MURPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - Miriam Link-Mullison , Public Health Administrator for Jackson County Health Department announced Tuesday that routine testing had identified their first case of West Nile positive batch of mosquitoes for 2011.

Because West Nile virus activity in Culex mosquitoes increases during hot weather, the Jackson County Health Department is offering tips to protect against mosquitoes.

Some precautions to take to reduce the risk of getting West Nile include:

• Dusk to dawn - avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn
• Dress appropriately - when outdoors wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt
• Apply insect repellent - use insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions (Consult a physician before using repellents on infants)
• Doors and openings - make sure doors and windows have tight-

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - Results from the Missouri Valley Conference football preseason poll have been released.

Southern Illinois, which finished in a six-way tie for third place last year, received the remaining first-place vote and earned 207 points to finish third in the pre-season balloting.

Three players from SIU are mentioned below that are on the 2011 Preseason Team.

2011 Missouri Valley Football Preseason Team

Name, SchoolHt.Wt.Yr.Hometown / Previous School

QB-Tirrell Rennie, UNI6-0201Sr.N. Lauderdale (Fla.) Coconut Creek HS

RB-Jamaine Cook, YSU5-9200Jr.Cleveland (Ohio) Midpark High

D.J. McNorton, NDSU5-10204Sr.Channelview (Texas) High

FB-Brock Lough, INS6-0220Sr.Terre Haute (Ind.) South Vigo High

WR-Jermaine Saffold, MSU6-1198Sr.Grandview (Mo.) High / C. Missouri

The deadline for raising the debt ceiling is just days away. But as law makers in Washington continue work to hash out a plan, many here in the Heartland watch with great concern. One those people is 65-year-old Kenneth Robinson.

"It's just terrorizing to think that they could mess up our retirement benefits including social security and Medicare," Robinson said.

Robinson is one of the younger seniors to visit the Senior Fair in Carbondale. Emma Smith, who is 90-years-old, stopped by the AARP booth to chat about what's going on in the Capitol.

Smith says while social security is not her main source of income, it's still important. She adds it's frustrating to watch those who were voted into office not work together.

"They're not thinking about the people and they're there to represent the people," Smith said.