(Glenwood, Iowa) – Mills County Emergency Management officials report a Burn Ban that had been in effect since August 6th, was lifted today (Tuesday). Here is the statement regarding the ban (click on the image to enlarge):

(Radio Iowa) – A couple of cities in central Iowa have found West Nile-infected mosquitoes in their monitoring traps. Iowa State University entomologist, Ryan Smith, says August and September are generally the peak months for the disease.
“West Nile virus is something that we refer to as being endemic, that means that we are going to see West Nile virus activity and potentially human cases every year,” Smith says. “Since it’s been introduced that that may vary from year to year and the intensity and or how many cases that we ultimately end up with.”

Ames and Des Moines announced they have found mosquitoes with West Nile. Smith does surveillance in seven counties and has found West Nile in three of them. He says mosquito populations are influenced by rainfall, and the drought that has expanded in the state has made an impact. “The numbers are maybe a little bit lower. Things are kind of on the quiet side right now. But when we look at the season as a whole, there’s actually been a pretty surprising number of mosquitoes kind of considering that for most of the year that it has been pretty much under drought-like conditions,” he says.

Smith says all the other things happening can sometimes overshadow West Nile. “It’s easy to kind of forget about, and if anything, I think these reports kind of serve as an additional reminder of it. West Nile is not something… most of the people are going to have very mild symptoms and won’t even know that they have it. But for those people who do develop a more severe infection, it could even be fatal,” Smith says.

Ryan Smith. (ISU photo)

Smith says it’s a reminder to take precautions against getting bitten if you are outdoors and mosquitoes are present. He says there isn’t anything else on the radar right now when it comes to mosquitoes. “At least right now, it is just our West Nile, our numbers of mosquitoes aren’t that high,” he says. Smith says you should still take precautions by wearing insect repellent, and dumping out any standing water where mosquitoes might breed.

ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park welcomes B&D’s Homemade Ice Cream to the Atlantic City Park this Thursday, September 1. Market Manager Brigham Hoege reports B&D’s will be serving homemade ice cream and root beer floats, while Hungry Spartan Pizza will be selling pizza by the slice. Jason Reed will be performing a free concert, and 20 food and craft vendors are expected.

September 1 is a great day for free taste testing at the park. Maggie and Kelly Mueller of Noble Provisions will be this week’s Guest Chefs. Mullers sell beef at the market, and on September 1 they will be grilling burgers and offering free samples. To draw attention to seasonal produce, Mullers will be topping some burgers with locally grown tomatoes and onions.

Just across the park, Master Gardener Dottie Krogh will be offering samples of homemade apple butter and sharing recipes for folks who want to make their own at home. Shoppers who don’t want to make their own apple butter can buy apple butter from vendor Sue’s Country Garden.

A number of organizations will be visiting the park on September 1, including the Atlantic Public Library, Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions, Atlantic Parks and Recreation, and the Atlantic Police Department. Atlantic Parks & Rec is bringing an improved version of the Water Battleship game to the park; kids and adults are reminded to wear clothing that can get a little wet!

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Bryant Rasmussen stands next to the new and improved Water Battleship game setup. People of all ages are invited to play water battleship at Produce in the Park on September 1

Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue will be at Produce in the Park asking folks to “lend a hand” in building a safer and stronger community. To represent that partnership, kids and adults at the park will be invited to cover their hands in washable paint and put their handprints on an Atlantic Police Department patrol car.

Additional details for the Sept. 1st Produce in the Park…

Date: Thursday, Sept. 1

Time: 4:30-6:30 PM

Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th St. Atlantic, IA 50022)

Food Trucks: B & D’s Homemade Ice Cream & root beer floats, Hungry Spartan Pizza

Live Music: Jason Reed

Celebrity Meet & Greet: Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue will be at the park with a squad car

Fresh, Local Produce: Green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, zucchini, shallots, eggplant, garlic, potatoes, and more!

Meat: Beef, pork, chicken, and lamb

Staples: Farm-fresh eggs, honey, granola

Treats: Pastries, fresh-squeezed lemonade, popcorn

Crafts and more: Fall-scented candles and soaps, bath and body products, embroidered towels, car fresheners, plants for your home garden, art prints, and jewelry

Activities: Water Battleship and yard games with Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Atlantic Public Library (bring your library card!), Cass County Master Gardeners fall gardening and plant sale information and apple butter taste tests and recipes, Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions

Guest Chef: Noble Provisions hamburgers

Free drawing for farm-fresh eggs (sponsored by the Cass County Local Food Policy Council)

Payment methods accepted: All vendors accept cash. Many accept credit cards, Venmo, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior and WIC checks. All qualifying food vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps). All fresh produce vendors both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks (coupons given for SNAP/EBT purchases of fresh produce).

Produce in the Park September 2022 farmers markets are sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, First Whitney Bank and Trust, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Deter Motor Co. For updates on Produce in the Park, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/), or visit the Produce in the Park website to sign up for the e-newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. For information on vending at the park, contact Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712-249-5870.