The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) urges all Iowans over 6 months of age to receive their yearly seasonal influenza vaccine. Surveillance by IDPH influenza sentinel sites and confirmatory testing by the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) shows the flu is circulating in Iowa, and appears to be particularly spreading among children.

IDPH Medical Director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “Children are known as ‘super spreaders’ because they are often in close contact with others at schools or daycare, and when ill, can quickly spread the illness to others.” Testing for viral strains by SHL shows three flu viruses – A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B –
are already currently circulating in Iowa with A(H3N2) predominating. In years when A(H3N2) viruses dominate, the flu season tends to be more severe with more hospitalizations and deaths.

All three of these flu strains are covered by this year’s vaccine – A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B, although some of the A(H3N2) viruses may only be partially covered in the vaccine. Iowans should be reminded that anti-viral medications are an important second line of defense to treat the flu. There are two anti-viral medications a doctor can prescribe which make flu illness milder, shorter, and reduce the risk of ending up in the hospital or dying from influenza. Antivirals work best if started within 48
hours or sooner of when flu symptoms begin.

While the flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza, it’s also important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness. Remember the 3Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days. Influenza may cause severe illness or even death in people such as the very young or very old, or those who have underlying health conditions. (The “stomach bug” which causes diarrhea and vomiting is not caused by the influenza virus but usually by norovirus; thus, the flu vaccine will not protect you against this illness.)

Influenza is not a ‘reportable disease’ in Iowa, which means doctors are not required to notify IDPH each time a patient tests positive for influenza; however, IDPH conducts year-round influenza surveillance through the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network. This surveillance indicates what types of influenza viruses are circulating and how widespread influenza illness is.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports the arrest of two men on second degree burglary charges. 37 year old Robert Lee Atkinson of Anita and 33 year old Joshua Lee Larsen of Audubon were taken into custody Thursday afternoon.
The two were charged after an investigation into a burlary in the 3-thousand block of 320th street. As the resident was returning home a vehicle left their residence. As the victim followed the speeding vehicle property that had been stolen fell out or was being thrown out of the back end of the vehicle. The victim called 9-1-1 and continued following the vehicle approximately 5 miles before the vehicle stopped with a flat tire. Law Enforcement officials arrived and took Larsen into custody on Littlefield Drive while Atkinson was hiding in a heavy timber area of Littlefield Park.
After a short search by Cass County K-9 and Audubon and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies Atkinson surrendered. Through the investigation a search warrant was executed at 311 South Division Street in Audubon. The Audubon Police Department assisted in the search. Larsen was seen by the magistrate and released. Atkinson remains in the Audubon County Jail on 10-thousand dollar bond. A preliminary hearing is set for December 22nd at 9-30. Officials are continuing to investigate the incident.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A panel of state budget experts says state revenue continues to grow but at a slower pace than recent years which means lawmakers may need to show spending restraint in next year’s state budget. The Revenue Estimating Conference met Friday and estimated state revenue for fiscal year 2016 at $7.19 billion, a 4.9 percent increase over the current year. The fiscal year begins in July.

State law requires Gov. Terry Branstad and lawmakers to use December estimates to draft the budget.
Department of Management director David Roederer, one of the three members of the panel, says the figure shows Iowa’s economy is showing strength but there are signs of slowing down which means closely watching spending.

For the current year revenue is estimated at $6.86 billion, a 5.7 percent increase.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Education says it will stop granting automatic waivers to school districts seeking to start classes earlier in the summer. Department director Brad Buck sent a letter Friday to state education leaders saying the change is effective immediately.

The announcement came shortly after Gov. Terry Branstad sent a letter to Buck asking that officials only grant a waiver if a school district demonstrates a “significant negative educational impact” of beginning classes on time, as required by law.

Districts must start school no earlier than the calendar week that includes Sept. 1. But nearly all of them obtain waivers allowing them to begin classes earlier. Branstad’s letter says starting earlier “unnecessarily interferes” with families’ summer plans, seasonal hiring and the Iowa State Fair.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A family-owned chain of automobile dealerships located in Iowa, Montana and South Dakota will pay a $360,000 civil penalty for running deceptive ads. The Federal Trade Commission said Friday that Billion Auto and its advertising company violated a 2012 order that prohibited them from deceptively advertising the cost of buying or leasing a car.

The commission’s complaint says Billion Auto’s ads routinely focus on a few attractive terms but conceal other details that limit who can qualify or that add significant costs. One ad, for instance, promoted a vehicle for lease for $179 a month but hid in the fine print that one must be a military veteran and returning customer to qualify.

An FTC official says its enforcement action shows “there is a financial cost for violating FTC orders.”

In an update to our earlier report about a body found in a car west of Wiota Thursday night. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said today (Friday), 49-year old David Gatrel, of Wiota, died from self-inflicted injuries.  Deputies responded at around 8:30 p.m., Thursday, to a report of a car in the ditch at 665th & White Pole Rd. Upon arrival, they found Gatrel deceased.

A man from central Iowa was arrested this (Friday) morning on an OWI charge, in Page County. Sheriff’s officials say 42-year old William Ludlo Stephens, of Ankeny, was charged with OWI 1st Offense. His arrest was the result of an investigation into an accident that occurred at approximately 1:40 AM in the 1900 block of C Avenue, east of Shenandoah.

William Stephens (Page Co. S/Of booking photo)

Stephens was operating a 2003 Chevy pickup when he lost control of the vehicle and slid into a ditch. The vehicle came to rest on its side. Stephens was transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital by Ambulance where chemical testing was performed. The specimen was sent to the DCI laboratory in Ankeny for analysis. Test results indicated that Stephens Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)  was above the legal limit at the time of the accident, thus the charge and arrest.

Stephens posted $1000 bond and was released, pending further court hearings. The citation of Failure to Maintain Control had already been issued to Stephens for the accident.

An accident early this (Friday) morning on the south side of Shenandoah resulted in one-person being sent to the hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the two-vehicle accident happened on Highway 2, between Avenues A and B. An investigation revealed 62-year old Jackie Douglas Kendrick, of New Market,  was driving a 2011 Chevy Equinox SUV eastbound on Highway 2,  when Kenrick fell asleep at the wheel. Kendrick woke up just prior to rear ending a 2006 Buick Rendezvous SUV being operated by 39-year old Daniel Keith Hawkins, of Clarinda. Even though both vehicles sustained minor damage,  Hawkins was injured and transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. Kendrick was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

This Saturday (Dec. 13th), Grant Community Preservationists (GCP) and The Hayloft will host a holiday event featuring Cookies and Caroling. From 4:30-7:30 p.m., GCP will provide music (caroling from 4:30-5:30 p.m.) and homemade holiday treats for sale. The event continues 5:30-7:30 p.m. in conjunction with The Hayloft’s Chicken & Fish Fry, which begins at 5:15 p.m. To top off the meal, GCP will offer homemade desserts for sale in addition to cookies and candy.

Organizers invite you to kick off your Christmas season by sharing some holiday cheer with your friends and neighbors. Share music and good food while picking up some sweet treats to prepare for your upcoming holiday gatherings.

Proceeds support GCP’s community projects, including restoring the Grant Masonic Lodge and maintaining the Grant Park. The Grant Community Preservationists was formed to help maintain Grant and its unique historic character. Designated in October 2003, the Grant Commercial Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.

SOLDIER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have suspended the search for a missing western Iowa man who may have fallen through lake ice at Oldham Recreational Area. On Sunday hunters found a pickup owned by Walter Ordway near the recreation area. The Monona County Sheriff’s Office says it’s believed that Ordway took his dog for an outing to the recreation area on Nov. 17 and that the dog fell through the ice into the freezing water. The Sheriff’s Office says Ordway may have fallen into the water while trying to rescue his dog. The dog’s body was found nearby.

The 66-year-old Ordway lives in Soldier.  The search was temporarily suspended because of concerns about the safety of lake ice. The recreation area will be closed through the weekend.