected to rise next week by perhaps 25-thousand doses compared to the past two weeks, according to Governor Kim Reynolds. The allotment coming next week should hit 128-thousand doses, including 18-thousand doses of the one-shot Johnson-and-Johnson version. Reynolds says even more of the J-and-J vaccine should arrive in early April.

“With this news, I am pleased to say that we remain on target to open vaccination to all Iowans beginning Monday, April 5th,” she says. It will mean a much higher demand than supply and the governor is encouraging Iowans to be patient, adding, “soon there will be enough vaccine for everyone.”

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police in Cedar Rapids are investigating the spray painting of a racial slur on the front of a vacant rental house as a hate crime. Police received a call about the vandalism Tuesday morning, eliciting an angry reaction from Police Chief Wayne Jerman, who told The Gazette he was “disgusted and furious that someone would do this.” Local police are working with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office to see whether federal hate crime laws apply to the case.

The house has been a source of neighborhood complaints over the last year, with reports of everything from disturbances and car thefts to drive-by shootings at the home. Last year, the city declared the home a nuisance property.

The Glenwood Police Department reports a total of three arrests, two of which occurred Tuesday: 34-year old Jason Katusin, of Papillion, NE., was arrested for Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, a Controlled Substance Violation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His total cash or surety bond was set at $30,300. And, 68-year old Joyce Germar, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. She was held without bond until seen by a Magistrate.

And, on March 19th, 46-year old Toby Blankenship, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Glenwood, for Driving While Barred and Possession of a Controlled Substance. His cash/surety bond was set at $3,000.

(Radio Iowa) – State officials say they made a mathematical error when calculating how many Iowans over the age of 64 have had a Covid shot. A week ago, Governor Kim Reynolds announced 95 percent of Iowans over the age of 64 had received at least one dose of Covid vaccine. State officials now say that figure is 82 percent of the 65-plus. The error was made because Iowa Department of Public Health staff were counting doses, not people. That means people who got both doses of Covid vaccine were counted twice.

The state’s vaccination figures do not match the Centers for Disease Control’s data, which shows 76 percent of Iowans over the age of 64 have gotten at least a first dose of vaccine. Iowa officials say they’re using the latest U.S. Census data and the C-D-C is using averages based on total population. The C-D-C ranks Iowa tenth among the states in the percentage of residents over the age of 64 that have had at least one Covid shot.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Tuesday, of 22-year-old Jeremy Rhoades, from Hamburg, for Stalking (in violation of a Protection Order), and Violation of a No-Contact Order. Deputies allege that on Monday (Mar. 22nd) and Tuesday (3/23), Rhoades drove past the victims’ place of employment numerous times, revving his engine, and on one occasion, circling the block around the business, making his presence known to the occupants of the business, causing the victims to be in fear for their safety.

Jeremy Rhoades

Authorities say Rhoades was previously released from the Fremont County Jail March 19th, after posting a $1,000 cash/surety bond, for Harassment 2nd Degree and Harassment 3rd Degree, and $13,000 cash/surety bond for Harassment 1st Degree, Harassment 2nd Degree, Stalking w/ a Dangerous Weapon, and Extortion.

Rhoades was being held at the Fremont County Jail pending an initial appearance with a Magistrate.