Despite a marked improvement from China, no one else came close to the U.S. medal count. Which is ironic, considering the rest of the world calls us fat and lazy. Even with the overtly obscene training and “athlete selection” China does, we have proven time and again that freedom to do what you love wins.

Now that the Olympics are done, we are moving in to football season and thank God! I am so tired of political ads! At least football gives us something to take our minds off the mind numbing attack and mudslinging that is modern politics. Maybe I could just set up a martial arts match between the candidates and let them settle it that way. I do not know if it would be entertaining, or if it would just hurt me to watch it. At least then we would know who the better candidate is and it would be settled quickly.

Things are hopping around Grand Forks and school is in session. UND students are back, K-12 is back as well. I am just glad that I am back to a normal schedule, and ready to conquer the challenges this new semester brings. I know that I will win some and I will lose some, but the challenge to learn something new and grow is what I love. Hopefully everyone out there has as much fun as I will.

Around Town

West Nile Virus

A horse from Grand Forks County has been positively identified as having West Nile virus. The Grand Forks Health Department urges citizens to take extra precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. To help reduce your risk of getting West Nile virus, the Health Department recommends the following protective measures:

· Use insect repellent that contains DEET.

· Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

· Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when possible.

· Eliminate standing water around homes (e.g., buckets, flowerpots, old tires, wading pools and birdbaths).

· Keep the grass around your home trimmed.

West Nile virus is generally transmitted by mosquitoes. When a mosquito feeds on an infected bird, it can pick up the virus and transmit it to other noninfected birds. Occasionally, infective mosquitoes will feed on mammals such as horses, dogs, cats, and humans, and transmit the virus to them. Most people infected with the West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. Sometimes, though, mild illness results 1 to 2 weeks after exposure with symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. Less than one percent of infected people may develop a serious illness that includes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). These persons might experience headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, convulsions, and muscle weakness. Infection may prove fatal, especially among the elderly, in a small number of those who develop encephalitis. West Nile virus is not transmitted directly from birds to humans. For more information about West Nile virus and the Grand Forks Mosquito Control Program visit: www.gfmosquito.com

Phising Scam

The Grand Forks Police Department has received three phone calls from citizens today who have received suspicious phone calls in which the caller has made false claims in an attempt to obtain their credit card information. The unknown caller(s) have claimed to be representatives of either US Bank or Wells Fargo Bank and claim to be offering a reduced interest rate on the victim’s credit card. The victim is told that they will need to confirm their credit card number in order to qualify for this reduced rate. Branches of both US Bank and Wells Fargo Bank have been contacted and confirmed that these calls are fraudulent. The Grand Forks Police Department reminds citizens to be extremely cautious in giving out credit card information to anyone over the phone unless they know for certain whom they are speaking with. Having worked at a bank, I can tell you that a bank will only ask you to verify usually the last four digits of an account, never the full account number. Also, most banks will not call you and ask you to verify a number or information of any kind. So, please be smart and question anyone asking for your information, then let authorities know immediately about what transpired. If you have any information regarding this scam please call Grand Forks Police Department and ask for Detective Jennings.

Rollin on the River

The annual Rollin on the River Inline Skating Marathon is this weekend. It starts on Friday with Skate and Fitness Expo at the Alerus Center from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Then Saturday is race day with the start point at the Alerus Center and running through the streets of Grand Forks. Race time is bright and early at 7 AM with an estimated end time of noon. Events conclude with Skate the Alerus on Sunday starting at noon. Proceeds from the race benefit the promotion of inline skating to our communities, families and children, but is also sharing its proceeds with a greater cause; The Perry Nakonechny Youth Sports Fund. Volunteers are also needed. If you don’t feel like racing please try and help out. For more information visit: www.rollinontheriver-inline.com or contact the Grand Forks Park District.

UND Women’s Soccer

The University of North Dakota soccer team will return to Grand Forks still in search of its first goal of the 2012 campaign as its opening weekend concluded with a 3-0 shutout loss at Iowa Sunday.North Dakota felt it showed improvement over the weekend though and will look for its first victory of the season in its home-opener at Bronson Field Friday against Minnesota, Crookston. “I am proud of the way the team kept competing today,” head coach Kristen Gay said. “Our first test against a Big 10 school and we are pleased with the end result. There are still things we need to correct, but mistakes against a team like this will cost you. “Both keepers came up huge today for us and they saw some action, but the team is proud of the way we didn’t back down.” UND goalkeeper Alex Ciaccio (Minnetonka, Minn.) had to be sharp early as she came up with her first save of the game only 16 seconds into match. The UND goalkeeper couldn’t stop Cloe Lacasse’s shot in the 21st minute though. Lacasse put the Hawkeyes on the scoreboard with a shot to the low corner from inside the box for her third goal of the early season. The Hawkeyes would double their lead to take a 2-0 into the break as Brooke Backes placed a shot into into the left corner and back of the net in the 34th minute. Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.) entered the game in net for UND in the second half, but Iowa got out to another quick start and this time converted as Ashley Catrell scored her first goal of the season in the 48th minute and Iowa’s first shot of the second half. North Dakota finished strong with multiple attacks late in the game including a scoring chance by senior Rhaya Ballon (Rogers, Minn.) who recorded a shot on goal. Iowa recorded 11 shots on goal to UND’s 5. Ballon, Jensen Forbes (Lethbridge, Alberta), Taryn MacMillan (Rosemount, Minn.), Juliette Austin (Simi Valley, Calif.) and Jaymie Jackson (Anchorage, Alaska) tallied UND’s shots on goal.

North Dakota hosts Minnesota, Crookston, in its home-opener on Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. before heading back on the road for a single match against South Dakota on Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.

Story by Derek Koenen, UND Athletic Media Relations. Photo also courtesy of UND Media Relations