AVOCA, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa community has celebrated the opening of a pedestrian bridge over the West Nishnabotna River. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the span opened in March and is the latest step in an effort to install trails throughout the town of Avoca. A dedication for the bridge was held Friday.

Before the crossing was built, residents would have to walk along a highway shoulder or take other less-than-ideal routes to get to the Edgington Memorial Park, which sits east of the river. Avoca librarian Serena Riesgaard remembers her brothers having to wade across the river to get to the park.

The bridge cost about $340,000, with about 50 percent of the project covered by a state transportation grant. The remainder was funded with local option sales tax dollars.

The University of Iowa is asking students to be sure their vaccinations are all up-to-date after six cases of the mumps have been reported among students in the last couple of weeks. The majority of students will return to campus next week for the state of classes, and university spokesman, Tom More, says they want them to be prepared. “If they have not had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella, or M-M-R vaccine, it’s a good idea that they get those two doses before they show up on campus. That’ll maximize their protection,” Moore says. Moore says the mumps are another reason for students to get the vaccinations now instead of waiting.

“The students have essentially until the end of the first semester to provide proof of their immunization status,” Moore says. “So, it is something that we do require, but they do have a little bit of a time frame here to do it. But, we recommend that they do it as soon as possible that they are protected.” Many students returning to campus will be living in dorms with a lot of new people, and lots of daily contact. The mumps virus is spread through contact with saliva or mucous from the mouth, nose, or throat.

“That’s always a concern in close living quarters — is that when you have a contagious disease it can spread from person to person with relatively ease. And so we are trying to do everything we can to help protect the safety, health and well-being of our students,” Moore says. Mumps cases have been reported on other campuses in the midwest, but Moore hasn’t heard of any in Iowa.

“We’ve shared this information with our sister institutions at Iowa State and Northern Iowa, but have not heard any reports that they have seen anything similar,” Moore says. The university says it has also alerted area health care professionals and has provided additional training for resident hall staff and resident assistants in the wake of the six reported cases of mumps. U-I classes start on August 24th.

(Radio Iowa)

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information concerning an arson that occurred in Hamburg on Sunday, August 16th.  Officers received a call Sunday of a possible arson that occurred at the apartment building located at 300 Park Street in Hamburg.  During the investigation it was discovered that at 1:45am someone approached the south building of the complex and attempted to throw an incendiary device through an upstairs window of the building.

The fire caused minimal damage and no injuries were reported. Several people were inside the building at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 712-374-2424.  Fremont County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the successful arrest and prosecution of those involved in the crime.  You may remain anonymous.

The Iowa Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting with the investigation.

Two arrests were made Sunday by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office in connection to a burglary and assault in Shenandoah.  At approximately 5:30pm the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was called to 1505 W Sheridan Avenue in Shenandoah for a report of two women fighting. Upon arrival deputies spoke with a female resident of the apartment building that told officers she was in her apartment when two neighbors broke in, assaulted her and stole her cell phone when she attempted to call 911.

Officers then arrested 21-year-old Felicia Galaziz-Monson and 23-year-old Daniel Dean Archer both of Shenandoah in connection with the case.  Both are being held on charges of Burglary in the 1st Degree, a Class B Felony; Assault during the Comission of a Felony, a Class C felony; Obstructing Emergency Communications; and Theft.

Both individuals are being held without bond and further charges are pending.