(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has temporarily banned debt collectors and banks from seizing wages and funds from Iowans’ bank accounts. The order putting a hold on all garnishments, except those related to family support, is in effect until May 27th. Iowa Legal Aid’s litigation director, Alex Kornya, says before this order, there appeared to be an uptick in garnishments as COVID-19 was being detected in the state. Kornya says there could be a lot of difficulties with implementing this pause on garnishments.

“It’s important that people who are currently under a continuing garnishment try to contact their bank or employer and let them know that this proclamation has been issued which stops ongoing and new garnishments. So, that should be enough for most employers and banks to just voluntarily release funds,” according to Kornya. Adunni Noibi, in Iowa City says it happened to her as she tried to pay her mortgage in mid-March and wasn’t able to transfer funds. She found out a debt collector had frozen her accounts.

“This was when everything was coming up with corona, and everyone was out buying groceries, stocking up-we didn’t know what was going to happen. I tried to explain this is all the money I have. They didn’t care,” Adunni says. Noibi got a court hearing and her student debt was forgiven. Iowa Legal Aid is recommending those with existing garnishments notify their bank or employer about the governor’s order to get their money released.

(Radio Iowa) — While several tax filing deadlines have been pushed back by the state and federal governments, other tax deadlines are still in place and Iowans are warned to be aware. John Fuller, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Revenue, says one such deadline that remains unchanged is tomorrow (Thursday).

“Estimated Income Tax is a method used to pay tax on income that’s not subject to withholding,” Fuller says. “A lot of people use that, a lot of business people use that. That deadline has not changed and we’ve tried to let everyone know that, the deadline is still April 30th.” There are also deadlines on Friday, May 1st, for Iowa residents who’ve put in solar energy systems or geothermal heat pumps.

“More and more people are installing geothermal heat pumps in their homes,” Fuller says, “and if they did that in Calendar Year 2019, they can get a tax credit for that but they have to go online and apply.” In addition, there’s a Thursday deadline for businesses to file their sales taxes and withholding taxes, but Fuller says many extensions have been granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A lot of business owners have asked the department for a deferral which we’ve granted to thousands of business owners,” Fuller says. “That gives them a little bit of relief in how they can file their sales and withholding tax.” For most Iowans, the big deadline is usually tomorrow for state individual income tax returns, but that’s been moved from April 30th to July 31st. Fuller says many Iowans have already filed them anyway, even though they’re not due for three months.

For more questions, visit the Iowa Department of Revenue website: tax.iowa.gov.

One person was injured during a single-vehicle accident Tuesday morning, in Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2015 Buick Enclave registered to 31-year old Justin Windrum, of Omaha, was at a gas pump at the Taylor Quick Pick in Missouri Valley, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and struck a diesel pump on the west side of the parking lot, and store employee, 43-year old Shawn Squier, of Missouri Valley. The accident happened at around 9:55-a.m.

Squier suffered serious head injuries and was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Bergen-Mercy Hospital. Windrum was not injured during the incident. The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Missouri Valley P-D and Missouri Valley Fire & Rescue.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, today (Wednesday) reported three recent arrests. On Tuesday, 36-year old Kenton W. Schreiner was arrested for OWI/1st offense, after Deputies investigated unknown  injury accident east of Council Bluffs in rural Pott. County, at around 8:45-p.m.

Authorities say 30-year old Dakota J. Beadle was arrested Monday for Eluding While Exceeding the Speed Limit by 25 mph or more, and OWI/1st offense. And, 33-year old Robert Dale Hackwell, of Walnut, was arrested at around 5:30-p.m. Sunday, after Deputies were called to a verbal disturbance in Walnut. Hackwell was charged with Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislative Council has voted unanimously to continued the suspension of the legislative session until at least May 15. Meeting by telephone, the 24-member council agreed to reconvene at 10 a.m. May 15 unless they meet earlier and set a different date.

House Speaker Pat Grassley and Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver faced questions by Democratic senators about the criteria they’re using to evaluate whether it’s safe to come back to the Iowa Capitol. Whitver says leaders are talking with Gov. Kim Reynolds and state health officials to ensure it’s safe.

The Iowa State Patrol, Wednesday afternoon, released the names of the victims involved in a single-vehicle crash northeast of Jamaica, in Dallas County, that claimed the lives of two children and injured five other juveniles. Five-year old Claire Brown and 10-year old Lindsey Brown, both of Perry, died in the crash that happened at around 11:30-a.m. Tuesday. Claire Brown was wearing a seat belt, Lindsey was not. The driver of the vehicle, 16-year old Michael Marie Crane, and four other passengers, were injured.

The injured passengers included Five-year old Carter West and 11-year old Randy Seratt, both of Dawson, and from Perry, 11-year old Katelyn Brown, along with 7-year old Eli Brown. West, Seratt, Crane and Eli Brown, were wearing seat belts. Katelyn Brown was not buckled-up. Crane and the others suffered severe injuries in the crash and were transported to area hospitals, with Eli and Katelyn Brown transported to Blank Childrens Hospital in Des Moines. Katelyn was transported by LifeFlight.

Authorities say the accident happened as a 2014 Toyota Sienna driven by Michael Crane was traveling north on Beaumont Place, and went out of control as the vehicle crossed over a bridge. The minivan impacted the south side of a field drive, traveled over the drive, and came to rest upon the field drive, facing east. The accident remains under investigation.