Blood centers are taking some precautions to head off an issues with the Zika virus outbreak. LifeServe Blood Center spokesperson, Nicole Hanger, says they are following the F-D-A guidelines when it comes to dealing with blood donors who may’ve been exposed to the virus. “If you have traveled to any country where the Zika virus has been identified, then we want you to wait 28 days from the date that you return,” Hanger says.

A spokesperson for the Red Cross says they are also following the guidelines of having donors wait four week if they have been in a country where the virus is prevalent. The virus has spread primarily in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Samoa and Cape Verde. Hanger says with spring break may take more people into the infected areas.

She says with spring break only weeks away, they are anticipating more travel to one of those countries, and more people becoming ineligible to give blood for awhile. Hanger says those who aren’t traveling to the Zika areas are asked to help out by donating blood. Hanger says they will try to make it easy by asking people if they have traveled to the Zika areas when they come in to donate blood.

“So that we can defer them prior to their registration and going through the whole process,” She says. “Ultimately our goal is to protect the blood supply, we want to make sure we have a safe and stable blood supply.” She says they don’t want to see another lag in the blood supply like they saw in recent months.

“During the winter months we often see the donations decrease simply because of the winter weather, which we experienced several weeks ago,” Hanger says. She says donors responded and help build up the supply again, but they have a need blood throughout the year, especially “O Positive” and “A Positive” right now. Hanger encourages everyone to think about donating.

“If you haven’t donated for awhile, and you don’t have any travel plans, we really need you to come in and give that life-saving blood donation to help sustain the donor base for those who maybe are traveling,” Hanger says. For further information, or to schedule a blood donation appointment, visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800-287-4903. LifeServe Blood Center provides blood and blood products to more than 100 hospitals located across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa utilities regulators plan to make a decision on whether to allow a Texas company to bury 346 miles of crude oil pipe under Iowa farmland next month. Iowa Utilities Board chairwoman Geri Huser says the three-member board intends to meet March 9 and consider an order pertaining to the permit application from Texas-based Dakota Access to build the so-called Bakken pipeline. Environmental and property rights groups oppose the project. Supporters say it’s a safer way to transport oil and it will create jobs.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Louisiana construction company says in a lawsuit it is owed $53 million dollars for work done at the Iowa Fertilizer Co. plant in southeast Iowa. White Castle, Louisiana-based Maintenance Enterprises says in documents that it’s filed a mechanics lien with the Iowa Secretary of State. The company hopes to collect from Orascom, a subsidiary of an Egyptian construction company. It began in 2013 building the $1.9 billion Iowa Fertilizer Co., which Orascom has since been spun off as a separate limited liability company based in the Netherlands.

DECORAH, Iowa (AP) — The high-profile trial of a former Boone man charged with killing his wife is underway as court officials and attorneys begin selecting from a large pool of potential jurors. Forty-one-year-old Alexander Fazzino is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Emily Fazzino, who was found dead on a bathroom floor at the couple’s Boone home in January 2012.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man killed by Urbandale officers has been tied to a Des Moines killing. Des Moines police say the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation notified detectives last week that blood found at the scene of the January killing of 71-year-old Norma McNeeley matched that of 29-year-old Ali Eisa Abdalla Yahia, who was shot to death by Urbandale police on Feb. 13.

The Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA), who is hosting the 3rd Annual Awards Luncheon and Dessert gala on April 27th, 2016, are seeking community-wide nominations for the awards. The awards are designed to recognize the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and innovation in their profession and within the community.

YPA logo

The awards are open to any Young Professional that meets the following criteria: the professional is between the age of 21-41 years old as of January 1, 2016, and the professional either works or resides within Cass County. Young Professionals will be nominated for their excellence in 4 different categories: YP Newcomer, YP Entrepreneur, YP Business Leader and YP Public Servant. There will also be one YP Choice Workplace Award given. The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes a company who effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals.

Individuals can either nominate their company or another company. Companies must be Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members. You can check the membership directory at www.atlanticiowa.com for eligibility. To submit a nomination, go to www.atlanticiowa.com for a nomination form or pick one up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office (102 Chestnut, Atlantic, IA 50022). All nomination forms must be submitted by Thursday, March 31st, 2016 by 5 pm.

The YPA nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee including: a YPA Representative, an Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Board Representative, a member of CADCO, a Board of Supervisors Representative, an Atlantic City Official and an out of town guest. The Award Recipients in all 4 categories and the YP Choice Award will be recognized and celebrated at the April 27th Awards Luncheon and Dessert Gala.

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The Young Professionals of Atlantic is a social group with no membership dues or required meetings. Their mission is to connect, engage and attract young leaders into the community while promoting the greater Atlantic area. Members are young professionals between the ages of 21-41. Any interested individuals can contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 for information.