The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Saturday, of 45-year old Bradley Leo Ranney, of Massena. Ranney was charged with Driving While Suspended and brought the Cass County Jail. He was released later that day on $300 bond.

Sheriff’s officials in Page County say a Pottawattamie County man was arrested following an investigation into an injury accident that happened Saturday evening about three-miles east of  Shenandoah, on Highway 2.

Robert Lee Bailey, Jr.

According to the report, deputies responded to the scene after being notified of a crash at around 5:50-p.m., Saturday near the intersection of Highway 2 and E Avenue. Their investigation showed  50-year old Robert Bailey Jr., of Council Bluffs, was traveling east on Highway 2 in a 2006 Ford Taurus, when he lost control of the car, which went onto the shoulder and partially into the ditch. Bailey over-corrected, sending the car back onto Highway 2 and across the center line of the road, where it struck a westbound 2006 Chevy pickup driven by 65-year old  Richard Runyon, of Shenandoah.

During the collision Runyon, suffered unknown injuries. He was flown to a Nebraska hospital by Life Net Helicopter. A passenger in Runyon’s pickup, 67-year old Dennis Duane Carlson, of rural Clarinda, also suffered unknown injuries, and was transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. Bailey refused medical treatment.

He was subsequently arrested for OWI 1st Offense. Bailey was unable to post bond and is currently being held in the Page County Jail, awaiting trial. He was also issued citations for Failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle, Open container of alcohol, and Driving on the wrong side of a two way HWY. Both vehicles were a total loss.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Shenandoah Fire, Shenandoah Ambulance, and Life Net Helicopter service.

(12-p.m. News)

After weeks of low to moderate influenza levels in Iowa, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports statewide surveillance indicates flu activity is increasing. The flu season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May. The most current surveillance shows cases of influenza have been confirmed by the State Hygienic Lab (SHL) in every region of the state and the geographic reach of influenza is now categorized as ‘widespread,’ the highest level.

In the last reporting week, the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network indicated 130 influenza-related hospitalizations, mostly among those aged 64 or greater. Several flu outbreaks have been reported in long-term care facilities, especially in central and western Iowa. The most common flu virus circulating is the influenza A(H3N2) strain, although four different strains have been identified. In years when A(H3N2) viruses dominate, the flu season tends to be more severe with more hospitalizations and deaths. Based upon CDC’s national estimates, an average of 300,000 Iowans get the flu every year and together, flu and its complication of pneumonia cause an average of 1,000 deaths yearly in Iowa.

Officials say the flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza; however, because some of the A(H3N2) viruses may only be partially covered in the vaccine, it’s even more important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness. Remember the 3Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.

Anti-viral medications are an important second line of defense to treat the flu in persons at highest risk of developing more severe illness. Anti-viral medications can make flu illness shorter and reduce the risk of ending up in the hospital or dying from influenza. Antivirals work best if started within 48 hours or sooner of when flu symptoms begin.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days. Influenza may cause severe illness or even death in people such as the very young or very old, or those who have underlying health conditions. (The “stomach bug” which causes diarrhea and vomiting is not caused by the influenza virus but usually by norovirus; thus, the flu vaccine will not protect you against this illness.)

Influenza is not a ‘reportable disease’ in Iowa, which means doctors are not required to notify IDPH each time a patient tests positive for influenza; however, IDPH conducts year-round influenza surveillance through the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network. This surveillance indicates what types of influenza viruses are circulating and how widespread influenza illness is. For more information about where and what kind of influenza is in Iowa, go to www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/Influenza.aspx?pg=FluHome.

Contact your health care provider or local health department to find out where the vaccine is available in your community or use the Flu Vaccine Finder at www.flu.gov.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska cities along the Missouri River are still waiting for nearly $7.2 million to be reimbursed from state and federal agencies, more than 3 years after a 2011 flood.  The Omaha World-Herald reports five cities haven’t yet received payments between $275,000 and nearly $4 million. Omaha is owed the most at $3.6 million.

Grants from the Nebraska and Federal Emergency Management Agencies have helped pay for flood damage and recovery, but Nebraska still owes 43 percent of the nearly $17 million owed in flood claims. A NEMA official says processing claims takes a lot of time and work.

Meanwhile, the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management has paid all but 5 percent of its $38.6 million in claims.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A group in Sioux City plans to distribute 36,000 bright yellow bar napkins that encourage people to avoid driving after drinking in the nights leading up to New Year’s Eve. It’s the latest campaign launched through Mercy Medical Center’s Reality Education Alcohol Prevention Program, otherwise known as REAP. The Sioux City Journal reports the napkins say, “Friends do whatever it takes to stop friends from driving drunk.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration, nearly 10,100 people were killed last year in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Those deaths accounted for 31 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Finding a forever home is a goal for all children in Iowa foster care, and while that’s not the reality for many of them, the state is finding success in efforts to smooth their transition out of the system and into adulthood. Carol Behrer, executive director of Youth Policy Institute of Iowa, says navigating life’s path can be especially tough for foster youth, so support in areas such as housing, education and employment is critical.

“The services available through the Iowa Aftercare Services Network are helping these young people meet their basic needs, but also learn the skills, develop the competencies that they need to become successful adults,” she points out.

In Iowa, there are around 6,000 children in foster care at any given time, with from 400 to 500 of them turning 18 and aging out of the system each year. One way that Iowa could provide more assistance for foster youth is by joining the federal program that includes funding for foster care services beyond age 18.

“States now have the option of continuing to receive that federal support up to the age of 21,” Behrer explains. “Iowa has not yet taken that option, although more than half the states have.”

(Iowa News Service)