For many Iowans, a highlight of summer is enjoying a margarita while taking in the sun. But, state health officials have a warning about a toxic reaction playfully referred to as “lime disease.” That’s L-I-M-E, not the tick-borne Lyme Disease spelled with a “Y.” State epidemiologist Patricia Quinlisk says there’s a more technical term for the combination of citric acid and sun.

“The name of this is phytophotodermatitis and what it basically means is a combination of a plant or fruit juice, along with sun light, can actually cause your skin to burn,” Quinlisk said. Also sometimes referred to as margarita dermatitis, the skin rash or burn often happens when someone is outdoors mixing a drink and lime, lemon or another citrus juice splashes on their skin. Add some sun rays and it can turn painful.

“That sets up this reaction that can actually burn your skin and burn it to the point of getting blisters,” Quinlisk said. There’s a simple solution to avoiding “lime disease” – wash your hands and arms with soap and water after handling citrus juice. “There are interesting situations where a parent will have it on their hand and touch their child on the back…and the child will actually get a burn that looks like a hand on their back,” Quinlisk said.

(Radio Iowa)

Two Pottawattamie County men were sentenced last week to prison in connection with the distribution of methamphetamine. 20-year old Ruben Toledo Jr., of Council Bluffs, and 25-year old Oscar Arriaga Martinez, a citizen of Mexico who resided in Council Bluffs, were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose. Toldeo received a seven-year prison sentence for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Martinez was ordered to serve 11-1/2 years in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Both men were also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victim Fund.

They pled guilty to the charges on January 8th. The charges were the result of an
investigation by law enforcement of drug trafficking that occurred in and around the Southern District of Iowa and the District of Nebraska. Beginning as early as February of 2014, continuing through September of 2014, Toledo and Martinez conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of Iowa.

The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force and the
Drug Enforcement Administration. Their case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton School District Board of Education zipped through several discussion and action items during their meeting, Monday evening. Superintendent Dean Schnoes said one of the issues they needed to address was a new phone system. With the current system, he says, voice mails sound like they’re using a walkie-talkie. Schnoes said also there was no big leap in the fees for next year, there was no increase in activities fees.

Both the Elementary and Middle School Principals’ contracts were approved, with those individuals assuming more responsibilities at the High School, because Principal David Johnson has been struggling with back issues that limit his ability to be at work.

The Board also set July 20th, at 7-p.m. (their next regular meeting), as the date and time for a Public Hearing on “Continued participation in the Instructional Support Program” (ISP) Levy. The levy, which comes about every 5-years, allows the District to use extra tax money to purchase tangible assets like books, paper, etc.