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September 9, 2014 • Headlines
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The Salute a Soldier 5K Race was held in Sunman on Saturday. The 260 participants raised $7,500 for tri-state soldiers. Charles Booker participated in the race. He lost a son in Iraq. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
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Kathy Paolello was the top women’s walker at the Salute a Solider 5K Race in Sunman with a finishing time of 38:30. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
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The ribbon cutting for the new business ‘Been There’ K-9 Bed Bug Detection Service in Napoleon was held Friday. Pictured from left: Phil Hart, president of the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, Cindy Ward, owner, Greg Boehner, handler, and Amy Thomas executive director of the chamber. Not pictured is Dougie, the trained dog to detect bed bugs. MARY MATTINGLY PHOTO |
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No human cases here
West Nile virus found in county
State health officials have confirmed the first signs of West Nile virus activity in Ripley County for 2014. As of September 4, 2014, there have been 83 mosquitoes in 34 Indiana counties testing positive for West Nile virus. There have been two reported cases of West Nile virus in humans in Indiana for this year, one in Hancock County and the other in Porter County. West Nile virus has been found throughout the entire state in past years, and positive mosquitoes are expected to be found in many other Indiana counties. It is impossible to predict the severity of this year’s West Nile virus season, as future temperatures and rainfall determine the level of mosquito populations.
“It’s the time of year when we are at greater risk for West Nile virus infection,” said Ripley County Health Department Administrator /Public Health Nurse, Vicky Powell, R.N. “But, there are many ways people can help protect themselves and their families. You can prevent West Nile virus infection by following some simple and effective steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
Ripley County Health Department recommends people take the following protective steps:
• If possible, avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, especially late afternoon and dusk to dawn and early morning;
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin;
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home; and
• When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants while outside.
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop any symptoms. Of those who become ill, most will develop a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash; however, a small number of people can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis. Some people may die from the infection. Health officials say that although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe disease.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite. West Nile virus is not transmitted from person to person.
“Mosquitoes can spread several other diseases, including St. Louis Encephalitis and La Crosse Encephalitis,” said Powell. “Usually, mosquito transmitted diseases occur during the summer months and don’t show signs of waning until the first hard frost of the season.”
Ripley County Health Department is asking residents to take the following steps to rid their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds:
• Discard old tires, tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water;
• Repair failed septic systems;
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically; and
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with predatory fish.
Visit the Ripley County Health Department’s website at www.ripleycounty.com/healthdepartment. For health and safety tips, follow the health department on Facebook at Ripley County Health Dept.
More charges for Holton man
A Holton man already in the Dearborn County Jail is facing additional charges in relation to his alleged attempt to elude police in May. Dakota Fraley, 20, was apprehended after a high-speed pursuit through multiple counties and involved an officer firing shots at the suspect vehicle on May 21. A Ripley County officer was slightly injured when he was hit by the vehicle as the driver attempted to flee. Chad Sumler, 24, Versailles, was also apprehended following the pursuit.
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Fraley had additional charges filed against him including Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Class C Felony) and Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Class D Felony). Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard said the charges were filed after reviewing evidence from the date of arrest.
“The Indiana State Police, the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department and the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department should be commended for their actions in apprehending this dangerous criminal who threatened the lives of law enforcement and the community,” Negangard said.
West Nile virus found in county
State health officials have confirmed the first signs of West Nile virus activity in Ripley County for 2014. As of September 4, 2014, there have been 83 mosquitoes in 34 Indiana counties testing positive for West Nile virus. There have been two reported cases of West Nile virus in humans in Indiana for this year, one in Hancock County and the other in Porter County. West Nile virus has been found throughout the entire state in past years, and positive mosquitoes are expected to be found in many other Indiana counties. It is impossible to predict the severity of this year’s West Nile virus season, as future temperatures and rainfall determine the level of mosquito populations.
“It’s the time of year when we are at greater risk for West Nile virus infection,” said Ripley County Health Department Administrator /Public Health Nurse, Vicky Powell, R.N. “But, there are many ways people can help protect themselves and their families. You can prevent West Nile virus infection by following some simple and effective steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
Ripley County Health Department recommends people take the following protective steps:
• If possible, avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, especially late afternoon and dusk to dawn and early morning;
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin;
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home; and
• When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants while outside.
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop any symptoms. Of those who become ill, most will develop a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash; however, a small number of people can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis. Some people may die from the infection. Health officials say that although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe disease.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite. West Nile virus is not transmitted from person to person.
“Mosquitoes can spread several other diseases, including St. Louis Encephalitis and La Crosse Encephalitis,” said Powell. “Usually, mosquito transmitted diseases occur during the summer months and don’t show signs of waning until the first hard frost of the season.”
Ripley County Health Department is asking residents to take the following steps to rid their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds:
• Discard old tires, tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water;
• Repair failed septic systems;
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically; and
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with predatory fish.
Visit the Ripley County Health Department’s website at www.ripleycounty.com/healthdepartment. For health and safety tips, follow the health department on Facebook at Ripley County Health Dept.
More charges for Holton man
A Holton man already in the Dearborn County Jail is facing additional charges in relation to his alleged attempt to elude police in May. Dakota Fraley, 20, was apprehended after a high-speed pursuit through multiple counties and involved an officer firing shots at the suspect vehicle on May 21. A Ripley County officer was slightly injured when he was hit by the vehicle as the driver attempted to flee. Chad Sumler, 24, Versailles, was also apprehended following the pursuit.
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Fraley had additional charges filed against him including Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Class C Felony) and Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Class D Felony). Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard said the charges were filed after reviewing evidence from the date of arrest.
“The Indiana State Police, the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department and the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department should be commended for their actions in apprehending this dangerous criminal who threatened the lives of law enforcement and the community,” Negangard said.
