Iowans are seeing advertisements for a so-called “super flu shot” for senior citizens. Iowa Department of Public Health medical director Patty Quinlisk says these vaccines target the influenza virus in two ways.

“One of them basically adds more protein from the flu virus into the vaccine,” Quinlisk says. “It’s basically got four times the amount of what’s called the antigen. The other one is a regular vaccine but it has something called an angivent in it, which basically says, ‘Look, look over here, there’s a red flag come respond to this.'” The state health department recommends the vaccine, in part, because a recent study found almost 25-percent fewer cases of flu in those who got the so-called super dose.

Doctor Quinlisk says, however, if your provider doesn’t have it, don’t wait for it. “The best flu shot is the one that’s in your arm, so if you go in and they don’t have one of these super-duper high-antigen shots, just get the regular one,” she says. “You’re still going to be protected.” Although Iowa’s influenza season usually begins in November, the health department has already had reports of a few cases across the state. Quinlisk encourages everyone to get a flu shot every year. The exceptions are infants under six months and those who are allergic to eggs.

(Radio Iowa w/Thanks to Pat Blank, Iowa Public Radio)

Newton Police are investigating the armed robbery of a nursing home early Sunday morning. Police Lieutenant Bill Henninger says they are looking for two people involved.He says they were called to Nelson Manor around 2:48 a-m and were told that two men carrying handguns entered the facility and took medications before fleeing.

Lieutenant Henninger says the men were described as black wearing dark clothing, with bandannas covering their faces. He says they came in through the front door and were inside the nursing home for less than five minutes before they ran out. No shots were fired. Henninger says officers are still attempting to verify the types and quantity of the medications stolen.

They were taken from a location by the nursing home’s common area, and not from patient rooms. Henninger asks anyone with information related to the case to contact the Newton Police Department at 641-792-1547 or Jasper County Crime Stoppers at 641-792-8362 -jaspercrimestoppers.com

(Radio Iowa)

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Coin was arrested Sunday evening on a theft charge. 32-year old Derrick Ray Lynn was arrested at his residence on a Page County Warrant for Theft 5th Degree.  Lynn was transported to the Page County Jail, where he posted bond and was released pending future court proceedings.

Police in Clarinda arrested a man and woman on drug charges Saturday morning, following a traffic stop and the deployment of K9 “Raiko”. 25-year old James Robert Castillo, of Bedford, was arrested a little after 10-a.m. Saturday, on felony charges that include possession with intent to deliver more than five grams of  methamphetamine,and failure to affix a drug tax stamp. Castillo also faces a serious misdemeanor, possession of a controlled substance charge, for a substance that was believed to be methamphetamine. Castillo is being held in the Page County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Also arrested was 52-year old Tina Marie Benkowich, of Clarinda. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. She was later released on a $300 bond. Investigative reports have been forwarded to the Page County Attorney’s Office for review and consideration of the filing of formal charges.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 33-year old Keith Matthew Wyatt, of Minden, was arrested at around 3:30-a.m. Saturday, following an investigation into the Theft of two high-def surveillance cameras from the Iowa Gun Store, in Walnut. The cameras and computer hardware were valued at almost $625 altogether. The owner of the store was able to review the video evidence with a Deputy at the scene that resulted in Wyatt being charged with Theft in the 4th Degree, and 5th Degree Criminal Mischief.

A man already being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail was charged early Saturday morning, with Possession of Contraband in a jail facility (Hydrocodone pills). Authorities say the charge was filed against 37-year old Johnathan Dale Campbell, of Council Bluffs.

20-year old Darrin Lamont Jackson, Jr. of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday afternoon in Pott. County, following a traffic stop for speeding. His vehicle also did not have registration plates or tags. Jackson was initially issued verbal warnings for the offenses and released, but a subsequent records check revealed he was wanted on a warrant charging him with three counts of Violating a Protective Order. The deputy caught up with Jackson, Jr., and pulled him over for a second time before placing him under arrest.

Also arrested in Pottawattamie County, Saturday, was 41-year old Charles Douglas Nichols, of Council Bluffs, who was parked at the end of a dead-end road. An investigation resulted in his arrest at around 4:15-p.m. , for OWI/1st Offense, Carrying Weapons, Possession of Controlled Substances (Amphetamines and/or Meth), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (meth in a syringe). He was also said to be in possession of a home-made cutting instrument at the time of his arrest.

35-year old Lindsey Anne Guest, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday night for OWI/1st offense, after she was pulled over for swerving into and out of the traffic lanes.  Sunday evening Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 31-year old Nina Brandy Nicole Bruns, of Manning, at the Underwood I-80 Truck Stop. Bruns was arrested on two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana. She was found to have in her possession 49.6-grams of a green leafy substance (a marijuana blunt) and three drug pipes.