An investigation into a series of checks written on a closed account, has resulted in the arrest of a Lenox man. Authorities say 36-year old Jeremy Harris was charged with three counts of Theft in the 5th degree.  Harris was subsequently sent a summons to appear in court by the Magistrates office.

While the Iowa influenza season typically starts in November and peaks in January or later, it can begin any time. According to the Shelby County County Public Health Department, the County has recently diagnosed its first case of influenza for this season.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Shelby County Public Health Department at Myrtue Medical Center urge everyone to get their annual flu vaccination as soon as possible. Calla Poldberg, Nurse Practitioner and Director of Public Health, says “Since it takes up to two weeks after vaccination for the body to have the full protection from the flu virus, being vaccinated now means you’ll be protected before the flu starts spreading.”

Poldberg says everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccine. While the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine both protect against the flu, there is evidence the nasal spray vaccine works better than a regular flu shot especially in younger children. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends the nasal spray vaccine for all healthy children ages 2 through 8 years, when it is available. The FluMist (nasal spray) vaccine can be given to all healthy persons ages 2 through 49.

Persons at higher risk for complications of the flu need to be vaccinated, especially:
• Pregnant women
• Children, particularly those younger than 2 years of age
• Adults age 65 and older
• People who have certain medical conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and lung diseases

To schedule your appointment for the flu vaccine, call Myrtue Medical Center at 712-755-5130 or Shelby County Public Health at 712-755-4422. For more information on the kinds of flu vaccine available this year, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm.

An Atlantic woman was cited for Failure to provide proof of Insurance and Failure to Yield, following a collision Tuesday afternoon at 6th and Walnut Streets. The accident happened at around 2:40-p.m.

According to police, a vehicle driven by Heather Arbuckle, of Atlantic, was traveling east on 6th street and stopped at the stop sign with Walnut. A vehicle driven by Linda Foegen, of Atlantic, was traveling south and approaching the intersection. Officials say Arbuckle failed to yield to the Foegen vehicle when she entered the intersection to make a left turn.

Arbuckle’s car was struck on the left front side. Damage from the accident amounted to $3,700. There were no injuries reported.

The Atlantic Police Department reports six people have been arrested on various charges. On Tuesday, 25-year old Joshua Dyer, and 28-year old Angela Tedford, both of Atlantic, were arrested for Child Endangerment. Both were cited for the offense and released.

On Monday, 22-year old Jonathan Traver, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 3rd degree. On Saturday, 37-year old Rose Peters, of Atlantic, was arrested for Violating a No Contact Order. And on Friday, 31-year old Damon Clark, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Polk County warrant for Theft in the 4th degree. That same day, 29-year old Delaney Pace, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Assault.

All four individuals were booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports the arrest on Tuesday of an Audubon man on drug charges. 38-year old Darin David Jensen was charged with three felony counts of Possession of Controlled Substances/Methamphetamine, with the intent to deliver.

The charges are the result of an investigation into Jensen allegedly selling meth on three separate occasions. The investigation was conducted by the Audubon County Sheriff’s office. A search of Jensen’s home resulted in the recovery of additional drugs and drug paraphernalia. Jensen was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later posted a security bond before being released. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 16th.

The incident remains under investigation.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County report an Elk Horn woman and her siblings escaped injury during a single-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon on Highway 173. 18-year old Jazzlyn Jade Schulte was traveling north on the highway at around 4-p.m., when she lost control of the 2004 Kia Sedona she was driving. The car entered the east ditch and sustained $1,500 damage. Officials say Schulte was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Police in Creston say two people reported recent break-in’s and/or thefts. On Tuesday, a resident on New York Avenue told police someone broke into her vehicle that was parked behind a building in the 500 block of west Adams Street. The incident happened sometime between Sept. 23rd and Oct. 7th. The loss was estimated at $300.

And on Monday, a woman from Red Wing, MN, reported that someone had broken into two properties belonging to her grandmother in Creston. The incidents in the 400 block of north Pine and north Walnut Streets happened sometime between Oct. 3rd and 6th. It’s not clear if anything was stolen. Damage to the properties was estimated at $40.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The mother of a man convicted of killing a popular northeast Iowa coach and teacher says families struggling with mental illness should not stay silent any longer. Five years ago, Mark Becker shot and killed Aplington-Parkersburg head football coach Ed Thomas. Since Becker’s trial and conviction of first degree murder in 2010, Joan Becker has spoken out about the dangers of dealing with an undiagnosed mental illness. Becker told KCRG-TV that her son backs her efforts to speak out — with hopes that his story may help someone else.

“He really supports what I’m doing. He said if we can help by sharing our story, if that helps one person, then it’s worth it,” Becker said. In a presentation before a crowd in Cedar Rapids this week, Joan Becker started with snapshots of an average young Iowa boy. But, around the age of 16, Mark Becker began to change into a troubled young man who heard voices and went through psychotic episodes that included threats of violence toward his family. Joan Becker encourages families to heed the warning signs, be persistent in seeking professional help for a loved one who is struggling, and don’t be embarrassed because the issue is mental illness. Becker noted no one would be embarrassed if the diagnosis was cancer.

“That is wrong, we should be able to talk about this and get support from our community, from our church family, and everybody out there,” Becker said. When someone in the audience asked how much has changed since the shooting, Becker said things have gotten a bit better but getting timely care for mental illness, especially for a family seeking help for an adult child, remains a struggle.

Following his conviction, Mark Becker was formally diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. His mother said that the death of Thomas might have been avoided if her son could have gotten the help he needed in time. Joan Becker said Mark gets excellent care in prison and if she calls correctional officials saying her son seems to be slipping backward a bit, they’ll adjust medication or provide more counseling. That reaction was missing when the family sought help before the shooting death of the coach.

Joan Becker finished a book this year about her son’s struggles with undiagnosed mental illness and the family’s attempts to get help at the time. Her agent still is seeking a publisher. Becker has hopes her message will eventually find a wider audience.

(KCRG/Radio Iowa)