The Mills County Public Health Dept., Monday, said the Iowa Department of Public Health has issued its guidelines for the administration of the next phase (1B) of COVID-19 vaccinations. MCPH officials say they expect authorization to begin administering vaccine to these populations no later than February 1, 2021. This does NOT mean that the vaccine will be available to all eligible individuals on February 1, 2021.

Beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021, Mills County Public Health will begin accepting names and phone numbers of eligible individuals to be placed on a wait list for vaccine distribution. The phone number to call is (712) 274-3643. This line will be open Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Individuals that call the Mills County Public Health main office to get on the list will be referred to the correct phone number to contact. Listed below are the population groups who will be eligible to receive vaccinations at that time.

• Persons aged 75 and older.
• First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and social workers).
• PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers.
• Individuals with disabilities living in home settings who are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff.
• Individuals and staff living or working in congregate settings.
• Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety.
• Government officials in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session.

At this time, Mills County Public Health is unaware of the number of vaccines or when the State of Iowa will allocate them to Mills County. Continue to monitor the website, KJAN, and social media, for the release of further information as it becomes available.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. 20-year old Madison Nicole Gilliland, of Des Moines, was arrested at around 2:30-a.m. Jan. 10th by Stuart Police, in the Kum & Go parking lot in Stuart, following a traffic stop. She was charged with OWI/1st offense, cited and later released. Gilliland was also cited for speeding 37 in a 25 mph zone.

On Jan. 11th, 26-year old Pastel Renee Force, of Walnut, was arrested by Stuart Police at around 11:30-p.m., after she was stopped while trying to enter the westbound lanes of I-80, in the wrong direction. Force was subsequently charged with OWI/1st offense. She tested at .193 for intoxication. Force was cited and later released.

On Jan. 13th, 26-year old Zachary Michael Anderson, of Stuart, was arrested at the Sac County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 1st Degree. He was released the same day on a Signature Bond. And, 21-year old Payton Alissa Hill, of Menlo, was arrested Jan. 15th on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. She was also charged with Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd or greater offense. Hill was later released on her Own Recognizance.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one weekend arrest. 25-year old D’Angelo Thomas Monson, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree.

And, two people were hospitalized following a collision Friday afternoon, in Mills County. Authorities say 38-year old Howard Erickson, of Omaha, and 46-year old Jason Roark, of Shenandoah, were transported by Malvern and Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, after their vehicles collided head-on at around 1:17-p.m.

Officials say Erickson was traveling east on Highway 34 in a 2018 RAM pickup, when the vehicle went out of control on the snowy road and struck a guardrail. A 2004 Toyota driven by Roark was traveling westbound and unable to avoid the pickup. The vehicles collided in the westbound lane of traffic.