A chain of facilities that treats head lice reports an 84-percent increase in cases between last spring and this spring at its four outlets that offer services to Iowans. Dr. Krista Lauer, medical director of Lice Clinics of America, says a large factor in the growing problem is that the tiny insects are highly contagious and have become a much greater problem over time.

“Lice have evolved and become superlice, which means they’ve developed resistance to the traditional pesticide-containing over-the-counter treatments,” Lauer says. “They are no longer effective and people are spending time and money going to the pharmacy on these treatments that don’t work.” In addition, Lauer says there’s a lack of understanding by the public on the life cycle of lice and how they spread.

An adult louse will live for about a month and over that time can lay over 100 eggs,” Lauer says, “so, you can see how rapidly an infestation can escalate.” Lice, she says, only spread by direct head-to-head contact, like on the playground, while taking part in sports or at slumber parties and camp. As the insects have evolved, she says treatments have evolved as well, touting the clinics’ use of a proprietary tool that can eradicate the problem in a single, one-hour treatment.

“It uses precision-controlled heated air so it works by dehydration,” Lauer says. “It dehydrates not only the live hatched lice but also the eggs, and that’s the really hard part to kill, the eggs.” People need to educate themselves, she says, as it’s a very misunderstood affliction.

“It’s really important to know that lice have nothing to do with personal hygiene. They have nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home or your school,” Lauer says. “They are purely an infestation that happens by opportunity. Don’t panic and don’t be embarrassed or ashamed. They are so common.”

The Lice Clinics of America has offices in Dubuque, Bettendorf, Des Moines and Omaha/Council Bluffs. A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Public Health says lice are not a reportable disease, so the state maintains no data on the number of cases.  www.liceclinicsofamerica.com

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police have released the identities of two people killed in a weekend shooting in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids Police said two 18-year-olds, Matrell Eugene Johnson and Royal Ceiz Abram died as a result of the shooting early Saturday morning.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — One sheriff in eastern Iowa is looking forward to moving into a new jail this fall because it is a significant upgrade over the current eight-bed facility. The Burlington Hawkeye reports the new Henry County jail will be able to hold 108 inmates, and it will be much more secure than the current jail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Normally this time of year, huge barges can be seen chugging up the Mississippi River, carrying grain to market and bringing agriculture-related products to farmers in the Midwest for the new growing season. But historic spring flooding has left parts of the Mississippi closed for business. The interruption is hitting an agriculture industry that’s already suffering, including from trade disputes that have helped drive down commodity prices.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Nearly 35 years after she started, one Iowa mom is receiving her college degree from Loras College this weekend. Karen Leisen told the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald she always focused on her goal of finishing college as she was raising her nine children.

A man from California was injured during a collision on Interstate 80 westbound near Avoca, Sunday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports 60-year old James Dolan, of Bakersfield, CA.., was driving a 2016 Freightliner semi and attempted to pass a 2015 Volvo semi that was traveling slowly in the right lane, when for reasons unknown, the Freightliner struck the Volvo semi. The accident happened at around 8:30-a.m. near mile marker 38.

Dolan’s semi came to rest up right upright in the westbound ditch. The other semi driver, 29-year old Deanthony Bradley, of Phoenix, AZ, was not injured. His semi stopped on the westbound shoulder.

Dolan was transported by Lifenet helicopter to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, for Treatment. The accident caused severe damage to the passenger side of the Freightliner and the rear, driver’s side of the Volvo.

The Griswold School Board will hold a Public Hearing 5:30-p.m Monday, with regard to a proposal to sell the former Lewis School Building. The hearing will include a presentation on the sale agreement. Once the hearing concludes, the Board will open their regular monthly meeting, which, according to the agenda includes:

• Action on approval of Change Orders.
• Possible action on approving “Ready-to-Play” and “Return to Learn” protocols.
• Discussion on a possible bus purchase.
• Possible approval of a Resolution authorizing the execution of a Quit Claim Deed for the Lewis facility.
• Approval of a Resolution of Intent to sell the Elliott Facility.
• Approval of a Contract Amendment
• Establishing Nutrition prices, setting Registration and activity pass fees.
• Approval of Fuel bid specifications.
• and Discussion on Hiring Practices, among other matters.

The meeting takes place in the Griswold Middle School/High School Library.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — One eastern Iowa sheriff is looking forward to moving into a new jail this fall because it is a significant upgrade over the current eight-bed facility. The Burlington Hawkeye reports the new Henry County jail will be able to hold 108 inmates, and it will be much more secure than the current jail.

Sheriff Rich McNamee says the new jail will allow staff to better monitor prisoners and it includes cells for medium and maximum security prisoners. Before McNamee was appointed sheriff in 2013, voters had twice rejected jail referendums in 2005 and 2006. In August 2017, 85 percent of the voters supported the $9.1 million bond issue needed for the new jail.

McNamee says he expects to move into the new facility by October.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police have released the identities of two people killed in a weekend shooting in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids Police said two 18-year-olds, Matrell Eugene Johnson and Royal Ceiz Abram died as a result of the shooting early Saturday morning. A 19-year-old woman was also wounded in the shooting and she remained hospitalized Sunday.

The shooting happened around 1:20 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Iowa Smoke Shop on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids. Investigators believe the victims were in a vehicle in the parking lot at the store when someone approached them firing a gun.