Home News Friday Afternoon News, January 12th

Friday Afternoon News, January 12th

Flu Now Responsible for 14 Iowa Deaths

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials have reported eight more influenza-related deaths, bringing the Iowa total to 14 since Oct. 1.
The Iowa Public Health Department says the eight were reported in the past week. Five of the eight had underlying health conditions, and all eight were at least 61 years old. Five of the deaths occurred in central Iowa, two in southwest Iowa and one in the eastern part of the state.
Health officials say that essentially everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccine. Flu symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.

 

 

Police Believe Sioux City’s First Homicide of 2018 Is Drug Related

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Investigators suspect drug trafficking is related to the fatal shooting of a man in Sioux City.
Police say 26-year-old Javier Cheron died at a hospital Wednesday evening. Police say he was armed when he arrived there.
No arrests have been reported in Cheron’s slaying, but a search of the home where police think Cheron was shot turned up stolen handguns and illegal drugs. Police subsequently arrested 60-year-old Liborio Martinez-Rubio on drug and weapons charges. His attorney didn’t immediately return a message Friday
from The Associated Press.
Authorities say Cheron’s death was the first Sioux City homicide of the year.

 

 

Former Legislator Says Climate Has Not Changed At State Capital With Regards To Sexual Harassment

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An ex-Republican lawmaker tasked with recommending improvements to workplace culture within the Iowa Senate after an ex-GOP staffer sued for sexual harassment says “there is nothing that has changed to prevent
additional inappropriate behavior and ensuing problems” at the Iowa Capitol.
Mary Kramer issued the warning Friday in her recommendations to improve working conditions at the Iowa Legislature. She says everyone working at the Capitol, from elected officials to nonpartisan staff and the press, should receive training “regarding what constitutes inappropriate behavior.”
Kramer says a clear process needs to be established for a legislative ethics committee to investigate lawmakers accused of misconduct.
The Legislature is grappling with the fallout from a lawsuit filed by a former Senate Republican staffer who was fired after reporting sexual misconduct. The state paid $1.75 million to settle the case.

 

 

Southeast Iowa Man Charged With Fraudulent Acts Against Out-of-State Hunters

BLOOMFIELD, Iowa (AP) – A man from southeast Iowa has been convicted of scamming out-of-state hunters in a case that raises questions about whether the state does enough to protect against fraudulent outfitters.
The Des Moines Register reports that 34-year-old Andrew Wulf was convicted on two counts of felony theft and ongoing criminal conduct on Thursday. Wulf owns Whitetail Ridge Outfitters in Tipton and was accused of swindling three out-of-state customers, leading illegal hunts and ripping off
customers.
The case has reignited discussion about whether legislation is needed to better protect hunters against fraud in Iowa, a destination for thousands of out-of-state hunters each year.
Several states regulate and license outfitters and guides, including Alaska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Wulf faces up to 35 years in prison. He will be sentenced in March.