he state Department of Public Health reports a woman who is 81 years old or older from central Iowa has died from the flu. Department Medical Director Patricia Quinlisk says its the first death in this flu season and an important reminder to get vaccinated. “We just felt like we wanted to remind people in Iowa that flu is a serious disease — and at times it can kill you,” Quinlisk says. Doctor Quinlisk says the number of flu cases thus far has been pretty low, which she says is typical of the season.

“It’s not uncommon that we don’t see much activity until the holidays when people really are around each other and travel,” Quinlisk says, “and then we see it really starting to climb in January, and then by the end of January we are starting to peak.” She says the shot will provide you protection fairly quickly.

“If you’ve not already gotten your flu shot, it’s a really good time to go in and get it and you will have protection over the holidays,” Quinlisk says. Quinlisk says the flu vaccine prepared for this year appears to be dialed in to handle the strains that are out there. “So far the primary strain seems to be what we call the typical seasonal flu strain — which is the A-H-3-N-2. We’ve seen a little bit of the 2009 pandemic strain which hits kids pretty hard. It’s called A-H-1-N-1…,” Quinlisk says. “The good news is that so far the vaccine is matching up really, really well with the strains that we are seeing in Iowa and across the United States, which means that the vaccine this year should give you protection against any flu strain that you come across.”

Doctor Quinlisk says the flu vaccine is readily available this year. She says getting a flu shot is important and you should also remember the three Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill. Quinlisk says besides a flu shot, handwashing is the single best way to prevent the spread of illness.

(Radio Iowa)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office say a man from Lorimor reported Friday afternoon, that his black, 2006 Hyundai Sonata had been stolen from 307 Kansas Avenue, in Lorimor. The theft happened at around 11:55-a.m.  The estimated value of the vehicle is $9,500.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says Deputies arrested two people on drug charges last week. Taken into custody on December 13th, 2016, was 33-year old Aaron Wayne Watson and 22-year old Maisie Sheryl Williams, both of Atlantic. Watson faces a felony Sponsoring a Gathering charge, in addition to Prohibited Acts, Possession of Meth 1^st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Williams was charged with Possession of Meth 1^st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were taken to the Cass County Jail. Williams was released the following day on her own recognizance. Watson remains held in the jail on $8,000 bond.

Last Friday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 39-year old Eric Allen Smith,  of Council Bluffs, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Smith was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

And on Saturday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office charged 26-year old Devin Sparks Register and 61-year old Ricky Lee Roby, both of Atlantic, with Assault Causing Bodily Injury. The men were inmates at the Cass County Jail when the incident occurred. Roby remains held at the Cass County Jail on prior bond of $55,300. Register was released on his own recognizance.

(12-p.m. News)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two separate accidents, Saturday. Just after Noon, Saturday, a 2000 GMC owned and driven by 47-year old Craig Bruce Woodard, of Atlantic, was westbound on Galveston Road about one-third of a mile east of 640th Street, when the vehicle lost traction on the slick roadway, entered the south ditch and struck an embankment before overturning. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,500.

And, at around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, a 2008 Chevy HHR owned and driven by 28-year old Amanda Lee Marholz, of Lewis, was eastbound on White Pole Road when the vehicle slid on the slippery roadway and entered the ditch near the intersection with Lansing Road. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1,500.

(12-p.m. News)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The insurance industry and its regulators are asking a judge to allow documents detailing “shadow insurance” subsidiaries created by life insurers to remain secret. The Iowa Insurance Division and the Federation of Iowa Insurers are opposing a lawsuit filed by Indiana University professor emeritus Joseph Belth, who’s seeking the documents under Iowa’s open records law.

Belth believes that the “shadow insurance” instruments threaten the solvency of insurers, and the public has a right to know. Companies such as TransAmerica have transferred hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities to subsidiaries to loosen the amount of capital they need in reserves. An assistant attorney general argued last week that regulators properly denied Belth’s request and the documents should be kept confidential.

The insurance federation says the practice is well-regulated and justified.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a man was arrested Saturday night on drug and alcohol charges, following an investigation into an incident that occurred at the intersection of Highways 71 & 44. 57-year old Charles Frederick Fancher, of Audubon, was charged with two counts of Possession of Contraband, OWI/1st offense, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Meth, two counts of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Pills, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Fancher was booked into the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearance before a magistrate.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – The popular mayor of Iowa’s second largest city says he will not run for re-election as he explores whether to run for governor as a Republican.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett announced Monday that he will not seek a third four-year term in November. Instead, he says he’ll spend the next several months traveling the state discussing issues and weighing a bid for governor.

If he runs, Corbett would likely face Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds in a Republican primary ahead of the 2018 election. Reynolds is set to become governor in coming weeks, when Gov. Terry Branstad resigns to begin his appointment as President-Elect Donald Trump’s ambassador to China.

Corbett is a former speaker of the Iowa House. He helped Cedar Rapids through a major recent flood that required evacuations.