The Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic typically has many family fun events taking place during the summer. This year is no exception. Tamara Gibson, Kids Fun Fitness Coordinator at the Y, says one event that will be held June 14^th, makes sure kids stay cool and have a great time. “Water Fun in the Sun” takes place from 2-to 4-pm outside, on the north side of the Atlantic Middle School.

Gibson says the Atlantic Firefighters bring one of their trucks and make a giant “Slip-n-slide.” Last year, the firefighters built a giant sprinkler. This year there will be water fights and bounce houses, as well. Something new this year she says, is that the activities will be open to kids as young as those in the 2^nd grade, as long as they are accompanied by an adult. 

Last year, 99 kids participated in the event. Gibson says the number of kids currently signed-up is “pretty low,” but they typically get last minute registrations. Parents are asked to register early, if possible, because there is a waiver of liability involved. The waiver is specifically with regard to the Slip-n-Slide. 

Gibson says a snack will be served in the YMCA from 2:30-to 3:30-p.m., if the kids want to take a break from the wet-n-wild fun. Another activity third-graders and up can enjoy, is the National Guard rock climbing wall, which will be set-up June 19^th, from 2-until 4-pm just outside of the YMCA, at 1100 Maple Street. Gibson says the 30-foot rock wall was also in town last year, but there are some changes this year that will allow older students to participate.

She says high school and college-age students are welcome to partake in the activity. In addition, there will be a “Gladiator Obstacle Course,” “Boot Camp,” Flight Simulator and bounce house for the younger kids. Parents don’t have to worry about their kids falling from the rock wall, because as with real, military training, there are safety restraints to control their ascent and descent. Participants wear a weighted harness that slows them down when they come down. 

No special skills are needed to climb the wall, but all participants age18 and under, will be required to have a release signed by a parent or adult guardian prior to climbing and repelling. The event will be cancelled if there it is raining, or winds over 30-miles per hour, for safety reasons. Registrations are necessary by no later than June 18^th. For more information, call the Nishna Valley Family YMCA at 712-243-3934.

Police in Shenandoah report the arrested this (Friday) morning of a Nebraska man on a sex abuse charge. 24-year old Ramon Nelson, of Omaha, was charged with sexual abuse 3rd degree a class “C” felony.  Nelson was transported to the Page County Jail to await his initial appearance.

The grand opening of a new gambling facility is tomorrow (Saturday) in southwest Iowa. Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino has been closed this week as it transitions from being aboard a riverboat to an exclusively land-based gaming hall. Harrah’s general manager Bo Guidry says there will be advantages to not having a riverboat.  “It’s a good feeling not having to worry about customers going onto three different levels and having a slow elevator or to go up the stairs,” Guidry says. The Kanesville Queen, docked along the Missouri River, was closed for good over the weekend. The new casino is located near the entrance to the hotel. 

“We’re about 30 steps away from valet,” Guidry says. “Before, you had to park your car, walk down these long corridors, then you had to get on the ramp of the boat, which was 200 feet long, and then you would get to the boat.” The riverboat officially closed at 4 A-M on Monday and Guidry says it was a good morning for one gambler in particular. “Our last customer who left won $500 right before she left so it was fantastic and she had a great time,” he says.

The casino will offer new options for gambling, dining and entertainment. It has about 25-thousand square feet of gaming space, which is a bit smaller than what was available on the boat. Efforts to sell the riverboat and keep it afloat have failed. The plan is now to tear it apart for scrap. The new gaming space replaces what was Harrah’s convention area. Last year, the company took over operations of the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs. All events that were held at the casino are now being held there, including weddings, receptions and conventions.

(Radio Iowa)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking for more adults to be vaccinated against pertussis. Through the G.I.F.T. (Give Immunity Fight Transmission) program, officials with Shelby County Public Health say they can immunize more families by receiving the Adacel vaccine at no charge.  New mothers, fathers, grandparents, and day care providers are urged to get vaccinated against pertussis to decrease the spread of this highly contagious disease to infants and others. 

Recipients of the free Adacel vaccine must have Medicaid, Medicare, or no insurance and have an income level at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($1985 per month for a family of 2). Interested persons may contact Shelby County Public Health at 755-4422 to make an appointment to receive the Adacel vaccine against pertussis or may register on-line at www.shelbycountyclinics.com.

According to the CDC, people who are not vaccinated have eight times the risk of infection compared to people who are fully vaccinated against pertussis. If someone who has been vaccinated does get pertussis, the disease is usually less serious and they’re far less likely to spread the virus to someone else. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) joins the CDC in urging Iowa adults to talk to their health care provider about getting a booster dose of pertussis-containing vaccine.

While children ages 5 to 14 years make up the bulk of reported cases, it’s important to note that adults are considered the primary ‘spreaders’ of the disease.  It’s especially important that adults receive pertussis-containing vaccine because they can spread the disease to infants who are too young to be immunized. In infants, pertussis can be severe and even deadly. Adults can receive the Tdap (the adult tetanus vaccine that also contains whooping cough vaccine) immunization.

For more information about pertussis, including the Iowa Pertussis Update, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/default.aspx?group=3#DI.