BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) – The city council in Burlington has voted down an ordinance that would have required people to use carrying cases to take toy or replica guns out in public. The Hawk Eye reports the proposal drew a huge outcry from people, many outside Burlington, who wrongly believed it would ban toy guns altogether. Still, council members voted down the ordinance 4-1, saying it was too vague.

Police Chief Doug Beaird (bayrd) suggested the ordinance because he said the department is getting more calls reporting young people carrying pistols or assault rifles. He’s concerned that police officers or adults may not be able to tell whether a gun is real or fake.

He says the situation is a disaster waiting to happen.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A low bridge in Council Bluffs is proving challenging to motorists. Drivers of tall vehicles have hit the train bridge twice this week and at least five times this year. Pat Miller, of the Council Bluffs Public Works Department, told the Daily Nonpareil motorists don’t realize their vehicles won’t fit under the 8-foot 8-inch bridge. New signs and flashing lights have helped, but people still smash into the span, owned by Canadian National Railroad.

Last week, George Weber of South China, Maine, took off his RV’s air conditioning unit, causing about $2,000 damage to his vehicle. He told officers he didn’t realize the RV was so tall. Council Bluffs Police Traffic Division Sgt. Jason Bailey says the bridge rarely suffers damage. He notes, “usually the vehicles lose that one.”

As Iowans try to have fun in the sun, some of them may resemble walking bullseyes to bees and wasps. The experts at the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center say summer is the busiest time of year for their hotline and they’re prepared to handle an influx in calls about insect stings. If you’re getting buzzed by a bee or yellow-jacket, registered nurse Joan McVoy says prevention may be the best medicine.

“If you’re around bees, don’t swing or strike at them or run away from them as the quick movements provoke them,” McVoy says. “If you’re eating outdoors, make sure you cover your food, especially your fruit and soft drinks. Avoid perfumes, after shave lotions, things like that. Avoid wearing real bright or colored flowery prints. It just attracts them.” If your child gets stung, don’t panic, but call the Poison Center hotline right away. McVoy says you need to watch for signs of an allergic reaction, especially within the first hour after a sting.

“You start to feel dizzy, faint, you start sweating, you start to wheeze or have trouble breathing, definitely give us a call,” McVoy says. “If people get stung several times, like over ten times, that’s going to be a trip to the emergency room, but most of the time, we’ll be able to watch you at home, carefully, and tell you what to watch for and what to do.” Most insect repellants that target mosquitoes will not work on stinging insects like bees. McVoy says one application of bug spray or lotion will typically last for some time, and she warns, you can overdo it by slathering on too much, too often.

“The ones that contain DEET, you want to make sure if you’re using them, especially with children, try to get the ones with the lower concentrations of less than 10%,” McVoy says. “They’re found to be just as effective as the higher concentrations. Be cautious with repeat applications. Really, one application of DEET should last you four to eight hours.” If you’re going on vacation this summer, she recommends programming the Poison Center hotline into your phone before you leave. The number is 800-222-1222.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Atlantic report two people were injured when a SWITA bus and a passenger car collided Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of 7th and Laurel Streets. The crash was reported at 3:48-p.m. Officials say the SWITA bus was southbound on Laurel and stopped at the stop sign, but did not fully yield to an eastbound car. The vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection. The driver of the car and a passenger on the bus were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital. Their injuries were not life threatening. The names of the drivers and victims will likely be released later this (Thursday) morning.