(Radio Iowa) — Elected officials in Sioux Center are asking residents to avoid travel to nearby Minnesota and South Dakota where COVID-19 outbreaks have been identified at meat-packing plants. Sioux Center Mayor Dave Krahling says although he’s impressed by ways Sioux Center residents have taken safety measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus seriously, recent rapid increases in positive COVID cases in neighboring states are a sobering reminder the spread is still active.

Krahling says close proximity to hot spots is especially concerning, with Sioux Falls, South Dakota just a 45 minute drive away and many local residents have family living in southwest Minnesota and Sioux Falls. Family visits in these areas increase the possibility of more widespread infection in northwest Iowa Mayor Krahling and the City Council are asking Sioux Center residents to limit travel to these states and outside of the region.

(Radio Iowa) — A Fort Dodge bar and restaurant is delivering fresh, hot food to thank some of the community’s health care heroes. Mark Campbell, the owner of Amigos, says he and his staff wanted to celebrate the hard work being done by employees at Unity Point Hospital Fort Dodge during the pandemic. “We wanted to figure out a way to give back a little bit to the hospital and all their staff,” Campbell says. “They have been a shining example of truly what a great partner is in our community and our county.”

The eatery recently donated 100 pizzas to the hospital, enough to feed the entire staff. In addition to owning the restaurant, Campbell serves on the Webster County Board of Supervisors.

(Radio Iowa) — A 24-year-old Fort Dodge man is charged with kidnapping and assaulting a woman, but he says he has proof he’s not guilty. Court documents say Levi Alan Goodell entered a woman’s home in Humboldt in March of last year, he then choked and dragged her out to his car. He’s accused of driving the woman around, pointing a gun at her and stating than one of them had to die. Authorities say he pointed the gun and pulled the trigger but it did not go off, as there were no shells in the gun. Goddell told the victim he just wanted to scare her. Goodell has pleaded not guilty and claims to have an alibi. He says his parole officer and GPS data from the Iowa Department of Corrections can prove he was not there at the time of the alleged incident. Goodell’s trial is scheduled to begin in March.

GRIMES, Iowa (AP) — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating the death of a woman whose body was found inside a house near Grimes over the weekend. The sheriff’s office says in a news release that deputies, firefighters and medics were called to the house Sunday morning for a report of a death. Officials say arriving deputies and medics found a 35-year-old woman unresponsive in the home, along with her 46-year-old fiance.

Authorities have not released the name of the woman or given details on how she died. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal of Investigation are investigating the death and interviewing possible witnesses.