The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Friday) announced the first flu-related death of the 2018-2019 influenza season, a middle-aged (41-60 years of age) Eastern Iowa man, who had underlying conditions or contributing factors. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Caitlin Pedati, says this death is an indication that flu can be a serious illness. “This death is an unfortunate reminder the flu virus does have the potential to cause severe illness and death, especially in the very young, very old, or those who have underlying health conditions.”

After 10 weeks of low influenza activity in Iowa, flu activity has increased over the last three weeks and influenza has been reported in every region of the state. The CDC recommends that essentially everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccine. It takes up to two weeks after vaccination for the body to achieve full benefit against the flu virus.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and 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. The “stomach bug” which causes diarrhea and vomiting is not caused by the influenza virus, but usually by norovirus; thus, the flu vaccine will not protect you against this illness.

To learn more about influenza in Iowa, visit http://idph.iowa.gov/influenza. Contact your health care provider or local health department to find out where the vaccine is available in your community or use the Flu Vaccine Finder at https://vaccinefinder.org.

(Radio Iowa) — There’s still no sign of an eastern Iowa man who’s now been missing for three weeks.  Thirty-one-year-old Chris Bagley was last seen in the Cedar Rapids-area on December 14, after leaving his home in Walker the previous day without his wallet. His wife said Bagley left with a person she didn’t know. Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner says it’s being investigated as a missing person’s case. Bagley has made no calls to his family, which has offered a $25,000 reward for his safe return.

Chris Bagley

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports 38-year old Robert Girard, of Lenox, was arrested this (Friday) morning, in the 1000 block of Tennessee Avenue, in Taylor County. Girard was taken into custody on active Union and Adams County warrants for failure to appear on previous charges. He was transported to Adams County where he was being held, pending an appearance before a magistrate.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) announced residents of Carroll County have the opportunity to attend FREE weapon’s classes that are needed to provide you with certification for your Permit to Carry, and which acts as a permit to purchase a firearm. If you already have a permit to carry, you do not need to take a refresher course unless you feel it would be of value.

Sheriff Kenneth Pingrey says the class is available to residents of Carroll County, ONLY, and will be held on the following dates/times:

• Saturday, Jan. 19th at 8-a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 12th at 7-p.m.
• Saturday, March 2nd at 8-a.m.
• Thursday, April 4th at 7-p.m.

Persons wanting to attend one of the classes must present a current driver’s license or ID card. For more information, see the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or call the non-emergency line at 712-792-4393.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque financial cooperative is finalizing plans to spend about $37 million to redevelop an iconic building in the city’s historic Millwork District. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that Dupaco Community Credit Union wants to acquire and transform the property widely known as the “Voices building” into the cooperative’s new operations center. Dupaco officials are also proposing office space for additional tenants and amenities for the community.

The five-story building once served as a local manufacturing hub but has remained vacant and underutilized for decades. Dupaco Chief Marketing Officer David Klavitter says the project would allow the cooperative to honor its origins. He says the building sits in the same neighborhood where 10 meatpackers started the group in 1948. Dupaco officials say the restoration project could begin early this year.

Firefighters from Kimballton, Elk Horn and Audubon responded to a barn fire Thursday afternoon, a couple of miles east of Kimballton. Former Kimballton Fire Chief Bill Allen told KJAN News the call came in at around 3:38-p.m., from the farmstead at 1170 Highway 44. Allen said the home owner was conducting a controlled burn in a pit, when some of the embers apparently flew up and caught the roof of the barn on fire. Kimballton crews arrived first on the scene and were able to obtain a quick knock down of the flames.

They then entered the barn and put out some smoldering hay that was in the loft. Allen says there really wasn’t much structure damage, thanks in part to the slow start the fire had. Crews were on the property for about two-hours. No injuries were reported.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday for the trial of a man accused of a Davenport slaying. Scott County District Court records say 37-year-old Deondra Thomas has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and weapons possession by a felon. Officers sent to check a report of gunshots on the morning of June 9 found 46-year-old Jason Roberts suffering from bullet wounds. He was pronounced dead later at a hospital. Police say witnesses identified Thomas as the shooter.