The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting a second death from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.  Department Medical Director Patricia Quinlisk says lab results confirm 10 cases across the state with several more under investigation. “To be honest a lot of people who have West Nile will have no symptoms whatsoever. It’s just the very unlucky few that get seriously ill with it and unfortunately every once in a while someone doe die of this disease,” according to Quinlisk.

The disease is carried by mosquitoes and Doctor Quinlisk says one way to reduce the risk of getting sick is to use ample amounts of insect repellent containing DEET and wear long sleeves and pants in areas prone to have mosquitoes.  She says even with cooler temperatures, you still face the threat of being infected. “The mosquitoes that carry West Nile actually are more prevalent now than they were at the beginning of the summer and we are still having cases of West Nile reported to us,” Quinlisk says.

She says use the preventative measures until the mosquito threat is over. “We will continue to see West Nile activity in Iowa until we get that first hard frost that kills all the mosquitoes,” Quinlisk explains. Quinlisk says West Nile virus can cause high fevers and brain-swelling.  The first West Nile death was reported September 29th.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Montgomery County are investigating an apparent homicide.  At approximately 4:17-a.m. today (Wednesday), Montgomery County Communications received a call of a person lying near the street in the 200 block of East Grimes Street in Red Oak.  Red Oak police responded and found the individual deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Agents from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation were notified and they arrived on scene and began their investigation.  KETV in Omaha reports a woman was taken into custody. No names have been released at this time.  Agencies assisting include the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, Red Oak Fire Department, Montgomery County Emergency Management, Montgomery County Attorney and the Montgomery County Coroner.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say the fourth finalist in the search for the next Iowa State University president is already on campus. Dean Wendy Wintersteen of Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is scheduled to meet Thursday with staff, students and community members. Her curriculum vitae and interview schedule are available on Iowa State’s presidential search website, presidentsearch.iastate.edu.

The first finalist, Sonny Ramaswamy, visited Ames on Monday. He’s director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in Washington, D.C. The second finalist, Pamela Whitten, was on campus Tuesday. She’s senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Georgia, Athens. The third finalist, Dale Whittaker, is scheduled to visit the Ames campus Wednesday. He’s executive vice president at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Two central Iowa men were arrested early this (Wednesday) morning on Theft and Interference with Official Acts charges, in Creston. Authorities say 19-year old’s Nate Lee and Gatdoar Kueth, both of Des Moines, were taken into custody at around 1:16-a.m. at Highway 34 and Industrial Parkway. Both men were being held in the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond, each.

And, 37-year old Dustin Kilgore, of Creston, was arrested at around 11-p.m. Tuesday, for Public Intoxication. Kilgore was later released on a $300 bond.