By Beacon Staff



For the first time since the worldwide pandemic forced the Burlington Public Library to close its doors and eliminate curbside service, locals can once again check out physical items.



While the library building itself isn’t open for business quite yet, curbside checkout returned today, May 19.



Checking out materials will require a modicum of forethought, which means it is too late to order anything for pickup today. But there’s still time for an order for Wednesday.



The Curbside Library will run from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and orders for materials must be placed by 5 p.m. the day before making the pick-up.



Library staff has been pulling and prepping materials non-stop, measuring out socially safe spaces just outside the entrance.



Materials include books, music, movies, and other items. All digital services will continue as they have for the past couple of months.



The summer reading program begins June 1, and the library now offers the option to research old editions of newspapers through an archive.



The digital scans of older editions appear much as they do in microfiche form, but patrons no longer need to be inside the building to access the service.



To access the archive, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbpia.ent.sirsi.net%2Fclient%2Fen_US%2Fdefault%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1LzYjLEkMLw4Bdh1DRvToGdTTyObCexy7hDVMWqo662ZHOnnPewdQV9J8&amp;h=AT1iDt3h8htV120QHo5OCyk803CwvjBRRmi-_oW_H3mJEbONwJEBzmlzgYnqzdw6ipwHgNigRM4Wc5u-pGZYh15rg_fUWGF7uWq51j4Gd4AayswXlpqitXhfdJj0II3N1bRJ9cCOi-gpqx8MbhUlkxmDYK--9c_B0Xm2EGxALsOP2SK_Qh6ofc2u-cqHvvzZssDvm8lVGksBXAXLbb5ygNLBfKGuOWiQUXnj-S2ftqkXue24N1DFtprxPKaEdIVPII-qWYIKN-6GFuccUwcJVeQB6vMtZnEZS4LPBbEaXYSs4M91sdBamAE7ZER1GAFGg_22aURyjvLJE4QQl5C0-nlX_1v6b2-NP65JCb77-oHW3X9cWW2YaGqqNIHQJu0wLm8KotFSfak9UqK-2ERPvdnklcpCbptPEMtQiEErX9QIuBprEOXHR-7LRvuhjFvbS8M_pqwAyFGVsOhlEgA0NFh-Nd3nhwuhczUgavCsYsYEXPNg8jovdyJJ5B44TqMoGX5PibCbJnaO98_vNuHpsD5mWV257KHi6S42EKWoGddDvJg83OcUMT8s1UTbvaleMPalwy9DQdqu7MqJNbh-7kJBZU1VQRC43vVqk4Z9xaN6vL00tDObZ5NTEVfc-yFWaJZvAZ6IjN5FaY29OpAngvA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://bpia.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/</a>&nbsp;This short video will allow you to log in and navigate Newspaper Archives:&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/dcolzNlrDaY?fbclid=IwAR1LedZv98Zioqe4SbqDGvcnb_I_SEP9-SkV8mLtZNq1CbxFJg5qv9FCsO8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://youtu.be/dcolzNlrDaY</a>



You can sign up for a library card here:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/u7jyung?fbclid=IwAR270Yoj0LwcG5wcumaAw518WgcobT79kyZmn7ebF8TVjitJPppzWFf7NjM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://tinyurl.com/u7jyung</a>



Photo courtesy of the Burlington Public Library

Library Now Offering Curbside Services

By Beacon Staff



Unlike the graduating classes that went before them, the seniors of 2020 were robbed of their graduation glory by a worldwide pandemic.



That’s life, and the seniors get it. Safety comes first, and once school was canceled for the rest of the year, they figured traditional graduation ceremonies might be delayed or canceled. However, they didn’t expect to be handed their diplomas while dropping off their school laptops.



Twin siblings Spencer and Sidney Ellsworth, both 18, didn’t realize they had received their diplomas until their mother, Mary Hofmann, discovered them with other paperwork they had picked up from the school last week.



“It was kind of lame,” Spencer said.



Their mother had a stronger reaction.



“I missed their big moment,” she said. “I wish the principal could have handed them their diplomas.”



The twins’ stepbrother, Brandon Hofmann, also a 2020 graduate, felt just as deflated. BHS has a virtual commencement planned for May 31, as well as some form of an in-person ceremony in July. The district announced the plans on the school Facebook page Tuesday, May 19.



Brandon recently joined the Iowa Army National Guard, and ships out at the end of the summer for basic training. He and his two siblings will still get to attend prom in late June, as well as the proposed July event if it happens.



“This (virtual commencement) is not intended to replace a formal ceremony but rather to provide each student recognition on that date since, under current circumstances, schools are unable to hold their traditional ceremonies. BCSD is still hopeful that a ceremony at Bracewell Stadium can be held in July if restrictions are lifted. A specific date has not yet been selected due to a high level of uncertainty,” reads the BHS Facebook page.



Mary Hofmann has been in constant contact with other parents and the school board, trying to come up with a plan. Drive-through graduations, personal visits from the principal, and staggered commencements that limit the number of people in the building at the same time are just a few options.



“There are ways to do it,” she said.



BHS is also planning to festoon the school grounds with yard signs featuring photos of the graduating seniors.



The contrast between BHS’s plans and West Burlington High School is as stark as the divide that runs down the Hofmann family’s street — at least in the amount of detail provided. Located on the edge of West Burlington, one side of the street falls under West Burlington jurisdiction. The Hofmans fall on the Burlington side of the narrow lane.



West Burlington’s first graduation option has been set for June 20. If that doesn’t work, a postponement date has been set for July 25. A virtual commencement will be held in August if that falls through.



“We believe that holding an in-person ceremony is very important to our school community and we will strive to make that happen, even if in a limited (restricted) guest capacity,” West Burlington High School Principal Bruce Snodgrass said in a letter sent to parents and students.



Every school is handling graduation differently. Notre Dame, which has a small graduating class, is recognizing seniors at a 10:30 a.m. Baccalaureate Mass this Sunday, May 24, online. Each senior also has recorded personal videos that have been airing on Notre Dame school’s Facebook page.



Mediapolis is planning on having an in-person graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. on July 11. Danville High School has yet to publicly announce their plans.



Burlington’s virtual graduation ceremony will be live-streamed and broadcast on the district’s Mediacom channel. The ceremony will consist of videos from speakers, recordings of previous music performances, and slides of students.



Each student will be allotted two slides, a formal one containing their picture and a list of their accomplishments and extracurricular activities, and an informal one displaying a collage of senior-submitted photos.



Life moves fast for a teenager. The three siblings are bored and cooped-up, their social contact limited to their workplaces. All three are essential workers in Burlington, and that weighs heavy on Hofmann’s mind.



She wants them to have some kind of social release that emulates that final walk as a high school student. A chance for recognition, and a chance for the 2020 seniors to bid farewell to their classmates.



“We’ll have a party here,” she said, noting that all safety precautions would be followed.



Photo by Anthony Dewitt



Spencer Ellsworth, left, his twin sister Sidney Ellsworth, in the middle, and their stepbrother Brandon Hofmann, right, are shown in their caps and gowns. 



Area high schools are handing graduation differently due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and seniors have been forced to cope with being honored in a less traditional way.

Three BHS Siblings Hoping For More Than Virtual Commencement May Get Their Graduation Wish Afterall

Game Review by William Smith



My adoration for Michael Jackson’s music wasn’t uncommon. His fourth album, “Dangerous,” was the first CD I ever purchased. “Thriller,” still the best-selling album worldwide at 66 million copies, was my second.



I even purchased the incomparable feature-length music video “Moonwalker” on VHS, which the arcade and Sega Genesis are based on.



Ironically enough, working arcade versions of the Moonwalker arcade game aren’t nearly as common. Developed by Sega, the game’s arcade board ran on the company’s suicide battery, which rendered the game unplayable at the end of its lifespan.



Nothing truly dies in the digital age.



A typical beat-em-up with an a-typical, isometric perspective, the laughable lunacy that defined the music video is faithfully adapted here, to a disturbing degree. Jackson shoots blue lightning from his hands like a Sith Lord — your main means of attack. Reach a certain point in the game’s five, beautifully rendered (if annoyingly brief) levels, and he turns into a killer robot.



He later transforms into a futuristic (by 1980s standards) prototype sports car. Then a silver spaceship.



If you have a special attack stored up, Jackson forces all the on-screen baddies to dance with him in unison, causing them to explode. It’s usually to the strains of “Bad,” but there are some earlier songs in there too.



Like the majority of the gorgeous beat-em-ups that populated arcades at the time, the game ends 20 minutes after it starts. Mr. Big, portrayed by a cartoonishly top-knotted Joe Pesci, is finally vanquished.



It’s a blast while it lasts, lacking the challenge of a continuous system that would erase the player’s progress. Once you die, just pump in a few more quarters to pick up right where Michael and his chimpanzee Bubbles (who’s in the home version as well) left off. Each death replenishes your dance attack, layering the game with a macabre subtext that certainly wasn’t intended. Those moves are too slick not to die for.



Thanks to the modern conventions of the MAME arcade emulator, it doesn't cost anything to play now. And if that makes you feel guilty, just remember the arcade machine was designed with a timed kill switch, much like Jackson’s legacy.

Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker (Arcade, 1990)

By Beacon Staff



The Burlington Civic Music program is returning for its 91st season in September, bringing 10 diverse music performances to Memorial Auditorium and the Capitol Theater.



According to executive director Barbara McRoberts, eight of those shows will be at the auditorium, while the other two will take place at the Capitol Theater in downtown Burlington. The shows are scheduled through the end of 2020 and into 2021.



To ensure current seats or best seating at Memorial Auditorium, Burlington Civic Music is encouraging previous and new season subscribers to order their tickets now for the 2020-2021 season.



Prices for reserved season seats at the auditorium are $130 for the main floor, $115 for the first balcony, $115 for the second balcony, and $20 for students. The cost includes all 10 shows. Tickets for the two Capitol Theater shows can be purchases separately and are $20 for each show.



To order season tickets or for more information, call 319-752-0336 or email BurlingtonCivicMusic@gmail.com.



All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.



• Thursday, Sept. 17: Shaun Johnson Big Band and Tonic Sol-fa. Last seen and heard in Burlington in 1997, Shaun Johnson and Tonic Sol-fa are described as a “five-man swinging sensation.” His big-band experience is rare for traditional pop, fusing a big band spirit with an inventive edge. • Friday, Oct. 9: Gentri — The Gentlemen Trio. Gentri delivers a signature sound described as “cinematic pop.” That means arrangements with lush orchestrations and rich, dynamic three-part harmonies, combining classic hits with original songs. • Tuesday, Nov. 3: Dhamaal Dancers and Singers. This new show pays homage to the rich culture and traditions of India passed down through generations. Drawing on mythology, traditional dance, and a variety of Indian musical styles, these legendary dances tantalize senses with acrobatic flair and world-class music. • Saturday, Dec. 19: A Country Christmas With David Kroll. Civic Music welcomes David Kroll to the concert series as a vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader. Sporting a musical career that began in Burlington as a 16-year-old, Kroll moved to Nashville in 2007. A Burlington resident once again, his Country Christmas show has become an area favorite. Special guest Bethany Shane will join him. • Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021: Sultans of String. Riding a wave of international success, this Canadian string super-group combines acoustic strings with electronic wizardry. Their sonic tapestry of Spanish flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and gypsy-jazz fill the hall. This performance will take place at the Burlington Capitol Theater. • Monday, Feb. 8, 2021: “Wings” Dublin Irish Dance. Dazzling dance, theatrical performances, and the vibrant emotion of Celtic music. These world champion dancers and performers from Riverdance present a captivating portrayal of Irish culture. • Thursday, March 25, 2021: Catapult: Magic Shadows. Dancers transform their bodies into seemingly impossible shapes from the world around us. • Thursday, April 22, 2021: FLY Dance Company: The Gentlemen of Hip-Hop. Originally an experiment combining hip-hop movement with classical music by Antonio Vivaldi, the company crosses street dance with classical choreographic principles. Known for their high-energy performances, clever staging, and clean-cut artistry designed to cross all audience boundaries, FLY has trained and inspired a generation of dance students. • Monday, May 3, 2021; Chicago Harp Quartet. A leading harp ensemble in the U.S., Chicago Harp Quartet has played in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Ravinia Festival. • Saturday, May 15: The Texas Tenors. These classically trained and versatile tenors have become classic performers.



Besides their evening performances, five of the season’s artists will provide free hour-long student concerts on the same day as their shows. Adults must be accompanied by a student to attend.



All student concerts begin at 1 p.m. at the venues of their evening performances. This season’s student concerts are Shaun Johnson and Tonic Sol-fa, Gentri – The Gentlemen Trio, Sultans of String, Catapult: Magic Shadows, and FLY Dance Company.

Civic Music Bringing 10 Diverse Different Concerts to Burlington

By Beacon Staff



Two West Burlington men were arrested Tuesday for causing more than $10,000 worth of damage to 30 vehicles in the South Hill area of Burlington.



Jeremy Lee Hand, 20, and Xavier Zane Sourwine, 18, are charged with first-degree criminal mischief and are being held at the Des Moines County Correctional Center in Burlington on $25,000 bond pending a court appearance.



Lt. Wayne Thomson, who issued a press release Tuesday afternoon, did not specify the nature of the damage to the vehicles. Several complaints from residents in the area on April 19 led to an investigation by the Burlington Police Department and the eventual arrests.

West Burlington Men Damage 30 Burlington Vehicles, Held on $25,000 Bond

By Sandy Dockendorff and William Smith



Des Moines County’s sudden drop in COVID-19 cases Friday has been attributed to a reporting error by the Iowa State Health Department.



Seven cases originally coded to Des Moines County were supposed to be coded to the city of Des Moines in Polk County. Friday’s Des Moines County COVID-19 cases were adjusted from 46 to 39 to reflect the error correction.



But questions about which cases were misreported, and when those cases were reported, have yet to be answered.



The Des Moines County Health Department confirmed the reporting error Friday, but could not clarify if the incorrectly coded cases were reported in the past week, or earlier than that. The county’s COVID-19 cases increased from 31 at the beginning of last week to 46 on Thursday, before being corrected to 39 Friday.



Without further detail about the timing, it is unknown if Des Moines County saw a spike of 15 cases in the past week, or just eight. The Des Moines County Health Department did note on Friday that the situation in Des Moines County is very stable.



Meanwhile, a coronavirus outbreak of 22 people at a Wapello nursing home in Louisa County was confirmed Friday.



Wapello Specialty Care announced Friday that 10 residents of the facility have contracted COVID-19, as well as 12 employees. Identities of the patients won’t be released, but family members have been notified, as well as staff and residents.



“We have been and will continue to screen all staff at the beginning and end of their shift for signs and symptoms of COVID-19,” facility administrators said in a press release on Friday.



A case of Pediatric Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome was also reported in eastern Iowa Friday night by the Polk County Pediatric Medical Collaborative — the first in Iowa.



The syndrome is possibly connected to COVID-19, and an outbreak in New York has resulted in over 100 cases and at least three child deaths.



In addition to inflammation, symptoms include rash, abdominal pain, and vomiting.



Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addressed the inflammatory syndrome during her Friday morning press conference, saying no cases had yet been identified. That was several hours before the first case was reported later that night.



Overall, Iowa hospitalizations for COVID-19 have decreased in the past week. The Iowa Department of Health reported the fewest patients on ventilators Friday than at any time in the past two-and-a-half weeks. Half as many people were hospitalized between Thursday and Friday then from the previous 24-hour reporting period.



Coronavirus case numbers have not been updated by the health department as of Saturday morning. According to Friday’s numbers, 374 new cases were reported, 18 more have died, and 330 have recovered.

Seven COVID-19 Cases Accidentally Attributed To Des Moines County; Nursing Home Outbreak Reported in Wapello

By Beacon Staff



The local owners and managers of the Burlington Trailways motorcoach company are in Washington D.C. right now (May 13), driving around the nation’s capital with an urgent plea for help.



More than 1,000 bus drivers from 47 states drove across the country to join the “Motorcoach Rolling for Awareness.” That comes out to about nine miles of circling buses, participating in a mobile rally organized by the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association.



They are seeking $15 billion in government assistance to stay afloat during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, along with modifications to programs to support small businesses and their payrolls.



About 90 percent of bus operations throughout the country are small and family-owned (including the one in Burlington), and unlike airlines and cruise lines, those businesses were not singled out for financial assistance in the most recent coronavirus aid package.



Burlington Trailways executive assistant Nicole Fritz, president Ron Moore, executive vice president Matt Moore, and general manager Mark Moore arrived in Washington D.C. this morning and live-streamed the event on the company’s Facebook page.



The motorcoach industry employs 100,000 employees, and according to a press release, “do everything from evacuating victims of hurricanes and wildfires to transporting thousands of America’s military troops all around the nation.”



Though the motorcoach industry is comprised mostly of small businesses, their combined size is massive. Nearly 600 million motorcoach trips occur in the US each year, 100 million fewer than the domestic airline industry.

Burlington Trailways Owner Joins Washington D.C. Rally Asking for $15 Billion In Industry Aid

By Beacon Staff



Burlington is slowly chugging back to life, shimmying with the fits and starts of an economy primed by loosening restrictions.



That means in-person religious services are back in session, at least for one local entity.



Sporting the slogan “Hope Is Not Canceled,” the Burlington Salvation Army is holding its first in-person church service since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds put the state on partial lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).



The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday (May 17) at the Salvation Army Chapel inside the new headquarters building. Social distancing rules will apply. Those who feel ill are asked to stay home and live stream the service instead. Parishioners are asked to bring their Bible, even if it’s a digital phone version, to avoid sharing with others.



The Art Center



A few days later, The Art Center on Jefferson Street in Burlington will open its doors and host its first art exhibit since the partial lockdown — a showcase of paintings by Wisconsin artist “Oil Painter Annie.” The Art Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. next Saturday, May 23.



The exhibit, titled “Earthly Dreams and Tactile Skies,” will go up May 19 and stay on display through the end of the month. Social distancing rules apply, and patrons are encouraged to wear masks inside the building.



Other aspects of local life are stirring more slowly and uncertainly, or in some cases, not at all.



Des Moines County Courthouse



The Des Moines County Courthouse remains closed to the public, though services are available by appointment, via phone, or online. Reynolds has not issued guidance on when courthouses may reopen. In-person hearings at the courthouse in downtown Burlington are expected to resume in June, with trials to return in mid-July.



The Social Security office also remains closed for face-to-face appointments but can be contacted via phone or email.



Burlington Public Library



The Burlington Public Library remains open digitally, but for now, there is no set date for the building to open the public.



In a statement issued Wednesday, library officials said they are working toward that reopening.



“As the state begins a reopening process, your Burlington Public Library staff is retrofitting our spaces to meet social distancing guidelines, ensuring we have the necessary protective equipment, sanitizing supplies, updating procedures in place for your protection, and preparing new low- and no-contact service models,” the statement reads.



County Fair



As of now, the Des Moines County Fair, as well as the Lee County Fair, are still on track for mid-summer. Applications for fair queen contestants are already being accepted for both fairs.



But as fair organizers noted, that could change quickly, depending on guidance from the state. The governor said she has yet to decide county fairs or the Iowa State Fair.



Great River Medical Center



Though Great River Medical Center in West Burlington never fully closed, other aspects of hospital services that were suspended will resume this weekend. That includes outpatient occupational, physical and speech therapy, mammography, and DEXA bone-density screening. Elective surgeries and dentist appointments were allowed starting three weeks ago.



“Our plan is to reopen services slowly,” said GRMC Chief of Clinical Operations Teresa Colgan. “Following CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines, we will maintain social distancing by staggering appointments to reduce the number of patients in waiting rooms, and seating will be at least six feet apart.”



Masks are required.



IAAAP Memorial Day Service



The annual military service to honor America’s fallen veterans at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant has been canceled due to the pandemic, though plant officials are offering an alternative to the service.



Lt. Colonel Eric J. Schilling will be available to meet with families for a moment of remembrance on Thursday, May 21, anytime between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Families who wish to join Schilling at IAAAP’s Eagle Park Memorial, located just inside Gate 4 in Middletown, are asked to RSVP to (319) 753-7001 by Tuesday, May 19.



Participating families will be required to adhere to all COVID-19 precautions currently in place at IAAAP. That includes wearing cloth face masks/coverings, complying with visitor temperature checks, and practicing social distancing.



The Mall



Westland Mall in West Burlington was allowed to re-open last Friday, but few businesses inside were ready to follow suit that same weekend.



That has changed over the past week, and even more, businesses are expected to reopen in the mall over the next week. That includes mall anchor store Marshall’s, which is expected to reopen Monday, May 18.



The theater will not reopen, and at this time, Gov. Reynolds has not provided a date as to when theaters will be allowed to show movies again. A list of mall openings, which is constantly in flux, is available on the Westland Mall Facebook page.



Patrons are encouraged to wear a mask, and mall-walking is still suspended.



Pzazz Entertainment Complex



Per the governor’s orders, casinos, bars (that don’t serve food), arcades, and other amusements will stay closed, including Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity.



Local Restaurants



Though some Des Moines County restaurants will be opening their dining areas to 50 percent capacity this week, several with smaller dining areas will not. That includes downtown eateries such as La Tavola, Napoli’s, and Orange Ember, all of which will offer food remotely. Bent River Brewing will also keep its dining area closed.



Closures and reopenings for locals restaurants shift daily, and most establishments provide updates on their respective Facebook pages.



Beacon File Photo



Westland Mall in West Burlington is shown on April 12 during a drive-and-park Easter service.

"Hope Is Not Canceled” Businesses, Organizations Reopen With An Eye Toward Safety

Column by William Smith



Before Jon Billups became mayor and I ascended to City Editor of The Burlington Beacon, we worked together at Burlington’s oldest newspaper.



Billups was the maniacally positive circulation manager, I was a shy but steady reporter, and our desks were nowhere near each other. But he frequently found occasion to chat me up, as he did with everyone in the building.



Those brief conversations usually revolved around video games.



I wrote a weekly video game column for the newspaper for more than 13 years, and Billups would occasionally stop by the desk for general advice. Asking questions like, “Should I put a PlayStation 3 or an Xbox 360 in my boat cabin?”



It wasn’t that unusual. Just as most moviegoers aren’t hardcore cinephiles (nor should they be), most past or current gamers are everyday folks with a passing interest in a time-consuming hobby.



After writing a review for the recently reissued 1983 LaserDisc arcade game “Dragon’s Lair,” Billups approached me with a confession.



He was a hardcore “Dragon’s Lair” player back in ‘83.



I was floored. This was a much bigger commitment than buying a used PlayStation 3 for the occasional game of Madden football.



Consisting entirely of lush cartoon animation by Don Bluth (of “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Secret of NIMH" fame) the game was a revelation for the “Pac-Man” era of gaming, or so I’ve read. I was 3-years-old at the time.



It’s also damn difficult — nearly impossible for a softened, post-Atari gamer like me. I muddled my way along, abusing modern conventions like on-screen prompts and unlimited continues to survive. To this day, it’s one of the trippiest, most breathtaking pieces of visual media I’ve encountered.



The sequel not so much. But it’s still a fun romp.



Billups downloaded “Dragon’s Lair” on his phone after reading my review, presumably kicking much more ass at it than I. Considering every continues cost him 50 cents a pop back in ‘83 (twice the price of most arcade games at the time), he had no choice but to hone his teenage skills.



A few months later, former city councilwoman Annie Wilson approached me with her own confession. She’s a longtime fan of the “Fallout” video game series, a much more modern mix of first-person-shooting and role-playing set in a nuclear ravaged America.



Once again, I was pleasantly stunned. I’ve been reviewing “Fallout” games for more than a decade.



I thought these all-encompassing experiences were mostly for nerdy neck-beards like me, rather than local politicians who frequent the headline. I had been blinded by cynicism.



It’s been far too long since I’ve regularly written about video games, and it would be a mistake to assume the hobby revolves only around the newest releases. Nearly everyone has a favorite arcade or console game that briefly consumed them over the past 30 years, from Nintendo to PlayStation.



Starting Saturday, The Burlington Beacon’s website will feature a fresh, capsule-size review of a classic video game, every day. I possess a library of more than 1,200 retro games to choose from, minus the stinkers that wasted your parent’s money.



We’ll run the first seven-game reviews concurrently on our Facebook page. Both are free to access, but I’m not anxious to clutter our Facebook news coverage beyond the first week.



I’ve shamelessly loaded the deck this first week with arcade adaptations of classic popcorn films that speak to my generation – “Hook,” “Willow,” “Batman,” “Robocop,” “Aliens,” and the supremely odd, “Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker,” to name most of them.



Somewhere, buried deep inside your forgotten memories, likely resides a seasoned arcade cask bursting with similar digital nostalgia. I’m going to do my best to dig it out, no matter how many years it takes.

Video Game Confessions Of The Burlington City Council

By Jeff Abell



Anyone who has met Kali Eastin of Burlington knows her optimism and enthusiasm are infectious. Through her business, she has changed minds and opened hearts by helping people embrace a positive body image.



Eastin, who owns Kalioke Movement Lounge, preaches the gospel of positivity through fitness that feeds the mind, body, and spirit. Eastin is no stranger to having a negative body image, a situation faced by many. It is something she has worked hard to overcome and it has become her mission to help others do the same.



"There is no one perfect size. We all have completely different bodies which makes us all beautiful," Eastin said. "Learning to love your body can be a difficult journey, but people need to know they can get there. Our goal is to put out a message of body acceptance."



The Kalioke Movement Lounge was born out of a desire to provide people an alternative to a singular-focused fitness approach to health. Eastin set out to build a community that could act as a support network beyond the limits of a typical gym.



"A lot of what I do here is to build a community of people, a support network for people to maintain wellness. Physical exercise is only one part of being healthy," Eastin said, adding mental and spiritual health are as important as physical exercise to a person's overall health.



Her studio's name reflects Eastin's love of singing (including Karaoke) and the importance of movement to wellness. The "lounge" part of the name represents the communal, relaxed atmosphere of her Burlington studio.



"Movement is so important to our overall health. We want to provide a relaxed, lighthearted environment free of body shame or guilt," she said. "The best part about it, though, isn't the physical benefits of movement. but the sense of community."



Eastin offers Pound fitness as part of her wellness program. Pound fitness is a combination of cardio and weight training exercise that includes some of the rhythmic techniques used in pilates. Colorful, light-weight drumsticks add an element of fun while helping exercisers count out the length of time they hold certain positions. Her studio also offers yoga, trauma-informed care, and functional training classes.



Through her studio at 2825 Mount Pleasant St., Eastin has created a trauma-informed space to discover and explore joy in movement. In doing so, she has created a community full of trust and understanding.



The community of encouragement she has built often spills out from the four walls of her studio onto the sidewalk — members write inspirational messages in chalk. One message, in particular, hit home for Eastin.



"One day I went to the studio and saw someone had written 'safe space.' (in chalk). I got tears in my eyes knowing someone felt that way," she said.



Eastin said keeping people motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle has been a challenge during a time of social distancing and social isolation amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Through Zoom classes and other means of distance instruction, which Eastin admits is not as fun as in-person instruction, she has kept her community of members motivated.



"We rely on the internet more," Eastin said. "It gives people a way to stay connected; it helps them maintain a support network."



For her friends and students, Eastin is more than just an instructor — she is an inspiration, which is something her friend, Lucy Miller, noted when she nominated Eastin for The Beacon's Everday Heroes story series.



"She can often be heard saying, 'Listen to your body.' She wants you to do your best, not what the most capable in the class does. She is great at helping you modify the workout to suit your situation."



Miller added: "She wants you to feel included, regardless of those capabilities or inabilities. She preaches that all bodies are worth loving and should feel joy in movement."



Always humble, Eastin credits her students for making her studio an inclusive, positive space. Every day, she said, she feels honored to be a part of her students' lives.



"I'm a small voice and sometimes I don't realize people are listening," she said. "Honestly, it's a privilege for me to be able to do this, to help others."



Editor's Note: Everyday Heroes is an ongoing series featuring people who make a difference in our community. If you want to nominate someone for a story, contact us at burlingtonbeacon@gmail.com or message us on Facebook.)



Photo by Anthony Dewitt



Kali Eastin, the owner of Kalioke Movement Lounge, has made it her mission to promote wellness — mind, body, and spirit. She offers Pound fitness, which incorporates colorful sticks as part of the exercise routine. Students often leave encouraging messages in chalk at her Burlington studio.

A Positive Voice For Positive Body Image

Photos by Jeff Abell



The Jefferson Street Farmers Market returned Thursday, albeit not on Jefferson Street. The market was held at the Harmony Bible Church parking lot (the former Tom’s Market) and was smaller in scale to comply with restrictions imposed by the state to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).



Photo 1: Julie Schroer, who is wearing a protective mask, bags up homemade dog treats at the farmers market. Schroer owns Breezy's Biscuits 'n' Barks based out of Mount Pleasant, and she makes a variety of dog treats.

Farmers Market Returns

By Beacon Staff



Malls, retail stores, tanning facilities, dentists, and campgrounds in Des Moines County were allowed to reopened to the public on Friday after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds eased COVID-19 restrictions.



All businesses must follow social distancing guidelines, increased hygiene practices, and not go over 50 percent capacity. There have been 11,059 confirmed positive cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa, with 4,266 people recovered and 231 deaths.



Photo 1 by Jeff Abell



The "open" sign is placed on the door at B-Town Comics and Games. The store reopened on Friday and will operate with shorter hours for the next few weeks. All retail stores are taking the necessary precautions to protect customers and employees.

It's Back To Business For Some Retail Stores, Albeit At A Safe Distance

By Beacon Staff



Malls, retail stores, tanning facilities, dentists, and campgrounds throughout the state will have the option of reopening to the public this Friday.



A revised order issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday eases restrictions in the 22 counties (including Des Moines County) currently under stricter rules than the rest of the state. The order does not mention easing restrictions on restaurants, salons, and tattoo parlors.



Local businesses such as B-Town Comics and Games, Weird Harold’s, Myrtle Vera’s Hallmark, and BOLD Beauty Bar are some of the first Burlington establishments to announce their reopening Friday, and others likely will follow. BOLD Beauty Bar will only be open for tanning.



Medical spas that provide aesthetic medical services, such as laser hair removal, acupuncture, and Botox injections, also will be allowed to reopen.



But there are restrictions, depending on the types of business. All businesses will have to follow social distancing guidelines, increased hygiene practices, and not go over 50 percent capacity.



Following The Rules



Reynolds was in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to meet with President Donald Trump and update him about Iowa's response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed 219 Iowans and infected 10,404 as of Wednesday.



The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced it will only re-open state campgrounds to campers with tents, pop-up campers, or RVs with a functioning, self-contained bathroom. Playgrounds, rental lodges, shelter houses, cabins, and visitor centers will remain closed. Beaches will be open but monitored closely. Communal picnic tables will be available to use at campers’ “own risk.”



The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Some Des Moines County Businesses Reopening to The Public

By Beacon Staff



Shearer’s Foods on Friday has officially confirmed the second case of COVID-19 at its West Burlington plant, according to a company official.



In a press release on Friday, a Shearer’s Foods official said the second employee who was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19 )contracted the virus from a non-employee. A second positive case was confirmed in April by employees who wished to remain anonymous. Company officials have not acknowledged if the case announced Friday was the same individual.



Kimberly Davenport, corporate director of Shearer’s Snacks corporate office in Massilon, Ohio, said the second individual has agreed to self-quarantine for 14 days. Company officials did not say when the second employee was tested or when they became ill.



Friday's official confirmation comes a month after the first case was announced by Shearer’s Foods. Davenport said that person has fully recovered from COVID-19.



Regarding the second confirmed case, Davenport said: “The team member did not come in contact with the product and there is no food safety risk. People who have been asked by the company to stay at home in quarantine, under an abundance of caution, will continue to receive pay and benefits during their quarantine period."

Shearer’s Foods Officially Confirms Second COVID-19 Case

By William Smith



Thirteen-year-old Mason Roberts was a gentleman beyond his years, ensuring everyone around him was happy and comfortable — even when he was dying.



Before being confined to a hospital room at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Mason was a student at Danville Community School. But he didn’t need a classroom to satiate his thirst for history. His final wish facilitated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation was to visit Pearl Harbor.



Mason never got to make that trip. He died on April 30.



Before he passed, Mason asked that his sister Alexis — the mother hen who watched over him with the same passion as their parents — would get the wish instead.



On his final day, every Iowa City doctor who treated Mason visited him one final time. His kindness and intelligence turned him into somewhat of a celebrity at the hospital, and he handled it with the humility he was known for.



Further exemplifying that classic definition of a true gentleman, Mason sat up in his bed and waved at each of them individually, acknowledging their presence.



Danville residents and much of the surrounding community said goodbye to Mason during a public memorial service on Friday in the tiny town’s park, the circumstances and delivery as unique as Mason’s disease — and the boy himself.



Since birth, Mason struggled with the extremely rare lymphatic disease KLA (Kaposiform Lymphangiomatosis). His was one of 50 cases in the country, and it took his voice shortly before his death. During a brief respite from his silence, he sang his favorite song “American Pie," which was performed live at his funeral service.



Due to social distancing restrictions concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, all attendees except close family and friends attended the service from the seat of their cars. More than 100 vehicles gathered tightly in Danville Park, directed by Des Moines County Sheriff deputies who acted as vehicle ushers. A low band radio station acted as the amplifier.



Many attendees wore green T-shirts with a drawing of Yoda from “Stars Wars” on the front, a tribute to Mason’s love for the series. His obsession with George Lucas’s fictional word transcended the movies and TV shows, delving into the massive line of literature that populates the Stars Wars universe.



As the Rev. Clay Baker pointed out during the service, Mason was impossible to beat at Star Wars trivia. Thanks to the vast amount of storage space in his ever-curious brain, Mason was hard to beat at any kind of trivia, especially in history.



Never complaining or showing others his pain, Mason was only allowed to see one of his parents at a time due to pandemic restrictions. But on his birthday, two weeks before his death, Mason got a surprise far more substantial than the slushy he asked for. Both his parents were able to visit at the same time, as well as his grandparents.



Mason cried with joy, Baker said.



One of his final requests was to see his sister. He knew he would be leaving her soon, though his fear was largely abated by his faith in God and the afterlife.



His voice down to a croak, he whispered his favorite Dr. Seuss quote.



“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” Mason told her.

The Boy With The Heart Of A Hero: Danville Residents Say Goodbye to Mason Roberts

By Beacon Staff



The Burlington Public Library never really closed.



In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, most businesses have temporarily closed their doors to public access, including the library. However, that doesn't mean the services provided by the library have been shuttered as well.



“Before we closed the doors, we asked the public, ‘What can we do for you?’ ” said Samantha Helmick, public services librarian.



The answer was a little bit of everything so the library adjusted accordingly. The budget has been shifted toward more digital books, given physical copies can’t be checked out right now. Ancestry tracking tools formerly only available within the library are now available online.



And coming soon, Helmick said, the library will offer a way to access the building’s massive newspaper archive online.



“We’ve also upped our free music and movie streaming,” Helmick said.



Most only think of services like Netflix when streaming movies and TV shows, but there are also several free services interrupted by ads.



But as many library regulars will attest, checking out books and other resources is just one function of the library. Children's storytime has continued online, as have classes and meetings.



In a self-isolating world where even the most media averse citizens are looking for ways to pass the time in isolation, libraries are becoming a digital oasis in the sea of boredom.



Unlike most other services, the library is completely free. Thanks to the new online library card service, locals can immediately get access by filling out a form online. Anyone living in Burlington, West Burlington, Middletown, or rural Des Moines County is eligible to get a Burlington library card, and more than 70 people have taken advantage so far.



Before closing, an average day at the library saw 577 people come through the doors, three classes being held, and 18 meeting room reservations.



The best thing about the library, other than it being free, is the unprecedented privacy in a digital world dominated by advertising.



“We are one of the few places left where they (advertisers) can’t track your data,” Helmick said. “I hope there is a renaissance in the library.”



Helmick, along with library director Rhonda Frevert, has become one of the faces of the library over the past decade. She uses the library resources far more than most patrons, and online access has been a godsend for her as she works from home.



Helmick may be a semi-public figure, but like everyone else, she’s struggling internally while projecting positivity externally. She misses her friends. She misses her community. She talks with them nearly every day, though the intimacy of personal space is no longer allowed.



It’s the uncertainty that bothers Helmick the most. Not knowing when things will return to normal, or if they ever will. She’s eternally grateful to all the regular library patrons for their personal messages of thanks and support.



“I’ve been overwhelmed my entire life by the support from our community,” she said.



Checking Out Books



The Digital Burlington Public Library can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.burlington.lib.ia.us%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3_EqRgX9Xy497qZBLDh31Aa2SvUdsClaWcM3im8zCKyDaFdniSeM0CHg0&amp;h=AT23E8LvQOiTBNLmulv_YIIN1sWk6j9o8USylwuZpLfR_-hQ18xibqYKaaBraHQwlKaJHQjf4JpP3udVvxLHah4l75NCKvjTcMlUDMktkdW9gvAyV-uyarcETFgQl0gUfegJVoaiYKRm5eYMoT7pBUP2fyuawxi0rWcF8DuvJEQS2qRpAtC-LDvWbsTXbKyMW9cM0bqxCuOSota9zlEcjIFzs36kfgJXBaum3s4GlgyVdTU5xMHYeZXYH_bGXsht9nyNKgucHx7-T-WfvYv14eFefJiMUBGKuzJ2r8-tUMmhAHhwxbmk4WapLKhQCTct3EWXlBlnGypiQ_ZZcasoYPXdWY-ezTxAk1GSSa2EDhHenW2yoxJpQJdR11zLSTiZoBOJM6HVfZH2eNLfN2uD7R41sMjRw8V6uUvlRxEdkb59qvRzKdTYyoxVWz_EKzyqG0W3Lp-dqifvUum-xXUE_gD-iLU0-PwZh_qZqvf6IVcBS3mYiiTIhIh-pt4R4TE-ZMaVsWtNMTj0VCqETISwjn8SPzZVWQXsv5g5stmXY3dcxfhAopamJnDzZsshyOvGjAcQRLwOgkYJ1kc_4iuXuvCSDqkopuet4gG9t2cN74DW0H1cFwodQAyVKn167aUPYVR8CGAR30VTsgthfZLZe0s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.burlington.lib.ia.us.</a>



Use the Click.Learn.Play tab to find links to download ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines, to stream music and movies, to research local and family history, to learn a new language, to repair your car, and much more. You even can get one-on-one online tutoring.



You can also surf the Internet from the Burlington Public Library’s parking lot using Wi-Fi. The password is posted on the building.



Virtual Classes



The Wiggle Time classes for kids are being held online, with up to 150 people watching live.



The library also offers Zoom classes. These require participants to be able to download an app and work best if everyone has audio and video options. A smartphone can work. The staff members presenting the class can even interact with the participants.



The library’s Babygarten program is using the Zoom format as well, as well as a short Yoga class with a literary bent on Facebook every Monday morning.



Zoom classes are being held in partnership with local teachers and are also being used for the TICOS teen group and a teen book club. Helmick has kept the monthly Beyond the Book Club going with a virtual meeting, and Louis Blythe converted her Straw Bale gardening class to offer it online. The library’s Kindness Club has launched on Facebook as well.



A Live, Online Library Schedule



• Monday: Wiggle Time on Zoom is at 10 a.m.; Facebook Yoga is at noon. • Wednesday: 4 p.m. is Wiggle Time Facebook Live is 4 p.m.; Babygarten on Zoom is at 5:30 p.m. • Thursday: 10 a.m. – Babygarten on Zoom is at 10 a.m.; Storytime on Facebook Live is at 4 p.m.



You can contact the library with questions or for technical support, schedule a virtual one-on-one session, or ask for digital materials suggestions. Call the library at (319) 753-1647 (messages are checked regularly), email them at iowabpl@gmail.com, or message the library on social media.



“We are here for you,” Helmick said.



Photo of Sam Helmick by Joy Mack

No Building Required for Burlington Public Library During Coronavirus Crisis

By Beacon Staff



A Sunday afternoon fire resulted in smoke damage and no injuries, according to fire officials.



At 3:22 p.m. Sunday, firefighters responded to a call of smoke coming from a basement at 708 Spring St. in Burlington. At the scene, firefighters encountered light smoke, located a fire in a clothes dryer, and quickly extinguished it.



The single-family home, owned by Sidney Carter, sustained smoke damage and the clothes dryer was a total loss. Abby Ramirez was home at the time of the fire. Ramirez and her three cats were able to escape unharmed, fire officials said in a press release on Monday. The home did have working smoke detectors.



The fire was caused by a mechanical malfunction inside of the clothes dryer. A total of 10 on-duty Burlington firefighters responded to the fire and were assisted by seven West Burlington firefighters responding on automatic aid. The Burlington Police Department also assisted at the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene until 4:28 p.m. Sunday.

Occupant and Pets Escape Fire Unharmed

By Beacon Staff



It was understandably slow Friday when Chase Gibb reopened the dine-in portion of his Buffalo61 Bar and Grille restaurant in Fort Madison.



It had been more than 40 days since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds shuttered dine-in options at restaurants and non-essential businesses in an attempt to slow the wave of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Reynolds eased restrictions in 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties on May 1, including Lee County but not Des Moines County.



“I think people were a little bit nervous the first day,” Gibb said.



Any qualms potential diners may have had about dining out Friday had disappeared by Saturday. Hours were limited, but business was hopping.



“We were full almost the entire time,” Gibb said.



By “full,” Gibb means at half-capacity. That’s the most allowable under the governor’s new guidelines, which Gibb keeps posted on the wall as a reference for his mask-clad servers.



“It was a little bit overwhelming because our take-out remained just as busy,” Gibb said.



Given the divisive nature of Reynold’s decision to reopen many of Iowa’s dining rooms, Gibb was ready for anything. Locals who might give him an earful for opening too early. Reluctant shut-ins who might not follow social distancing rules in their giddiness to rejoin public life.



He didn’t get any of that.



“The only thing that happened, one table of people seated themselves and tried to sit down next to another table,” Gibb said.



Instead of resistance, Gibb garnered appreciation — not only from Lee County residents but from that outside of the county. Groups of diners from as far away as Knoxville, Ill., we're anxious to dine.



One customer, tired of his wife’s cooking, drove more than 100 miles to eat at the restaurant.



“I was surprised by the number of people bringing children in, which is fine, as long as they’re following guidelines,” he said.



A DIFFERENT WAY OF DINING IN



Despite the booming business, residual effects of the pandemic can be felt at every corner of the restaurant. Social distancing rules leave every other table empty. Patrons can sit at the bar but must remain six-feet apart — essentially limiting seating to three-at-a-time.



Hand-sanitizer bottles are stationed at every table, while napkin holders, ketchup bottles, and other condiments aren’t allowed. Waitstaff brings out ketchup packets, and no pitchers are used for refilling drinks.



Alcohol can be served without issue, as long as the establishment isn’t strictly a bar, and customers can stay as long as they like after eating if they would like drinks. There’s no mandate against that, Gibb said.



The cleaning and disinfecting process were laborious, but not much beyond the cleanliness standards Gibb maintains. Staff was more nervous about actually getting back into the flow, he said.



“I told them, other than the masks and the social distancing, this what you guys do every day,” he said. “They have always kept it clean.”



Gibb said the biggest difficulty was getting some employees back to work, given the extra $600 a week they were receiving in unemployment benefits.



Aside from five primary mandates, Reynolds also issued 21 suggested courses of action that Gibb has taken to heart. He said the biggest hindrance has been Reynolds’ suggestion that customers make reservations.



Given the small number of customers he’s legally allowed to have inside, Gibb said the combination of reservations and drop-ins led to overcrowding. To avoid gatherings, Gibb has customers wait in their vehicles, taking down license plate numbers so servers can bring them back inside when a table opens.



KEEPING BUSINESS ALIVE IN A LOCKDOWN



Though dining rooms in Iowa haven’t been open for more than a month, Gibb never closed his doors to take-out or delivery. He continually ran homespun ads and promotions on Facebook for all of his restaurants, including Coal Haus 337 and The Buffalo Tavern in Burlington.



Gibb also drummed up $8,000 in donations via Facebook, allowing his staff to deliver free pizzas to essential workers. Word of mouth has been good, bringing in customers who have never tried a coal-fired pizza.



“That (the expanded customer base) is going to pay off four or five years from now,” he said.



Coal Haus 337 and The Buffalo Tavern have yet to reopen their dining areas, per the governor’s orders. In Des Moines County, restrictions on restaurants and other businesses are in effect until at least May 15.



Gibb said the re-launch of Buffalo61 has served as a good template for reopening dine-in service at his other restaurants, adding: “I feel like I have a leg up."



Photo by Joy Mack



Buffalo61 Bar and Grille restaurant in Fort Madison reopened its doors to dine-in customers on May 1 after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ease restrictions on some businesses in 77 counties. Twenty-two counties, including Des Moines County, remain on restrictions imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19 until at least May 15.

Restaurant Reopens Doors To Public After COVID-19 Restrictions Eased

By Beacon Staff



A three-person civil service commission has unanimously affirmed Des Moines County Sheriff's Mike Johnstone's decision to fire deputy Al Waterman.



Waterman, an 18-year-law enforcement veteran who sits on the West Burlington City Council and formerly served with the West Burlington Police Department, was terminated April 8 by Johnstone. He was the school resource officer at Mediapolis High School until his termination.



The Des Moines County Civil Service Commission announced the decision Monday afternoon via a YouTube live stream, finding Waterman had committed insubordination, breach of integrity, failure to report the misconduct of another deputy, and unprofessional conduct.



The commission said Waterman isn’t subject to further punishment beyond his termination. Monday’s decision simply affirmed the decision of the sheriff’s department.



During testimony at a hearing last week, Waterman said his termination stemmed from a text message he sent to fellow Des Moines County Deputy Corey Whitaker on Feb. 12. In the text, Waterman told Whitaker that three anonymous sources claimed he had run three temporary stop signs at the Mediapolis High School. Waterman said he asked Whitaker to comply with school safety regulations.



Waterman later said the anonymous sources were students who did not want to self-identify. He testified last week that he didn’t want to betray that trust, so he declined to provide additional information to his supervisor.



Though Waterman was dinged by the commission for not reporting the alleged misconduct to his superior, members also noted it was “admirable” that he did not try to make the issue a bigger deal.



However, it was his conduct during the subsequent investigation by the sheriff’s department that proved most troubling to commission members, including a changing account of what happened.



Though Waterman initially said three people saw Whitaker roll through three stop signs by Mediapolis High School, he later said he personally observed one of the violations.



During an interview on Feb. 25, Waterman said Whitaker’s infraction actually took place two or three weeks before Feb. 12. Waterman said he had forgotten about the incident until Feb. 12, when he finally looked at the video and warned Whitaker.



It was the first time Waterman had mentioned that the traffic incidents took place weeks earlier, which made it impossible to review the video of the alleged incidents. The school’s video hard drive is erased every two weeks to prevent it from filling, meaning there is no longer video of the incident.



Though Waterman had never been reprimanded before, the commission found his story to be too inconsistent. They concurred with the sheriff's office that Waterman either exaggerated or fabricated the incident.



Waterman is a Republican candidate for Des Moines County Sheriff, and the commission’s findings will have no bearing on his legitimacy for the office.

Commission Says Termination of Former Deputy Justified

By Beacon Staff



Wendi Riggins of Burlington never had a cough.



A dry cough is one of the primary symptoms of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and though Riggins feared she may have been infected, she told herself she was probably being paranoid.



But her week-long fever just wouldn’t break.



“It felt like a sinus infection,” she said.



When she lost her sense of taste and smell, another symptom of COVID-19, Riggins grew more concerned. She’s a type 1 diabetic, has two children at home, and a husband who qualifies as an essential worker — he’s a delivery driver.



To complicate matters, Riggins has been sewing masks for the general public for the past few weeks, often working 12 hours a day at her sewing machine. Her stomach dropped in fear, her worries multiplied by the possibility of infecting someone else.



“When I started, I had a waiting list 400 or 500 deep,” she said.



Riggin has produced 2,700 masks so far, and though she’s meticulous about keeping clean surfaces and hands, she sat on her couch and cried at the possibility she may have infected someone.



She contacted every client she could, one-by-one, to let them know she had contracted COVID-19. She stopped making masks as soon as she was diagnosed on May 1, and will be self-isolating for the next two weeks.



Thankfully, Riggins said, she is suffering from more minor symptoms, although she’s been sick for two weeks now.



“I’m still tired. Really tired. If I don’t take a nap in the middle of the day, I hit a wall,” she said.



The Long Journey To A COVID-19 Test



Riggins had been sick for more than a week before she could get tested, and spent much of that time trying to track down a corona test. She took the TestIowa test online, which said she qualified for a coronavirus test in Des Moines.



“I wasn’t going to drive three hours for a test,” she said. “I called and asked if there was any other way I could get tested, and they didn’t have anything for me.”



Riggins figured she was being overly cautious and is no stranger to sinus infections. She was diagnosed with Influenza B in February, which has nothing to do with COVID-19.



“That was way worse. It was horrible,” she said.



But still, she insisted, asking friends and relatives how she could get tested. It was the simplest suggestion that turned out to be the right one.



Why not go to Illinois? Riggins found out through a friend that Eagle View Community Health System in Oquawka, Ill., was providing testing, so she set up a teleconference appointment with a doctor.



“I was really nervous. Do they even test people from Iowa in Illinois?” she said.



Not only does the Eagle View Community Health System test anyone from anywhere, but the doctor also encouraged Riggins to make an appointment. Eagle View has a drive-by testing site at a nearby produce stand, so she didn’t even have to leave her car.



“They were wearing PPE equipment from head to toe, and they came to my window,” she said.



It was just as painful and awkward as she had read on the internet. The swab isn’t as soft as it looks. It feels more like a steel rod, she said, and it didn’t fit into her nose properly the first time.



“It felt like it was going into the back of my skull,” she said. “My nose didn’t feel normal for half-an-hour afterward.”



Three days later, Riggins got a call confirming she was infected, making her the 17th diagnosed case of COVID-19 in Des Moines County. She likely would have just hunkered down and not pursued a test at all, if she hadn’t been making the masks.



“I was very on the fence about the test. I convinced myself I was fine,” she said. “After I left the test, I felt bad for wasting their time but they were wonderful.”



Riggins had to put her photography business on hold as the pandemic began. Her children had to put their school lives on hold, too. And now her husband has to stay home from work as he self-quarantines with the family.



It’s a small price to pay, Riggins said, to possibly save a life or two. She just hopes it’s not too late.



“I’m not a fan of the way (Gov.) Reynolds has handled this. I should have never had to cross the river to get tested. I have too many friends who are immunocompromised or cancer survivors,” she said.



Photos courtesy of Wendi Riggins



Wendi Riggins of Burlington has been diagnosed with COVID-19. She was tested in Illinois and is self-isolating with her family.

Burlington Woman Tests Positive for COVID-19 But Had To Get Tested in Illinois

By Beacon Staff



The ninth annual Snake Alley Festival of Film has been delayed due to coronavirus.



The four-day festival, consisting of dozens of short films from around the world, was originally scheduled for June.



Festival director Tadd Good announced the postponement via Facebook. The short film extravaganza will now take place from July 30 through Aug. 2, and will still be held at The Capitol Theater.



“The health and safety of our audience members, filmmakers, and staff remain our top priority as we continue to pursue our mission to showcase the best short films and screenplays from around the world,” Good said in the post.



Previous iterations of the event have hosted from 80 to over 100 short films, screened in all-day film blocks. The festival always culminates in an award ceremony on the final night.

Snake Alley Festival of Film Delayed To Late July

By Beacon Staff



According to the command staff of the Des Moines County Sheriff’s office, nobody wanted to fire deputy Al Waterman.



During the second and final day of a Civil Service Commission hearing regarding Waterman’s April 8 termination, fellow officers Kevin Glendening, Sgt. Brad Siegfried and Chief Deputy Brett Grimshaw testified on Thursday to that fact.



“We talked numerous times, how can we retain Al? But there were some serious trust issues among the command staff, and we’re in a small office. If we can’t trust someone in our own office, the public won’t trust us,” Siegfried said.



Waterman was the school resource officer for Mediapolis School District until his termination. He testified his termination stemmed from a text message he sent to sheriff's deputy Cory Whitaker — the school resource officer for the Danville Community School District.



In the text message sent Feb. 12, Waterman told Whitaker that three anonymous sources claimed he had run three temporary stop signs at the Mediapolis school.



Waterman, who has been a deputy for almost 18 years, said the students did not want to self-identify, so he kept their identities anonymous. He testified Wednesday that he didn’t want to betray that trust, so he declined to provide additional information to his supervisor.



Video Evidence of Infraction No Longer Exists



A school surveillance video of Whitaker at one of the school stop signs was shown in court both days of the hearing. The low frame-rate, equaling one image per second, made it impossible to determine if Whitaker ran a stop sign.



However, since the video is from Feb. 12, it has no bearing on the hearing. Waterman initially indicated the infraction happened Feb. 12. He later said the violations took place two or three weeks prior.



By the time the investigation began and Lt. Clint Williams had the proper timeline, the video was recorded over with new footage since those recordings are reset every two weeks.



Lt. Chad McCune, Waterman's supervisor, said his story changed from Whitaker running three stop signs to two stop signs and claims Waterman told him he witnessed Whitaker roll past one of the stop signs. Waterman testified he only saw the traffic infraction on the school video.



Attorney Raises Conflict Of Interest Concerns



Curt Dial, the attorney representing Waterman, had some pointed questions for Glendening.



Like Waterman, Glendening is running for Des Moines County sheriff. The current sheriff, Mike Johnstone, is retiring at the end of the year. Glendening also wrote a letter recommending the firing of Waterman, even though he wasn’t one of the internal investigators.



Dial asked Glendening if he thought the competing campaigns were a conflict of interest.



"No, I don’t think so," Glendening said.



Dial also noted that Waterman’s supervisor and the first officer to investigate the matter, McCune, publicly supports Glendening’s run for sheriff.



Johnstone said Thursday the names of the witnesses, which he doesn’t believe exist, aren’t important.



“He didn’t want to admit he lied,” Johnstone said, explaining how the situation spiraled out of control.



Johnstone asked the commission to affirm his decision to fire Waterman.



Grimshaw said recommending the firing of Waterman was perhaps the hardest decision he’s made in his 30 years of law enforcement.



“Al is a friend of mine,” Grimshaw said.



The commission will review the evidence and issue a written opinion on the matter.

Testimony Concludes At Hearing For Fired Deputy

By Beacon Staff



Recently fired Des Moines County Sheriff's deputy Al Waterman wouldn’t give up the names of the three Mediapolis students who informed him that a fellow deputy had run stop signs by Mediapolis High School.



Not to his supervisor, not to Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone, and not to the attorney he faced down in a courtroom Wednesday morning.



The Des Moines County Sheriff's Office contends the three students don't exist, pointing to Waterman's constantly changing story as proof that he fabricated the entire thing.



Waterman, who was fired from his deputy position on April 8, didn’t deny breaking the chain of command during the Wednesday hearing, and he admits to not following orders.



Waterman, who is running for the job of Des Moines County sheriff, requested Wednesday’s public hearing in front of the Civil Service Commission to dispute his termination. It’s the first hearing of its kind in at least 18 years, Johnstone said.



Waterman was the school resource officer for Mediapolis School District until his termination. He testified on Wednesday that his termination stemmed from a text message he sent to sheriff's deputy Cory Whitaker — the school resource officer for the Danville Community School District.



In the text message sent Feb. 12, Waterman told Whitaker that three anonymous sources claimed he had run three temporary stop signs at the Mediapolis school. Waterman said he texted Whitaker to warn him to watch the stop signs.



Waterman admits the text he sent to Whitaker was not entirely accurate. Though Waterman claimed in the text that he had recently been approached by the sources (who happened to be Mediapolis students), he now claims he was informed two to three weeks earlier than the date of the text.



Waterman said he was too busy to review surveillance footage after receiving the complaints, and forgot to go back to the tapes until two or three weeks later. He looked at the footage, observed that Whitaker had run the stop signs, and sent him the text.



“Please pay better attention in a school zone,” Waterman said on the stand as he summarized the text.



Waterman said he immediately got a phone call from Whitaker asking for the names of the three sources mentioned in his text. Whitaker thought Waterman was being condescending in his text, Waterman said. Whitaker contends he doesn’t remember running any stop signs.



“He (Whitaker) was being adamant that he wanted the names. I was concerned he would confront the individuals,” Waterman said.



Waterman reviewed surveillance footage from the school and said they showed Whitaker had run the stop signs. He said he wanted to advise Whitaker to drive more cautiously, particularly since he had been teaching classes about traffic safety at the school.



Waterman said he thought the issue was resolved until he was confronted by his supervisor, Lt. Chad McCune. The lieutenant mediated the issue between Whitaker and Waterman informally, and though the tension was low, McCune said Waterman’s story was changing.



“There were red flags. More red flags than I’ve seen in 26 years,” McCune said about the conversation.



When McCune ordered Waterman to provide the names of the students, he still refused. Waterman and Whitaker agreed to let it go and ended the meeting shaking hands.



Waterman said the students did not want to self-identify, so he kept their identities anonymous. McCune said Waterman never tried to get the students to self-identify, even though he had asked him to do so.



“He didn’t have to tell (him) Whitaker, but he should have told me (the names),” McCune said on the stand.



McCune said Waterman’s story changed from Whitaker running three stop signs to two stop signs and claims Waterman told him he witnessed Whitaker roll past one of the stop signs. Waterman said on the stand that he only saw the traffic infraction on the school video.



“I found it suspicious that his story had changed,” McCune said. “I started to believe he fabricated these individuals.”



McCune then officially ordered Waterman to divulge the names of the students. Waterman refused, noting the students never lodged a formal complaint. He was sent home and put on administrative leave, which he stayed on until his termination.



McCune, a 26-year-law enforcement veteran, said he needed the names because he had to determine if Whitaker had run the stop signs.



“I have a responsibility that I need to check into this. I told him that he was roadblocking my investigation,” he said.



Waterman declined to tell Johnstone the names in a follow-up interview after he was put on leave, and the sheriff subsequently fired him on April 8, 2020.



Waterman was asked again for the names of the students during Wednesday’s public hearing, which was aired on YouTube due to COVID-19 restrictions at the Des Moines County Courthouse in Burlington. Waterman again refused to identify the students.



“They (the students) confided in me. They put their trust in me,” Waterman said.



During testimony on Wednesday, Whitaker recounted his version of events. He said he had left the Mediapolis school after teaching a D.A.R.E program a few minutes before he received Waterman’s text on Feb. 12. He said he was sure he hadn’t run any stop signs, but Waterman said in the text that three people had seen him do so.



Whitaker said Waterman later told him it was two sources that saw the traffic violations and he had seen the third himself. Later, Waterman allegedly said he did not see any of the traffic infractions in person, according to Whitaker.



"I think the whole thing is made up, and I think he is digging himself deeper,” McCune testified. He reiterated that Waterman's version of events kept changing.



Waterman has been a deputy for almost 18 years and said he has built trust with the students. He said he didn’t want to betray that trust and added he has never been disciplined.



“This was important enough for you to risk your job over?” Waterman’s attorney Curt Dial asked him.



“Yes,” Waterman said. “They confided in me. They put their trust in me.”



The Des Moines County Civil Service Commission will reconvene at 8 a.m. ]Thursday, April 30.

Accusations Fly At Hearing For Fired Deputy

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