DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Elephant rides aren’t available as advertised as an attraction at the Mississippi Valley Fair in Davenport: State law won’t allow them. Shawn Loter is in his second year as general manager of the fair, and he told the Quad-City Times that he was unaware of the ban until this week. The elephants from Carson & Barnes Circus from Oklahoma are back this year, and Loter says they were used for rides at last year’s fair.

The law forbidding handlers from offering rides was enacted in 2007. Iowa Agriculture Department spokesman Dustin VandeHoef says the state veterinarian alerted Loter’s office of the law after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals notified the state Tuesday that elephant rides were being advertised in the fair’s brochure. Elephant handler Mychelle Omar says neither she nor her husband have offered rides this week. The fair opened Tuesday and is scheduled to close Sunday.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Friday) announced the first reported 2018 Iowa death associated with West Nile virus in an elderly adult (81+ years of age) from Central Iowa. A second case of human West Nile virus infection has also been reported in a Palo Alto County adult (61 to 80 years of age) male who has recovered. IDPH Deputy Epidemiologist, Dr. Ann Garvey said “West Nile virus is in Iowa. This death related to West Nile is tragic and reminds us to protect ourselves and our families from mosquitoes. Until the state’s first hard frost, whether it’s for work or play, being outside means there’s a risk for West Nile virus.”

Iowans should take the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years of age and DEET should not be used on children less than 2 months of age.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks outdoors whenever possible.
• Eliminate standing water around the home because that’s where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in bird baths every three to four days.

In 2017, 12 Iowans were diagnosed with West Nile virus and two Iowans died. For more information on mosquito and tick transmitted diseases in Iowa visit https://www.idph.iowa.gov/cade/vectorborne-illness.

(Radio Iowa) — A judge is throwing out much of the evidence against the driver of an SUV who’s accused of killing four southwest Iowa motorcyclists in Nebraska, last year. Authorities say 23-year-old Jeser Cisneros-Hernandes of Liberal, Kansas, crossed the center line of a Keith County, Nebraska, highway in July of 2017 and hit two motorcycles head-on. It killed James and Sheila Matheny of Bedford, Iowa, and Michael and Jerolyn Weese of Council Bluffs. The judge ruled this week much of the state’s evidence against Cisneros-Hernades is inadmissable. The Ogallala police officer reportedly never read him his rights when arresting him for vehicular homicide and reckless driving. The officer’s body-cam footage reportedly shows Cisneros-Hernandes admitting he’d only had one hour of sleep before trying to drive from Montana back to Kansas.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, today (Friday), issued an update on an investigation into the July 19th, 2018 disappearance of 20-year old Mollie Tibbetts, from Brooklyn. Although Mollie has not been located, the investigation into her disappearance has not slowed. The public is encouraged to contact the following tip-lines if they believe they have information related to Mollie’s disappearance: 800-452-1111 or 515-223-1400. There is also a dedicated email to accept tips: tips@poweshiekcosheriff.com

Tibbetts was reported missing by her family.  She was last seen on July 18th at approximately 7:30 PM while running the city streets of Brooklyn. Her last known article of clothing is believed to be dark colored running shorts, a pink sports top and running shoes, color unknown.

Authorities said also, as of Thursday, August 2 – there were 390 people listed as missing on the Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse. Of those, 225 were listed as juveniles, a majority of which are runaway situations. Twenty-six of the individuals listed on the Clearinghouse are categorized as involuntary.  These 26 cases date back as far as 1976.

In 2017, 4,311 juveniles were reported missing to The Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.  This is an average of approximately 12 juveniles a day.  The vast majority of which are found or returned home within 24 hours. Typically these cases are runaway situations. The number of missing juveniles reported in recent weeks is in line with historical numbers. For additional information on missing persons in Iowa, please visit the Department of Public Safety’s website at: http://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/mpic/

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A local official in central Iowa is proposing turning a wind turbine blade into a sculpture that would be a new landmark for the community. The Newton Daily News reports that Bruce Showalter’s proposal to use the TPI Composites-made wind turbine blade aims to make Newton more appealing and distinguishable to visitors and passers-by. Showalter is the chairman of the Newton Hometown Pride Committee and housing director of Newton Housing Development Corporation. He proposed the idea to city council members during a Monday workshop.

Showalter says the project would cost an estimated $100,000. Councilwoman Evelyn George liked the idea, but voiced concerns about whether the blade would obstruct the view of businesses. Councilman Mark Hallam also enjoyed the concept of the project.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 19-year old Chase Zachary Stewart, of Malvern, was arrested Thursday evening. Stewart was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. His bond was set at $300. And, 46-year old Brian Robert Vanderpool, of Tabor, was arrested by Fremont County Deputies on Mills County warrants for Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and Harassment in the 1st Degree. He was transferred to the custody of Mills County and held without bond in the Mills County Jail.