The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says a rollover accident that took place at around 9:45-a.m. Sunday, remains under investigation. Authorities say 65-year old Wynette Elsine Grote, of Brayton, was driving a 2009 Chevy Impala near the right shoulder of the road as she was heading west on 330th Street, about one-miles east of Brayton, when she turned the wheel and her vehicle began to fishtail.

The car slid sideways, partially entered the left ditch and flipped onto its top. Grote, who was trapped in the vehicle until she could be extricated by rescue crews, was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, by Exira Rescue. Her car sustained about $4,000 damage.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Monday) announced two influenza-related deaths. The two middle-aged (41 to 60 years of age) males were from central Iowa. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk said “These deaths are an unfortunate reminder the flu virus is circulating in Iowa, and does have the potential to cause severe illness and death.”

The flu season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May. The most current surveillance shows three states in the nation have the highest estimated influenza activity – Iowa, Oregon and Rhode Island. Based upon CDC’s national estimates, an average of 300,000 Iowans get the flu every year and together, flu and its complication of pneumonia cause an average of 1,000 deaths yearly in Iowa. The flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza; however, it is also important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness. Remember the 3Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.

Anti-viral medications are an important second line of defense to treat the flu in persons at highest risk of developing more severe illness. Anti-viral medications can make flu illness shorter and reduce the risk of ending up in the hospital or dying from influenza. Antivirals work best if started as soon as, or within 48 hours of when symptoms begin, so it is important to contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of influenza. Flu symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and may cause severe illness or even death in people such as the very young or very old, or those who have underlying health conditions. Both the current influenza deaths in Iowa occurred in individuals with underlying health conditions.

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. Influenza is not a ‘reportable disease’ in Iowa, which means doctors are not required to notify IDPH each time a patient tests positive for influenza; however, IDPH conducts year-round influenza surveillance through the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network. This surveillance indicates what types of influenza viruses are circulating and how widespread influenza illness is. For more information about where and what kind of influenza is in Iowa, go to https://idph.iowa.gov/influenza/reports.

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 www.flu.gov/.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is expanding its “Highway Helper” program. Scott Marler, director of the DOT’s Office of Traffic Operations, says two safety patrol trucks have been in operation in Des Moines. Four more trucks were added in metro areas of eastern and western Iowa today (Monday). “We’re expanding the program into the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids metro area, as well as the Council Bluffs metro area,” Marler said. “So, we’re putting two trucks in Iowa City-Cedar Rapids and two trucks in Council Bluffs.”

Iowa DOT Hwy Helper truck

The Highway Helper vehicles assist motorists with flat tires, jump starts, fuel, and transports free of charge. Marler says the ultimate goal is to improve highway safety. “It really is about keeping traffic moving because we know that traffic backups can lead to very dangerous conditions,” Marler said.

The two trucks added in eastern Iowa will mostly operate on I-80 through Iowa City and I-380 between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. “For the Council Bluffs area, we’ll mostly be focused on Interstates 29 and 80,” Marler said. The patrol vehicles will be in operation on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. and during select high-traffic holidays, according to Marler.

(Radio Iowa)

The Farragut Community School District will have to find a new superintendent if it manages to survive this week’s State Board of Education meeting. The Board is expected to act Wednesday on a proposal to dissolve the district. A report given to the state board in October indicated that enrollment is down 28 students from last year’s 167 students. The district has also exceeded its spending authority.

Superintendent Tom Hinrichs has told state and local boards that he’s leaving at the end of the school year. The Daily NonPareil reports that Hinrichs says his decision to leave is being made for personal and family reasons, citing his 75-mile commute from west Omaha.

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest on Saturday, of 55-year old Robert Fleharty, of Creston. Fleharty was taken into custody just after 6-p.m. in the 200 block of E. Montgomery Street, on an OWI 1st offense charge. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

And, a Macksburg man reported to the Creston P-D Sunday morning, that someone had stolen a utility box containing miscellaneous tools. The box was taken from a truck parked at his business on S. Mulberry Street in Creston, sometime between 1-p.m. Saturday and 9:30-a.m., Sunday. The loss was estimated at $300.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Council Bluffs Fire Department says its new hovercraft has already aided its rescue capabilities, and should come in handy this winter. The Daily Nonpareil reports the department purchased the hovercraft for about $60,000 last summer. According to department Technical Services Captain Jason Sorenson, the hovercraft can fly 9 inches off the ground and can travel over water, grass, ice and snow.

The department was able to rescue a 23-year-old man trapped in the West Nodaway River in Clarinda due to flooding less than a month after acquiring the vehicle. According to department officials, the hovercraft will be an asset when ice begins to appear in Lake Manawa. Department chief Justin James says it’s difficult to deploy rescuers through bad ice on the lake due its large size.