The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus disease in Iowa in 2011. The case is an adult (18 to 40 years) male from Pottawattamie County, who is recovering. “Although summer is the season most typically associated with mosquitoes, the West Nile virus season in Iowa usually lasts until the first frost,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “If mosquitoes are still flying, there is still a danger from West Nile virus.” The best way to prevent West Nile virus is to eliminate mosquito breeding areas and to use 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. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 1,021 total human cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. in 2010, including 57 deaths. Eight cases were reported in Iowa, including two deaths. 

For more information about West Nile virus, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/WNV.aspx.

w/ Ric Hanson

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CHARITON, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s first two deer hunting seasons open Saturday and allow participants to hunt deer in a comfortable setting. The seasons are for youth and disabled hunters. Tom Litchfield is a state deer biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He says the seasons allow young and disabled hunters to hunt deer in favorable conditions, compared to the December shotgun seasons. Each youth hunter must be accompanied by an adult mentor who has a valid hunting license and has paid the habitat fee. The youth and disabled hunter seasons close Oct. 2.

Republican Congressman Steve King says one of President Obama relatives has gotten preferential treatment from law enforcement and King wants a congressional investigation. “President Obama’s Uncle, Uncle Omar, has been picked up for drunken driving with almost twice the blood alcohol level that is allowable by law in Massachusetts,” King says. “It’ll be the third time that he’s been interdicted with regard to being an illegal immigrant. He’s twice before been adjudicated for deportation. This time Immigrations and Customs Enforcement just released him, after they had him in custody, as if he’s not going to be a danger to our society.”

Obama’s uncle is in the U.S. illegally and the White House press secretary said in early September that the president expects the case to be handled “like any other immigration case.” King wants to pressure Omar to speak publicly about his case. “I want to subpoena drunken Uncle Omar to come into the House Judiciary Committee, along with his attorney, who’s the same attorney that President Obama’s Aunt Zeituni had that got her asylum,” King says.

Obama’s aunt came to the U.S. in 2000 on a valid visa and applied for asylum in 2002. In 2010, an immigration judge in Boston granted it. She could become a citizen in 2014. King wants a congressional investigation to see if Obama’s aunt and uncle are getting “favorite treatment” at the direction of the White House. “We must enforce our immigration laws and we must enforce those immigration laws equally across all society,” King says. “Justice has got to be blind. It can’t play favorites and I want to have hearings in the House Judiciary Committee over drunken Uncle Omar.”

King made his comments in a video statement released by his office, and King used the phrase “drunken Uncle Omar” three times in 80 seconds. The chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party says King seems more focused on “persecuting distant relatives” of the president than on creating jobs. Iowa Democratic Party chair Sue Dvorsky  says King is engaged in “political theater” and “wild speculation”.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham has been named to a congressional working group that will help give citizens in seven states a voice in managing the Missouri River. Latham says in a news release issued Tuesday that the management of the river by the government has superseded the needs and lives of the communities and states along the river. Latham says citizens deserve a voice in the process as the government looks toward a new management plan and the congressional working group will be a resource for citizens to be heard. He says he will bring the thoughts and concerns of Iowa residents to the discussion to ensure any new plan is focused on flood prevention in Iowa communities.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said today (Wednesday), an Atlantic man was arrested Friday. 30-year old Dylan Ron Drake was taken into custody on a District Court Warrant for Probation Violation. A judge determined in August Drake was guilty of indecent exposure. The charge stemmed from an incident which occurred in mid-February. He was also ordered to have his name placed on the State’s Sex Offender Registry.

Drake was being held in the Cass County Jail on $10,000 bond.

w/ Ric Hanson

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DEXTER, Iowa (AP) – The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office is looking into what caused the death of a man found bleeding from head wounds on a gravel road. Gregg Nimmo was found face down on the road on August 28th by a passer-by at the Beaver Lake Campground, near Dexter. The mother of the 44-year-old Nimmo said that her son’s head had beenseverely fractured and nearly crushed. While it was initially thought that Nimmo had fallen from a moving vehicle, his mother, Carolyn Livengood, says he had no abrasions on his body, which he would have had if he had fallen onto the road. Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard says it’s too early in the investigation to determine whether Nimmo’s death was an accident or foul play.

(updated with IKM-Manning results)

There will be a new face on the Atlantic Board of Education soon. During the school elections held Tuesday, newcomer Rod Hartwig won enough votes to replace incumbent Jon Martens. Hartwig received 376 to Martens’ 352, which placed him second in the highest number of votes received. He’ll be joined on the board by incumbents Phil Hascall, who received 478 votes, and Denny Davis, who garnered 377 votes. Another newcomer on the Atlantic Board of Education, is Josh McLaren, who received 457 votes and was unopposed to fill a vacancy. In addition, the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy issue passed in Atlantic by 414 Yes to 122 No votes. It’s renewal means the district can ask to levy as much as 85-cents per thousand dollar property tax valuation, if necessary. The “Peppel” will remain in effect for another 10-years, beginning January 1^st, 2013.

Elsewhere, the Revenue Purpose Statement was renewed in the Griswold Community School District, by a vote of 137-to-9. The Revenue Purpose Statement was also approved by voters in the Adair-Casey School District, 123-to 16. And, a write-in candidate won a race featuring one other person on the ballot. In the Adair-Casey District 4 race, the published candidate Tim James was defeated by write-in Randy Carney, 85-to 49.

In Audubon County, write-in At-Large candidate Mark Nissen upset Arlen Wiedersteen for a seat on the Audubon Board of Education. Nissen garnered 195 votes to Wiedersteen’s 111. Candidates Christine Konkler and Douglas Olson received 213 and 216 votes each, respectively. In addition, a Revenue Purpose Statement for the Audubon School District passed by a vote of 212 to 29. Each of the candidates for the Exira School Board received voter approval. Terri Harris, Lisa Burmeister and Ryan Wilson were unopposed for At-Large seats on the board.

In Adams County, where there were no declared candidates for the Director Seats in Corning Districts 2 and 3, Scott Akin and Lori Harvey received the nomination through write-in votes. Akin received 119 votes, while Harvey garnered 133. Keny Haffner received 132 votes, and was unopposed to fill a vacancy on the board.

Voters in the IKM-Manning Community School District have elected Lynn Barry to fill the one open, At Large seat on the school board. Barry had 352 votes to challenger Larry Lesle’s 280. Barry also received 81 votes as a write-in candidate for the IKM-Manning District 2-A seat, but published candidate David Heller won the election with 401 votes. Scott Hodne was unopposed for the District 1-A Director’s seat, and there were only three write-ins.

Veteran Treynor school board member Jerry Hempel kept his seat following Tuesday’s vote. Hempel was among five candidates for the Treynor board. Treynor featured the only contested school board race in Pottawattamie County, other than the election in Council Bluffs. Newcomers Randy Young and Dave Paulsen will join Hempel on the board as At-Large members.

Authorities in Montgomery County say one person was transported to the hospital for treatment of unknown, possible injuries, following a collision Tuesday afternoon south of Red Oak. The Sheriff’s Department says the crash happened just after 4:30-p.m., at the intersection of Highway 48 and 270^th Street.

According to the Sheriff’s report, the collision occurred as a vehicle being driven by 56-year-old Rebecca S. Wright, of Red Oak, was traveling south and was in the process of turning left onto 270th street. At about the same time, a second southbound vehicle, driven by 73-year-old Louis M. Saner, of Shenandoah, attempted to pass.

Wright was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital by Red Oak Rescue. Saner, who was not injured, was issued a citation for passing at an intersection.