CNA-8-15-2017

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BLOOD SHORTAGE The American Red Cross is still experiencing a shortage of blood. To find out when upcoming blood donation opportunities are, see page 12A. >>

CROSS COUNTRY

East Union’s cross country team is replacing several key seniors from last year’s POI championship team. For more on the Eagles, see SPORTS, page 7A. >>

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SHAW MEDIA GROUP SERVING SW IOWA SINCE 1879 BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE AT WWW.CRESTONNEWS.COM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2017

Green Valley Lake testing Creston high for microcystins man dies

in Idaho highway accident

By LARRY PETERSON ries. Both are still hospitalCNA senior feature writer lpeterson@crestonnews.com

CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER

Blue-green algae collects near the shore Thursday at the beach at Green Valley Lake north of Creston. The bluegreen algae, created by high levels of microcystins in the lake, is hazardous to humans and pets if contact is made with the algae. Signs are currently posted at the lake discouraging recreational use of the lake.

By SCOTT VICKER

CNA managing editor svicker@crestonnews.com

Nearly every summer, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources sends out a series of press releases saying Green Valley Lake in Creston has tested positive for high levels of microcystins. That has been the case again this year. Test results came back Friday indicating the lake still had high levels of microcystins. The high levels of microcystins are the result of agricultural runoff entering the lake through tributaries or from natural nutrients in the lake. That, combined with warm, dry weather, causes the nutrients to

bloom into blue-green algae. The blue-green algae on the lake is dangerous for humans, pets and livestock if they come into contact with it. The most common human symptom is a rash from the direct contact with the algae. But, more severe symptoms, such as upset stomach, diarrhea and nausea, can happen. “For some people, it could be more severe,” s a i d Amanda Husband, Union County environ- Husband

mental specialist. “I would expect to see those type of symptoms coming from the young, the old or the immune-compromised folks.” With the dangers posed by coming into contact with the blue-green algae, both Husband and the DNR suggest people avoid swimming and other direct-contact activities at the lake. That includes skiing and tubing. Fishing, however, is OK. “As long as you’re in your boat where you’re not having direct-water contact or you’re fishing from the side,” Husband said. “And yes, you can eat those fish. They are safe. Just clean out the guts to them and rinse them off good.”

Husband also suggests keeping pets on a leash around the lake so they do not jump into the lake or come into contact with the dried algae near the shore. The blue-green algae can have a deadly effect on pets. “If that pet gets down into that water, they’re really highly susceptible to this because they can get that algae on their fur and their paws and they lick it off,” Husband said. “So, they’re getting a really high dosage of it and they can go into liver failure pretty quickly.” Animal symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, difficulty breathing and general ALGAE | 12A

BOISE, IDAHO — A 70-year-old Creston man died Friday when he was thrown from a vehicle onto Interstate 84 near Mountain Home. Larry Schad was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 2:50 p.m. when a 2002 Dodge Durango driven by Joyce Schad drifted off the right shoulder of I-84, east of Mountain Home. The report said the driver overcorrected and the Durango crossed both eastbound lanes, entering the median. The Durango then rolled through the median and entered the westbound lanes, where it came to rest on its wheels. Larry Schad, reportedly unrestrained in the rear seat, was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled and died at the scene. Joyce Schad, 70, was transported by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise with serious injuries. Another passenger, 52-year-old Burton Wright of Idaho, was also transported with serious inju-

ized. The driver of a semitruck also involved in the wreck was treated and released at the scene. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing. Larry Schad was born Oct. 16, 1946, in Bridgewater. He was a 1965 graduate of East Union High School. He served in the U.S. Navy, sailing on the USS Independence aircraft carrier. Schad was retired from a 30-year career with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, including a position as track foreman. He was also a member of the Southwest Iowa Amateur Radio Association, and attended many HAM radio events throughout the Midwest. He was part of the association’s annual participation in nationwide emergency radio field exercises under simulated emergency conditions. Funeral arrangements are pending at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr. Messages to Joyce Schad can be sent to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, 1055 N. Curtis Road, Boise, Idaho 83706; or online at http://bit. ly/2wZUiTS.

Lag in Trump’s condemnation frustrates Iowa GOP Sen. Ernst FORT DODGE (AP) — Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst expressed frustration Monday that it took President Donald Trump two days to specifically condemn white supremacy after deadly violence at a rally in Virginia. “Finally!” the Iowa Republican told reporters, referencing Trump’s condemnation of white nationalist groups — including the Ku Ernst

Klux Klan — two days after a woman protesting the groups was killed in Charlottesville. Speaking to about 100 people at a middle school in northwest Iowa, Ernst called Trump’s latest statement “strong” but added, “I wish he would have been right out of the game with that.” The freshman Republican, a rising national figure in the party, said Trump has been quick to voice his opinions on Twitter but shouldn’t have taken so long

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COMPLETE WEATHER 3A

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stand during the Creston Farmers Market Monday afternoon in McKinley Park. The Brahms’ stand 3 Bee Farms sold a litany of vegetables, jellies, sauces and dressings. Creston’s Farmers Market runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday until Sept. 25.

ERNST | 2A

WEDNESDAY WEATHER

CNA photo by CARTER ECKL

Farmers Market: Steve Brahms, right, and his daughter JoAnn Brahms of Griswold inspect a clove of garlic at their

Volume 134 No. 53

2016

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