No injuries were reported following a collision at around 6:36-p.m. Saturday, in Red Oak. Authorities say the accident happened at the intersection of E. Summit Street and Sunnyslope Drive. A 2015 Nissan Versa driven by 17-year old Alissa Rice, of Red Oak, was stopped on Summit Street facing east, waiting to turn north onto Sunny Slope Drive, when a 1999 Chevy Silverado driven by 30-year old Megan Waltz, of Lorimor, struck the Nissan from behind. Waltz told Police she didn’t see Rice’ car.

Waltz was cited for Following too Close. Damage from the collision amounted to $6,000, with the Nissan being a total loss. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Red Oak Rescue, and Red Oak Fire Department.

Red Oak Police, Saturday evening, arrested a Villisca man on a Montgomery County warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 57-year old Bruce Warren Fitzwater was taken into custody at 106 W. Coolbaugh Street at around 6:05-p.m., and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $500 cash bond.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports an investigation resulted in the arrest Saturday morning of two people for alleged sex crimes. 22-year old Austin Thompson, of Prescott, was taken into custody at around 8:45-a.m. on felony charges that include: Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree; Assault with intent to commit sexual abuse; and Sexual Exploitation of  Minor. Thompson was being held in the Adams County Jail while awaiting an appearance before a Magistrate.

At around 1:10-p.m. Saturday, Deputies arrested 28-year old Clara Winfrey, also of Prescott, on the same Felony charges. She was also being held in the Adams County Jail while awaiting an appearance before a Magistrate.

The State of Iowa reports (as of 4-a.m. Sunday), Cass County has 11 positive cases of COVID-19, one more than reported Saturday. One of those individuals (as previously mentioned) has recovered. Statewide, 489,433 assessments have been completed, and 126, 389 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19. 17,065 tested positive (13.5%), 109,038 tested negative. The number of Iowans who have recovered from the virus numbered 9,263 as of the latest data. Five more people have died from the virus, for a total of 449. (Keep in mind, these figures change, as results are included in the State COVID-10 dashboard https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.)

Around the area, here are the current (as of 4-a.m., 5/24) cases of positive test results and (number of recovered):

Adair County: 7 (3); Adams County: 4 (1); Audubon County: 11 (9); Guthrie County: 42 (29); Montgomery County: 6 (5); Shelby County: 30 (24) and Pottawattamie County: 208 (109).

In RMCC Region 4 (Southwest/western Iowa), six people are hospitalized for COVID-19, two are in an ICU, and one person was admitted to a hospital since the last report. Across the State, the number of patients who are hospitalized due to the virus (as of this posting) is 362.  111 COVID-19 patients were in an ICU. 26 were admitted.

Statewide, LTC facility outbreaks are down one, to 36. The number of patients and staff at those facilities who have died number 238. The number of patients/staff have recovered is 661, and 1,529 have tested positive.

The COVID-19 dashboard contains updated information throughout the day, but due to planned maintenance this weekend, the Case Counts Dashboard will not reflect accurate counts during the maintenance period.  All Case Counts will be brought up to date by 6:00 am Monday, May 25th.

A head-on collision between a pickup and a bicycle in southern Iowa’s Lucas County has claimed the life of a male child. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened at around 3:30-p.m. Saturday, in Russell. Authorities say a 2004 GMC Sierra pickup driven by 70-year old Patrick Conway, of Russell, was traveling west on W. Smith Street, when the collision occurred.

The child died at the scene. The Patrol says alcohol and excessive speed have been ruled out as factors in the collision, which remained under investigation.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of coronavirus deaths in Iowa has jumped by 26 to 444. That’s the highest daily increase on record. A news release from the state says the latest deaths that were added to the count occurred from May 9 to Friday. The state on Saturday also reported 419 new cases. That brings the statewide total to 16,767. Among the state’s victims was a man who was one week away from retiring from his job at the JBS meatpacking plant in Marshalltown when he tested positive for the coronavirus. KCCI reports that he died last week on a ventilator.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A suburban Des Moines school district and a former student have reached a $900,000 settlement with a student who suffered permanent brain damage after being attacked at school. Audrey Vacek sued the Ankeny Community School District and another student after a 2016 attack. She alleged Mallory Schaubhut punched her in the face and slammed her head into a concrete wall. The lawsuit said Schaubhut had verbally abused and threatened Vacek for a year before the attack. The Des Moines Register reports a settlement reached in late April requires the school district to pay $880,000 and Schaubhut to pay $20,000 to Vacek.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Judicial Branch says it will postpone jury trials in criminal cases until at least Sept. 14 and push back any in-person proceedings until July 13 or later because of the coronavirus threat. Some hearings can begin July 13 or earlier if courthouses meet recommended safety protocols, but the use of teleconferences and video conferences will continue to be encouraged. Health officials have warned that crowded courtrooms could be venues to spread the virus to clerks, jurors, lawyers, witnesses, spectators and defendants.

Pottawattamie County Public Health officials reported Saturday afternoon, that the County has seven new, COVID-19 positive cases, and one more person has died from the virus, the fifth recorded to date. The latest victim was a man age 81 or older who was from Council Bluffs, and had pre-existing medical conditions.

Of the seven newly reported COVID-19 cases, six are from Council Bluffs, and one is from Neola. Six persons are 18-to 40-years of age, and one is 41-to 60. All were tested between May 18th and the 22nd.  So far, 2,624 Pott. County residents have been tested for COVID-19, and 215 have tested positive.

An additional five people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 116. Officials say, “Currently, five individuals are hospitalized,and 85 are self-isolating. Based on the PCPH contact tracing investigations, a total of 64 Pottawattamie County COVID-19 cases are the result of community spread.”