The parents of three children who were kidnapped, then murdered in Iowa met with Governor Branstad today (Monday) to talk about reinstating capital punishment in Iowa. Drew Collins is the father of Elizabeth Collins, the girl who went missing this summer in Evansdale. Her body was found by hunters earlier this month. “Every time it happens, we hear it on the news and we just go, ‘Oh, that’s too bad. That’s terrible,’ but we’ve done nothing to change what’s happening,” Collins says. “To me, it’s criminal that we don’t protect our children. I mean, if we don’t protect our children, I mean, what are we as a society?” Collins says he’s always supported the death penalty. His wife, Heather, used to oppose capital punishment, but her daughter’s brutal death has changed her mind.

Donnisha Hill of Waterloo was kidnapped and murderd in 2006. Her father, Adonnis (uh-DON-iss) Hill, says he wants to try to save other parents from the pain he’s gone through. “I have those pictures of my daughter etched in my brain and the brutality of it is overwhelming,” Hill says. Andrew Christie’s daughter, Evelyn Miller, was kidnapped from her home near Floyd — in north central Iowa — and killed in 2005. Authorities this fall arrested a suspect. Christie sees the death penalty as justice.

Noreen Goschis the mother of Johnny Gosch, a 12-year-old West Des Moines paper boy who was kidnapped in 1982 and has never been found. She joined the other parents in talking with Branstad, then talking with reporters. “I have been in support of the death penalty, but we’re now going to be calling it capital justice,” Gosch said. State Senator Kent Sorenson, a Republican from Milo, has pledged to be the primary sponsor of a bill that would impose the death penalty in cases of kidnapping and murder, plus impose new restrictions on sex offenders.

“From the short period of June of 2012 to October of 2012, there was 42 attempted abductions in Iowa. That’s just insane that we’re living in a society like that,” Sorenson says. ” Obviously, what we’re doing in the state is not working. We need to look at legislation to improve the quality of life for our children, their safety and I’m willing to have that fight. I’m willing to have that discussion.” Sorenson plans to hold another news conference in January, with the families, to announce details of the legislation once it’s drafted. Sorenson acknowledges it will be an “uphill fight” to even get the bill considered in the senate.

Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, will lead the Senate Judiciary Committee in January and Hogg does not plan to bring a death penalty bill up for debate. “Unfortunely right now in the case of the two, Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins, I think it’s a real distraction to be having this debate about the death penalty when the perpetrator or the perpetrators of those murders have not even been caught yet,” Hogg says. “Every resource of state government should be deployed on catching the perpetrator of those murders.” Hogg opposes the death penalty.

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs, the man who decides which bills will be debated in the senate, will not bring a death penalty bill up for debate. “Every time there’s a particularly tragic and heinous murder, people come back and start talking about the death penalty,” Gronstal said today during an interview with Radio Iowa. “I think the death penalty’s immoral. I’m not going to move a death penalty bill in the senate.” For about 30 years Governor Branstad has supported reinstating a limited form of capital punishment in Iowa, applicable in cases of kidnapping and murder, but Branstad acknowledges the “political reality” is the bill won’t pass the senate.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Cass County say two people were arrested recently on separate charges. According to the Sheriff’s Department, 22-year old Michael Jay Sherman, of Atlantic, was arrested last Friday, on a District Court Warrant for Probation Violation. Sherman was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held on $5000 bond.

And, last Tuesday (Dec. 11^th), deputies in Cass County arrested 42-year old Michael Maurice Croghan, of Atlantic, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Croghan was taken to the Cass County Jail, plead guilty to the charge, and was released the following day.

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County report the arrest early Sunday morning, of 58-year old Bernard Dean Beach, of Atlantic. Beach was taken into custody at around 1-a.m. on a charge of OWI/1st offense. The charge was the result of a traffic stop in Kimballton. Beach was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released, after appearing before the magistrate. A preliminary hearing on the charge was set for January 3rd.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The family of world’s oldest person Dina Manfredini says the woman from Johnston, Iowa, has died at age 115.  Manfredini’s granddaughter Lori Logli says she died early Monday. She had lived at a care center in Johnston, just north of Des Moines. Guinness World Records had confirmed Manfredini inherited the title of world’s oldest living person less than two weeks ago.  Guinness spokesman Robert Young says a Japanese man, Jiroemon Kimura, now holds the title. He is just 15 days younger than Manfredin.

For many years the bronze sculpture of the Little Mermaid sitting in a fountain on Main Street has been the pride and joy of Kimballton residents. the statue depicts the well-known fairy tale of Denmark’s famous storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen.  Now, an “Iowa Great Places Grant” has allowed Kimballton to consider adding more sculptures as part of their Park Improvement Project.

“Thumbelina” print, one of 6 sketches to be turned into a 3-D bronze sculpture.

Troy Muller, the Art Director of New Geneses Art Studio in Kimballton, is prepared to work with the town to provide 10 smaller bronze sculptures depicting other Andersen fairy tales for the park.  The Little Mermaid Trail Committee is providing an opportunity for donors to dedicate individual sculptures for their loved ones.  The artist has presented six sketches that will be turned into three-dimensional bronze statues.

Current sketches include: Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Little Match Girl, Steadfast Tin Soldier, Princess and the Pea.  These sketches are available to view at the New Century Art Guild annex, formerly Mama Bear’s, on Kimballton’s Main Street. Each sculpture will measure approximately 18” tall and sit on a concrete pedestal with a speaker so visitors may hear the story.  A bronze plaque will recognize a specific donor. Madsen says they are collecting $1,000 donations for anyone who would like to commemorate their loved ones with one of the six statues.  She says they prefer to have one family name per sculpture.

For more information please contact Pat Crosley, tcrosley@metc.net, or Jill Madsen at jill@metc.net

Health officials say the flu  has officially arrived in Cass County.  According to Denise Coder, Cass County Home Care Site Manager, a case of Influenza-B was was recently confirmed in a Cass County resident. It’s a nasty, respiratory infection that can be confused with the common cold, but which features some distinct differences. The symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, which are typical of the common cold. The difference is those symptoms are accompanied by a fever, muscle or body aches, and fatigue.

Influenza B is spread by droplets which are breathed in after an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can also be picked up from touching something that an infected person has recently come into contact with. She said the germs can live on surfaces for a little while, but not for a period of days. The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting widespread activity in all of the state’s regions, with Influenza A being the most common strain diagnosed.

Coder says there are several things area residents can do to protect themselves. First and foremost, is to get an annual influenza vaccination.  Local primary care providers have the vaccine available, and the Centers for Disease Control now recommend a flu shot for everyone ages 6 months and older. And, area residents are also encouraged to practice the three C’s, in an effort to stay healthy:  Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.

For more information about influenza prevention, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm or call Denise Coder, at (712) 243-7475.

Flu season has arrived in Iowa a bit early, but the influenza isn’t the only germ going around. Dr. Patty Quinlisk, the state’s chief medical officer, says plenty of other viruses and bacteria flourish in the cold, dry winter months. As health officials conduct tests to track influenza, Dr. Quinlisk says they often pick up other viruses. “The thing to remember about those viruses is while they can make you feel pretty sick, they’re not the viruses that can typically put you in the hospital or kill you like influenza does,” Quinslik says. “That’s why we’re so concerned about doing good surveillance for influenza and why we are really encouraging people to get the flu shot.”

She says studies suggest that for some reason, getting the flu shot may also help protect against other viruses by keeping people healthier. Quinlisk says cold, dry air can make the nose and throat more vulnerable to a range of viruses, not just influenza. “We also know that in the wintertime, we tend to be closer to other people physically because we shut the windows, because it’s cold outside and we’re around people more,” Quinlisk says. “We also have our family gatherings for the holidays and often when people travel and have large groups of people get together these viruses just spread more easily.” Besides getting a flu shot, Quinlisk says the steps to prevent illness are the same regardless of the type of bug. She recommends frequent hand-washing and staying home if you’re sick.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic Police Department reports four arrests over the weekend.Last Friday, 25-year old Jeffrey Knight, of Atlantic, was arrested for Carrying a Weapon. He was booked into the Cass County Jail.

On Saturday, 18-year old Jesse Nymand, of Elk Horn, was arrested by Atlantic Police on four counts of Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with the Intent to Deliver, and Prohibited Acts. Nymand was booked into the Cass County Jail.

On Sunday, 24-year old Joseph Fredericksen, of Atlantic, was arrested on Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication and Interference with Officials Acts charges. That same day, 53-year old Diane Wilson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Both were booked into the Cass County Jail.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City education officials say that rising demand for construction in the northwestern Iowa city could lead to higher construction costs for public schools.  Board member Doug Batcheller told the Sioux City Journal that the district had been the main source of large construction projects throughout the recent recession, which helped keep bids low. But Batcheller says bids are expected to increase with a casino project, fertilizer plant, new Bishop-Heelan high school and construction at Morningside College all competing for contractors.

Batcheller says the district has averaged less than $110 per square foot to build new schools during the recession. He predicts that will increase to $130 per square foot.  Superintendent Paul Gausman says he is already seeing increased construction costs of about $113 per square foot.