(Radio Iowa) – A series of classes are underway in northeast Iowa that focus on Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. Iowa State University wildlife specialist, Adam Janke is leading the program called C-W-D Ambassadors  “What we hope with C-W-D Ambassadors is that we will train up some people who are connected in their communities as hunters or landowners or community leaders to sort of understand the complex science of chronic wasting disease,” he says. Janke says the ambassadors can share their knowledge once they finish the program. He says they can help wildlife biologists with the D-N-R and I-S-U Extension to spread the word of how they are managing the disease and some of the key behaviors to keep it from spreading.

C-W-D is always fatal to deer and has been found in ten of Iowa’s 99 counties. Janke says they hope to keep the spread limited. “By doing things like avoiding conditions that concentrate deer. Like mineral supplements or artificial feeding that concentrate deer in certain places, and that creates conditions favorable for spreading chronic wasting disease,” Janke explained.  He says they will also learn the importance of identifying deer who might be infected. “Many deer with chronic wasting disease could be asymptomatic. And so it isn’t necessarily that we are looking for sick deer,” Janke says. “And if we do see sick deer on the landscape — we want to report those to conservation officers, or wildlife biologists.”

Several border states around Iowa have seen more C-W-D cases in more of their counties. “I don’t know that it necessarily has spread faster in some of those border states. But what we see there is it has actually been in that landscape longer,” he says. Janke the outbreaks in other states have helped Iowa do a better job of managing the disease. “Because we get to learn frankly from some of the mistakes that were made in some of those other states. And we know a lot more about this disease now — and we think we can be a little more proactive and precise in our management practices,” Janke says.

The C-W-D Ambassador training is starting in northeast Iowa because those are the counties where the state has seen the positive C-W-D cases. The classes are taking place in Waukon throughout this month.

(Radio Iowa) – It was one year ago today (Monday) that longtime “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek died from pancreatic cancer and Iowans who’ve lost loved ones to the disease are working to raise awareness in his honor. Mike Schreurs, a volunteer with the Iowa chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network — or PanCAN, says better awareness is the first step toward solving the problem. “Being aware of what pancreatic cancer is all about is certainly going to help us get closer to a solution,” Schreurs says, “which is a better survival rate on the part of those patients and caregivers and families who, in one way or another, might be touched by pancreatic cancer.”

Pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. With the holidays approaching, many Iowans will be around family in the coming weeks and it may offer an ideal time to have a conversation about the risks. The experts suggest if there’s a family history of this deadliest of cancers, testing is likely warranted. “Certainly, if there has been pancreatic cancer in your direct family, then it is something you should be thinking about and talking about, and perhaps learning more about what those tests might be,” he says.

The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only ten percent, so just one in ten people who are diagnosed come through the ordeal alive. That ten percent rate, while meager, has actually improved in recent years. “When my wife was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013, it was four or five percent,” Schreurs says. “So there is some progress but the progress has to double and then it has to double again until we get to the point where the great percentage of people who experience this have an opportunity to survive it.”

By comparison, the five-year breast cancer survival rate is 95 percent. It’s estimated 600 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Iowa this year and more than 500 of them will die. The fast-moving disease is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be vague and are often ignored until it’s too late. They include abdominal pain and back pain, changes in stool, yellowing skin, weight loss, appetite loss, and a feeling of being full after only eating a little food. Learn more at www.pancan.org.

(Radio Iowa) – Hundreds gathered in Fairfield this weekend for a vigil honoring high school Spanish teacher Nohema Graber, who investigators believe was killed by two Fairfield High School students. Maria Jimenez says Graber was as an inspiring educator and much-loved member of Fairfield’s Latino community.  “Nohema meant so much to us. She was considered part of my family,” she said. “I would be selfish if I say just my family because everyone in the Hispanic community considered her as part of their family.”

Jimenez, who went to school with Graber’s daughter, described Graber as a devout Catholic who attended daily mass. “There’s so many meories and unforgettable moments we spent together,” she said, “dancing to any Spanish music, sharing a meal or riding to Ottumwa for a Spanish service, were a part of those unforgettable moments that will never be the same without her.” Fred Hucke, one of Graber’s fellow teachers, wrote a song for the vigil.

Graber is survived by three adult children. School and faith leaders in Fairfield are urging residents to support each other and to reach out when they need help.

(Reporting by Iowa Pubic Radio’s Kate Payne)

The Page County Sheriff’s Office, Sunday, said Page County Deputies, Saturday, arrested 42-year-old Jennifer Kristen Bond Rush. She was arrested at an apartment in the 900 block of S. 27th Street, on an active Page County Warrant for Violation of Probation. The cash or surety Bond for Rush was set at $1,000.

And, on Friday, November 5th, Page County Deputies arrested 45-year-old Timothy Lee Young in the Page County Magistrate’s Courtroom. Young was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. His cash or surety bond was set at $300.

Tim Young

Jennifer Rush

One person is dead and another was injured during a shooting Sunday morning on the far east side of Council Bluffs. KETV in Omaha reports the shooting occurred during a domestic disturbance that took place at around 7:45-a.m., near Parkview Drive and Timber Drive. One person died at the scene, the other was transported to a hospital.

Sheriff’s deputies believe they have everyone involved accounted for. A sergeant says there’s no danger to the public.

(Anita, Iowa) – A regular meeting of the CAM School District’s Board of Education takes place 6:30-p.m. MONDAY, at the High School Superintendent’s Office, in Anita. Among the items on the Consent agenda is action on the following:

• Open enrollments
• Resignations
• Contracts
• Fundraisers
• Volunteers

Following the regular Administrative reports, the Board will discuss and/or act on:

• Election results
• Approving of the Corrective Action Plan to the SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) for late filing of the Special Education Supplement Report.
• Considering the recommendations of the SIAC (School Improvement Advisory) Committee.
• Approval of a request to change lanes on the salary schedule for the 2021-22 school year.
• Accepting bids for retaining wall bricks.
• Approving transportation for out-of-state field trips to Omaha for the 2nd Grade, to Children’s Museum, and 5th Grade to the Omaha Symphony.
• and, the Board will act on approving 500 Series Board Policies, before presenting the Board reports.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – An investigation into a hit-and-run property damage accident in Red Oak, resulted in an arrest. Authorities say Officers responded Saturday to the scene in the 600 block of N. 5th Street, where a caller said they watched a vehicle drive away and then stop in the 1200 block of N. 5th. Officers made contact with the vehicle and subsequently arrested the driver, 26-year-old Dominique Chad Yazzie, of Red Oak, for OWI/1st offense. He was taken into custody at around 11:45-p.m., and also cited for Leaving the Scene of an Accident, as well as Failure to provide proof of automobile insurance (Proof of financial liability).

Yazzie was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on a $1,000 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa)– Police in Red Oak arrested a man Saturday on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County. Authorities say 49-year-old Floyd Raymond Henry, II, of Red Oak, was taken into custody on the warrant for Failure to Appear on a Driving While Revoked charge.

Henry was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, and was being held on $2,000 bond, while awaiting extradition to Pottawattamie County.

(Keswick, Iowa) – Authorities say a 2016 Honda Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) with five passengers on-board and driven by a 14-year-old from Marengo, was traveling through a field in rural eastern Iowa Saturday evening, when the machine rolled over. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 15-year old back seat passenger in the machine was injured. The teen was from Parnell.

The injured party was transported by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospital. A report on their injuries was not available. No one else was hurt.

The accident happened northwest of Keswick at around 6:15-p.m. The incident remains under investigation. No names were released.

The Red Oak Police Department reports a Cass County (Iowa) woman was arrested Saturday afternoon. Authorities say 65-year-old Marcia Elaine Lehman, of Griswold, was arrested at around 3:30-p.m., and charged with Violation of a No Contact Order (A simple misdemeanor), with bond set at $300.