(Radio Iowa/KJAN) — Iowans have already seen some hot, humid days and they’ll only get hotter as summer approaches. Today (Thursday) is Heat Safety Day in Iowa. Meteorologist Alex Krull, at the National Weather Service office in metro Des Moines, says the calendar says summer officially arrives June 21st, but summer weather could be here much sooner. “This is to raise awareness about how to remain safe while you are doing outdoor activities,” Krull says, “whether it is a fun day at the beach, maybe going for a bike ride, or for those who work outside on a construction site or in the lawn care industry, just a few safety tips to keep in mind.”

It’s important to stay well hydrated, wear sunscreen and a hat, as well as light-colored and light-weight clothing. Krull is also issuing a reminder about the extreme dangers of leaving a child or pet in a hot vehicle. “Keep in mind, even if it’s only 75 to 80 degrees outside, if those sunrays are making it into your car, your car’s temperature on the inside could go as high as 120 to 130 degrees,” Krull says. “That makes it very hard to survive.”

While it’s been a cool, wet spring, warmer weather is already beginning to set in and steamy summers are common in Iowa.  “Anytime we get into July or August, we get temperatures into the 90s and our dewpoints in the 70s, we certainly look at those feel-like temperatures to be anywhere between 105 and 110 degrees,” Krull says. “That can be very dangerous for the human body as sweat won’t be able to evaporate off your skin and your body’s natural cooling process doesn’t work when that happens.”

Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, rescuers were dispatched to Anita for a bicyclist who was overcome by heat. The man had not had any water to stay cool with while on his ride.

Learn more about heat safety at www.weather.gov/DMX.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a man and woman from Oakland were arrested early this (Thursday) morning. A deputy was dispatched to the Casey’s Store in Oakland at around 2:25-a.m., for a reported physical disturbance. Following an investigation, 29-year old Cam Christopher Jahnke, of Oakland, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault – causing bodily injury/1st offense. His alleged victim, 27-year old Jennifer Renee Avey, of Oakland, was arrested at a location in the 200 block of High Street at around 3:10-a.m., on a requested hold for another Iowa agency.

And, 34-year old Rodney Allen Gardner, who was being held in the Pott. County Jail on Harassment and Assault charges, was presented with a warrant Wednesday afternoon for Harassment in the 1st Degree/4th or subsequent offense. After being read the warrant, Gardner was returned to Corrections Staff and held in the jail on a total of $3,000 bond.

EARLVILLE, Iowa (AP) — A northeast Iowa man accused of using a corn rake to stab his wife while killing her wants his trial moved away from Delaware County. Court documents say the attorney for 42-year-old Todd Mullis says Mullis can’t get a fair trial in Delaware County because of media coverage of his case. Prosecutors say the defense hasn’t sufficiently proved Mullis can’t get a fair trial there. The judge has yet to rule.

Mullis has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Authorities say he fatally attacked 39-year-old Amy Mullis in November at her farm about 4 miles northwest of Earlville. Authorities initially reported that she’d been fatally injured in a fall.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has granted more time for the attorney of a 16-year-old Nebraska boy to prepare for a murder trial in western Iowa. Pottawattamie County District Court records say Xavier Smith Catchings, of Omaha, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder. He and three other peopl e are accused of killing Council Bluffs resident Adam Angeroth during a robbery in January.

Court records say Smith Catchings’ attorney had sought more time for trial preparations. It had been scheduled to begin Tuesday in Council Bluffs. The new trial starting date: Aug. 20.