IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two lawmakers said Thursday that Iowa’s coronavirus testing program mishandled their samples when they tried to get tested after the recent legislative session concluded.Sen. Zach Wahls and Rep. Dave Jacoby, both Coralville Democrats, said that they traveled separately to Cedar Rapids to get tested through TestIowa, the $26 million program touted by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Both wanted to make sure they were virus-free after interacting with colleagues and the public during the session.Both lawmakers’ samples were taken on different days last week. Each said they were informed several days later that their samples were “damaged” or “unusable” and therefore they had to be retested.

GRIMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa school officials have released guidelines that allow schools to reopen to normal activities as of July 1 without health checks before entering the building, no required face coverings and no required social distancing. A spokeswoman for the Iowa State Education Association, the state’s teacher’s union, says the plan doesn’t comply with CDC guidelines for public places and is an “obscene” gamble on the health of students, teachers and other school employees.

An education department spokeswoman says the guidance was created with the Iowa Department of Public Health and schools may require their own stricter measures after consulting with a lawyer and local public health officials.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The families of three workers who died after contracting coronavirus in an Iowa meat plant outbreak are suing Tyson Foods and its top executives, saying the company knowingly put employees at risk and lied to keep them on the job.The lawsuit alleges that Tyson officials were aware the virus was spreading at the Waterloo pork processing plant by late March or early April but kept that information from employees and the public.

As the outbreak grew, the lawsuit alleges the company failed to implement safety measures, allowed some sick employees to remain on the production line, and falsely assured workers and the public that the plant was safe.

A woman from Adams County escaped injury when the car she was driving went out of control and rolled into a Union County ditch, Thursday (today). The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 27-year old Mariah Kay Bernita Swanson, of Corning, was driving a 2008 Dodge Avenger eastbound on 170th Street at around 2:15-p.m., when the accident occurred. Her car rolled into the south ditch and landed on its top.

The vehicle sustained $5,000 damage and was declared a total loss. No charges or citations were issued.

Adair County Tourism officials are pleased to announced they have a new logo. The design is the creation of Adair County native Rachel Scheel. ACTC commissioned the logo to help market and promote the county’s tourism attractions and businesses in print and digital media.

Scheel, a 2017 Nodaway Valley graduate, says “It is so cool to represent Adair County.” Currently residing in Ankeny, Scheel completed her degree in graphic design at DMACC and is employed by Wee’s Tees in Ankeny. Scheel’s work is familiar to the NV community. She designed the graphic for the gym floor as a student. She also gained recognition this summer with her winning entry in the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation t-shirt design contest.

Terri Queck-Matzie, ACTC chairman, says “We’re very pleased to have the talents of a bright young artist like Rachel available to us. She did a wonderful job creating a design that encompasses our key branding elements – rural, modern, artistic, active, peaceful, natural and rooted in history. And, of course, our designation as Iowa’s Garden County.”

Scheel says she tried several sketches before she settled on the design. “At first I wanted to include specific landmark locations, but in the end I wanted a more all-inclusive logo,” she says. “I grew up in Adair County with a love for the nostalgic small towns and prairies, and the prairie seemed to cover all of the main components I wanted, while not resting on one particular spot.”

Information on events and sites to visit in Adair County can be found on ACTC’s Facebook page Adair County Iowa Tourism.

Health officials in Mills County report one additional case of COVID-19. Authorities today (Thursday), said the newest case bring to 32 the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mills County. Of that total, 25 have recovered from the virus, and 1,820 have been tested. The newest case is a person age 18-to 40. They contracted the virus by community spread.

After a day with no new cases of COVID-19 reported in Pottawattamie County, Wednesday, health officials today (Thursday), said there 22 new cases. Four of the individuals are from Carter Lake, one is from Treynor, and the rest are from Council Bluffs. The individuals were tested before June 17th and 23rd. Three are 17 years of age or younger, seven are 18-to 40, nine are 41-to 60, and three are 61-to 80 years old.

Of all 711 positive cases in Pott. County (including those that have been epi-linked), 185 are self-isolating at home, seven are hospitalized, and 482 have recovered from the virus,

Police in Council Bluffs report a man faces armed robbery charges following an incident that took place at around 10:45-a.m. today (Thursday). Council Bluffs police officers responded to Boost Mobile, 2600 West Broadway, for a hold-up alarm. Upon arrival, officers found 32-year old Brian Thomas Berry inside the business, threatening a pair of female employees with a knife. When confronted by officers, Berry dropped the knife and surrendered.

Brian Thomas Berry

Officers were able to link Berry to another robbery at Max I. Walker Dry Cleaners, 802 1st Avenue, which had occurred about 30 minutes prior to the Boost Mobile incident. No injuries were reported in either robbery. After being interviewed by detectives, Berry was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on two counts of Robbery 1st Degree, one count Kidnapping 2nd Degree and one count of Theft 1st Degree.

Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns reports Darrin Petty has filed papers to run for the Cass County Ag Extension Council. There are total of four positions available in advance of the November General Election.