Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of confirmed cases of a rare food-borne illness in Iowa has more than doubled in just four days as state and federal public health agencies try to figure out where it’s coming from. The Iowa Department of Public Health says the outbreak of cyclosporiasis (sy-kloh-spor-EYE’-uh-sis) has sickened 45 Iowans as of today.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors chairman doesn’t think on-duty sheriff’s deputies should be allowed to attend their children’s sporting events. Board chairman Larry Clausen said in a memo yesterday that the policy constitutes “a blatant misuse” of tax dollars. But Sheriff Dave Drew said four sheriffs have let deputies attend family events during their one-hour lunches.

MONONA, Iowa (AP) — A man operating a tractor in northeast Iowa has died after a bale of hay fell on him. The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office says the 63-year-old man was operating a tractor in a field and moving large round bales of hay when he was killed. Authorities have not released the man’s name.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A Storm Lake woman has been accused of hitting her teenage son with a vehicle and driving away. Storm Lake police say 33-year-old Esmeralda Vasquez-Espinoza got into an argument with her 17-year-old son last night before the alleged incident occurred. The teen was treated at the scene and Vasquez-Espinoza was charged with misdemeanor count of leaving the scene of an accident and not having a driver’s license.

Two arrests were reported in Atlantic by the Atlantic Police Department on Thursday, July 11th. The first arrest was 21-year old Timothy Hinson of Atlantic. Hinson was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for OWI 1st offense. He was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

The second arrest was 47-year old Richard Lewis Sr. of Atlantic on a Cass County warrant for Criminal Mischief/4th degree. Richard was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

No injuries were reported following an accident this (Friday) morning, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, vehicles driven by 73-year old Janis Nelson and 46-year old Amy Johnson, both of Red Oak, collided at the intersection of North 8th Street and Washington Avenue, just before 9-a.m.

Officials say an investigation determined Nelson observed another vehicle coming from the est on East Washington Avenue, as her 2008 Chevy was stopped at the intersection heading south. That vehicle subsequently proceeded to park on East Washington. Nelson continued into the intersection, but didn’t  see Johnson’s vehicle approaching. The resulting collision caused a total of $3,600 damage. Authorities cited Nelson for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign.

The number of cases of an intestinal illness that causes diarrhea lasting an average of nearly two months continues to increase, in Iowa. Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health say as of today (Friday), 45 cases of cyclosporiasis have been identified in 15 counties. That’s six more counties and more than double the number of cases which was reported on Monday.Each of the cases were confirmed through tests conducted at the State Hygenic Lab.

Included among the counties where the illness has been reported, are: Dallas, Mills, Pottawattamie and Woodbury, here in western Iowa. Two cases were reported in Mills and Dallas Counties, with one case each being reported in Pott. and Woodbury Counties. Linn County has the most cases with 21, and that’s 11 more then was reported Monday.

People are infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated with infected human feces. Illness is caused by a parasite. Watery diarrhea, severe tiredness, and nausea are common symptoms and usually begin within a week. Most of those now ill began to notice symptoms in June.

Other Midwest states also have cases including Nebraska. Health officials recommend washing fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly although no specific source has been identified yet.