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

Now taking prepaid preorders for Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths booster boxes (which includes the buy-a-box promo cards and other incentive items from WPN). The prerelease date is May 15.



If you prepay now at the LOW, LOW PRICE of $110, you will be the first to get the newest set when it arrives at B-Town, which will be a week earlier than anywhere else including Amazon.



So to recap: Prepay for your booster box, be the first of your friends to get the cool new set when it is released thus making them jealous, and have fun!



You can pay curbside at 609 Jefferson Street, credit card via phone (319-209-2768), PayPal, or cash via a Game of Thrones raven.



Note: The price will go up on the street release date so prepay today!

SHOP LOCAL: SHOP B-TOWN COMICS & GAMES FOR NEW MAGIC RELEASE, IKORIA

Weird Harold's at 411 Jefferson Street in downtown Burlington has the best selection of collectible and new VINYL RECORDS, CDs, DVD's and so much more! Weird Harold's is currently doing curbside and will ship! 



Call (319) 753-5353, message on social media, visit www.weirdharolds.com, or come down and knock on the door to pick up curbside!

SHOP LOCAL: SHOP WEIRD HAROLD'S

By Beacon Staff



Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Monday that some businesses in 77 of Iowa's 99 counties can reopen to the public this Friday with restrictions.



However, Des Moines County is not one of them. Also not on the list is Henry and Louisa counties in southeast Iowa. Restrictions on businesses in these counties (and the other 19 counties not on the governor's list) will not be eased until at least May 15, with current mitigation measures remaining in place.



Also, NOT included in Monday's announcement of eased restrictions are Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Dallas, Dubuque, Fayette, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama, Washington, and Woodbury counties.



At Monday's press conference, Reynolds said the move is part of a "targeted approach" loosening restrictions in counties identified as having no coronavirus activity or where cases have been low or are reducing.



Businesses and organizations in the 77 counties who can reopen to the public beginning this Friday include:



• Restaurants, fitness centers, and retail stores can operate at 50 percent of normal operating capacity; • Malls can also open at 50 percent operating capacity, but must keep play areas and other common seating areas, such as food courts, closed; • Social, community, recreational and leisure sporting events can open with limits to 10 people; • Spiritual and religious gatherings that adhere to social distancing guidelines.



Reynolds said these businesses must continue to implement social distancing measures until further notice. She also urged vulnerable Iowans, including those with underlying health conditions and older Iowans, to limit their interactions.



The Iowa Governor’s office reported Des Moines County’s first COVID-19 death on Sunday. The person was between 61 and 80-years-old. Additional details about the patient, including when the person succumbed to the virus, have not been released.

Reynolds Eases Restrictions On Some Closed Businesses In 77 Counties; Des Moines County Not On The List

By Beacon Staff



After 12 years on the job, Steve Frevert has resigned as executive director of Downtown Partners Inc.



Dustin Roth, director of marketing and communications for the Greater Burlington Partnership, confirmed Frevert’s resignation to The Beacon Monday.



Roth said Frevert resigned last week, and for now, the partnership is declining to comment. Frevert also declined to comment about his resignation and gave no public indication he might be leaving.



Mayor Jon Billups had no further information on the resignation, but he fervently praised Frevert’s dedication to revitalizing downtown while maintaining Burlington’s classic architecture.



“Merchants and the downtown saw good growth during Steve Frevert's tenure. Working with the volunteers, we realized a great resurgence in downtown residency and business growth,” Billups said.



Frevert started the job in 2008 and was a driving force behind downtown Burlington’s continual renovation. Two of his ongoing projects include the new Tama building that is under development, and the repair and eventual redevelopment of the old Typewriter Shop at 300 Washington St.



The historic Typewriter Shop has been vacant for over 20 years and has fallen into disrepair, but is eligible for historic rehab tax credits. In 2016, the property was acquired by the city of Burlington, then handed over to Downtown Partners.



The nature of the redevelopment would be up to the buyer, Frevert said in 2016. He thought the old Typewriter Shop could become a mixed-use building with shops on the bottom floor and apartments above. He also envisioned an entirely commercial building or even a boutique hotel.



An exterior wall of the building covered by scaffolding partially collapsed in late March with the bricks falling inward. The collapse did not impact work on the building.



Billups said Frevert’s tireless ambition will be hard to replace.



“Hopefully someone will be found to keep the momentum going, however, the transition may not be easy. Burlington has had quality leaders for the Main Street/ DPI (Downtown Partners Inc.) program so I am hopeful that we are able to continue that success,” Billups said.



Beacon File Photo



Hal Morton, left, and Steve Frevert (black shirt) entertained market-goers with live music last summer at the Jefferson Street Farmers Market. After 12 years on the job, Frevert has resigned as executive director of Downtown Partners Inc.

Steve Frevert No Longer Head of Downtown Partners

By Beacon Staff



A sizable pile of debris and trash litters the drive leading to the historic Dolbee Cemetery.



The trash, which includes part of a sofa chair, is on local law enforcement’s radar. Pictures of the debris pile, which appears to have been dumped, circulated on Facebook over the weekend.



Des Moines Sheriff Mike Johnstone said he was disgusted by what he saw, noting the matter is under investigation.



Founded in 1848, the Dolbee Cemetery was the second cemetery built on the bluff in Huron Township, more than a dozen miles north of Burlington. The roughly one-acre cemetery has an entrance off Mediapolis Road.



The first cemetery signs at the Dolbee Cemetery were erected in the late 1960s.



Photo by Joy Mack

Dolbee Cemetery Drive Trashed

By Beacon Staff



A few years ago, tennis enthusiast Brian Japsen took on a Herculean fundraising task — making up a shortfall of $76,000.



With that money, the Burlington Tennis Association could help the city offset the cost of repaving the Dankwardt Park tennis courts. The city received a $106,000 Starker Foundation grant, but resurfacing the Dankwardt Park tennis courts costs about $182,000.



According to Burlington Mayor Jon Billups, the city has been trying to fund the project for several years, hoping to match the grant money without using city funds. Funding that $76,000 shortfall proved to be the biggest barrier.



Japsen has drummed up more than $74,000 in pledges from a variety of donors, including a donation from the Judy and John Arledge Charitable Foundation, as well as another local foundation. Marcia Carman and Cindy Heater also helped with the local fundraising activities.



“We have had very generous donations from tennis players in our area,” Japsen said.



The Burlington Tennis Association presented the Burlington City Council with the first installment of $11,500 last week.



Billups said the fundraising campaign and initial contribution has enabled the city to accept bids on the project.



“The city thanks Brian and Renee (Brian Japsen’s wife), plus all those who pledged donations. Your efforts will benefit the parks and all,” he said.



Japsen, a 1978 BHS graduate who has been playing tennis since middle school, gets the satisfaction of helping his city and the firm footing of a springy new tennis court.



“If you take a look around we have the RecPlex, the brand new sports bubble, and two awesome golf courses. Why not great tennis courts?” Japsen said.



Donations are still being accepted for the project. Monetary donations can be mailed to Burlington Tennis Association: 1925 Osborn Street, Burlington, Iowa 52601.



(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 Joy Mack



The tennis courts at Dankwardt Park in Burlington are in need of resurfacing. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of tennis enthusiast Brian Japsen, the repaving project is moving forward.

Tennis Enthusiast Helps Paving Project Move Forward

By Beacon Staff



Country music legend and rodeo favorite Trace Adkins will be taking the stage at the 73rd annual Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison this September, and he’s not coming alone.



Country music stars Mark Chesnutt and David Lee Murphy also will perform during the four-day rodeo event. The rodeo committee made the announcement Friday. Chesnutt and Murphy will play the Friday of the rodeo, and Adkins will play Saturday.



The Joe Stamm Band and Stumptown will perform Friday and Saturday nights as well, and there will be more live music at the after-rodeo party pavilion Wednesday and Thursday nights during the rodeo.



Tickets for the Tri-State Rodeo are on sale now and available at&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tristarerodeo.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0xK8XfVYibLPLg_LSLb-c92kD0gOVOB1QWndOaJIAqKKYLqsafnfy7EE4&amp;h=AT2I90wuwT9NSee3zvru6lhXqSsjBtf6fQtiNdGxaPq1VQjHtCwv1aXuIXzwj5ATtNsDQVtxOZ_byhyJTIAc40zld6_mQLmL1B81dBgtvgIOkuPMZZT9M4g4wV-rp3JOHukX9iisCA3Tu4IPKzDr6BcVHXho1Qymb02G1x1xK5lHLiCUEknjnvzmMY9AEaLZMOJ4qo-wEaikAo7Z8ftg10Mb6JNZ3E1mKaDv-1OUHxBSw0wjofDIZWHFM7UMofAKjGbISQ56WvwsEUP1QdYg1pDcODJzhcQu6QS-5IXPJHkPn-Z5aneWlX-vQxvr6iW5cGwm0vnfqd3CdD9XTlqrkuVfen0saaGCaYLX1FSm86Bm5NakenqQNCRvad8xvX1RP1c0EZx0jncg5yccX7-tLvpFImvUpcOU3dF1mbOsF8h88CyuBy9l4KFS7XH5T7JN3vqlMtw3H07ehY2_Sevt7OgwgqFdA3hsxMssMpyK_kpv_N6469Ci3-IDLtUlgjUKYPgzi82T5rqhZnPNYultgpYRXGwyeSGbmQvBN60i6sbfu2At6ok-RwvnMDafqJ7ea3LC8-JoLatHAOnOyxGF4QIbmIUFZEEyyONwuKbhnKupUkH0-6KJghYULc2i-wxpbfTRvLQDbpKyOsVlt_xzS30" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.tristarerodeo.org.</a>&nbsp;Tickets will be available at the Tri-State Rodeo box office once it is reopened.

Country Music Stars Trace Adkins and Mark Chesnutt To Play Tri-State Rodeo In September

By Beacon Staff



The Iowa Governor’s office reported Des Moines County’s first COVID-19 death on Sunday.



The person was between 61 and 80-years-old. Additional details about the patient, including when the person succumbed to the virus, were not released Sunday afternoon.



Des Moines County currently has 16 diagnosed cases of COVID-19, and five of them have recovered. So far, 233 people living in Des Moines County have been tested for coronavirus.



The number of local COVID-19 cases currently sits at five in Lee County, eight in Van Buren County, 266 in Louisa County (including two deaths), and 31 in Henry in County (including one death).



Iowa reported its highest single-day total of COVID-19 cases Saturday as the state increases testing and targets workers at meatpacking plants and nursing homes that have been hit hard by the new coronavirus. Shearer’s Foods in West Burlington and Doran &amp; Ward Packaging in Burlington have each reported one confirmed case of coronavirus so far.



There were 648 positive tests in a 24-hour reporting period that ended at 10 a.m. Saturday, the Iowa Department of Public Health said in a statement/ That news came one day after 521 new cases were reported and pushed the total in Iowa to over 5,000.



As of 11 a.m. Sunday, April 26, Iowa had recorded 5,476 cases of COVID-19, including 118 deaths. Exactly 286 people have been hospitalized from the virus, and 1,900 have recovered so far. A total of 36,090 Iowans have been tested.

Des Moines County Suffers First Coronavirus Death

By Beacon Staff



A resident of the SunnyBrook Assisted Living Center tested positive for COVID-19 on April 10 and currently is recovering at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington without the assistance of a ventilator.



Kathy Swann, vice president of sales and marketing for Frontier Management, LLC., said it is the only confirmed case at the assisted living center. Frontier Management, based in Oregon, manages nursing homes across the country, including SunnyBrook in Burlington.

One Coronavirus Cased Reported at SunnyBrook in Burlington

By Beacon Staff



State health officials announced on Sunday that nine more Iowans have died from COVID-19 and 528 new cases have been confirmed in the state.



The new numbers mean the state has now surpassed 9,000 confirmed positive cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with the latest tally at 9,169. There are 378 people currently hospitalized, and 3,325 Iowans have recovered, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.



Sunday's numbers bring the state's total COVID-19 related deaths to 184. The nine deaths were reported in the following counties:



Black Hawk County, 2 elderly adults (81+) Bremer County, 1 elderly adult (81+) Dallas County, 1 older adult (61-80 years) Dubuque, 1 older adult (61-80 years) Polk County, 2 older adults (61-80 years) Poweshiek County, 2 elderly adults (81+)



According to IDPH, 77 percent of the new cases announced Sunday are in the 22 counties where restrictions remain in place. Businesses in the 22 counties, including Des Moines County, remain on restrictions until at least May 15.



There have been an additional 2,932 negative tests for a total of 44,017 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

Nine More COVID-19 Deaths In Iowa; Positive Cases Pass 9K Mark

By Beacon Staff



Shearer’s Foods has officially confirmed a case of COVID-19 at its West Burlington plant.



In a press release sent Tuesday night, Shearer’s Food officials said the employee who was diagnosed with COVID-19 was asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.



“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,” said Kimberly Davenport, corporate director of Shearer’s Snacks corporate office in Massilon, Ohio.



Davenport did not say when the employee was tested or when they became ill. Employees who spoke to The Burlington Beacon on the promise of anonymity said a second case was confirmed Monday night. Company officials have not responded to those reports yet.



Tuesday night’s press release confirms a Friday, April 17, story by The Burlington Beacon, in which anonymous plant workers said an employee/management meeting was held that same day to inform employees of the confirmed coronavirus diagnosis.



“We have taken all necessary steps to identify and notify individuals who worked closely with the team member diagnosed with COVID-19 and have asked them to self-quarantine at home for a period of 14 days,” Davenport said.



Davenport did not identify the nature of the employee, though several line workers told The Beacon the diagnosed case is a maintenance worker.

Coronavirus At Shearer’s Food Confirmed By Company Executive; Employees Say A Second Case Has Already Been Confirmed

By Beacon Staff



A now-retired Des Moines County Sheriff’s chief deputy made thousands of dollars in improper purchases, according to a report released Tuesday by the Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand.



The report alleges Jeff White, who retired in 2018, made more than $7,400 in purchases that were not necessary for the operation of the sheriff’s office.



White returned about $3,100 in items to the sheriff’s office. Items valued at more than $4,200 were not returned or could not be located in the sheriff’s office, the report said. Some of the items that remain unaccounted for include an Apple computer and ammunition.



KWQC reported the state auditor’s office was contacted to conduct a special investigation because of concerns regarding the items purchased by White. The auditor’s report has been forwarded to the Des Moines County Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.



“We’ve been working at this (investigation) for 18 months,” Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone said. “We made sure to do a thorough investigation. We wanted to make sure we did the right thing, to make sure the public still has confidence in the department."



Des Moines County Attorney Lisa Schaefer said she has referred the case to the attorney general’s office because of White's former employment in law enforcement, according to KWQC.



During the investigation, Sand identified improper purchases made between Jan. 1, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2018. The purchases included items that were personal in nature or not related to the operations of the sheriff’s office. The purchases also were not approved by someone other than White and were not included in budgeted expenditures.



Of the improper purchases identified, items costing $99 and $79 were returned to the vendor and refunded. While the items returned are reasonable for use in the sheriff’s office, they weren't planned purchases and weren't approved by anyone other than White. Some of the items were not returned until after White’s last day of according to Sand’s report.



Lynn Hicks, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, said a charging decision has not yet been made.



The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Audit Finds Improper Purchases By Des Moines County Deputy

Photo courtesy of Jon Billups



A beautiful sunrise over the Mississippi River could be seen Monday morning along Burlington's riverfront.

Sunrise Over The Mississippi

By Beacon Staff



The woman found unconscious by Burlington firefighters during a Friday house fire on Grove Street has died.



Patricia Gray, 65, 1527 Grove St., died of smoke inhalation Saturday, April 18, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She was initially treated at the scene and at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington before being transferred to Iowa City.



Three dogs also perished in the blaze.



Fire investigators have determined an area of origin for the fire but have not yet determined the cause. The fire is not considered suspicious.



The house did have working smoke alarms and suffered an estimated $30,000 in damage to the structure and $15,000 in contents. The home was insured. The American Red Cross has been called to assist the family.



The Burlington police and fire departments along with agents with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office conducted the investigation.

Burlington Woman Dies From Smoke Inhalation

By Beacon Staff



A week-and-a-half ago, Transitions DMC board member Richard McEntyre made a public plea through local media outlets for more funding.



Couched as “Cause For Hope,” the newest campaign by Transitions has allowed the non-profit to house homeless people in local motels during the coronavirus crisis.



The Cause for Hope Campaign is geared toward securing a clean and safe environment for those who need the services. Some need support finding their footing after devastating loss; some simply require a place to lay their head at night to recharge and regroup.



But the money is running out, and going in further in debt could cost the organization the chance to finish its nearly completed homeless shelter on Main Street.



Enter Burlington resident and Community Foundation of Des Moines County board member Dennis Wilson. Moved by McEntyre’s letter, Wilson donated $23,124 of his family endowment, which is part of the Community Foundation that donates money to a variety of local causes and organizations.



The money will be divided between the Burlington Area Homeless Shelter, the Salvation Army COVID-19 relief fund and Transitions DMC.



“I’ve supported the Homeless Shelter, Salvation Army, and Transitions DMC for some time because I can still remember when I was a child my mother would have me be very quiet and hide when the bill collectors were knocking on our door. And I recall later as an adult thinking how she must have felt so abandoned without the help of agencies like these,” Wilson said.



The Transitions DMC board is meeting this weekend to discuss options.

Burlington Man Donates $23,000 to Burlington’s Homeless Shelters and The Salvation Army

By Beacon Staff



Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the continued closure of Iowa schools during a press conference Friday morning, (April 17).



Schools will remain closed through the end of the academic year to curb the spread of coronavirus.



School districts will continue to offer distance learning opportunities, both online and through paper packets distributed to students, for the remainder of the school year. In a reversal of an earlier policy Reynolds put in place, students will not be required to make up the time missed during the shutdown.



The Burlington School District responded to the closure of the school’s official Facebook account.



“We are committed to continue providing learning opportunities and services for our students during this challenging time. We continue to update our plans and will share information and updates as they are available. Please continue to check our school website,&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bcsds.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3ky8t4FTKte-CkxMKqfn12PDAkrCtYp-ItIbwBnmlpJwyCNbeq4IRnaBU&amp;h=AT26j0UkxUY27_a2ywGpoyyzeWlTSt1KFCZ2JIAlV7WWCkNOCbEBqnDZyyjwk-NkpcLN7uLerdYAznt5scZdv4gGaA_I82oN8X0RhLPVjA9GLC77wPV0II5PsYBUhi5H33X1qlq-M30JNZ8Emw_ecu3gb_nMzjBlVRqONbNftB6r9ec31BPiWUjcBu4699BY37ipTKaNfDDuNL7F3lXAgylJgKpmlUDh-mMovIoxYKuT7yNgI2jcFnoffOA80-w7BQAoQCZDgcdMYBCNa3n1EKn0sKk8Og2ifbbM1qH4pq7X9Q1-7cD-KmsN7inMpiTLiZ_dJcOmVuD5GZpu40hw_ZJAgjbbaty8K1cnOWWEAnwg9Mfq7sXif3CLiVf1KxU9bNQmNZlT2XJTTLTjMvetpOOGNeZWWy1_wVLZzrv2RlRNyZ0Z-JuDNAxOJVZFMcGZEGDhrVom1xGFSJoBO0C7YY59JQpeLIDi-plQevibvlgGxU_V290Cs7A5w2ZNz7qnQ59E6Ms2XFgy-hcqfcZS60nrFQsFjUrd2rwggYJ-PV92PN8jbAFfA8TlNEkQQuCDmQpBMnIPNzc_9E6R2VfmGLsaf8EJnoT5n06pFRhvuNb0wuaJGMlX70HJouGf7nVdmHy9kxo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.bcsds.org</a>&nbsp;for regular updates or call our school closure hotline, (319) 753-9698, for assistance,” the statement reads.



Burlington Notre Dame responded in much the same way on its Facebook page.



“The school is working on contingencies regarding this. We will have something out to you next week,” the statement reads.



The West Burlington School District had a materials pick-up event Wednesday that will allow students the chance to learn at home. The district has not officially responded to the governor’s new declaration.



All high school spring sports are canceled as well. The cancellation covers boys' and girls' track and field, soccer, golf, and tennis. There will be a decision made on summer sports (baseball and softball) by June 1. For now, those sports are suspended until that decision is made.



The governor also announced Friday that she will waive the late-August start date requirement, which could allow school districts to start the 2020-2021 academic year earlier than Aug. 23.



"Maybe there's a possibility for schools to start three weeks early and start some of that remediation so that we can start to see where the kids are at and help provide them the instruction they need to get them there to where they should be," Reynolds said.



Schools are required to submit a "return to learn" plan to the Iowa Department of Education by July 1 that could include things like summer school classes, enrichment activities or other programs designed to address disruptions to learning.



The Associated Press contributed to this article.