(Radio Iowa) — Due to the extreme cold and other factors, the American Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for blood donors in Iowa. Samantha Pollard, spokeswoman for the agency’s Midwest Blood Services Region, says they have less than a three-day supply of most blood types. A five-day supply is ideal for stocking hospitals for emergencies and daily needs but that’s fallen off over the past month. “We’ve seen a lot of winter storms and a lot of flu has been spreading around, taking people out of eligibility to donate blood,” Pollard says. “That, paired with people traveling over the holidays, really put us in a bad spot.”

Pollard suggests Iowans who are scheduled to give blood should stay home if they don’t feel well.  “We have a lot of people call in the day of their donation to say they’re not going to make it because they’re sick and they have the flu,” Pollard says. “That’s good. We don’t want people to come in if they’re sick, please don’t. We also want remind people, if they’ve gotten a flu shot, that does not make you ineligible to donate. As long as you’re symptom-free, please come in and donate.”

Pollard says blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. She encourages people to participate in blood drives to help re-stock the supply. Pollard says the easiest way to find a blood drive is through the website: Red-Cross-blood-dot-org. “On the home page, just put in your ZIP code and it’ll pull up all the drives near you,” Pollard says. “Another way is calling us at 800-Red-Cross and someone will help you find a drive. We also have an app. Download our blood donor app by searching for Red Cross Blood Donor and the app is really cool. You can make your appointment in there and it reminds you of when your appointment is.”

Pollard says with two months of winter still ahead, severe cold weather may cancel more blood drives, resulting in an elevated threat to an already-low blood supply.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — The mother of a baby whose lifeless body was found in an infant swing wearing a maggot-infested diaper is standing trial in his death. Court records say 21-year-old Cheyanne Harris has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. The trial was moved to Le Mars in Plymouth County from Chickasaw County because of publicity.
Prosecutors are expected to begin their case today (Wednesday).

Medics called to an Alta Vista apartment in August 2017 found 4-month-old Sterling Koehn dead in the swing in a dark, sweltering bedroom. An autopsy shows he died of malnutrition, dehydration and an E. coli infection caused by being left in the maggot-infested diaper for up to two weeks. The boy’s father, Zachary Koehn, already has been sentenced to life in prison .

A reminder for patrons of the Atlantic Community School District: The Atlantic School District Facilities Planning Committee will host the first of two public meetings tonight, in order to explain the District’s proposed $9.5 million facilities renovation plan. The meeting in the High School Auditorium begins at 6-p.m. Kipp Harris, Nick Hunt, Bob Sweeney and Jennifer Saathoff and other committee members will be on hand to present the proposal to the public and answer questions. The next meeting takes place Feb. 6th, same time and place.

A vote on the issuance of bonds will take place April 2^nd, with Early voting open on March 4th. If the bond referendum passes in April, there would be a multitude of improvements for safety and aesthetic reasons. The changes would include: A synthetic turf at the high school soccer field; Renovation of the Trojan Bowl with a new natural grass surface…new home concessions…ticket booths…and restrooms; More storage; A four-lane rubber track; Visitor parking, and, new bleachers on the home and visitor side. The proposal also calls for: site paving, lighting and sound, and a new scoreboard.

A parking lot for staff is also being proposed at the site of the tennis courts west of Washington Elementary. A new bus loading and unloading area is planned to reduce the congestion at Washington Elementary and the Middle School. The proposal also includes six tennis courts to be built north of the high school soccer field.

Other proposed improvements include those to the baseball and softball complex.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three aides to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and six newly appointed agency directors earn more than the governor, a decision a spokesman says reflects the need to attract top talent. The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa law sets the governor’s salary at $130,000 and some of Reynolds’ top appointees will be paid more. One of the top earners is Debi Durham, the director of the state’s economic development and housing agencies. A $50,000 retention bonus brings her annual salary to about $204,000.

Reynolds spokesman Pat Garrett says the high salaries are needed to keep top talent. Durham says she took the job because she believes “in the mission, not because of the pay. Other top earners include the governor’s chief of staff, the chief operations officer and chief counsel.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office report a woman waiting to visiting an inmate at the Pott. County Jail, was arrested Monday morning, after it was determined she had a warrant for her arrest. 20-year old Robyn Christine Hick, of Council Bluffs, was wanted for Harboring a Runaway against the wishes of their parent. Hick claimed the charge had already been dismissed by a judge, but the warrant was still valid in the system. The woman was subsequently booked into the Pott. County Jail.

A Sheriff’s Deputy called to a residence on Northern Pine Road, in Council Bluffs for a protection order violation, met with the reporting party. Afterward, a warrant was issued for 47-year old James Eric Larson, of Council Bluffs. Larson had not been taken into custody as of the time the report was issued.

And, 70-year old Michael Ray Christensen, of Council Bluffs, was transported Jan. 24th from the Buffalo County, Nebraska Jail to the Pottawattamie County Jail. Authorities say Christensen was booked-in on warrant for Failure to Appear on a Harassment in the first degree, charge.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man strangled his former girlfriend before setting at fire in a Sioux City hotel room. Woodbury County court records say Jordan Henry was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder. He’s already been charged with arson, trespassing and other crimes . Police say an autopsy showed 40-year-old Elizabeth Bockholt, of Hinton, was strangled. Firefighters found her unresponsive Thursday night in the damaged Wingate Hotel room, and she was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

A criminal complaint says Henry is a 29-year-old transient living in Sioux City. The complaint says he was identified on surveillance video and by witnesses who saw him leaving the area just after the room fire was discovered.