Solicitor banned; Healthiest State Walk set Oct. 3; Iowa health officials report 5 West Nile cases

Solicitor banned

Ben Jamison will no longer be allowed to solicit funds in Fairfield after failing to comply with normal procedure, according to Fairfield Police Chief Julie Harvey and Jefferson County Sheriff Jerry Droz.

Thursday, after the sheriff?s office was told Jamison was attempting to solicit funds under the guise of a police/deputy organization, residents and businesses were alerted Jamison was not representing the local sherff?s office or the Iowa Sate Sheriff?s and Deputies Association and asked to help locate him.

Jamison was found at a local business. Law enforcement officers learned he was selling advertisement for the Iowa State Policemen?s Association. He showed officers an undated letter signed by Harvey.

The officers told Jamison to stop selling advertisements for the remainder of the day and to go to the law center today to get a new letter with a current date.

Harvey said Jamison has sold advertising on behalf of the Fairfield Police Department for the Police Association in the past. The normal procedure is for Jamison to obtain a current dated letter and way when he will be in town. Jamison failed to follow normal procedures and will no longer be allowed to solicit funds in Fairfield.

Healthiest State Walk set Oct. 3

DES MOINES ? Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds are calling on fellow Iowans to join in a 1-kilometer Healthiest State Walk Oct. 3 as one part of an effort to become the healthiest state in the nation.

?Iowans turned out in extraordinary numbers for last year?s kick-off of the five-year Healthiest State Initiative,? Branstad said. ?We?re encouraging even more Iowans to join in this symbolic event and to enjoy a short stroll during our state?s beautiful autumn weather.?

More than 291,000 Iowans participated in the Healthiest State Initiative?s ?Start Somewhere? walk in 2011. Many organized Healthiest State walks will be held at noon Oct. 3, but walks are encouraged throughout the day.

A kilometer is about 7.5 city blocks, a 12-minute stroll for the average walker.

Walkers can sign up at www.iowahealthieststate.com.

In addition to walking, Branstad and Reynolds are encouraging Iowans to add one more wellness activity to their day on Oct. 3. ?Wellness activities can take many forms from playing outside with your children to eating a healthy meal together as a family to volunteering in your community,? Reynolds said. ?We?d love to see even more Iowans walk this year, and more Iowans take wellness steps beyond the walk.?

Iowa health officials report five West Nile cases

DES MOINES (AP) ? The Iowa Health Department is reporting it has confirmed five cases of West Nile virus in the state and is investigating several more cases.

The agency today announced confirmed cases in Grundy, Linn, Lyon, Page and Plymouth counties. All those sickened by the virus have recovered.

In Nebraska, officials say 20 human cases have been confirmed, with no deaths reported.

The cases in Iowa and Nebraska come amid one of the largest national outbreaks of West Nile. More than 1,100 illnesses have been reported across the country.

Iowa health officials say state figures are typical for this time of year.They urge people to use mosquito repellent when they are outdoors to protect against the virus.