AMES, Iowa (AP) — The recent heavy rains and flooding in Iowa and Nebraska created prime breeding areas for mosquitoes, so more bug bites are likely in the next few weeks. Experts say it’s not clear whether the increase in mosquitoes will lead to more cases of West Nile virus. The types of mosquitoes common now generally don’t carry diseases.

But many cities across the area will be working to minimize bug populations. Ames Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham says the city takes steps to control the mosquito population at Brookside Park and several other locations.

Using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants can help reduce bug bites. Experts say it’s also good to avoid being outside at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

A man and woman from Illinois were injured Saturday afternoon during a motorcycle crash on Interstate 80 in Adair County. In their report released this (Sunday) morning, the Iowa State Patrol said 60-year old Alan Armes, and 58-year old Connie Armes, both of Somonak, IL, were transported by Stuart Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, after the rear tire blew out, as they were traveling west on 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by Alan Armes. The cycle went out of control and came to rest on its side in the left lane of travel. The accident happened at around 12:45-p.m., Saturday, about 2 1/2 miles east of the Stuart exit.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will gather in the Media Room at the high school for a regular session Monday, beginning at 7:30-p.m. On their agenda is approval of: General Education/Special Ed contracts; other contracts and/or Letters of Assignment; Volunteer coaches positions; and Resignations.

The Board will also act on approving: The contract with Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein for the 2014-15 school year; The 1st reading of a new policy with regard to Honorary Diplomas; and approving new teacher employment, among other administrative matters.

During the discussion portion of their meeting, the Atlantic School Board will talk about their financial planning program assumptions for Fiscal Year 2015. Prior to adjourning for the night, the Board will enter into a closed session for a formal evaluation of Superintendent Amstein.

Authorities in Montgomery County report two people were arrested early this (Sunday) morning. At around 1:15-a.m., Jeffrey A. Runyan, of of Villisca, was arrested on charges of OWI/2nd offense, and Assault on a Peace Officer. Runyan was located in a vehicle on the roadway on N Avenue, north of 270th Street. During the course of an investigation into a complaint about a suspicious vehicle in the roadway, Runyan allegedly attempted to spray a deputy in the face with a can of Ether.

Runyan was arrested without further incident and brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, where he was being held on $2,000 cash bond.

And, at around 1:30-a.m., Police in Red Oak arrested Sabas Tafolla Hernandez, of Shenandoah. Hernandez was taken into custody in the 1500 block of North 4th Street on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. He was also cited for Open Container and Failure to Provide Proof of Security (Failure to have car insurance). Hernandez was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 cash bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A former Lee County maintenance worker who sued under Iowa’s whistleblower law is asking the state Supreme Court to reverse a lower court’s ruling setting aside the $186,000 that a jury awarded him. Rick Carter has appealed the judge’s ruling from 2013. Carter’s lawsuit claims he was fired in 2010 because he reported problems with the Lee County Jail and accused the county board of malfeasance.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man has filed a federal lawsuit accusing officials of violating his constitutional free speech rights when they ordered him to stop preaching on public sidewalks outside the Iowa State Fair. Jason Powell hopes the lawsuit will deter officials from trying to keep him from preaching outside this year’s state fair. Powell’s lawsuit says he was on a public sidewalk last August when a security guard told him to go to the other side of the street or be arrested.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified a man stabbed to death Friday as 52-year-old Douglas Richt of Council Bluffs. Officers responding to a disturbance report found Richt with a stab wound to his neck on the front porch of a Council Bluffs home. Police believe 45-year-old Jodie Sherman stabbed Richt during an argument. She was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City officials have extended a survey of consumers and retailers as the city considers ways to restrict businesses’ use of plastic bags. In June, the city launched a monthlong survey asking people and businesses how they use plastic bags. City environmental services analyst Melissa Campbell says the survey was scheduled to end yesterday, but will be extended at least two more weeks.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman reports heavy rain overnight through early Saturday morning, caused several streets to flood in Red Oak and throughout Montgomery County.

Photo’s courtesy Brian Hamman.

In addition, Hamman says heavy rain (about 5- to 6-inches worth) in Elliott resulted in the collapse of a vacant building on Main Street near the intersection with Linden.

Vacant bldg collapses in Elliott.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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One person was transported to the hospital in Corning Friday afternoon, following a single-vehicle accident in Adams County. The Sheriff’s office reports a passenger in a car driven by 20-year old Francis James Grout the 3rd, of Maryville, MO, was taken to the hospital by private vehicle, for treatment of possible injuries.

Officials say a Buick driven by Grout had been making a right turn onto Juniper Avenue from Highway 148 at around 3-p.m., when the brakes failed, causing the car to go into a ditch. No citations were issued.

The artist who paints the giant “Freedom Rock” in Adair County every year is slowly making progress on painting smaller, but similar rocks in all 99 of Iowa’s counties. Ray “Bubba” Sorenson started the statewide project in 2012. “I’ve booked 65 of the 99 counties and I just completed the 16th,” Sorenson says. The original 60-ton Freedom Rock, located near Greenfield, was first painted in 1999. It often features American stars and stripes, eagles, and other patriotic murals that are designed to pay tribute to veterans.

Sorenson says the boulders he’s painting in other counties are about a quarter to half the size of the original. Committees are formed in each county to help Sorenson decide what he’ll paint on their rock. “I have them send me ideas and I have my own ideas,” Sorenson says. “I kind of combine that and come up with sketches of something that’s unique about that county.”

The Manning Freedom Rock (Photo by Sorenson)

For example, Sorenson recently completed painting a rock that’s located in Manning in Carroll County and it includes a mural of a train trestle that still operates in Manning. Sorenson says he can paint 10 to 12 of the smaller boulders between the months of April and October, so he’ll be working on the 99 county project for the next 8 to 10 years.

“The big goal is thanking our veterans and to keep it patriotic. So, there are a lot of reoccurring themes like flags and eagles, but like I tell everybody, you can paint those in a million different ways. Each rock is unique to each county. When it’s done, there will be this unique 99-county, statewide-linked veterans memorial.” Sorenson charges each county $5,000, plus paint and travel expenses for the work. Painting each rock takes around two weeks. He says the project is currently booked through 2020.

(Radio Iowa)