The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) has confirmed the first human cases of West Nile virus disease in Iowa in 2016. A female child (0-17 years of age) and an adult male (41-60 years of age), both of Sioux County, were hospitalized due to the virus but are now recovering. “West Nile virus season typically lasts from late summer into early autumn,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “These cases serve as a reminder to all Iowans that the West Nile virus is present and it’s important for Iowans to be using insect repellent when outdoors.”

Iowans should take the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.
• Eliminate standing water around the home because that’s where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in bird baths every three to four days.

Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and vomiting. Less than one percent of people infected become seriously ill and rarely, someone dies.

Since West Nile first appeared in Iowa in 2002, it has been found in every county in Iowa, either in humans, horses, or birds. In 2015, 14 cases of West Nile virus were reported to IDPH. The last death caused by West Nile virus was in 2010, and there were two deaths that year. For more information about West Nile virus, visit idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/west-nile-virus.

The Creston Police Department received a report of the theft of a utility trailer on Tuesday. Sometime between Saturday, August 13th and the afternoon of Tuesday, August 16th a utility trailer was stolen from 710 West Taylor Street in Creston.  The loss was estimated at $1,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports an arrest on Tuesday.  At 9:54pm deputies arrested 64-year-old Padgette James Hoffman of Pacific Junction on a Warrant for 3rd Degree Criminal Mischief and False Imprisonment. Bond was set at $2,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a two vehicle accident occurred on Highway 34 near Glenwood on Tuesday.

The accident occurred around 1:26pm on Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 34 and Levi Road.  A 2002 Buick driven by 79-year-old Elmer Miller of Cuba City, WI was stopped at the stop sign at Levi Road and Highway 34.  Miller stated he did not see any eastbound traffic and proceeded onto the Highway.  A 2004 Ford driven by 82-year-old Dennis Black of Villisca was traveling eastbound in the left lane approaching the Levi Road intersection and struck the Buick on the drivers rear quarter panel.

Both vehicles were moved out of traveled portion of the road and no injuries were reported at the scene.  Miller was cited for Failure to Yield Upon Entering a Through Highway.

A two vehicle accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Red Oak.  Red Oak Police were called to the accident at the intersection of North 5th Street and East Oak Street at 4:26pm.

Upon officers arrival both vehicles had moved from Oak Street onto N. 5th Street.  27-year-old Kya Rae Torres of Red Oak stated she was driving east on Oak Street in her 2010 Chevrolet Traverse when she handed an item to her daughter and when she looked back forward she didn’t have enough time to avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of her.  That vehicle was a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 17-year-old Felicia Marie Taylor of Red Oak.  No one was reported injured in the accident.

Moderate front end damage was reported to the Chevy and Torres refused a tow and wanted to drive the vehicle home. Taylor was also able to drive the Pontiac home.  Torres was issued a citation for Following Too Closely.

Red Oak Police report the arrest of a Red Oak man on Tuesday for Public Intoxication.  At 7:06pm officers arrested 45-year-old Michael Vaughn Cox of Red Oak for Public Intoxication at 2010 Commerce Drive in Red Oak.  He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

The Council Bluffs Police Department responded to a call of a possible home invasion on Tuesday at 9:49pm at 800 North 35th Street in Council Bluffs.  Upon arrival officers found the victim 33-year-old Charles Hernandez at a near-by location while officers secured his apartment.  Hernandez stated that he had entered the apartment at 9:30pm when he was confronted by a male suspect that had entered through the unlocked patio door.  The man pointed a black semi-automatic pistol at Hernandez and told him to freeze.  Hernandez then dove through the closed window from his middle floor apartment and ran from the scene to escape.

The suspect fled the scene and is described as a black male, 5’8″ tall, 180 pounds, wearing light colored shoes and white shirt.  At this time it is unknown if the suspect removed anything from the apartment.

Anyone with information concerning this burglary should contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

The Atlantic City Council this (Wednesday) evening will discuss filling the vacant At-Large seat on the Council. Their meeting begins at 5:30 in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall.

Tuesday evening, the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee interviewed applicants for the seat in a closed session, and concluded when the open session resumed, that longtime Atlantic businessman Gerald Brink would be their recommendation to the Council. Four people had applied for the At Large Council seat. Three of them were interviewed Tuesday. If the Council eventually approves Brink’s appointment, the public will have 14 days to file a petition requesting a Special Election to fill the seat, which became vacant by the resignation of Bob Cord, who has moved to Des Moines.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will recognize the Atlantic Trojan Softball Team for their performance this season and making it to the State Softball Tournament. The team was first organized in 1972. At that time, current City Clerk Deb Wheatley-Field was the Co-Captain. The Summer of 2016 was the first time in the 44-year history of the team, that they made it to the State Championship.

The Council will also act on a Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2016 Financial Report (as required by Iowa Code), and a Resolution authorizing the bids for the Bull Creek Culvert replacement project. The location of the repair is southeast of the 8th and Walnut Street intersection, where a large portion of the ground has collapsed, posing a hazard to people and vehicles in the alley. The cost estimates exceed $200,000, and will be paid for from the bond fund issued for the Bull Creek project.

Near the end of the meeting, the Atlantic City Council will discuss pets and livestock within City Limits, with regard to pot-bellied pigs, and, City Administrator John Lund will present his “Multi-residential Rollback Impact” report, with regard to the new multi-residential property class on the City’s budget.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:15 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The board that oversees Iowa’s three public universities has responded to an inquiry from some state lawmakers about the search for a new president at the University of Northern Iowa. Katie Mulholland, president pro tem of the Iowa Board of Regents, sent a letter Tuesday addressing Sens. Rob Hogg, Jeff Danielson and Brian Schoenjahn. The letter details the timeline for hiring a president to formally replace Bill Ruud at the Cedar Falls school.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As work progresses on an oil pipeline crossing Iowa opponents are holding protest rallies and taking the state utilities regulators to court in hopes of stopping construction. A hearing is scheduled for Friday in Des Moines on a motion to stay construction on several parcels of land.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An arbitrator has been suspended for an error-filled ruling that upheld the firing of a judge who testified against Gov. Terry Branstad’s administration. The Iowa Public Employment Relations Board says John L. Sandy will be suspended for six months. The discipline stems from Sandy’s ruling upholding the firing of Administrative Law Judge Susan Ackerman.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge is ordering protesters in North Dakota not to interfere with the construction of a $3.8 billion, four-state oil pipeline. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland granted the developer’s motion for a temporary restraining order Tuesday. The pipeline would go from North Dakota across South Dakota and Iowa to Illinois.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports officers with the Shenandoah Police Department stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Highway 59 and Airport Road Monday, for an equipment violation, and ended-up arresting the driver of the vehicle, 41-year old Christie Larson, of Lenox, on several drug, and other charges.

During the investigation, deputies with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit deployed a narcotics K9 on the vehicle and discovered methamphetamine and marijuana inside the vehicle.

Christie Larson

Larson was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver/Methamphetamine, Driving Under Suspension, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana, and Child Endangerment.

She was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $53,735 bond.