SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City official says it’s treating four people for neuroinvasive disease stemming from a West Nile virus infection.  The virus is carried by mosquitoes and infects the brain and spinal cord. It can cause brain damage, paralysis and death.

Bertha Ayi is medical director of Global Infectious Disease Services at Mercy, and she told the Sioux City Journal that Mercy has seen six patients from Sioux City between the ages of 40 and 80 test positive for the virus this year. One patient died.

The Iowa Public Health Department says 26 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Iowa so far this year. Ayi is urging the people to protect themselves by wearing insect repellent outdoors and avoiding mosquito-infested areas though November.

Police in Red Oak report one person was arrested Wednesday night on an assault charge.   30-year-old Paul Silas Ratley, of Fayetteville, NC, was  arrested in the 1800 block of East Summit Street, on charges of Simple Domestic Assault, and 5th degree criminal mischief.

Ratley was being held without bond at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center.

Lora Kanning, Interpretive Naturalist from the Cass County Conservation and Jim Reimer, Area 6 Representative from the Iowa Waste Exchange will be among the speakers involved in the Food Waste Reduction Workshop on October 15th, at the Council Bluffs Public Library. The workshop will focus on methods to reduce food waste and divert it from the landfill.

Attendees will also hear from Iowa Waste Reduction Center specialists as well as a panel of representatives from area organizations and businesses who will identify the challenges to food waste reduction and diversion. Panelists include representatives from GreenRU, Food Bank for the Heartland, Iowa Western Community College and the Cass County Landfill.

Registration for the one-day workshop is $10, which includes lunch. For more information and to register, visit foodwaste.iwrc.org.