2008 Woodie Awards
Metro Briefs
DI Metro Staff
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Metro
Family sues UIHC
The family of a woman who died of Legionnaires' disease two years ago filed a lawsuit against the state of Iowa on Monday, asserting that the UI Hospitals and Clinics is responsible for her death.
Ronald Shank, the husband of the late Sandra Shank, filed a claim alleging UIHC was negligent while his wife was receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma during the summer of 2006. According to court documents, that summer was when Sandra Shank became exposed to Legionella.
On Sept. 3, 2006, she died from the disease.
Ronald Shank, along with sons Steven and Gregory, states in the document that the cause of death was from Legionella, which he said his wife cultured from the water supply where she was staying.
In September 2006, UIHC confirmed that a patient had contracted Legionnaires' disease, but UI infectious-disease Professor Charles Helm would not say whether the patient had died.
However, Helm also told the DI at the time that patients shouldn't worry about contracting the disease. He said that all UIHC pipelines had been reworked and that the water is regularly checked and chlorinated.
The new water-treatment system was installed after two incidents of the disease were reported fewer than two years before that.
UIHC spokesman Tom Moore said the hospital can not comment on anything currently in litigation, and said Helm "respectfully declines an interview."
On Wednesday afternoon, Shank also declined further comment.
- by Olivia Moran
Solon man gets year in prison in animal case
A Solon man charged with animal neglect causing death or injury received the maximum sentence Wednesday afternoon.
John Reilly, 57, was sentenced to one year in prison for the crime, which is a serious misdemeanor.
On Aug. 7, 2007, Reilly and wife Malinda Dittberner were found keeping 60 dogs in abandoned vehicles or buildings on their property. The dogs were being kept in temperatures of around 90 degrees with humidity above 93 percent.
According to police records, the dogs' living conditions were unsanitary. None of the animals had fresh food or water, and a doctor determined that six were severely emaciated and in danger of death.
Dittberner was charged with animal neglect, a simple misdemeanor, and sentenced to one year of probation and a 30-day suspended jail term.
- by Olivia Moran
Coralville man charged with assault, willful injury
A Coralville man allegedly punched and stabbed his pregnant live-in fiancée on Wednesday, Coralville police reported.
Tyrone Crosby, 45, 400 Second Ave. Apt. 5, was arrested on charges of willful injury causing bodily injury, a felony, and domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon.
According to reports, officers were called to Crosby's residence in regard to a domestic dispute.
Police reported that Crosby struck his fiancée in her "left eye multiple times with his fist."
He also used a steak and/or butcher knife to strike the victim, police wrote. The woman suffered puncture wounds to her neck, and also had multiple lacerations on his arms and hands.
Willful injury causing bodily injury is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500. Domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon is an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
The family of a woman who died of Legionnaires' disease two years ago filed a lawsuit against the state of Iowa on Monday, asserting that the UI Hospitals and Clinics is responsible for her death.
Ronald Shank, the husband of the late Sandra Shank, filed a claim alleging UIHC was negligent while his wife was receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma during the summer of 2006. According to court documents, that summer was when Sandra Shank became exposed to Legionella.
On Sept. 3, 2006, she died from the disease.
Ronald Shank, along with sons Steven and Gregory, states in the document that the cause of death was from Legionella, which he said his wife cultured from the water supply where she was staying.
In September 2006, UIHC confirmed that a patient had contracted Legionnaires' disease, but UI infectious-disease Professor Charles Helm would not say whether the patient had died.
However, Helm also told the DI at the time that patients shouldn't worry about contracting the disease. He said that all UIHC pipelines had been reworked and that the water is regularly checked and chlorinated.
The new water-treatment system was installed after two incidents of the disease were reported fewer than two years before that.
UIHC spokesman Tom Moore said the hospital can not comment on anything currently in litigation, and said Helm "respectfully declines an interview."
On Wednesday afternoon, Shank also declined further comment.
- by Olivia Moran
Solon man gets year in prison in animal case
A Solon man charged with animal neglect causing death or injury received the maximum sentence Wednesday afternoon.
John Reilly, 57, was sentenced to one year in prison for the crime, which is a serious misdemeanor.
On Aug. 7, 2007, Reilly and wife Malinda Dittberner were found keeping 60 dogs in abandoned vehicles or buildings on their property. The dogs were being kept in temperatures of around 90 degrees with humidity above 93 percent.
According to police records, the dogs' living conditions were unsanitary. None of the animals had fresh food or water, and a doctor determined that six were severely emaciated and in danger of death.
Dittberner was charged with animal neglect, a simple misdemeanor, and sentenced to one year of probation and a 30-day suspended jail term.
- by Olivia Moran
Coralville man charged with assault, willful injury
A Coralville man allegedly punched and stabbed his pregnant live-in fiancée on Wednesday, Coralville police reported.
Tyrone Crosby, 45, 400 Second Ave. Apt. 5, was arrested on charges of willful injury causing bodily injury, a felony, and domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon.
According to reports, officers were called to Crosby's residence in regard to a domestic dispute.
Police reported that Crosby struck his fiancée in her "left eye multiple times with his fist."
He also used a steak and/or butcher knife to strike the victim, police wrote. The woman suffered puncture wounds to her neck, and also had multiple lacerations on his arms and hands.
Willful injury causing bodily injury is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500. Domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon is an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
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