As Iowans try to have fun in the sun, some of them may resemble walking bullseyes to bees and wasps. The experts at the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center say summer is the busiest time of year for their hotline and they’re prepared to handle an influx in calls about insect stings. If you’re getting buzzed by a bee or yellow-jacket, registered nurse Joan McVoy says prevention may be the best medicine.

“If you’re around bees, don’t swing or strike at them or run away from them as the quick movements provoke them,” McVoy says. “If you’re eating outdoors, make sure you cover your food, especially your fruit and soft drinks. Avoid perfumes, after shave lotions, things like that. Avoid wearing real bright or colored flowery prints. It just attracts them.” If your child gets stung, don’t panic, but call the Poison Center hotline right away. McVoy says you need to watch for signs of an allergic reaction, especially within the first hour after a sting.

“You start to feel dizzy, faint, you start sweating, you start to wheeze or have trouble breathing, definitely give us a call,” McVoy says. “If people get stung several times, like over ten times, that’s going to be a trip to the emergency room, but most of the time, we’ll be able to watch you at home, carefully, and tell you what to watch for and what to do.” Most insect repellants that target mosquitoes will not work on stinging insects like bees. McVoy says one application of bug spray or lotion will typically last for some time, and she warns, you can overdo it by slathering on too much, too often.

“The ones that contain DEET, you want to make sure if you’re using them, especially with children, try to get the ones with the lower concentrations of less than 10%,” McVoy says. “They’re found to be just as effective as the higher concentrations. Be cautious with repeat applications. Really, one application of DEET should last you four to eight hours.” If you’re going on vacation this summer, she recommends programming the Poison Center hotline into your phone before you leave. The number is 800-222-1222.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Atlantic report two people were injured when a SWITA bus and a passenger car collided Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of 7th and Laurel Streets. The crash was reported at 3:48-p.m. Officials say the SWITA bus was southbound on Laurel and stopped at the stop sign, but did not fully yield to an eastbound car. The vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection. The driver of the car and a passenger on the bus were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital. Their injuries were not life threatening. The names of the drivers and victims will likely be released later this (Thursday) morning.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A jury will resume deliberations today at the trial of an Iowa man charged with killing his pregnant wife. Jurors are considering whether Seth Techel is guilty of first-degree murder and nonconsensual termination of a human pregnancy. The 23-year-old faces life in prison if convicted in his wife’s 2012 shooting death in rural southeastern Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa City lawyer will serve as a judge in eastern Iowa’s 6th Judicial District. Lars Anderson was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad to fill the vacancy left by retired judge Marsha Beckelman. The 6th Judicial District includes Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Tama counties.

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — The mayor of Clinton has refused to attend two closed sessions of the City Council saying he learned a valuable lesson from a recent open meetings lawsuit the city lost. Mayor Mark Vulich stepped out of two separate closed sessions on Tuesday. One involved a salary increase for the city administrator and the other an undisclosed legal matter.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man facing lawsuits involving a 2012 boat crash that killed four people and injured six others on the Mississippi River has agreed to hand over $300,000 from an insurance policy. But he wants a judge to absolve him of future damages if he does. An attorney representing Joseph Schier Junior has proposed the deal in court documents.

In their report released today (Wednesday), the Harlan Police Department said an accident last Thursday (July 17th), caused major damage to an apartment building. Officials say a 1990 Mercury driven by Dallas Havick, of Harlan, was leaving a parking space at 1302 Hawkeye Avenue, when for reasons unknown, the car jolted forward, went over a sidewalk and crashed into an apartment. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,000. A dollar amount of damage to the structure was not available, but listed as “extensive.” No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued.