The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Monday) announced the first flu-related death of the 2017-2018 influenza season, was an elderly (81 years of age and older) Central Iowa man, who died in October. Influenza activity in Iowa has been low so far this season, but IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, says this death is an indication that flu can be a serious illness. “This death is an unfortunate reminder the flu virus does have the potential to cause severe illness and death, especially in the very young, very old or those who have underlying health conditions.”

The CDC recommends that essentially everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccine. Now is a good time to be vaccinated, before the holiday season begins. It takes up to two weeks after vaccination for the body to achieve full benefit against the flu virus. 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, and often puts healthy people in bed for days. 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.

To learn more about influenza in Iowa, visit http://idph.iowa.gov/influenza. Contact your health care provider or local health department to find out where the vaccine is available in your community or use the Flu Vaccine Finder at https://vaccinefinder.org.

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department have released the identities of two people involved in a fatal crash over the weekend. The driver of the vehicle, 33-year old Josiah Volentine, of Omaha, died at the scene. His passenger, 32-year old Kristopher Harrold, of Council Bluffs, was critically injured and transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The accident happened just before 7-p.m. Saturday on Interstate 29, near the 54 mile marker.

Officials say the vehicle driven by Volentine left the road, hit two light poles and a sign before rolling over at least once. Speed and/or alcohol were believed to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.

All seven Democratic candidates running in the third congressional district who hope to face Republican Congressman David Young in 2018 gathered this weekend at a forum in Clarinda. Candidate Pete D’Alessandro, of Des Moines, managed Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. D’Allessandro says it’s time to amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, to extend broadband access to rural America. “Only about half the people in America even have internet that is considered adequate,” D’Alessandro says. “…It is a New Deal approach to a New Deal type of problem. Who knows better than rural America how that kind of approach can actually make a different and actually work?”

Candidate Theresa Greenfield, of Des Moines, is president of a family-owned real estate firm. She says rural America must be included when federal investments are made in infrastructure, the “green economy” and education. “Working families, they want to make more money,” Greenfield says. “They want a well-paying job for a job well done and we can help with that by investing in education — better skills, better jobs to get their American dream.” Candidate Austin Frerick, of Winterset, is a former U.S. Treasury Department economist. Frerick says it’s time to end monopolies. “I think economic concentration is the issue of our time,” Frerick says. “…The Koch brothers are modern-day ‘robber barons’. I love saying that ’cause everyone’s heads knod because it makes sense. We are living in a second guilded age.”

‘Candidate Eddie Mauro, of Des Moines, is a former teacher and coach who founded an insurance company. Mauro says Democrats need to pick a candidate who appeals to rural voters in the southwest Iowa district with ideas for boosting the bottom line for current and new farmers. “Hearing a lot of great stories and great ideas tonight,” Mauro says, “but none of that makes a difference if we don’t have the right kind of candidate with the right kind of message to beat David Young, who’s been very difficult to beat the last two times out.”

Candidates Cindy Axne; Paul Knupp, Junior; and Heather Ryan also spoke at the Saturday evening forum in Clarinda. Four of the seven Democrats who are running for governor also appeared at the event. The forum was sponsored by Democrats in five southwest Iowa counties.

(Radio Iowa)

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of year for kids. It’s also one of the busiest times for the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center. Registered nurse and poison center educator Joan McVoy says they got about 300 calls last Halloween regarding glow sticks. While it’s a great idea to use the bright-colored sticks to help your child stay visible in the dark, they might appear to be something tasty to kids of a certain age. “It’s very tempting for the little ones to put it in their mouth. It’s soft plastic and they like chewing on it,” McVoy says. “What happens is, their teeth go right through the plastic and all of the sudden, the parents are freaking out because their child has a mouth full of glowing chemicals.”

She says a call to the poison control center will save you a trip to the E-R. The number is 800-222-1222. McVoy says parents need to remember a few common sense and safety rules to prevent possible problems later. For starters, make sure the little goblins have full tummies before they go trick-or-treating — to serve a dual purpose. “Go ahead and serve the kids food before you go out,” she says. “Feed them dinner before they go out so they’re not dipping into their treat bag until they get home and you get a chance to go through everything.”

Parents need to look over the loot for anything questionable and be especially watchful for things like baggies of cookies or popcorn balls. “Unless you know the families very well, I wouldn’t let the little ones eat any homemade treats from people you’re not familiar with,” McVoy says. “If the packaging looks different or looks like it’s been tampered with, go ahead and throw it away.”

The Sioux City-based hotline is open every day around the clock and the service is free.

(Radio Iowa)

The drivers of vehicles that collided this morning in Creston complained of pain, but were not transported to the hospital. The Creston Police Department reports a 1999 Buick LeSabre driven by 35-year old Madison Marie Steward, of Creston, was traveling west in the right hand lane of Highway 34 at the intersection with Sumner Street. A 2005 Jeep Liberty driven by 35-year old John Kenton Reasoner, also of Creston, was traveling east in the left lane of Highway 34. Both drivers got the green light and began moving into the intersection. Steward told Police she looked down for a minute to put her beverage in a cup holder, and when she looked up, the SUV was about to hit her Buick.

Reasoner told Police he thought he had the green turn arrow, and began to turn left across the intersection. A witness whose vehicle was also traveling west on Highway 34, told authorities they saw the Jeep approaching and stopped so that their vehicles did not collide. Reasoner was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision with the Buick. He was cited for Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn. Damage from the collision, which happened a little after 7-a.m., amounted to $7,000.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting beginning at 8:30-a.m. Tuesday, this week, instead of Wednesday. On their agenda is continued discussion with regard to the operation of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV’s) on county roadways and trails. Last week, the Board heard from representatives with Nishna Valley Cycle, in Atlantic, with regard to ordinances other counties have enacted for use of ATV’s and UTV’s on their county roads and trails. Their main concern was making sure those machines are registered and operated in a safe manner, and make it easier for law enforcement to intervene when they aren’t being operated safely. As it currently stands, ATV’s and UTV’s can only be operated for farm purposes, and may only cross highways at a certain angle. They are not allowed travel on the roads.

In other business, the Board of Supervisors will hear from Mitch Holmes, who will present his quarterly Veterans Affairs Department report. They’ll also act on approving applications for partial payment to two construction companies working on segments of the Elite Octane, LLC ethanol plant. Other, regularly scheduled reports, as available, may be presented by the County Attorney, Engineer, and Mental Health/General Assistance Departments.