FEENSTRA SEEKS INITIATIVE TO COMBAT HPAI
U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra is working with colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee to launch a nationwide initiative to combat HPAI, or Bird Flu.
Feenstra, Republican Representative Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, and Democrat congressmen from California and North Carolina, all members of the Ag Committee, sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack calling for an HPAI Strategic Initiative within USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS.
Feenstra says 25% of the birds infected with bird flu have been in Iowa. That economic loss will eclipse those incurred in the prejvious bird flu outbreak in 2014-15.
The initiative would include exploring better biosecurity measures, potential vaccination efforts, and more cost-efficient ways to dispose of infected birds.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING
More high heat and humidity are forecast for Plymouth County today. An Excessive Heat Advisory covers eight northwest Iowa counties, and four adjacent counties in South Dakota and Nebraska. Heat indices of up to 110 degrees are expected from 1 to 8 p.m. today. The forecast for the Le Mars area includes a high temperature of 93 and a heat index of 108. Heat related illnesses increase significantly in these conditions. Take precautions to avoid heat-related stress: drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave children and pets in unattended vehicles. When outside, wear light, loose-fitting clothing, and limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
HOME PRICES, NUMBER OF LISTINGS ARE UP IN IOWA
The latest data from the Iowa Association of Realtors shows home prices are up by more than six percent last month compared to July of last year. There was a two-point-seven percent increase in the total number of homes sold in Iowa and the median price was 15-thousand dollars higher when this July’s prices are compared to prices in July of 2023. However, from June to July, pending home sales declined about two percent. The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says inventory is the bright spot in Iowa’s housing market. Over 77-hundred Iowa homes were on the market in July. That’s 22-point-six percent more than July of last year.
SRO VICKERY BEGINS ANOTHER TERM
Le Mars Police officer John Vickery begins another term as School Resource Officer in Le Mars. He covers all five school buildings in the Le Mars Community Schools, as well as the Gehlen Catholic Schools. He says safety, not law enforcement, is the primary concern.
Building relationships with students and teachers is another key element to the School Resource Officer.
Students getting comfortable with a police officer in school takes time.
Vickery describes how students react to him in the middle and high schools compared to the elementary schools.
There’s also a teaching element to the job.
Vickery explains the best and the most difficult parts of his job.
Vickery was the SRO when Le Mars Police began the program in 2018. Vickery is beginning his third term as a School Resource Officer.
INTERSECTION REBUILD
The Plymouth County Road Department says it will close a portion of county road K64 south of Oyens. Starting today, K64 from Highway 3 south four miles to C38 will be closed to only local traffic. Crews will rebuild the intersection of K64 and C30. A detour will direct traffic from Oyens east on Highway 3, then south on Quest Road, then west on C38. Construction may extend to the end of October.
FIRST WEST NILE CASE CONFIRMED
The State Hygienic Lab has confirmed the first case of West Nile Virus this year in a man in Harrison County. Iowa State University entomologist Ryan Smith oversees the state’s mosquito surveillance program and says in May and early June there wasn’t a whole lot of mosquito activity. Once we started seeing some of the heavy rainfall and flooding in late June then there was a big explosion in mosquito numbers. He says those counties in western Iowa hit hard by flooding are have seen really high mosquito numbers. The Health Department says those infected with West Nile may not experience any signs or symptoms of the virus. Some people experience minor symptoms like fever and mild headache, while others can develop serious symptoms such as a high fever, headache, disorientation, and muscle weakness. There were 17 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in 2023, and one death.
LABOR DAY TRAVEL EXPECTED TO BE UP
The last holiday of summer is just ahead and tens of thousands of Iowans will hit the road for the Labor Day weekend. Triple-A-Iowa spokesman Brian Ortner says the record-breaking summer travel season will wrap up with Labor Day weekend travel expected to be up nine percent compared to last year. He says the cost of domestic travel is down two percent. He says with most Iowa kids are already back in school, regional road trips tend to be the most popular Labor Day option for families. Gas prices vary widely across Iowa. The most expensive fuel is reported in Dubuque at three-45 a gallon, while Sioux City has the cheapest gas at two-98.
