Flu season has arrived in Iowa a bit early, but the influenza isn’t the only germ going around. Dr. Patty Quinlisk, the state’s chief medical officer, says plenty of other viruses and bacteria flourish in the cold, dry winter months. As health officials conduct tests to track influenza, Dr. Quinlisk says they often pick up other viruses. “The thing to remember about those viruses is while they can make you feel pretty sick, they’re not the viruses that can typically put you in the hospital or kill you like influenza does,” Quinslik says. “That’s why we’re so concerned about doing good surveillance for influenza and why we are really encouraging people to get the flu shot.”

She says studies suggest that for some reason, getting the flu shot may also help protect against other viruses by keeping people healthier. Quinlisk says cold, dry air can make the nose and throat more vulnerable to a range of viruses, not just influenza. “We also know that in the wintertime, we tend to be closer to other people physically because we shut the windows, because it’s cold outside and we’re around people more,” Quinlisk says. “We also have our family gatherings for the holidays and often when people travel and have large groups of people get together these viruses just spread more easily.” Besides getting a flu shot, Quinlisk says the steps to prevent illness are the same regardless of the type of bug. She recommends frequent hand-washing and staying home if you’re sick.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic Police Department reports four arrests over the weekend.Last Friday, 25-year old Jeffrey Knight, of Atlantic, was arrested for Carrying a Weapon. He was booked into the Cass County Jail.

On Saturday, 18-year old Jesse Nymand, of Elk Horn, was arrested by Atlantic Police on four counts of Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with the Intent to Deliver, and Prohibited Acts. Nymand was booked into the Cass County Jail.

On Sunday, 24-year old Joseph Fredericksen, of Atlantic, was arrested on Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication and Interference with Officials Acts charges. That same day, 53-year old Diane Wilson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Both were booked into the Cass County Jail.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City education officials say that rising demand for construction in the northwestern Iowa city could lead to higher construction costs for public schools.  Board member Doug Batcheller told the Sioux City Journal that the district had been the main source of large construction projects throughout the recent recession, which helped keep bids low. But Batcheller says bids are expected to increase with a casino project, fertilizer plant, new Bishop-Heelan high school and construction at Morningside College all competing for contractors.

Batcheller says the district has averaged less than $110 per square foot to build new schools during the recession. He predicts that will increase to $130 per square foot.  Superintendent Paul Gausman says he is already seeing increased construction costs of about $113 per square foot.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a cumulative report on arrests and incidents which occurred over the past couple of weeks. The most recent arrests included: 45-year old Donald Linn Welch, of Hamburg, for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree, Simple Domestic Assault and Disorderly Conduct; 26-year old Matthew David Yost, of Hamburg, was arrested for Simple Domestic Assault; and, 54-year old John Wesley Kalkas, of Shenandoah, who was arrested for Driving Under Suspension.

In all, 11 people were arrested on various charges in Fremont County, between Dec. 1st and Dec. 15th.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says a Corning man was arrested Sunday afternoon, on drug charges. 63-year old Gary Seaman was allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia when authorities searched an apartment in Corning, at around 3:30-p.m. Sunday. Seaman was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Officials say he was cited for the offenses and released.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Iowans are running out of time to ship presents so they’ll arrive at their destination in time for Christmas. Cordell Golden, with FedEx, says today (Monday) is the deadline for shipping via FedEx Ground, the most economical way of shipping through the global delivery service company. “For late shoppers, Saturday (December 22) is the last day to ship FedEx Express,” Golden says. “In both cases, we’ll get your packages to their destinations prior to Christmas.”

Customers can visit a FedEx office and pay for help with packing their presents. Golden says those who choose to save a few bucks and do it themselves should make sure to securely wrap the item or items in the box to prevent any damage during shipment. “We ask that you use bubble wrap or densely packed shredded paper, avoid newspaper as it’s heavy and adds extra weight to the shipment,” Golden says.

The box should also be sealed with packing tape. Today is expected to be the U.S. Postal Service’s busiest mail sorting day of the year, but FedEx’s busiest day was one week ago. On December 10, FedEx moved more than 19-million shipments, according to Golden. It marked the busiest day in the company’s history — topping December 12, 2011 when FedEx moved 17.2-million shipments. FedEx is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowans who will be hopping planes for the upcoming holidays who haven’t flown lately — or perhaps have never flown — will need to do a little homework first. Roy Criss, spokesman for the Des Moines International Airport, tells not-so-frequent fliers those security lines really aren’t that daunting, as long as you’re properly packed and prepared. “You want to check the website tsa.gov and take a look at all of those items you can and cannot carry on a plane,” Criss says. “That’s going to cause you a problem when you try to get through security. Make sure you pack your luggage well and you’re not trying to take something on a plane that you’re not supposed to have.”

It can save precious time to print your boarding passes on your home computer up to 24 hours before the flight, and Criss says you may want to bookmark that page on your browser. “Go to your airline’s website, check the status of your flight, check it early and check it often, because with weather, during the winter, it can change,” Criss says. “Be at the airport at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure of a domestic flight. While you’re here, be sure to pay attention to signage inside the airport so you’re going to the right places and doing the right things.”

Some of us are not “morning people,” but Criss says the wee hours around dawn and shortly thereafter are routinely the most hectic at the airport. “Probably about 65 or 70% of all the capacity, all the seats that leave this airport, do it between the hours of about 5 and 8,” Criss says. “We do have a lot of folks here in the terminal but if people have packed properly and know what to do, the lines move pretty quickly and everybody gets to their planes on time.”

Not long ago, the busiest travel days were around the Thanksgiving holiday but Criss says that’s shifted to the Mondays and Fridays during the two weeks of Spring Break.

(Radio Iowa)

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The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reminds parents and children alike, that Santa will make two more appearances in his cabin at the Atlantic City Park, prior to his busy night on Christmas Eve. The Jolly Old Elf will be in his cabin to visit with the children this Thursday, Dec. 20^th, from 5:30-to 7:30-p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 22^nd, from 1:30-to 3:30-p.m.  While talking with Santa, kids can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. So far, he’s seen more than 700 children at his cabin here in Atlantic.

Santa’s cabin is sponsored by the Atlantic Rotary Club and decorated by Brink Flower and Gift Company. Area businesses, including Simply Hair, Midwest Health Center and Atlantic Feedwater Systems, are providing the cocoa. Popcorn is also available to children who stop by the cabin. It’s made possible in part through Meyer and Gross Real Estate.

And, don’t forget horse drawn wagon rides will be offered one more time before Christmas: On Saturday, Dec. 22^nd, from 1:30- to 3:30-p.m. The free wagon rides start at the City Park at 6^th & Chestnut Streets. They’re sponsored by First Whitney Bank, the Leonard Family Businesses and Wells Fargo Bank.