The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus dashboard, today (Friday), shows 559 additional positive test results for COVID returned from the labs, for a total of 369,643. There was also 11 additional deaths statewide, for a pandemic total of 5,631. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 2,213 of the total number of deaths across the state.

Long-Term Care (LTC) facility outbreaks are down to just three. Hospitalization numbers show: 168 Iowans hospitalized with COVID (2 more than Thursday); 36 in an ICU (6 fewer than before); 41 people were admitted to a hospital across the state, and 13 patients are on a ventilator. The state reports 56 positive cases and 38 recoveries among residents and staff within those facilities. Iowa reports 0 positive cases in the last 14 days. Facilities must be free of cases for 28 days before being considered virus-free.

RMCC Region 4 hospitals (those in western/southwest Iowa) show 12 hospitalized COVID patients, six are in an ICU, three persons were admitted since Thursday’s report, and three are on a ventilator.

Nearly one million COVID-19 vaccine doses have now been administered in Iowa and more than 347,000 individuals are fully vaccinated against the virus. Iowa reports 998,054 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, with 347,382 individuals completing the vaccine series.

The 14-day positivity rate remains 3.9%, while the seven-day rate is down to 3.8%.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

• Cass, 1,375 cases; {+2}; 52 deaths
• Adair, 938; {+4}; 31
• Adams, 327 {+0}; 4
• Audubon, 495 {+1}; 9
• Guthrie, 1,184 {+2}; 28
• Harrison County, 1,805; {+5}; 70
• Madison County, 1,602; {+2}; 18
• Mills County, 1,656; {+9}; 20
• Montgomery, 1,042; {+0}; 36
• Pottawattamie County, 10,936; {+10}; 149
• Shelby County, 1,246 {+6}; 34
• Union County,  1,275; {+1}; 31

(UPDATED) – Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand today (Friday) released an agreed-upon procedures report on the City of Massena, for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Sand reported ten findings related to the receipt and disbursement of taxpayer funds. The findings address issues such as a lack of segregation of duties, the lack of utility system reconciliations, disbursements exceeding budgeted amounts, business transactions that may represent conflicts of interest, a deficit fund balance and transfers that were not approved by resolution.

One issue the popped-up, was a potential conflict of interest in a purchase agreement.

Sand provided the City with recommendations to address each of the findings, including the need for more transparency.

He said the City Attorney is the best source for information, when development agreements are made, to make sure there isn’t the appearance of impropriety.

The City Council he says, has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the City’s operations and financial transactions. Sand says oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity. Rob Sand said also, it’s worthy knowing his office still has a “PIE” Program going, that they would like more public entities to participate in, and that promotes efficiency, and those entities are pinching pennies every chance they get. There’s even a reward for being efficient, aside from saving the taxpayers money.

PIE stands for Public Innovations and Efficiencies.

A copy of the agreed-upon procedures report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s web site at https://auditor.iowa.gov/audit-reports.

The Iowa Supreme Court says a District Court erred in ordering a new trial in the case of a man who sued the Glenwood Golf Corporation, owners of the Glenwood Golf Course (GCG, following an accident involving a golf cart. The incident occurred Sept. 14, 2017, during a golf outing by Terry Jones and his son Jeff. The younger Jones was driving a golf cart owned by GCG, when, as they crossed a bridge, the cart started to veer to the left. When Jeff Jones over-corrected, the cart’s left front tire became wedged into the steel structure of the bridge. The impact ejected Jones’ father Terry – who was in the passenger seat -through an opening in the bridge’s safety rail.

Terry Jones fell about 25-feet onto a creek bed below filled with concrete and steel reinforcement bar (Rebar). He suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown by helicopter to the UNMC in Omaha. Terry Jones underwent multiple surgeries and spent months hospitalization and in a rehabilitation facility. He and his wife Christine Jones entered into a settlement agreement with Jeff and his homeowner’s liability insurer which paid the couple and their lawyer a total of $877,500, with the payments in a structured annuity.

The settlement released Jeff Jones from all claims stemming from the accident. Terry and his wife filed a civil action against GCG, based on the premises the bridge was unsafe, and that GCG was liable for the negligence of the driver in a golf cart. The District Court denied related summary judgements, and the case went to a jury, which found GCG was not liable under the premises liability claim, and found Jeffrey Jones (even though he was a released party) was at fault. They awarded damages amounting to $520,000 for past medical expenses.

Terry Jones filed a motion for a new trial on the grounds the verdict was inadequate. The District Court ruled GCG is liable on the owner liability claim, and granted a new trial on the damages only. GCG appealed the case went to the Iowa Supreme Court. The IASUPCO found Terry Jones’ release of his son from liability extinguished GCG’s vicarious liability for damages caused by Jeff Jones. They Justices reversed the District Court ruling and remanded the case for dismissal.

The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Interior Touch on Thursday March 11th, 2021 for a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the new owners Jared & Carrie Schmitt. The Ambassadors were introduced to Carrie & Jared Schmitt who took ownership of Interior Touch January 15th, 2021. Jared has made his career in painting, and has worked with Cathy Baragary, the previous owner of Interior Touch, for many years. Cathy approached Jared about purchasing the business and Carrie explained that “it just wasn’t a good time for us in our lives.”

“Thankfully, Cathy didn’t sell the business and when she approached us again, a few years later, the timing was right.” Cathy is staying on staff until March to help with the transition and help Jared learn about measuring window treatment and flooring. Carrie & Jared also have Danielle Steinhoff and Lori Rutherford helping customers with their home improvement needs.

Interior Touch specializes in carpet, flooring, paint, and window treatments, but have recently started carrying area rugs. The business not only sells flooring but works with a few sub-contractors to provide flooring instillation. The Schmitts have big dreams for the business and are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the business community in Atlantic.