Fourth Houstonian dies from West Nile virus; six new cases reported

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The city of Houston is reporting another West Nile virus related death.

The city's fourth death from the mosquito borne disease is a 75- to 84-year-old man from northwest Houston. The Houston Health Department also reports six new human cases to raise the total in Houston to 49.

Harris County has 16 West Nile cases, but no deaths.

Fort Bend County has reported eight total cases.

Five people now have died of West Nile in our viewing area -- four in Houston and one in El Campo.

Overall, at least 74 human cases have been confirmed across the ABC13 viewing area with four deaths.

As for other counties in our area as of last Friday, Montgomery County has reported four cases with no deaths. Wharton County has had one case with one death. Liberty County and Galveston County have both had one case with zero deaths. Brazoria County and Waller County have all had zero cases thus far.

Federal health officials say this is the nation's worst year for the mosquito-borne virus since it was discovered in New York 13 years ago.

There are more than 1,400 cases of West Nile in the United States. Texas has at least 52 of the country's 118 West Nile related deaths.

Several Texas counties have been spraying pesticide to help reduce the mosquito population.

Mosquito-proof your property

HCPHES continues to encourage residents to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats around their property. Remove or empty all outside containers that may hold water such as flowerpots, tires and toys. Bird baths and pet water bowls should be changed at least twice a week. Clean out gutters and make sure windows and doors have proper screening. Do not "feed" the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways and dispose of them properly.

Prevent mosquito breeding in boats Cover your boat and store it in a covered place. Drain any standing water and make sure the bilge pump is working.Turn over canoes, kayaks and small boats to store upside down.

Personal protection

Historically, in Harris County, July through September is the peak timeframe for disease transmission to humans. To reduce the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes, practice personal protective measures. When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 and apply as directed on the label. If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

For additional information and/or maps of West Nile Virus activity in Harris County, visit www.hcphes.org.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Houstonian co-creates emergency app for smart phones

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- In an emergency, seconds count. And your smart phone could be critical for you when it comes to your own personal security.

Now, there's an app you can download that can help you if you are caught in a dangerous situation. A Houston man helped design it.

Some of us at one time or another may have had that moment where we felt like our personal safety might be in jeopardy.

"I get nervous when I'm walking around campus by myself, like coming back from the library late at night," student Erin Thigpen said.

That's where the "miokay" security app comes in. It was created by three SMU college students, including Houston native Mark Gelbart, who recently graduated.

"Today when we have the technology to utilize, I don't see why not, why shouldn't you have something like this on your phone," he said.

Here's how it works: first you program five contacts into the app for when you're in danger, fearful of a situation or feel threatened. An email, text message and an automatic phone call with your exact location is then sent to your first contact.

As a parent, Lisa Garcia says this app is ideal.

"You have a lot of kids nowadays that have cell phones and this would be a good opportunity for me as a parent to be able to know exactly where my child is in case my child is in danger," she said.

The app can be especially helpful to women who want to get out of an abusive relationship. It can even be part of their safety plan.

"What we tell women is to have a code word with a friend. This could be your code word. If you push this, you know they need help," said Amy Smith with the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.

While it might seem easier to just dial 911 and save the $1.99 it costs for the app, Gelbart defends his product.

"Whenever you call 911 or a person, it takes time. These are critical moments we usually don't think about," Gelbart said.

And in an emergency, every second counts.

Gelbart says he hopes to integrate miokay's security app into social media like Facebook and Twitter.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Houstonian stranded in car in Idaho dairy pond

  BURLEY, ID -- Officials in south-central Idaho say a Houston woman may have spent up to a week in a rental car stuck in a dairy wastewater pond after taking a wrong turn as she searched for a hotel in Burley.

Cassia County officials say 61-year-old Lynn S. Keesler of Houston was evaluated by emergency medical technicians, but refused to go to the hospital.

The sheriff's report says Keesler thought she had been stranded for three to five days, but a deputy gave her directions to the hotels in Burley on Jan. 15. She walked to a nearby house for help on Jan. 22.

The Times-News reports the woman told officers she lived on M&Ms and water and stayed in the car because she'd been told not to leave her vehicle if she became stranded. (Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Houstonian one of two arrested in roulette scam

  LAKE CHARLES, LA -- Louisiana State Police says two men have been arrested in an investigation of cheating a Lake Charles casino.

Gaming Enforcement Section troopers said in a news release the arrests of Stephen Mouton, 44, of Iowa, La., and Constandi Lubbat, 54, of Houston are linked to earlier arrests in alleged cheating at L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort roulette tables. The two are each charged with felony cheating and swindling over $1,500 and criminal conspiracy. Investigators say Mouton allegedly stole $113,400 and Lubbat is accused of taking $63,000. State police arrested Derrick Weldon of Lake Charles and Charbel Tannous of Houston in mid-May in connection with the case. The scheme, which was discovered by casino surveillance personnel, is referred to in the gaming industry as "past posting." In it, a patron is allowed by a dealer to place a bet as the roulette ball falls on a position on the wheel. The state investigation, which began May 12, is continuing. (Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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