(Radio Iowa) – Iowa is seeing a bumper crop of bugs this summer, with flying and biting pests aplenty that are making the great outdoors much less great for humans. The state’s had a lot of rain in recent weeks and standing water can quickly become a breeding ground for many thousands of mosquitoes. Zach Schumm, an insect specialist at Iowa State University, says there’s only so much we can do to fight off the droves of pesky insects. “A lot of different cities have mosquito control districts or just city entities or entities that will come out and spray mosquitoes that are in really problematic areas,” Schumm says, “or in areas where they’ve identified mosquitoes that are carriers of some human pathogens like West Nile virus.”

There are at least 57 different species of mosquitoes found in Iowa, but Schumm says it’s not just mosquitoes that are making some of us miserable. “There’s many different types of insects that can be bothering you out and about,” Schumm says. “Typically, if we’re seeing really big clouds of insects, that swarm and hover around your head, and sometimes it seems like they’re getting close to your ears. Those tend to be things like midges, or generically just call them gnats, if you if you’d like. There’s so many different types of flies out there that can have similar behaviors.”

Katie Jensen, a wellness education specialist at Gundersen Health System, says there are tried-and-true ways to keep the insects from swarming. “Wearing thicker materials, because mosquitoes can bite through really thin materials. Wearing lighter colors, they seem to not be as attracted to lighter colors as darker colors,” Jensen says. “Making sure that you’re utilizing an EPA-registered repellent. There is a ton of information on the EPA website and they have various things if there are different ingredients that you want to maybe avoid, or maybe want to be drawn more towards.” Patrol your yard and make sure there’s no water sitting in flower pots, tires, gutters or elsewhere. “Watching just in the kiddie pools, maybe not leaving the water sit for days on end, making sure that you’re changing those out,” Jensen says. “If there are any buckets or toys or things that are left outside, just ensuring that you’re dumping the water out of them either daily or every couple days. Just really not giving the mosquitoes that invitation to come in and breed.”

If you have a bird bath, change out the water routinely, or, consider buying a battery-powered gadget that makes waves in the bowl, or a pump that circulates the water. Many Iowans love to go camping during the summer months and if you’re planning a prolonged adventure, you may want to invest in a few other precautions to avoid being bitten. “Mosquito nets are also really helpful. So head nets, they do make those for kids as well. So if you’re going to be out in the deep woods where there are a lot of different mosquitoes, having that as an option for yourself and also for your kids, too,” Jensen says. “They even make little covers for car seats or strollers, mosquito nets, so a really good investment if you’re going to be out and about.” Even though it may be less comfortable in the summer heat, long sleeves and long pants will help to cover your skin.

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

ADEL, IOWA — Iowa 3rd District Republican Representative Zach Nunn, Wednesday, honored the Dallas County Sheriff and 9-1-1 dispatchers who responded swiftly to the incident at Perry High School on January 4, 2024. He presented the prestigious Iowa Medal of Merit to these dedicated public servants that helped save lives.

“In January, the tragic attack at Perry High School shook our entire community. Every law enforcement officer, healthcare professional, and dispatcher helped save lives with their courageous and rapid responses,” said Rep. Nunn. “It’s a privilege to honor these men and women for their service.”

Rep. Nunn honored the following individuals with the Iowa Medal of Merit:

• Adam Infante, Dallas County Sheriff
• Terry McClannahan, Communications Manager
• Jill Johansen, Supervisor
• Bob Coffin, Dispatcher
• Holly Smith, Dispatcher
• Ashley Kuntz, Dispatcher*

*The family of Ashley Kuntz accepted the award on her behalf, honoring her work posthumously.

Pictured Left to Right: The Family of Dispatcher Ashley Kuntz, Sheriff Adam Infante, Rep. Nunn, Dispatch Supervisor Jill Johansen, Dispatcher Bob Coffin, Dispatcher Holly Smith, and Communications Manager Terry McClannahan

Rep. Nunn previously awarded members of the Perry Police Department with the Iowa Medal of Merit for their response to the attack.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Connections Area Agency on Aging works every day to Build Strong Support for Older Iowans, their Family Caregivers and community.  Throughout the year they partner with local organizations and agencies to better serve Older Iowans, their caregivers, and communities. Connections Area Agency on Aging has partnered with other community partners to gain awareness of the impact Bed Bugs have on our community members to begin to explore ways to help eradicate the bugs and create a healthier environment for all.

Connections AAA had partnered with the SWIA Mental Health and Disability Region previously to test a pilot program to learn the cost of eradication and creating a healthy home. They learned the average cost is $6000 for necessary prep work and treatment of bugs. Beg bugs are more than a common bedtime saying, “Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” They impact families more than financially, there are mental wellness effects such as anxiety, sleep deprivation, depression and lack of access to needed support in the home or community due to the presence of bed bugs. However, unlike most public health pests, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread disease.

Beg bugs are a nuisance bug that can impact multiple areas of our community (i.e.: Doctor’s offices, movie theaters, shopping centers, hotels, hospitals and even grocery stores). Bed bugs do not jump but can catch clothing items when passing by, having clothing/luggage on the floor in an affected area or sitting on furniture where bugs may be present. Bed bugs are smaller and hard to detect and are no respecter of person and can affect individuals of all income levels and areas of town not just certain areas as many may think.

Connections AAA and the Caring for Our Community Partners have created a survey to gather the impact of bed bugs on area communities, to be able to explore funding to help create healthy homes for all. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing an impact with bed bugs, please consider completing this confidential survey (listed below) to give Connections an idea of the need for support in area communities to explore funding and support for future program.

To access the survey, you can follow this link https://tinyurl.com/BBSurveyCB or contact Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 and be connected to a confidential extension to leave a message and staff will contact you to answer questions and complete the survey. Connections will host the survey until August 31, 2024.

Some proactive ways to prevent bed bugs are:

• Reduce the number of hiding places — Clean up the clutter.
• Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor.
• Check secondhand furniture, beds and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home.
• Be watchful when using shared laundry facilities. Transport items to be washed in plastic bags (if you have an active infestation, use a new bag for the journey home). Remove from dryer directly into bag and fold at home. (A dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs.)
• Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs to eliminate many hiding spots.
• When traveling look at hotel reviews or check https://www.bedbugreports.com/ for any reports made
• When traveling inspect your room and bed for any signs of bed bugs and place luggage on non-upholstery areas such the tile floor or luggage rack

Get more information about how to make a complete the Bed Bug Community Impact Survey or information about bed bugs call 1-800-432-9209 or email info@connectionsaaa.org to explore local community services and supports.

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Connections Area Agency is one of six Area Agencies on Aging in Iowa, and part of a nationwide network. With a mission of enhancing the quality of life for elders in 20 counties through education, planning and coordination of services, Connections Area Agency on Aging is the premier agency for assisting elders, caregivers, and their families to access the information and services needed for independence and life transitions. Offices are located in Council Bluffs, Creston and Sioux City. For more information, contact Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 or at www.connectionsaaa.org

(Radio Iowa)  – U-S Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says next month’s DEMOCRATIC National Convention will be a spectacle. “Get the popcorn ready,” she said, “because this is going to be the most hilarious exercise that we have ever seen.” Ernst spoke to the Iowa delegation at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee yesterday (Wednesday).

“For well over a year now when I am meeting with national political figure, when I a meeting with Iowans, I’ve been saying: ‘I’m a conspiracy theorist. I don’t think President Biden is going to be the nominee,'” Ernst said. “Well, now that’s kind of coming to fruition.” Ernst points to an Associated Press poll that found two-thirds of Democrats do not want Biden as their 2024 nominee.

“While I don’t want to say we’re going to waltz into the White House with Donald J. Trump this fall — we can’t take it for granted, I don’t want you to take it for granted — but I can tell you with the enthusiasm and the excitement that we have felt during this convention and what we will feel leading up to the election, we are going to sweep this election,” Ernst said.

Ernst says the tide is turning in key U-S Senate races and there are tremendous odds Republicans will win a majority of seats in the Senate this fall. Ernst won election to a second term in the senate in 2020 and plans to seek a third term in 2026.

(Radio Iowa) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is urging Iowa Republicans to be wary because he doubts Joe Biden will be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. DeSantis spoke yesterday (Wednesday) at a luncheon for Iowa delegates at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. He said the knives are out for Biden.

“The entire media that’s trying to push Biden out, they’re doing that for a reason,” DeSantis said. “They’re not doing it to help Trump. They’re doing it to beat Trump because they think they need a different candidate to do it.” DeSantis says it would be rare for someone in Biden’s position to set aside — and a Biden versus Trump rematch would turn out well for Republicans. “But I think we need to prepare that something can happen,” DeSantis said, “and something probably will.”

DeSantis was the second place finisher in the Iowa G-O-P’s Caucuses in January. There’s speculation he’ll run again for president in 2028.

(Radio Iowa) – City crews in Davenport and Bettendorf have been working non-stop to clear fallen trees, power lines, and debris after Monday night’s tornado. Scott County Emergency Management Deputy Director Jim Hawkes says the E-F-1 tornado which tore through eight miles of the cities left a tangle in its wake.

“There’s a lot of tree damage, a lot of powerline damage. The cities are dealing a lot with trees that are tangled up in powerlines and they’ve been unable to clean them up,” he says. As of this (Wednesday) morning, power has been restored to most of the area.

Many trees were damaged in the Davenport tornado. (NWS photo)

The total damage to homes and businesses is still being tallied, but the governor did issue a disaster proclamation for Scott and four other counties for the storms. At least two families were forced to find shelter through the Red Cross due to the damage.

(Tiffin, Iowa) – A 20-year-old woman was injured during a single-vehicle accident this (Wednesday) morning in eastern Iowa’s Johnson County. The Iowa State Patrol reports Tessa Mae Galloway, of Iowa City, was clocked traveling on a motorcycle at a high rate of speed near Tiffin on southbound Interstate 380 near mile-marker 2, at around 8:35-a.m.

A State Trooper attempted a traffic stop on the 2005 Honda CBR motorcycle Galloway was operating, but she failed to comply. During a resulting pursuit, Galloway failed to negotiate a curve on the I-380 southbound to I-80 eastbound flyover. The motorcycle went out of control and crashed.

Galloway was transported by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A report on her condition was not released. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Tiffin Fire, the Iowa DOT and another agency.

The crash remains under investigation.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A man from Athens, Georgia, was arrested Tuesday evening, following a pursuit that took place in two western Iowa Counties. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2020 Toyota Camry driven by 58-year-old Paul William Bolin, was traveling westbound on Highway 141 at a high rate of speed. When he approached and passed a Guthrie County Deputy’s squad car, his speed was clocked at 83 mph.

When Deputy Kirkpatrick sped up to pace the car, the Toyota increased its speed. The Deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens and engaged in a pursuit at around 4:57-p.m., but Bolin refused to yield. His vehicle sped-up to 97 mph and passed several cars at a high rate of speed. The Sheriff’s report says after Bolin ran a stop sign at the intersection of Highways 141 and 71 north, Bolin pulled over, and finally stopped near Falcon Avenue after other law enforcement officers assisted in the bringing the incident to its conclusion at around 5:07-p.m.

Bolin had a .22-caliber pistol in the center console of the Camry. A check of his criminal history indicated Bolin (who identified himself as “God”), had no warrants, and was not a felon. He is, however, disqualified from possessing a firearm. Bolin was arrested on Guthrie County charges that include Speeding in road work zones (11-to 20 mph over the posted limit), and Dominion of firearm/offensive weapon by a felon.

His charges in Carroll County include Failure to Obey a traffic control device, and Eluding (Speed 25 mph+ over the limit). Bond, at the Guthrie County Jail, was set at $5,000.