The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Wednesday) announced the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus disease in Iowa of 2013. The case is a male middle-aged adult (41 to 60 years of age) from Linn County, who is recovering. “This case is a reminder that West Nile virus is out there and Iowans should be taking proper precautions to protect against mosquito bites,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Especially going into the holiday weekend when many of us will be spending time outdoors, it’s important to use mosquito repellant and to rid your yards of mosquito breeding areas.”

West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. The best way to prevent the virus is to eliminate mosquito breeding areas and to use insect repellent when outdoors. Iowans should take the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products on children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.

Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.

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.

Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and vomiting. Less than one percent of people infected become seriously ill and rarely, someone dies.

Since West Nile virus first appeared in Iowa in 2002, it has been found in every county in Iowa, either in humans, horses, or birds. In 2012, there were 31 human cases of West Nile virus and no deaths.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/DiseaseIndex.aspx?disease=West Nile Virus.

The City of Harlan will be conducting a traffic study for a mid-block signal at 19th Street and Chatburn Avenue. In a regular city council meeting Tuesday, the board approved the motion to the Iowa Department of Transportation to conduct the study. The motion had originally been brought to the table at a Public Safety Committee meeting on June 20th. City Administrator Terry Cox said the bad news is the study will take approximately 18 months from start to finish. Cox said the city is getting corporation from the Harlan Community School District during the traffic study.

“They are going to review for safety, to have a bus to pick up kids down there. Not to add a bus line but pick up kids. That is up to the school. I know they didn’t talk about it at their last board meeting but that is something talked about this summer. That is two school years because it is 18 months.”

In addition to the traffic study, the city council approved the installment a new 3M crosswalk markings at the mid-block signal at the same intersection, 19th and Chatburn. The council approved adding a 6 inch crosswalk tape along with milling so the tape isn’t affected by weather and adding 24 inch stop bars. The project will cost $5,632.50. Cox said the city is in contact with a company to add LED lights to the intersection on both sides and link those up to the stop light so when someone pushes the crosswalk they will flash to help get traffic stopped. Harlan Municipal Utilities already changed the actual stop lights to LED at the intersection.

In other business, the council approved a Resolution ordering bids for the 2013 Police Department Building Project. The city will open and review bids on July 16th at noon. The council will attempt to approve the building project at their next council meeting, Tuesday, July 16th. The city of Harlan will also replace the recently stolen city owned truck. The truck was stolen from the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday. The new truck will cost $27,240. The city was expecting to finalize the sale today (Wednesday), pending insurance approval.

The city also received two checks totaling $1,650 from the local Girl Scouts Troop 417. The money raised will go towards playground equipment at J.C. Park. In one final item from the Harlan City Council meeting, the city is contact Habitat for Humanity to construct a lot on Hill Street. The property was given from Wells Fargo Bank to the City of Harlan and the organization will build a new home. Cox said the bank paid for the demolition and clean up of the house.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Independence Day holiday means celebrations to mark the event are scheduled to take place around the KJAN listening area Thursday and throughout the weekend.

In Atlantic, the 4th of July begins with the Annual Jaycee Flight Breakfast at the Atlantic Municipal Airport, from 7-until 11-a.m., with pancakes served by the “Pancake Man.” The meal includes pancakes, sausage and drink for $6 per plate. Proceeds from the breakfast are used to support the Jaycees 4th of July Fireworks display, which begins as dusk, with concessions provided beforehand, by the Kiwanis Club.

On display at the airport, will be an A-26 Invader aircraft. The “Lady Liberty” is the only American-built combat aircraft to see action in three conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. The plane will be available for walk-on tours from 7-a.m. to 11-a.m., Thursday, and is scheduled to make a mid-morning fly-over.

Other cities celebrating the 4th of July include Dunlap, Exira, Logan, Manilla, Oakland Underwood and Westphalia. For a list of area events taking place on the 4th and throughout the holiday weekend, head to the KJAN website, at www.kjan.com., and click on the “Daily Diary” page.

The city of Harlan will not host an actual 4th of July Celebration, however the American Legion will be shooting off fireworks at J.J. Jensen Park on Thursday evening.

With many people taking to Iowa’s roadways for a July 4th holiday weekend, the Iowa Department of Transportation and the state’s counties and cities want to remind travelers to use extra caution in work zones now in place to improve Iowa’s transportation system.

In Pottawattamie County, that includes:
I-29/I-80 from the Missouri River bridge in Council Bluffs east approximately 3 miles to the Lake Manawa/South Expressway interchange, which is being graded and paved as part of the bridge construction work. Through traffic is maintained. Single lane closures may occur during off-peak hours.
The I-29 from north of Council Bluffs to the Missouri Valley (U.S. 30) interchange is being resurfaced at several locations. Through traffic is maintained in a single lane.
And, the Southbound I-29 from the Mills County line to Iowa 92 interchange is being reconstructed. Traffic is maintained in a two-lane, two-way operation in the northbound lanes.

In Cass County….
The eastbound I-80 bridge over Indian Creek at milepost 50 (west of the Marne interchange) is being replaced. Traffic is maintained in a two-lane, two-way operation in the westbound lanes.
Iowa Highway 83 Traffic on the bridge between Wiota and Anita is restricted to one lane using temporary traffic signals for replacement of bridge approaches.

In Harrison County…
A deck overlay project is being performed on the bridge over the Boyer River in Logan on Highway 30. Traffic is maintained in a single lane with temporary traffic signals.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports 900th Street, between Maple and Oak Roads, will be closed from now (July 3rd), through July 7th, for utility work. Persons and emergency crews who normally traverse that section of road should plan to take an alternate route.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details about a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred Tuesday evening, north of Council Bluffs. Sheriff Jeff Danker reports at around 8:12-p.m., deputies were dispatched to 19885 Old Lincoln Highway in reference an Injury Accident involving multiple vehicles.

Upon arrival witnesses advised that a black 2009 Buel motorcycle was north bound on Old Lincoln Highway. While passing another north bound vehicle, the operator of the Buel lost control of the motorcycle resulting in both the operator and passenger being ejected from the bike. The operator of the Buel was identified as 18-year old John Harter.The passenger was identified as 18-year old Joseph Goodwin. Goodwin was pronounced dead at the scene. Harter was taken to University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) by ambulance.

After the driver and passenger were ejected from the motorcycle, the Buel continued into the path of a south bound 2005 Harley Davidson operated by 67-year old Kathryn Kennon. The Buel struck Kennon’s Harley Davidson causing Kennon to crash. The woman was transported to UNMC by ambulance. A third party who was said to have been in shock, was transported by ambulance to the hospital.  An investigation into the accident continues.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors this (Wednesday) morning voted to table action on a request from the CountyHistoricalMuseum for $20,000 in funding. Supervisor Chuck Rieken motioned for the move, so that museum representatives could appear before the Board during next week’s meeting, to make a case for the funding. If approved, the County would make the payment in two installments of $10,000 each, with the money likely to come from the Local Option Sales Tax fund. 

In other business, the Board approved two requests for fireworks display permits. Both events would be held this Saturday (July 6^th). The first came from the Lyle Marsh family, which is holding a reunion this weekend. The event will be held south of Atlantic, with 40 people in attendance, 30 adults and 10 under the age of 12. The other fireworks display is for the Abild/Alexander family reunion. The event will take place just west of the Highway 71 and 92 east intersections. 

The requests were approved based on the requirements of the Iowa Code. Auditor Dale Sunderman reminds families who wish to hold fireworks displays next year, that they must receive the approval of the Board of Supervisors, if the event is being held outside the city limits of communities within the County. Receiving approval of your local fire chief is not sufficient to receive a permit for fireworks. 

The Supervisors also tabled action on appointing two members to the County Compensation Board, because they feel not enough notice was given to the public as to gather both male and female applicants that would gender balance the board. The Supervisors instead approved placing an advertisement in local newspapers to inform the public about the current Compensation Board and other, future CountyBoard positions that will become available for applicants.

A pursuit early this (Wednesday) morning in Mills County resulted in a non-injury accident. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Mills County deputy was engaged in the pursuit of an unplated 2000 Chevy Malibu at around 4:25-a.m., southbound on County Road L-55. During the pursuit, the driver of the car, identified as 27-year old Billy George Cates, of Council Bluffs, lost control of the vehicle, which then entered the east ditch and hit a culvert/field drive, before coming to rest upright in the east ditch.

Cates was arrested without further incident, and cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Violation of Financial Liability Coverage.

w/ Chris Parks

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Police in Red Oak report two people have been arrested. Officials sayJoe Lewis Welch, of Omaha, was arrested Tuesday, on a warrant. After he was taken into custody, Welch was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana. He was brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a total of $11,000 bond. 

And early this (Wednesday) morning, 43-year old Shelby Joann Olivares was arrested in Red Oak on a charge of  5^th degree theft. Olivares was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.