(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Department of Public Health medical director Caitlin Pedati, says the flu-related deaths of two women should be a reminder to everyone to get a flu shot. Doctor Pedati says a flu shot is still the best way to prevent you from getting sick — and it’s too late in the season to for the shot to still be effective. She says they flu appears to be more prevalent in Iowa now.”On our website you’ll see a flu vaccine finder tool if you are looking for places to get your flu vaccine. You can also work with public heath or your health care provider to do that. And it is definitely not too late,” Pedati says.

She says also, “We really are seeing this activity in our communities and we are seeing it go up a little bit,” according to doctor Pedati. “And the idea with any vaccine is to get it before you get exposed — and so this would be a good time if you haven’t already to take advantage of getting your flu vaccine — and give your immune system some time to learn how to fight it off.” Pedati says the flu vaccine provides protection that goes beyond the person getting it. “It also serves as a way to make it harder for the virus to move between us from person-to-person. And so, it provides protection for people who might have trouble fighting off the virus, as their immune system might not be as healthy as others,” Pedati says.

The two confirmed the flu-related deaths were two women in central and northwest Iowa who had other underlying conditions. Doctor Pedati says you should to take other precautions that will help prevent the spread of flu and other diseases. “We always want to remind people to cover your cough and your sneeze — to wash your hands — and to stay home and away from other people when you are sick,” she says.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. Symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days, and often puts healthy people in bed for days. To learn more about flu in Iowa, go to the Iowa Department of Public Health website.

In an update to our reports over the weekend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg will be campaigning in Atlantic on Monday, November 25th. His campaign says he’ll hold a community conversation at the Venue (307 Walnut St, Atlantic, IA 50022). Doors for the event open at 3-pm, and the event will begin at 3:30pm.

Other scheduled stops in western Iowa include:

Monday, Nov. 25th –

• 12:45 PM CT: Town hall in Creston ·  Location: YMCA | 1201 W Townline St, Creston; Doors open at 12:15-p.m.
• 7:00 PM CT: Town hall in Council Bluffs ·  Location: Abraham Lincoln High School. Doors open at 6:30-p.m | 1205 Bonham St, Council Bluffs.

Tuesday, November 26:

10:30 AM CT: Town hall in Denison·  Location: Cronks | 812 4th Ave S, Denison. Doors open at 10-a.m.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Boardroom at the Adair County Courthouse in Greenfield. Among the items on their agenda, is a Public Hearing on an Ordinance amending an Assessment of Wind Energy Conversion Property, along with the 2nd and 3rd readings of the Ordinance. During a meeting late last month, the Board voted to move forward with an ordinance to cap wind turbine construction in Adair County. The board decided on a cap of 535 commercial wind energy structures in the county.

During their meeting on Nov. 6th, Tammy Baier read from her letter which expressed several concerns about the wind turbine ordinance. She asked when does the community have a right to say when enough is enough. Baier said the number of turbines is too much, and that some are being slipped in. Baier also expressed concerns  about Mid-American trespassers looking for Indian artifacts and a specific breed of bat. Among the other issues she mentioned in her letter, were with regard to the blades throwing ice, creosote left on their land, gates being left open so cattle get out, and how it is affecting our ecosystem and rural development. She requested a cap be put in place with specific language by a knowledgeable Attorney.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors will hear reports from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, and County Auditor Mandy Berg.

Des Moines – Governor Reynolds recently proclaimed November 16th through the 24th as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Iowa. Iowa joins with the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness as well as more than 700 other organizations throughout the country in bringing awareness to the pressing issues of hunger and homelessness. The Iowa Council on Homelessness reports that 12,180 Iowans were served by homeless shelters in 2018, a slight decline from 12,932 served by shelters in 2017.

Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham says “I encourage all Iowans to join with the Iowa Council on Homelessness this week in recognizing the many causes of hunger and homelessness, the impact it has on families and to support local organizations in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens.” The Iowa Council on Homelessness is a 38-member council made up of representatives of state and local governments, nonprofits, advocates and homeless or formerly homeless individuals that works to identify issues, increase understanding, raise awareness and secure resources that will allow all homeless Iowans to become self-sufficient.

The Iowa Finance Authority provides staff support to the Council to submit a coordinated application for federal funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program. Iowa Council on Homelessness Board Chair Karin Ford said “The Iowa Council on Homelessness works year-round to advance opportunities for those who are experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness. As the holidays approach, it’s a fitting time for all Iowans to consider donating time or resources to homeless service agencies throughout the state to assist Iowa families in need.”

Two-weeks after the City/School Elections, the Cass County Board of Supervisors will canvass the results of the City/School Elections Tuesday, with the focus on the School Elections. The results will include the previously unavailable tallies for school districts lying in more than one county. Unofficial results that followed the Nov. 5th election, showed that in Cass County, Incumbent Jenny Williams, and candidates Nicholas Hunt along with Laura McLean were elected to the Atlantic School Board. The votes totals among the five candidates running for three seats on the Board could change, especially with regard to a tight race between McLean and Benjamin Winford. The initial results showed McLean had a seven-vote lead over Winford. The canvass takes place following adjournment of the regular board meeting that begins at 9-a.m. Tuesday, in the basement meeting room of the Cass County Courthouse.

In other business, during their regular meeting, the Cass County Board of Supervisors will act on an Interim Engineer duties agreement, and discuss a Post-Election Audit Report, with regard to confirmation that election equipment accurately counted the votes on Election Day. The Audit Board hand-counts votes using machine-count standards, according to County Auditor Dale Sunderman.