CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An on-duty Linn County sheriff’s deputy working at the Linn County Correctional Center has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The sheriff’s office said in a news release Monday that the deputy showed up for work at the center on Thursday evening symptom-free, but left work near the end of his shift when he began displaying symptoms, including a high fever, and was tested.

He is to remain in self-isolation until he meets guidelines for returning to work. The sheriff’s office says the deputy did not expose any inmates to the virus, but that 11 coworkers were exposed. The sheriff’s office says those coworkers will continue to report for duty as long as they remain asymptomatic.

The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office reports the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors authorized the installation of a new drop box, as another way residents can interact with the Montgomery County Courthouse operations. The drop box is located curbside on the south entrance of the courthouse on Coolbaugh Street.

The drop box is weatherproof, tamper-resistant and is located in a monitored area for security. Auditor Stephanie Burke asks those who have business with the County, to “Please put everything in a secure envelope and address it to the desired county office along with your contact information on the outside of the envelope. No postage is necessary, and the box will be checked every day by authorized personnel.”

The drop box can be used for the following: Treasurer’s Office-MV registrations and property tax payments; Auditor’s Office – absentee ballots and absentee ballot request forms; Recorder’s Office – Real estate documents, certified copy requests and boat & off-road vehicle registrations; Assessor’s Office – real estate credit applications and protest forms; Clerk of Court’s Office – child support, alimony, payments on fines and any documents that are requested to be filed; Veteran’s Affairs Office – forms such as DD form 214 and NGB form 22.

(Radio Iowa) — More than one-hundred Iowa prison inmates have been tested for coronavirus so far and one has tested positive. Three state prison staff members have also tested positive. Iowa Department of Corrections director Beth Skinner is issuing a request to the administrators of Iowa’s 99 county jails:

Skinner says prison officials are working to reduce Iowa’s inmate population which, a month ago, was 22-percent over capacity. Since then, 811 inmates were released, but another 748 were taken in. She’s asking the State Board of Parole to release those who would likely succeed in a community setting.

A traffic stop Sunday in Shambaugh resulted in a man being arrested on drug charges. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports during the stop, 50-year old Steven William Wells, of College Springs, was arrested for Driving while License is barred. The Clarinda Police Department K-9 “Rakio” was called to the scene and deployed for a free air sniff. Rakio indicated the presence of a controlled substance in the vehicle, a 1997 Saturn registered to Cassandra Hauge of Glenwood.

Steven William Wells

A subsequent search of the vehicle indicated Marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Wells was subsequently charged with Possession of a controlled substance (Marijuana) 3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Page County Jail and later posted a $4,300 bond before being released pending future court appearances.