The Iowa Department of Public Heath Wednesday, reported on the Coronavirus dashboard, an additional 883 positive COVID-19 test results, for a pandemic total of 368,636.  There were also 27 additional deaths reported, for a statewide total of 5,601. There was one additional death reported in each of Cass, Adair and Pottawattamie Counties. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 2,195 of the State’s total number of deaths.

The number of Long-Term Care facility COVID-19 Outbreaks is down to six. Three less than before. Hospitalization  statistics are down again, with 173 Iowans hospitalized with COVID, compared to 179 previously. The number of COVID patients in an ICU is up six, to 39. There were five more patients admitted to hospitals over the 24-hour reporting period, for a total of 22, and 10 patients are on a ventilator.

Hospitals in Western & Southwest Iowa report: 15 people are hospitalized for COVID; seven are in an ICU, no one with COVID symptoms was admitted over the past 24-hours, and one person was on a ventilator.

State data shows 916,360 vaccine doses have been administered in Iowa, with 293,783 individuals fully vaccinated. Iowa’s 14-day positivity rate remains 4.1%, but the seven-day positivity rate was up a tick, to 4.2%.

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, 1,372 cases; {+2}; 52 deaths
• Adair, 933; {+0}; 31
• Adams, 327 {+1}; 4
• Audubon, 494 {+1}; 9
• Guthrie, 1,180 {+0}; 28
• Harrison County, 1,802; {+2}; 70
• Madison County, 1,596; {+1}; 18
• Mills County, 1,646; {+6}; 20
• Montgomery, 1,046; {+0}; 36
• Pottawattamie County, 10,911; {+22}; 148
• Shelby County, 1,240; {+8}; 34
• Union County,  1,274; {+4}; 31

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report two recent arrests. Tuesday afternoon, 55-year old Edward Eugene Johnson, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody in Council Bluffs. Johnson was wanted on a warrant for Violation of Parole. And, 19-year old Michael Lee Noel, of Council Bluffs, was arrested during a warrant check at a residence in Council Bluffs. Noel faces charges that include Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree (damage under $300), Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 2nd offense, and Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $1,300.

A man who was arrested last week for his alleged role in the robbery of a bank in Scranton, also faces felony drug charges in Carroll County. Authorities says 26-year-old Tyler Scott Mattingly, of Carroll, was taken into custody March 3rd, on an outstanding felony warrant for controlled substance violations,and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of driving while barred.

The charges stem from an investigation into an accident that took place January 2nd, near Arcadia. Authorities allege a container with nearly 41 grams of methamphetamine was located inside the vehicle Mattingly was driving when the crash occurred. Several small plastic bags were also found inside the car.

At last report, Mattingly remained in custody at the Carroll County Jail on a $25,000 bond. He also faces charges in Greene County for allegedly aiding and abetting 27 year old Zachary Michael Anderson Wailes, of Fort Dodge, during the February 25th robbery of People’s Bank in Scranton.  His bond is set at $75,000 on charges of first-degree robbery, a class B felony and first-degree theft, a class  C felony.

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A Crawford County man charged with Felony Drug Possession, is scheduled to appear at his trial that begins April 27th with the selection of a jury. His pretrial conference is set for April 14. Court records show 28-year-old Brandon Lee Schechinger, of Manilla, faces a Felony drug possession charge. Schechinger faces one count of third-offense possession of methamphetamine, a class D felony.  The charges stems from a traffic stop on Sept. 29, 2020 by the Carroll Police Department. Authorities located a baggie containing methamphetamine residue in the backseat of the car along with several glass smoking devices.

Schechinger has entered a written plea of not guilty. A class D felony in Iowa carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and $7,500 in fines.

The Creston Police Department reports three people were arrested on drug charges, Tuesday morning. Authorities say 35-year-old Michael Walton, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) 3rd or subsequent offense and Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held in the Union County Jail on a $5000 bond. 34-year-old Shaune Tindle, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) 1st offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Less than 5 grams), Violation of Protection Order, Driving While Barred and Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held in the Union County Jail on a $13,000. And, 31-year-old Tonya Tindle, of Clearfield, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) 3rd or subsequent offense, Violation of a Protection Order and Possession of Paraphernalia. She was released from the Adams County Jail on a $5300 bond. All three were taken into custody at around 7:50-a.m., in the area of Cherry/Pine Streets, in Creston.

Later that same morning, 34-year old Jessica Swietlik, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Violation of Probation on the original charges of Child Endangerment (2 counts). She is being held in the Adams County Jail on a $5000 cash only bond. Late Tuesday night, 41-year-old Justin Hodge, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Union County Warrant for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense. He was released from the Adams County Jail on a $1000 bond.

At around 2:20-a.m. today (Wednesday), 19-year-old Kelli Romero, of Osceola, was arrested at the Union County LEC, for OWI 1st Offense. She was also cited for Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Romero was released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond. And, at around 5:30-a.m. Wednesday, 21-year old Noah Young, of Creston, was arrested for Violation of Protection Order and Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held in the Union County Jail awaiting bond hearing.

Creston Police said also, a woman reported Tuesday morning that sometime between 6-p.m. Monday and  6-a.m. Tuesday, her purse was stolen from 1700 W Townline, her place of employment. The purse contained Cash, car keys, checkbook and credit cards. Estimated loss of $300.