w/ Brett Johnson

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The past five Iowa winters have been snowier than normal, and colder than usual in four of them.

The next one? State climatologist Harry Hillaker says that it’s an even bet for more snow than usual and a slight chance of lower temperatures than normal.

The Pacific Ocean’s La Nina conditions -when equatorial waters are lower than normal – are expected to be relatively strong this winter.

Hillaker says the last 20 times that such La Nina conditions occurred, Iowa had snowier-than-usual winters on 12 occasions, and 11 of those winters were colder than normal.

But conditions vary from one side of Iowa to the other. He says snow was heavy in northeast Iowa last winter, “but there was not much winter in the south.”

–AP

Another case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in western Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health says the most recent case involves a woman from Mills County.

The report comes on the heels of four other cases of West Nile involving people from Fremont, Pottawattamie, and Harrison Counties. Several other possible cases are being investigated in western Iowa.

Even though the weather has cooled and decreased the mosquito population, the Health Department says there’s still a significant risk of getting West Nile until the first hard frost.

Ann Pavkov with the Iowa Department of Public Health says the months of standing water from Missouri River flooding could be creating an ideal breeding place for mosquitoes.

A press release from the Health Department provides more tips on preventing the West Nile virus:

Use insect repellant whenever outdoors, especially during peak biting times from dusk to dawn. Use repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children.

Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.

Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites by removing sources of standing water in outdoor areas whenever possible. For example turning over or removing items where water can collect, such as ceramic pots, toys, buckets, tires, wading pools, and tarps covering firewood and boats.

A meeting regarding possible post office closures in the Council Bluffs is scheduled to take place tonight.

The meeting will be held at 40 Pearl Street in Council Bluffs tonight at 5:00. People who attend the meeting can expect to get more information about the possible closures and more details about the financial situation of the postal service.

Interstate 80 westbound near Adair has reopened after a crash occurred on the freeway Monday afternoon.

At least three people were hurt in the incident that occurred at about 3:00 PM Monday, with reports saying one person was airlifted from the area.

The crash forced interstate 80 westbound to close near the 75 mile marker for a little less than four hours Monday. The interstate was re-opened at about 6:45 PM Monday.

No other details are currently available as the incident remains under investigation.

The Iowa State Patrol Reports that three people have been injured in a Mills County rear-end incident Monday.

At approximately 2:30 PM, a 2007 Ford 500 driven by 34-year-old Marlene Reed of Shenandoah was traveling east on Highway 34 and began slowing for a prior accident that occurred in the area.

Meanwhile, a 1993 PTRB semi driven by 66-year-old Harry Myers of Shenandoah was also eastbound on Highway 34 behind Reed’s vehicle. Myers was unable to slow down in time and struck the back of the Myers vehicle.

Injured in the crash were Marlene Reed and two of her passengers. Her passengers included 42-year-old Amy Reed of Shenandoah and 17-year-old Tristan Reed of Shenandoah. All three were transported to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Details about their injuries are not currently available.

Assisting with the crash were Red Oak rescue, Malvern rescue, Emerson first responders, and Glenwood rescue.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrests of three individuals this past weekend.

On Friday, 26-year-old Nathan Dorscher of Atlantic was arrested for public intoxication. He was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked.

Also on Friday, 47-year-old Douglas Bates of Griswold was arrested for driving while revoked for OWI test failure. He was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked.

And on Saturday, 30-year-old Brian Beard of Atlantic was arrested for OWI 1^st and theft 5^th degree (shoplifting). He was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked.

A two vehicle accident Friday in Atlantic resulted in approximately $2,300 damage.

A vehicle driven by Heather St. John of Atlantic was stopped at a stop sign at 14^th and Plum Streets in Atlantic. A vehicle driven by Jeanette Schrum of Atlantic was behind St. John’s vehicle and hit the rear of St. John’s vehicle due to the glare of the sun.

Damage to St. John’s vehicle amounted to about $1,500 and damage to Schrum’s vehicle amounted to about $800.

The Kimballton post office is now officially being studied for possible closure.

Kimballton residents recently received letters explaining the possible closure. The letter includes a questionnaire that residents can fill out. Also included in the letter was information about the declining workload and revenue the Kimballton office has experienced.

A community meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 4^th from 7 until 9 PM at the Kimballton Town Hall. Post Office officials will be at the meeting to answer any questions citizens may have.

If a decision is made by USPS to close the Kimballton location, residents can still request delivery at the Elk Horn post office. A form is also available at the Kimballton Post Office to request rural delivery service.

It is important to note that while the Kimballton Office is being studied, it does not necessarily mean the office will end up being closed.

Other southwest Iowa post offices being studied for possible closure include Brayton, Cumberland, and Lewis. A meeting about the possible closure of the Cumberland post office has been scheduled for Thursday at 7:00 PM at the Cumberland Community Building.

62-year-old Delbert Hull of Kirkman faces a charge of harassment in the third degree.

On Thursday, September 22^nd the mother of the minor boy reported her son receiving a letter in the mail that she described as being intimidating and annoying.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation into the alleged incident of harassment. The investigation revealed that Hull had sent the letter.

Hull was arrested Thursday afternoon on the third degree harassment charge. He posted $300 bond and was released later that same day. A court date of October 4^th has been scheduled in Shelby County Magistrate Court.

Hull is in his third year serving on the Shelby County Board of Supervisors and is facing re-election next year.