AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University insect experts say an extensive surveillance project last year found that the two mosquito species most associated with Zika virus are not established in the state. The ISU Medical Entomology Laboratory oversaw mosquito trapping in 15 Iowa counties. The traps collected nearly 176,000 mosquitoes between May 3 and Oct. 4. Not a single specimen of the two species known to transmit Zika was found.

Ryan Smith, an assistant professor of entomology, says not a single specimen of the two species known to transmit Zika was found. He says the research is intended to try to answer questions about whether they’ll get here and if so, when. Zika carrying mosquitoes are in Missouri and Illinois and surveillance will be heightened in southern and eastern Iowa counties.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released details about two recent arrests. Officials say 38-year old Kirk Thomas Ring, of Underwood, was arrested Monday afternoon for Serious Assault with Injury, after a Sheriff’s Deputy was flagged down by a man who said his son had just assaulted him. The victim, 65-year old Marvin Ring, of Underwood, suffered apparent minor injuries during the incident.

Three people from Nebraska were arrested Monday afternoon in Pottawattamie County, after a routine license plate check on Ford F-150 pickup indicated the plates didn’t match the vehicle, and it was pulled over on I-29 near the 70-mile marker. The driver, 39-year old Gordon Ward Dick, of Winnebago, NE, and two occupants of the pickup were arrested.

Dick was arrested for OWI/3rd offense, and on a warrant out of Dakota County, Nebraska. Gordon Dick, and his passengers, 32-year old Terrell Harlan, of Omaha and 39-year old Kellie Jo Parker, of Dakota City, NE., were also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Meth, with Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Dick was also cited for fraudulent use of license plates, having no insurance, and failure to have a valid driver’s license. Parker was also charged with Obstruction of Prosecution by providing false information, and on a warrant out of Woodbury County for voluntary absence/escape.  A glass meth pipe and three syringes, along with a green bag containing several plastic bags of meth were recovered at the scene.

As the Budgetary Process continues for the Adair County Board of Supervisors, the Board, Wednesday, will hear additional requests for Fiscal Year 2018 funding from various department heads, departments and organizations. Budget requests are expected from: Home Care; The Adair County Sheriff; VA Director; Conservation Director; Midwest Partnership and Adair County Tourism.

The Board will also hear annual reports from MATURA and SICOG, and they’ll discuss longevity as well as Step increases for County employees in addition to other, administrative matters.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors meeting begins at 9-a.m. Wednesday in their Boardroom at the Adair County Courthouse in Greenfield.

Officials with the Iowa DOT report Highway 6, between Oakland and the McClelland turn-off, has now re-opened. The road was closed earlier and traffic was being re-routed, due to numerous crashes caused by an icy road surface.

RED OAK, Iowa – Every Wednesday Red Oak 4-6th graders engage in real world problem-solving activities during an afterschool STEM program at the Montgomery County Family YMCA. The STEM Program fosters curiosity for science, technology, engineering and math. Youth participate in hands-on activities that encourage discovery-based learning and develop problem-solving skills.

Students explore a STEM challenges and work in teams to solve problems and develop solutions. The second six weeks of STEM Club will be starting January 25th from 1:45-3:00PM at the Montgomery County YMCA Rec Room. The first six weeks of challenges included: strawberry DNA extracting, understanding buoyancy through sink/float activities, understanding how drones and remote sensing can be used to solve real-world problems, and learned about the components of rockets and force.

Please contact the Extension Office at 712-623-2592 to register, or you can register at the meeting! “The volunteers and leaders strive to create a safe, fun and supportive environment where youth explore STEM topics and develop the skills to become engaged community leaders, engineers and scientists,” states Chelsea Cousins, Program Coordinator at ISU Extension and Outreach Montgomery County. “At
our first meeting, one student expressed his hesitation and by the end of the program he raised his hands and shouted ‘THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER’. If the program ignites one youth’s passion for STEM – we’ve reached our goal.”

The afterschool program will run for six consecutive weeks. Youth do not have to be a member of the YMCA to participate. The afterschool STEM program is coordinated by ISU Extension and Outreach Montgomery County in partnership with Montgomery County Family YMCA, Anderson Conservation Center, Southwest Iowa STEM Hub and Johnson Controls, INC.

The program has been made possible through the Blue Skies Grant from Johnson Controls, Inc. and the collaborative efforts of each partner. For more information, please contact ISU Extension and Outreach Montgomery County at 712-623-2592 or 400 Bridge Street, Suite 2, Red Oak, IA.

Officials with the Cass County Landfill and Recycling Center report an auditing firm has released an audit report on the Cass County Environmental Control Agency (Landfill/Recycling Center). Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. PC says the Agency had total revenues of $961,409 for the Fiscal Year that ended June 30th, 2016. The revenues include solid waste fees of $905,858 and recyclables fees of $44,567.

Agency expenses totaled just over $1-million ($1,009,898). Expenses included $70,522 for administration, $166,895 for recycling, and $170,407 for cover, compacting and scale expense, as well as $118, 700 for closure and post-closure costs. In addition, the Agency expended $28, 382 for the purchase of equipment and $186, 025 to service existing debt.

A copy of the audit report is available for review in the office of the Auditor of State, and the Cass County Environmental Control Agency.