Spring in Iowa means planting fields and gardens, outdoor recreation, warm days, cool nights and, as a reminder from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), it also means the start of tick season. IDPH encourages Iowans to enjoy the many opportunities to be active outdoors, while remembering to protect against ticks. Ticks can carry the organisms that cause Lyme disease (the most common tick-borne disease), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis. In 2014, there were 194 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease in Iowa; so far this year, there have been two cases.

IDPH Public Health Veterinarian & Deputy State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ann Garvey says “The best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid wooded and tall grassy areas, where ticks are usually found.”. If you do spend time in these areas:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long, light-colored pants tucked into socks or boots.
• Stay on trails when walking or hiking and avoid high grass.
• Use insect repellants that contain DEET. Read and follow the label directions for application (DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age.)
• Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks as soon as you get back home. Ticks tend to prefer the back of the knee, armpit, scalp, groin, and back of the neck.

Not everyone who gets Lyme disease will have the same symptoms, but the best and earliest sign of infection is a rash that may appear within a few days to a month, usually at the site of the tick bite. The rash will first look like a small, red bump, then expand until it begins to look like a bull’s eye, with a red center and a red ring surrounding a clear area. It is important to contact your health care provider immediately if you develop this type of rash.

The Iowa State University Medical Entomology laboratory conducts tick surveillance across the state and encourages Iowans to send in tick samples for identification. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1F5Zloa or call 515-294-0581. To learn more about Lyme disease, visit http://bit.ly/1FPGoEN.

The Iowa Board of Respiratory Care said today (Thursday), a Malvern Respiratory Therapist has entered into a Consent Agreement with regard to inactive status. On Feb. 17th, Ronald Beres, Jr., requested his license be placed on inactive status effective immediately. His license had been set to expire on March 31st, 2016.

If Beres desires to file for reactivation of his license, he must complete an alcohol and substance abuse evaluation, and comply with any requirements set forth in the evaluation.

The board granted Beres’ request with the notation the matter is NOT considered to be a form of discipline against him.

More area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Creston Police Department says a resident living in an apartment at 300 N. Oak Street reported Wednesday that someone had stolen a package delivered to her home. The package….shipped from Fingerhut…was taken sometime between April 28th and May 5th. The loss was estimated at $60.

The 7:07-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers is warning area residents about a utility scam. Brothers said a local Clarinda business recently received a call from a female purporting to be a customer service representative for MidAmerican Energy. The caller told the business owner that the payment on the electric utility bill was overdue and that the electrical service would be disconnected within the hour if not paid. The customer service representative said payment needed to be made with a “Reload It” prepaid card.

Brothers says “This is a scam. No utility company does business this way.”

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved the publishing of a notice indicating its intention to fill a vacancy in the 5th Ward, by means of appointment. Mayor Dave Jones said he has a person in mind to fill the seat on the Council being vacated through the resignation of Lori Stuart, but that individual will have to run in November in order to try and hold the position. Stuart’s resignation is effective June 3rd. She’s leaving with her family in a move to Cedar Rapids.

Jones said if a Special Election were held to fill the seat between now and November, it would cost the City $1,000, and it would take at least two-months before the election were held. After the Council approved a motion to publish notice of Appointment, Mayor Jones said he was recommending Richard “Dick” Cassidy for the position, and Cassidy has agreed to accept the seat.

Cassidy is a retired Atlantic High School Math teacher and has been involved in some civic organizations. During the Council’s next meeting on May 20th, Jones will announce his intentions to fill the 5th Ward position with Cassidy, effective June 4th. If the public is not in favor of the appointment, they must file a petition for a Special Election.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council set May 20th as the date for a Public Hearing on an amendment to the current year (FY 2015) Budget, which City Administrator John Lund says is needed in order to ensure the funds balance and a reflection of the cash numbers are accurate. Only a few adjustments are needed, according to Lund, who announced on a separate note, that negotiations with the Public Works Union are completed, and the Union has agreed to accept the proposal.

Mayor Dave Jones warned residents and property owners City crews will begin mowing yards next week, if the grass has grown taller than 12-inches. The City will continue to be on the lookout for properties in violation of the ordinance, now through Oct. 31st. If your grass remains high on the 1st and 15th of each month, will be mowed by the City, and the property owner faced a fine of up to $150, and if the fine is not paid, the cost will be assessed to the owner’s tax bill.

And, Councilman Dana Halder issued a warning to persons who place Yard and/or Garage Sale signs on City Right of Ways. He’s recommending the Police Department write a ticket to persons who leave signs in place more than two days, or who violate the Right-of-Way. Halder said this past week, two garage sale signs were posted on school grounds for a week. He says they didn’t get taken down “‘Til they [the signs] literally fell off the stick.”

The posting of signs on school grounds is not allowed. Furthermore, you are not allowed to put those signs on private property without permission of the land owner. If you do place signs in a yard, you should remove them as soon as the sale is finished.

Red Oak Police arrested a Pottawattamie County woman early this (Thursday) morning, on an active Pott. County warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree. 35-year old Genette Lee Gessler, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody at 204 E. Corning Street, at around 3:30-a.m. Gessler was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 cash bond.

Gessler was previously arrested March 6th by Red Oak Police, on an active Montgomery County Warrant for Theft in the Fifth Degree.

One person was transported to a trauma center in Omaha while another person suffered minor injuries during an accident late Wednesday night, in Council Bluffs. According to Bluffs Police, the accident happened at around 10:30-p.m. off Interstate 29, just north of the 9th Avenue exit.

Officials say Police responding to the scene found a 2001 Kia Sportage with Nebraska plates had left the road and collided with a tree. Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue transported the unidentified driver and passenger to Creighton University Hospital for treatment. The driver was listed in very critical condition.

The accident remains under investigation.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A 39-year-old man accused of attempted murder has been taken into custody after escaping from an Omaha hospital where he was being treated for stab wounds. The Daily Nonpareil reports David Leroy McKee of Council Bluffs left the hospital yesterday afternoon. He was being treated following a stabbing incident Sunday.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — The trial of a Prairie City woman facing charges stemming from her dog’s fatal attack on a 4-year-old girl is set to begin. Jurors were selected yesterday in the trial of 26-year-old Jena Wright in Newton. She is charged with child endangerment, neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, assaulting a police officer and interfering with official acts. A jury of 10 men and four women was seated Wednesday. Opening statements will be delivered today.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa City man has taken a plea deal in the beating death of a toddler. Online court documents say 23-year-old Jorge Perez entered an Alford plea Monday to one count of child endangerment resulting in death. He and his then-girlfriend Mireya Balderas are accused of beating to death 20-month-old Marcus Balderas in April 2012.

SIBLEY, Iowa (AP) — A couple looking to retire wants to sell a Sibley movie theater after running it for several decades. The Sioux City Journal reports Larry and Aileen Pedley bought Max Theatres from the children of Richard Carl Max after he died in 1981.