DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowa hospitals have tightened visitation rules in the wake of a widespread flu outbreak that has claimed the lives of three children in recent months, including that of a 3-year-old Elk Horn girl. The Des Moines Register reports that 3-year-old Ayzlee McCarthy died on Monday from complications from the flu. Her mother says that only three days earlier, Ayzlee appeared healthy and active.

Iowa Department of Public Health reports show that for the week ending Dec. 27, 161 Iowans were hospitalized with the flu at a set of hospitals the department monitors. That has prompted Des Moines medical centers to ban any would-be visitors who show any flu symptoms, and anyone visiting flu-infected patients must wear a surgical mask over his or her nose and mouth.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa inmate in Sioux City has been placed on escape status after failing to return from his work release detail on New Year’s Day. The Sioux City Journal reports that 29-year-old Timothy Raymond Denney was staying at the Department Corrections Work Release facility in Sioux City following a conviction for second-degree robbery and going armed with intent.

People in work-release can leave the facility for a certain amount of time for jobs. Denney was transferred to work release on Oct. 8. His sentence was for 15 years. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 712-279-6960.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — At least one Iowa state lawmaker plans to push legislation this session that would provide direct funding for food banks in Iowa. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, is drafting such a bill for the 2015 session.

Others, including Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, support a state plan already in place that allows for up to $1 million in state money as matching funds for private donations to food banks. Branstad has pointed to the $150,000 in state funding last year that matched the $150,000 donated by CN Railroad to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo.

The food bank’s director, Barb Prather, says the $300,000 was used to buy better quality food for the charitable food bank, like canned chicken, tuna and fruit.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City woman and her two dogs are safe after escaping a house fire. Sioux City firefighters responded to a report of the fire around 7:30 p.m. Friday and arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the house.

Sioux City Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Brad Robinson says the woman was able to round up her two dogs and get out of the house shortly after seeing the flames. The fire was quickly extinguished, and no one was injured. Robinson said the American Red Cross is helping the woman find shelter and clothing.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An old Danish windmill is the pride of Elk Horn, Iowa, but decades after it was moved from Denmark, residents are struggling to pay for repairs to get the structure’s blades turning again. Windmill manager Lisa Riggs noticed last spring that something was wrong with the 168-year-old windmill, dismantled in Denmark and reassembled in 1975.

An inspection determined the harsh weather had caused some of the mechanics that attach to the giant sails to shift, forcing the blades to be stopped. Despite its popularity, Riggs says it’s tough for a little town to raise the $25,000 to $100,000 needed for repairs.

Mayor Stan Jens says the windmill has given Elk Horn a huge lift, and it’s essential to get the blades turning again.