The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said Tuesday it was responding to two probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Adair and Webster counties. With the new announcements, Iowa now has 66 cases of the disease in the state. The Department has quarantined the premises and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

Adair 1 – Is a Commercial laying operation with an estimated 975,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza. Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

Webster 1 – Is a Commercial laying operation with an estimated 160,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza. Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

As the Department receives final confirmations of the disease updated information will be posted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.iowaagriculture.gov/avianinfluenza.asp. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have ever been detected and there is no food safety risk for consumers.

Connections Area Agency has announced that the state is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for older Iowans. With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. If you have questions about eligibility, please check with your local senior center. Applications for the vouchers will be available at your local senior center the week of June 1st.

Your completed application guarantees you a booklet, but there is a limited number, so contact your local senior center if you are interested in this program. Once you have a completed application, you can return to your local Senior Center to pick up your vouchers. Applications for Council Bluffs residents are now available at The Center, located at 714 S. Main Street.

The distribution date for Council Bluffs vouchers will be once again held at The Center on Monday, June 8th from 9am – noon. Again, your completed application guarantees you a booklet, so you may come at any time on June 8th to the Center to present your completed application and obtain your vouchers. Seniors (age 60 and older) in all other communities in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will receive their vouchers through their local senior center.

Program Criteria:
• Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than
$21,775 Single
$29,471 Married
• Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed

Dates to Remember:
• Immediately: Applications will be available in Council Bluffs at The Center, 714 S. Main
• June 1, 2015: Applications and vouchers are available at all local Senior Centers outside of Council Bluffs.
• June 8, 2015: Council Bluffs Farmers’ Market voucher distribution at The Center, 714 S. Main from 9am – Noon for seniors with a completed application.

Just as one holiday ends, it is time to think about another. Campers hoping to reserve spots for the 2015 Labor Day weekend need to mark June 4 on their calendars, when reservations for a Friday arrival open. Sherry Arntzen with the DNR Parks Bureau, says “Even by June 4 some sites will already be reserved by campers arriving prior to the holiday weekend. “And electric sites always go quickly.”

For more information on Iowa’s state parks and to make a reservation, visit www.iowadnr.gov/parks

Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 5th, 6th and 7th, as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ free fishing weekend. Free fishing weekend is the first weekend in June each year. It allows Iowans an opportunity to try fishing without purchasing a license. All other regulations remain in place.

DNR staff will be at popular fishing spots across the state to help beginner anglers get started. They will assist with setting up fishing poles and distribute small kits with basic terminal tackle for panfishing along with tips and a few fun items. Hands-on fishing clinics are available to teach parents or kids the basics of fishing.

A list of fishing clinics, derbies, and other fun events co-sponsored by the DNR are available on the special events page. Log on to www.iowadnr.gov then click on Special Events Application System under the Event Calendar and Search for Events.

Anyone catching their first fish is encouraged to take a photo of it and send it in to receive the DNR’s first fish award. The DNR will commemorate the event with a certificate suitable for framing and the submitted photo. Information on the first fish program is available in the Iowa Fishing Regulations and online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/MasterAnglerFirstFish.aspx.