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NW IA man tests positive for West Nile Virus; Pott. County mosquito pools test positive

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Thursday), announced testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus disease in Iowa in 2017. A middle age (41-60 years) Ida County male tested positive for the virus. He was not hospitalized, and is recovering. In addition, surveillance has identified four mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile (one in Polk County, two in Pottawattamie County and one in Story County).

IDPH Deputy Epidemiologist, Dr. Ann Garvey says “West Nile virus season typically lasts from late summer into early autumn. This case serves as a reminder to all Iowans that the West Nile virus is present and it’s important for Iowans 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 for 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 first appeared in Iowa in 2002, it has been found in every county in Iowa, either in humans, horses or birds. In 2016, 37 human cases of West Nile virus were reported to IDPH, including one West Nile-related death. For more information about West Nile virus, visit idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/west-nile-virus.

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 7/20/17

News

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Mills County Sheriff Eugene Goos reports three recent arrests. Wednesday night, 28-year old Andrew Dean West, of Malvern, was arrested for Eluding, Careless Driving, and Following too close. His bond was set at $2,500.

43-year old Mark Anthony Palm, of Hastings, was arrested late Wednesday evening for being a Fugitive From Justice. He was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond.

And, 35-year old Benjamin Todd Draper, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested at around 2-a.m. today (Thursday), for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Exira man arrested Thu. morning for OWI/2nd offense

News

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop early this (Thursday) morning in Audubon County resulted in a man being arrested for OWI/2nd offense. 55-year old Fred James Muhr, of Exira, was pulled over near Littlefield Drive and Pheasant Avenue at around 1:30-a.m.  He was taken into custody and brought to the Audubon County Jail. Muhr has since posted a $2,000 cash bond, and is set to appear before the magistrate on Monday (July 24th).

EARL VANDEWATER, 88, of Orient (Svcs. 7/26/17)

Obituaries

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

EARL VANDEWATER, 88, of Orient, died July 4th, at home.  Funeral services for EARL VANDEWATER will be held 10:30-a.m. Wednesday, July 26th, at the Orient United Methodist Church. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 25th, from 3-until 8-p.m., with the family greeting friends from 6-until 8-p.m.; Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial will be in the Hill of Zion Cemetery, in rural Orient. A luncheon will be held at the Orient United Methodist Church, following committal services at the cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Earl Vandewater Memorial Fund, to be established by the family at a later date.

EARL VANDEWATER is survived by:

His daughter – Rosalie (Jim) Ingle, of Gower, MO.

5 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Persia man arrested on Drug charges

News

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(Corrects to say he is from Persia, not Harlan) The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports 40-year old Ryan Nicholas Schwery, of Persia, was arrested July 19th on drug charges. Schwery faces a felony Possession of Controlled Substance/3rd offense charge. He was also charged with Possession of drug paraphernalia, Driving While Barred, and Prohibited Acts. Schwery posted a $5,000 bond or surety, and was released with a court date set for July 25th.  

Nurse accused of scamming nursing home out of painkillers

News

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs woman has been accused of scamming a nursing home out of more than 9,700 painkiller pills while working there.
Court records say 50-year-old Laurine Wilhite is charged with theft, tampering with records and two counts of dependent adult abuse. Wilhite’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9.

Authorities say Wilhite ordered medications for residents of Bethany Lutheran Home while working there as a nurse and then stole the drugs. A Bethany official told The Daily Nonpareil that Wilhite no longer works there.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 7/20/2017

News, Podcasts

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

Heartbeat Today 7-20-2017

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

July 20th, 2017 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Deb Schuler, Board member of Iowa Women in Agriculture, about the upcoming annual conference.

Play

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 7/20/2017

Podcasts, Sports

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

Play

Corning man arrested in Creston on a drug-related warrant

News

July 20th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston, Wednesday afternoon, arrested an Adams County man on a Union County warrant for Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (less than 5 grams of Meth). 26-year old Anthony Cross, of Corning, was taken into custody at around 3:30-p.m. and was brought to the Union County Jail, where his bond was set at $10,000.

Also arrested Wednesday in Creston, was 32-year old Jared Wilmeth, of Creston, who was taken into custody for Operating a Vehicle without the owners consent. Wilmeth was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Creston Police said also, two Creston residents reported separate incidents of Theft and vandalism. A resident living in the 300 block of Birch Street told police someone entered a vehicle parked near his home and stole a pair of sunglasses and an empty pill bottle. The loss was estimated at $16. The incident happened sometime Tuesday into Wednesday. And, a resident of the 500 block of Levy Street in Creston reported Wednesday, that sometime between Noon and 6-p.m. that day, someone slashed both front tires on his vehicle, while it was parked in the Creston Fareway Store parking lot. The loss was estimated at $200.