(Des Moines, Iowa) –  Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Thursday evening (8/22) announced the first case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection reported in 2024, is an older adult (61-80 years) from Harrison County. The case was confirmed through a test at the State Hygienic Lab.

Warm summer weather means Iowans are spending more time outside which increases the risk of mosquito bites. Bites from infected mosquitos are the primary method in which humans are infected with the virus.

For the best protection against the virus, Iowans should use an insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535. Insect repellent lowers the risk of mosquito bites.

• Always read and follow label directions. Consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products on children.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus and Para-menthane-diol should not be used on children younger than 3 years, and DEET should not be used on infants younger than 2 months.
• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

  Additional steps Iowans can take to protect themselves include:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks outdoors when possible.
• Look for standing water in buckets, cans, pool covers, used tires, pet water dishes, and other areas water may collect.
• Clear standing water from around your home where mosquitos reproduce.

Iowans infected with WNV may not experience any signs or symptoms of the virus. Some people experience minor symptoms like fever and mild headache. Others, however, can develop serious symptoms such as a high fever, headache, disorientation, and muscle weakness.

People who experience mild signs and symptoms of a WNV infection generally recover on their own. But illness that includes a severe headache, disorientation, or sudden weakness require immediate medical attention.

In 2023, 17 Iowans were diagnosed with West Nile virus, with one death.

For more information on West Nile virus, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/epi-manual/reportable-diseases/west-nile-virus.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board met in a short Special Session, Wednesday afternoon via Zoom. According to the meeting minutes provided by Board Secretary/Director of Finance, Lisa Jones, following discussion, the Board passed a motion by Jodi Goodrich, to approve the following hires:

• Elizabeth Williams – Special Education Paraeducator
• April Zarbano, Jeanne Redler, Ma Kyi and Katie Ryan – Nutrition Dept. Cooks, and
• Julie Phippen – Middle School Football Cheer Sponsor.

The next meeting of the Atlantic School Board is a Work Session at 5:30-p.m. on August 28th, in the Achievement Center Conference Room.

[Updated 7:26-p.m.] (Massena, Iowa) – Officials with the City of Massena report the City is currently under a BOIL ORDER until further notice. The Order was issued after a chemical pump malfunctioned, causing chlorine residual levels to become low.  The city has replaced the chlorine injection pump, and the affected area is being disinfected and flushed. City officials are notifying residents via Facebook, public notices and door to door contact.

Officials say there is no reason to believe water quality has been compromised, but as a precaution, customers are encouraged to boil water that will be consumed or used for food preparation. Water should be boiled for two minutes and allowed to cool before use. Water is safe to use for showering, laundry, general washing and outdoor use without boiling.

Two sets of bacteria samples will be collected for testing once residual chlorine levels have returned to normal. The boil advisory will be lifted once two consecutive sets of bacterial samples have tested negative for bacteria.

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during a BOIL ORDER:

• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
• Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if possible.

Handwashing

• In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.
• Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse them well under running water.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Bathing and showering

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
• Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Brushing teeth

• Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.

Washing dishes

• If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.
• Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if:
  • The water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66°Celsius), or
  • The dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
• Sanitize all baby bottles.
• To wash dishes by hand:
  • Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
  • In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
  • Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
  • Let the dishes air dry completely before using again.

Laundry

• It is safe to wash clothes as usual.

Cleaning

• Clean washable toys and surfaces with:
  • Bottled water,
  • Boiled water, or
  • Water that has been disinfected with bleach [PDF – 1 page].

Caring for pets

• Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Give pets bottled water or boiled water that has cooled.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.

Caring for your garden and houseplants

• You can use tap water for household plants and gardens.

(Radio Iowa) – Many of us woof down an occasional hot dog, but a health care professional is urging Iowans not to make a steady diet of what are known as ultra-processed foods. Cindy Lueck, a registered dietician at Gundersen Health System, says there are whole aisles of ultra-processed foods in many supermarkets. Besides hot dogs, the list includes soft drinks, deli meats, packaged cookies, other packaged desserts and more.

Lueck wouldn’t go so far as to say these foods are dangerous, but she says they’re miles from being close to beneficial.

Cindy Leuck (Gundersen photo)

Having a packaged cookie or a soft drink now and then won’t likely do much harm, but Lueck says if you make a routine of eating this type of food, the bad habit will eventually catch up to you.

For most of us, it’s tough to completely avoid ultra-processed foods, but she says it can become a problem is someone makes a practice of eating that type of food all the time.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has unveiled a state website that lists child care openings.

A couple of years ago, the state created an online platform that licensed child care providers could use to track enrollment and manage payroll. The governor says the 35-hundred child care providers using that system are now part of this new website that shows child care openings and the range of services provided.

State officials believe Iowa is the first state to offer this kind of real-time data in one place online. The website is called Iowa Child Care Connect.

The price for child care is not included, but the site’s designed for smart phone use, so parents can click on a phone numbers and call a provider.

Gov. Reynolds talks about Iowa Child Care Connect (8/22/24 Radio Iowa photo)

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says the site gives parents a way to drill down into the types of child care available nearby.

Governor Reynolds says she and other policymakers will be able to use the website to pinpoint communities that are child care deserts.

For example, Reynolds says they may discover unmet demand for infant care.

(Radio Iowa) – A long-term recovery group has been formed to help with building materials, food, financial support, and mental health services for part of western Iowa. Jean Logan of the Community Action Agency of Siouxland says the assistance is mainly focused on Woodbury County but is also available for other areas just outside the Sioux City metro area.

Logan says recovering from a natural disaster takes time and money.

Logan says one of the biggest challenges is finding contractors to fix homes.

She says people can also get help with food, financial assistance, and mental health services. Logan hopes the group will continue expanding into other communities as more organizations offer assistance.

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests:

On Monday, August 19th, 31-year-old Ianangi Kosuo, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense.  Kosuo was transported to the Cass County Jail and later released on his own recognizance.

And, on August 15th, 18-year-old Javen Jespersen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense.  Jespersen was also later released on his own recognizance.

“All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.”

(Radio Iowa) – Most Iowans are familiar with the emerald ash borer and the insect’s threat to our foliage, but we’re also being asked to be on guard for another insect that’s equally as lethal to a much wider variety of trees. Rhonda Santos, a spokeswoman for the U-S-D-A, says August is “Tree Check Month” and Iowa homeowners should examine their trees for the Asian longhorned beetle and report any clues they find about the invasive pest.

Unlike the emerald ash borer, the Asian longhorned beetle likes to feed on a host of trees, including: ash, birch, elm, sycamore, maple, buckeye, poplar and willow. The bug has distinct markings and leaves behind a series of holes and other signs in trees that make it quick to identify.

The beetle is not native to the U-S and has few-to-no natural predators. Santos encourages Iowans to take five minutes and give your trees a close inspection for those round holes or sawdust.

The beetle was first spotted in the U.S. in New York in 1996 and spread quickly. It’s one of a group of invasive pests and plant diseases that costs the nation some 40-billion dollars each year in losses to trees, plants, and crops. For more information or to report the insect or tree damage, visit www.asianlonghornedbeetle.com.

(Radio Iowa) – The State Auditor’s Office is citing a small town in Guthrie County town for significant delays in developing and approving the city’s budget. Citizens in Bagley, a town of about 230 residents, asked the state auditor’s office to review the city’s finances. The auditor’s report shows city officials held a public hearing about the city’s budget plan more than a month after the 2024 fiscal year had started. Bagley’s budget was not finalized until six months of the 12-month fiscal year had already passed by.

The report also says auditors could not find invoices or receipts to support a few purchases made with the city’s credit card — specifically snacks and candy bought at a Dollar Tree and about 100 dollars worth of laundry-related items purchased at a Menards.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a homeless man and woman were arrested Wednesday evening on charges of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree/1st offense. Authorities say 38-year-old Timothy Wayne Trusty and Cheyenne Beth Murry were arrested near the intersection of Howard and Spruce Streets, and the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, respectively. Both were being held without bond, with Trusty in the Union County Jail and Murry being held in the Adams County Jail. Additional details concerning their arrests was not available.

Creston Police report also, 50-year-old Regina Deanne Sanchez, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Creston Walmart Store, for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court.

Wednesday evening, 26-year-old Isaac Wayne Hayes, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Assault – Fear of Immediate Contact. Hayes was taken to Union County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

In other news, the Creston P-D said officials with the Agriland Fast Stop reported Wednesday, that equipment was missing from their lot at 705 W. Ringgold St. The missing equipment was described as a black, single axle 2014 Finish utility trailer with a full fuel tank, and an orange, Ditch Witch RT24. The loss was estimated at $11,150 altogether