Following is a statement from the Iowa Restaurant Association.  Any text may be attributed to Jessica Dunker, President and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association.Iowa’s restaurants are open.

STATE -- The following statement was released Monday morning by the Iowa high school Unified Activities partners in regards to a four-week suspension of all high school activities throughout the state.“Following Sunday’s announcements from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, all spring activities of Iowa’s high school Unified Activities partners – the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Iowa High Schoo

    HARLAN -- On social media over the weekend, Elm Crest Retirement community, and specifically its parent company American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, made this statement regarding its nursing and retirement homes:    “Although there is no presence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, Elm Crest Senior Living is taking a proactive approach to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19.    “Age is a risk factor for COVID-19, so that

    STATE -- Last week, Gov.

    DES MOINES – Today, regarding the upcoming County Conventions on March 21, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith released the following statement:    “Today, the Iowa Democratic Party is announcing it will postpone County Conventions to a future date to be determined.

HCS Cancelled Events•  State Individual Speech, March 14•  State Special Olympics, March 13-14•  Westwood Show Choir, March 14•  BV Indoor Track, March 20•  IHSMA 3A Solo/Small Group, March 28•  State HOSA March 15 (virtual conference may be held at later date•  Show Choir at Underwood March 21•  Indoor track meets March 21 and 24 at Northwest Missouri State University

    HARLAN -- “As you may be aware, the World Health Organization has officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. It is our belief that preparedness, prevention and transparency will help us work through this stressful time.    “We love our customers and our staff. Here are some updated procedures we will be following to prevent the potential spread of the virus.    “CLEANING.

    REGIONAL -- Try finding some toilet paper in the region.  Good luck.

    COUNTY -- If you have election day polling place concerns with the COVID-19 virus, you may vote at home by requesting an absentee ballot for the June 2 Primary Election now.    Call the Auditors office at the following number 712-755-3831 ext. 6.

        COUNTY -- Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell released this statement early Monday morning, March 16:    “Containment and mitigation will not take place without cooperation by everyone. Public owned buildings like the Courthouse are definitely a place that gets a big cross- section of population, which includes many demographics.

    Panic buying nationwide leaves stores shelves empty.  Reports of stores with little food come from across the nation.  In Harlan, staples such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, water and disinfectant wipes were gone from shelves by Friday last week, re-stocked, and then sold out again.    Fareway reported Monday morning its doing its best to fulfill customer needs and continues to receive two truck deliveries weekly.

    HARLAN -- All Shelby County area schools will close for four weeks, as recommended by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, COVID-19.    It’s an unprecedented move being made not only by Iowa K-12 schools, but by schools across the country as the United States hopes to stop additional virus cases.    Here is the latest statements from area schools, the governor’s office and the Iowa Association of Schools Board

    CARROLL -- According to Carroll County Public Health the first presumptive positive COVID-19 case has been identified in Carroll County.

    REGIONAL -- On Sunday, March 15, the state received news that Iowa has had its third case of community-acquired COVID-19. Community spread occurs when individuals become infected with the virus in a community and cannot specifically identify the source of the infection (such as international travel or direct exposure to an infected person).

    HARLAN --  The music students perform for their peers, encouraging them to be part of the band when they reach 5th grade.