WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo police say the victim of a fatal shooting this week was the mother of a man who was found shot dead just months ago. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 48-year-old Diane Martin was shot in her home Monday. She was later pronounced dead at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital. Police say an autopsy shows that she died of a single gunshot wound. Police records show Martin had reported gunfire at her home multiple times in the past few years, but no injuries were reported.

Neighbor Beverly Sanders says gunshots are now a regular occurrence in the neighborhood. Diane Martin’s son, 22-year-old Shavondes Martin, was found dead in an alley in May. Shavondes Martin’s death remains unsolved. Authorities say they don’t know if the two deaths are linked.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommend Iowans get a flu vaccine before the flu begins spreading in your community. Officials say it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout flu season, even into January or later.

A few things are new this season:

• Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses.
• For the 2018-2019 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine is again a recommended option for influenza vaccination of persons for whom it is otherwise appropriate. The nasal spray is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, 2 years through 49 years of age. There is a precaution against the use of LAIV for people with certain underlying medical conditions.
• No intradermal flu vaccine will be available.

For more information on the flu vaccine, go to https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2018-2019.htm

(Radio Iowa) — A national report shows the obesity epidemic is worsening in Iowa and across the country. Iowa now ranks as the fourth worst state in the U-S with an adult obesity rate of more than 36-percent. Nadine Gracia, executive vice president of Trust for America’s Health, says no states improved on their obesity rates since 2016 and several, including Iowa, saw rates increase. “Everyone has a role to play,” Gracia says. “It really requires a multi-sector approach where we can look at how do we ensure there are further investments in programs and policies that help to improve access to healthy and nutritious foods as well as encouraging and supporting physical activity.”

More than one in three Iowa adults is now obese. Only three states have adult obesity rates higher than Iowa on the report — West Virginia, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Colorado has the lowest obesity rate, followed by the District of Columbia and Hawaii. Gracia says the leaders of Iowa’s cities and counties need to work with state and federal governments in finding ways to address obesity, which she calls a serious health consequence. “That could be, for example, health departments, in working with transportation officials and community designers to ensure communities have neighborhoods that are walkable and bikeable,” Gracia says. “Or that schools where meals are served to children, that those meals are healthy and nutritious.”

In 2016, Iowa ranked 12th nationally in obesity rates with 33.4 percent. Now, the state is the 4th worst in the country with a jump of three full points to 36.4 percent. Growing evidence suggests certain prevention programs can reverse trends, but Gracia says we won’t see meaningful declines in obesity rates until they’re more widely implemented. “We know what works, policies and programs that help to promote access to healthy and affordable foods that are nutritious, as well as being able to engage in regular physical activity,” Gracia says. “They really help to promote obesity prevention and have sustained impact.”

The report says obesity is a problem in virtually every city and town and every income and social sector. Obesity drives an estimated $149 billion annually in health care spending, and another $66 billion in lowered economic productivity. Also, one in three young adults is ineligible for military service, owing to being overweight, posing a national security vulnerability.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa has agreed to pay $55,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging that its 2015 presidential search violated the open meetings law. The university doesn’t admit any violations in the settlement, which was made public Wednesday. But Iowa has agreed to abide by several transparency measures during future presidential searches, including streaming the open portions of search committee hearings and giving three days notice for such meetings whenever possible.

The deal resolves a lawsuit that had initially been filed by retired professor Harold Hammond during the 2015 search, which resulted in the controversial hiring of business consultant Bruce Harreld.
Retired professor John Menninger refiled the case after Hammond died in 2016.

The case alleged that the 23 search committee members improperly met outside the state of Iowa and improperly closed meetings. Attorney Gregg Geerdes, who represented both men, will receive $55,000 in legal fees.

A regular meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors takes place 8:30-a.m. Friday in their Boardroom at the Courthouse. During their meeting, at about 8:35-a.m., the Board will enter into a closed session to discuss legal matters with the Cass County Attorney.

When they return to an open session, the Board will act on a Resolution to enter into an agreement to abate the tax, and assign a tax sale Certificate on parcel of County-owned property in Griswold, and act on the suspension of taxes on a parcel in Atlantic.

In other business, the Supervisors may act on appointing an additional member to the Cass County Local Foods Policy Council. They’ll also receive regular reports, as available, from the various County Department Heads who would normally appear at the Board meetings.

Officials with the Atlantic High School report the Iowa Association for College Admissions Counseling will sponsor a “College Fair,” Monday, Sept. 17th, at the High School. The event takes place from 9-until 10:15-a.m.  High School Guidance Counselor Craig Fredin, says 65 representatives from post-secondary institutions will be present to speak about opportunities at their colleges, vocational and technical schools, as well as military services.

The IACAC has established 30 College Day/College Night programs throughout the State to provide a supportive environment for students to obtain information, and appropriate counseling that will prove helpful in students’ college selection process. Students, parents or interested adults from Atlantic and surrounding communities are invited to attend the event next Monday morning.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor has asked a judge for a psychological examination of a man accused of setting a fatal Sioux City fire. Woodbury County court records show the prosecutor filed a motion Tuesday regarding 51-year-old Robert Mahoney. He’s pleaded not guilty to charges of arson and involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 4 fire that killed 51-year-old Wanda Blake.

Mahoney’s attorney has filed notice that she may use a defense of diminished capacity. The prosecutor’s motion says Mahoney has been examined by a mental health expert on behalf of the defense and says that state law therefore entitles the prosecution to have Mahoney examined by a state expert.

The records didn’t say when the judge might rule on the motion. Mahoney’s trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Sioux City.