The Iowa Department of Public Health says after a few years of plateauing, reported cases of syphilis are increasing in Iowa. Data through August 31, 2019, indicate 209 cases of syphilis have been reported this year, an 11% increase when compared to the same time period in 2018. When examining only the early/infectious stages of syphilis, the increase is even more significant, with 142 cases reported as of August 31 – a 25% increase compared to the same time period in 2018.

Authorities say although increases are occurring in both men and women, the rate of increase for women is much higher. For example, secondary syphilis cases among women increased to 15 through August 31 (compared to two cases during the same time period in 2018). Increases in syphilis among women correlate with increases in congenital syphilis (which occurs when a pregnant person is infected with syphilis, remains untreated, and passes the infection on to the fetus or neonate). There were three congenital syphilis cases in Iowa in 2018. Public health officials are investigating a probable case in 2019, as well.

CDC released national 2018 STD data earlier this month. These data indicate continued increases for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, but highlighted increases in syphilis, particularly congenital syphilis.
State and national data highlight the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and early treatment for syphilis.

Given the recent increases in diagnoses, increased testing efforts are encouraged for all sexually active populations. At a minimum, pregnant women should be tested at their first prenatal visit. Because syphilitic infection can occur during pregnancy, testing at 28-32 weeks gestation is also often beneficial.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports a man pulled over for speeding on Highway 34 and Notchwood Avenue early this (Sunday) morning, barricaded himself in his vehicle before leading authorities on a pursuit. Officials says the Adams County K9 Unit conducted the traffic stop at around 1:34-a.m., on a vehicle driven by Matthew Bowlden, of Waterloo. During an investigation, the K9 “Baxo” was deployed, and alerted to the odor of narcotics. Bowlden then barricaded himself in the vehicle, and refused numerous orders to exit his vehicle.

Taylor County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on the scene to assist, and again Bowlden was ordered to get out of his vehicle, but refused. When deputies tried to gain entry into his vehicle, Bowlden fled from the scene and went westbound on Highway 34, at speeds in excess of 100-miles per hour. He then turned southbound into Brooks and continued on gravel roads before eventually losing control and wrecking his vehicle near 255th and Filbert Avenue.

Bowlden was taken into custody and charged with: Eluding law enforcement; Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense; and Interference with Official Acts. He was also cited for: Speeding (103 in a 55 mph zone, 80 mph in a 40 mph zone and 80 mph in a 30 mph zone); Failure to Obey a Traffic control device; Failure to Maintain Control; No Insurance – accident related; Careless driving; Failure to carry a Registration card, and Operating a non-registered vehicle.

Montogomery County Sheriff’s Deputies also assisted in handling the incident.

Two Guthrie County deputies who were shot while executing a search warrant late Thursday night in Stuart, have been released from a hospital, and are now recovering at home. Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright told KCCI in Des Moines, that Deputies Steven Henry and Jim Mink, who were sent home Saturday, are doing well, and he hopes to have them back to work soon. Deputy Kent Gries, who suffered from powder burns during the incident and was also injured, was released earlier, and is also recovering at home. A Stuart Police Officer was discharged from the hospital early Friday morning. The suspect they were trying to arrest and who opened fire on law enforcement Thursday, 52-year old Randall Comly, was shot at least twice and is recovering in police custody.

Comly remains in law enforcement custody at an undisclosed hospital in Des Moines. Criminal charges have yet to be filed in connection with the shooting. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Major Crimes Unit said Friday the incident remains under investigation, and may take several weeks to complete.

DES MOINES, Iowa — This week (National Teen Driver Safety Week) and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and number of passengers. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15 to 18 years old) in the United States – ahead of all other types of injury, disease, or violence. In 2017, there were 2,247 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver (15 to 18 years old), of which 755 deaths were the teen driver.  This is a 3% increase from 2016.

Alcohol and Drugs: All teens are too young to legally buy, possess, or consume alcohol.  However, nationally in 2017, 15% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had alcohol in their system.  But alcohol isn’t the only substance that can keep teens from driving safely.  According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.5% of adolescents 12 to 17 years old reported using marijuana.  Like other drugs, marijuana affects a driver’s ability to react to their surroundings.  Remind teens that driving under the influence of any impairing substance could have deadly consequences.
Seat Belts: Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways for teens to stay safe in a vehicle. A total of 539 passengers died in passenger vehicles driven by teen drivers and more than half (60%) of those passengers who died were NOT buckled up at the time of the fatal crash. Even more troubling, in 87% of cases when the teen driver was unbuckled, the passengers were also unbuckled.  The chances of surviving a traffic crash are 45% higher when properly restrained in a seat belt.
Distracted Driving: Distractions while driving are more than just risky—they can be deadly. In 2017, among teen drivers involved in fatal crashes, 9 percent were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.  The use of mobile devices while driving is a big problem, but there are other causes of teen distracted driving which pose dangers as well.  They include adjusting the radio, applying makeup, eating or drinking, or distractions from other passengers in the vehicle.
Speeding: In 2017, almost one-quarter (27%) of all teen passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash, and males were more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than females.
Passengers: Teen drivers transporting passengers can lead to disastrous results.  Research shows the risk of a fatal crash goes up in direct relation to the number of passengers in a car. The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behavior triples when traveling with multiple passengers.
Drowsy Driving: Teens are busier than ever: studying, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and spending time with friends are among the long list of things they do to fill their time. However, with all of these activities, teens tend to compromise something very important—sleep. This is a dangerous habit that can lead to drowsy driving or falling asleep at the wheel.

In 2018, Iowa lost 29 young drivers between the ages of 14 – 20 in motor vehicle crashes. Four of those drivers had a blood alcohol over the legal limit and nine of these young people were unbelted.  The Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau encourages you to talk to your teen drivers about safe driving practices. Losing even one is one too many, don’t you think?

(Statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

(UPDATE He was found safe, Sunday!)

Police in Glenwood are asking for your help in locating a teenager missing since last Tuesday, Oct. 15th. Authorities say 14-year old Michael Johnson, Jr., might be in the Carter Lake area. (see his pictures below).

14-year old Michael Johnson, Jr

If anyone has seen him or knows his whereabouts we ask you to notify the Glenwood Police Dept. at 712-527-4844.

Police in Red Oak report a man from Cass County was arrested at around 10:45-p.m. Saturday, for Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts. 24-year old Bryce Charles Elihue Baker, of Atlantic, was arrested in the 400 block of E. Reed Street, in Red Oak, was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300. Red Oak Police were assisted by Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, in handling the arrest.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 1:45 a.m. CDT

WEST BRANCH, Iowa (AP) — Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is finding fans among skeptics of the Democratic establishment in Iowa. This, after 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton suggested without giving evidence that Gabbard is being “groomed” by Russians to act as a spoiler in the 2020 race.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in eastern Iowa say a bicyclist has died after being hit by a car in Muscatine County. The Iowa State Patrol tells the Des Moines Register that 56-year-old Michael Joseph Mann, of Muscatine, was biking on a county road near Moscow late Thursday afternoon when a vehicle struck him from behind. Mann was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have not reported filing charges in the case.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The last of the five people charged in a man’s fatal 2017 shooting during a Davenport robbery has been found guilty. The Quad-City Times reports that a jury on Friday found 36-year-old Christopher Dixon guilty of first-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in the Sept. 22, 2017, shooting that killed 20-year-old Brady Tumlinson and injured Tumlinson’s girlfriend.

NORTHWOOD, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a northern Iowa dog breeding operation has been found been guilty of animal neglect. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 66-year-old Barbara Kavars, of Manly, was found guilty Friday of 14 counts of misdemeanor animal neglect in connection with the operation of a puppy mill. Prosecutors say Kavars was holding Samoyed dogs in inhumane conditions when officials raided her operation on Nov. 12 and took about 150 dogs.

One person suffered what were described as minor, non-life threatening injuries, during an accident Saturday afternoon, south of Anita. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Shiels told KJAN news the accident happened at 750th (Highway 148) and Jackson Road, at around 4:20-pm.

Shiels said a white Ford Taurus was traveling westbound on Jackson Road, when for reasons unknown it went out of control and struck another vehicle that was parked along the road, while the other driver was taking a break. The Ford sustained heavy front-end, disabling damage, and was a total loss. The driver of the parked vehicle was not injured.

The unidentified driver of the Taurus was transported by Anita Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment. No charges have been filed. The accident remains under investigation.

The Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has announced Elizabeth Olsen is the recipient of the Recognized “Young Dietitian of the Year” Award. The award is given to recognize the competence and activities of younger dietetic professionals in the Iowa Academy.

Elizabeth Olsen will be recognized at the annual Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Meeting in West Des Moines on Wednesday, November 13^th. Olsen is currently the Director of Cass County Public Health.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The last of the five people charged in a man’s fatal 2017 shooting during a Davenport robbery has been found guilty. The Quad-City Times reports that a jury on Friday found 36-year-old Christopher Dixon guilty of first-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in the Sept. 22, 2017, shooting that killed 20-year-old Brady Tumlinson and injured Tumlinson’s girlfriend.
Dixon faces a mandatory term of life in prison when he’s sentenced Nov. 27.

Two other men, 23-year-old Tristin Alderman and 22-year-old D’marithe Culbreath, were sentenced to life earlier this year. In December, 23-year-old Nakita Wiseman was sentenced to 35 years for his role. Last month, 20-year-old Darrell Williams was sentenced to 25 years.

Police say the men conspired to rob Tumlinson of drugs and money at the time of the shooting.