Thousands of Iowans will gather for picnics, cookouts, and family get-togethers this Memorial Day weekend. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) cautions that some of those Iowans will become ill in the following week or two, thanks to a food-borne illness. A food-borne illness is any illness caused by eating contaminated food or water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, 76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are taken to the hospital, and 5,000 people die from food-borne illnesses.

While some food-borne illnesses can be deadly, most that occur in Iowa don’t last long (one to three days), and go away on their own. Most of the things that cause food-borne illnesses affect the digestive tract and symptoms generally include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Especially during warmer weather, food safety begins at the grocery store. “When shopping, buy cold foods like meat, poultry and dairy products last, right before checkout,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Plan to drive directly home from the grocery store so the food doesn’t sit in a hot car any longer than necessary. You may also want to take a cooler with ice or insulated grocery bags to transport perishables home – especially if your drive home is more than half an hour.” Once home, place cold foods like meat, poultry and dairy products in the refrigerator right away.

To make sure you, your family, and friends have a healthy holiday, remember the following tips:

• Cook all meats thoroughly, especially ground meats like hamburgers and sausages (like bratwursts). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the middle of the meat has reached a temperature that will kill the organisms that can make us sick. Cook chicken to 165 F, ground meats like hamburger to 160 F, and whole meats like steaks or pork chops to 145 F.
• Marinate foods in the refrigerator – not on the kitchen counter or outdoors. In addition, if you plan to use some of the marinade as a sauce on the cooked food, set aside a portion before adding the raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Don’t reuse marinade, as this can re-contaminate the food.
• Cook thoroughly and immediately after ‘partial cooking.’ If you partially cook food in your kitchen to reduce grilling time, do so immediately before the food goes on the hot grill.
• Keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Whether in your car or on the picnic table, illness-causing bacteria can grow in many foods within two hours and during warmer weather, that time is cut down to within one hour.
• Don’t reuse platters or utensils. Using the same platter or utensils that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood allows bacteria from the raw food’s juices to spread to the cooked food. Instead, have a clean platter and utensils ready at grill-side to serve your food.
• Have a way to wash your hands prior to eating. For example, if picnicking, bring soap and water or hand wipes so everyone can clean their hands before they eat.

For more information on food safety, visit http://idph.iowa.gov/cade/foodborne-illness.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Monday afternoon, of 38-year old Crystal Dawn Huddleson, of Kent. Huddleson was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Violation of Probation. She was transported to the Ringgold County Jail and held without bond, pending an appearance before a magistrate.

Audubon Community School District Superintendent Brett Gibbs reports an informational meeting will be held Wednesday evening with regard to the new, 21st Century Community Summer Program that starts in July. The meeting is for Audubon County residents with children in grades K-thru-4, and takes place in the multi-purpose room at the Audubon Elementary School, beginning at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday. Registration is available online at www.audubon.k12.ia.us and click on the link. If you are unable to register online, contact the school office for a paper form.

Gibbs says the Summer Program cost, including staff pay and related expenses,  is reduced thanks to a federal grant. Students who qualify for Free and Reduced lunches at the school can attend for free. Other students can attend for a reduced rate of $50 per week. All participants will be served a free noon meal, along with an afternoon snack.

Participants will enjoy field trips, playing group games, swimming, and exploring a wide variety of enrichment activities. Programming will offer academic extension activities designed to fight the summer lag, and get students ready for the 2016-17 school year.

• Summer programs will be held July 5th through Aug. 22nd, from 9-a.m. to 5-p.m.
• Summer Field Trips will let participants experience many adventures in central and southwest Iowa.

An investigation into a fire that occurred late Monday morning in Clarinda, has resulted in an arrest. Police Chief Keith Brothers says 33-year old Brandy Lee Allison, of Clarinda, faces felony charges that include Arson in the 1st Degree, and Burglary in the 2nd Degree. She was arrested without incident at the Clarinda Police Department and was being held in the Page County Jail on $25,000 bond.

Chief Brothers says his department received a report of arson to a residence located at 214 W. Logan Street, at around 11:20-a.m., Monday. The house is owned by 48-year old Troy Landess, of Clarinda. An investigation revealed a carpet remnant had been set on fire in the kitchen area. The house sustained an estimated $5, 0000 dollars in smoke damage and damage to the tile flooring in the kitchen.

Landess discovered the fire after returning to the residence after being gone for a short duration. He was able to extinguish the fire himself. The Clarinda Fire Department responded to the scene to ventilate smoke from the home.

The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of the State Fire Marshal’s Office; Bureau of Arson and Explosives Section, the Clarinda Fire Department and the Clarinda Police Department. All reports have been forwarded to the office of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review and decisions regarding the filing of formal charges.

A public hearing is set to take place Wednesday morning, in Greenfield, with regard to a Fiscal Year 2016 Adair County Budget Amendment. The hearing begins at 9:30, and is being held as part of the Adair County Board of Supervisor’s meeting that starts at 9-a.m. at the courthouse.

Following the hearing, the Board will act on approving a resolution for the budget amendment, and an appropriation resolution. In other business, the Adair County Board of Supervisors will hear a report from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, with regard to a Union Step Raise, the final voucher for Gus Construction pertaining to a project, and his regular, departmental update. And, the V-A Director will speak with the Board with regard to a Mediacom contract.

Creston Police report two arrests occurred Monday. 18-year old Kane Farlow, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Jail on a Union County warrant for Eluding and Driving Under Suspension. Farlow was being held in the jail pending a bond hearing. And, 48-year old Michael Wilkinson, of Creston, was arrested on charges of OWI/1st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Wilkinson was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.