Floyd Valley Healthcare Has Seen Over 40 Cases Of Influenza
(Le Mars) — Influenza has claimed 14 Iowa lives so far this year, and according to health officials, the flu has been detected in 49 of the 50 states. Bob Norfolk serves as the Infection Control Manager for Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. He says Floyd Valley has seen more than 40 cases of influenza during
this flu season.
Norfolk says a flu vaccination will cover both strains, and he explains the differences between type-A and type-B influenza strains.
Floyd Valley has not yet implemented any specific visitation restrictions.
However, Norfolk explains if you are admitted to the hospital with influenza, the hospital has taken steps to prevent the spread of the illness throughout the facilities.
The Floyd Valley official says the number of flu cases reported to the local hospital this year is running about at the same pace as this time last year.
Norfolk says there is still time to get vaccinated for the flu virus, but he also recommends keeping clean hygiene.
Norfolk says the flu contagious, and it is easily passed from one person to another.
Norfolk says the reported influenza cases to Floyd Valley Healthcare have been primarily with elderly citizens who has a weaker immune system, but he notes it has it across the board with all ages.
Three Arrested Following Traffic Stop
(Le Mars) — Three people were arrested Saturday morning after a Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on county road K-18. The driver of the vehicle, 24 year old Rodolfo Deanda of Sioux City was found to have a suspended Iowa driver’s license. 26 year old Daniel Deanda also of Sioux City
was a passenger in the vehicle. He was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as having an active Woodbury County warrant. Another passenger, 22 year old Enrique De Anda Facia of Sioux City was found to be in possession of a controlled substance, marijuana. All three subjects were booked
into the Plymouth County Jail and are being held on bond.
Hawarden Man Arrested For Theft Of ATV And Motorcycle
(Orange City) — Sioux County authorities have arrested a Hawarden man, along with a juvenile male from LuVerne, Minnesota for theft of an ATV and motorcycle.
19 year old Christopher Blumeyer was charged with trespassing and operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. The arrest was made on Thursday, January 11th after further investigation, deputies discovered that Blumeyer and
the juvenile unlawfully took the vehicles from the owner, operated them without permission, and later returned them by placing them on a gravel roadway near the owner’s property.
University Of Iowa Being Sued Over Gay Student To Organization
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa is caught in a legal fight with a conservative Christian student group that denied a leadership position to a gay student.
The case pits a university policy barring discrimination based on sexual orientation against the religious beliefs of a 10-member group called Business Leaders in Christ.
The group sued in federal court after the state’s flagship university in Iowa City revoked the group’s campus registration in November. The group says its membership is open to everyone, but that its leaders must affirm a statement
of faith that rejects homosexuality.
The university says it respects the right of students, faculty and staff to practice the religion of their choice but does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
Iowa Likely To Implement Interlocking Ignition Devices With Cameras
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa soon will require that ignition interlocks have cameras so drivers required to take breath tests don’t have other people start the drivers’ vehicles.
The vehicles would still start, but the drivers could lose their restricted driver’s licenses and be charged with crimes after the ignition interlock company notifies the state that other people blew into the devices.
Patrick Hoye is chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and he told The Des Moines Register that most nearby states already have the requirement.
All repeat drunken driving offenders are required to install the devices in Iowa. First-time offenders must install the devices if their blood alcohol figures were higher than 0.10 percent when they were arrested or if they were involved in accidents.
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