The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 13

Living Here Question: Vfianft nn ftp Malnix: and Shhhrhs' 1 crop's 1997 harvest of 488 million bushels in Iowa was a record? i March 27: Edward D. Ahlf of Cedar Falls won the drawing among people correctly answering the question, "Where in Iowa can you find the Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge?" The answer Named for the former congressman, it's the Interstate i Highway 80 bridge crossing the Mississippi River near Le Claire. IOWA QUIZ appears here daily. Mail your answer on.a postcard with your name and address to: Iowa Quiz, P.O. Box 957, Des MoinM, la.

50304. Or send your answer tn mmiflaOMfewfrtfta r-nm TvImj1, uhum, ikjill FRIDAY April 3, 1998 JLTJ. DM Her take on java 'Were going to cift taxes for a fourth year in a roV The House approved an assortment of tax cuts may be just the ticket Coffee specialist Janean'-Schaefer is going to an international coffee convention to compete In; 1988, i brgnch of the Urbandale public library opened in Johnston. Johnston became an independent library in 992. totaling abput $86 million.

sned.ajttoda or 3 free trip to Italy. Page 3M' Ms' ppeals succeed Lotions'. SSI a But many By SHIRLEY SALEMY Rkoistf.r Staff Writer 44.8 68.6 76.8'y,,,. (69.5J SSI cuts 76,8 percent of lowa children who have been reviewed by the Social Security Administration are no longer eligible for Supplemental Security Income, That is the sixth- highest denial rate in the country. Note: SOURCE: Social Security Administration if latest through August," said Mary Miller of Des Moines, who learned about a week ago that her 9-year-old son's benefits will be restored.

But federal officials caution that the number of appeals is expected to increase substantially. It is too early to discern a clear trend from the reversal rate, they argue, because some of the clearest-cut reversals may have been determined first. The agency also said the reversals do not all indicate mistakes made during the reviewed through Jan. 31, the "most recent figures available and the sixth-highest initial termination rate in the country. Hundreds of Iowa families, however, have been given a second chance to appeal because Social Security officials found that some families did not receive full information about appeals and didn't understand their rights.

So far, 96 of 163 Iowa appeals have ended with benefits restored, according to the federal agency's records. Disability benefits for poor Iowa children have been terminated under tougher eligibility standards at one of the highest rates in the country. With initial reviews completed for the bulk of the state's cases, the Social Security Administration has determined that 1,271, Iowa children are no longer eligible, for Supplemental Security Income. Thatis 76.8 percent of the Iowa children Figures are lie available, Jan. 31.

pins and needles since Alternative Housing They kept me on JL 1 1 1 Further charges possible D.M. police fear missing woman may be dead I ft a a t. SSI Turn to 5M 7 v. c- Metro Record Friday Arrest was not a iirime, union says spokesman for the Des Moines police union said Thursday that an officer's actions during an arrest-in September "by no means should be, construed as criminal behavior." statement from Chief Union Steward Vince Valdez came in response to a report earlier in the week that Polk County Attorney John Sarcone'. is investigating the arrest of Trevor Nederhoff to find out Whether criminal charges should be filed against any of three police officers involved.

Nederhoff led officers on a high-speed chase across the city Sept. 15. On a tape made by an Iowa State Patrol trooper's camera, Officer Kurtis Bender is shown bringing his foot down on Nederhoff during the apprehension. Other officers are shown repeatedly hitting the suspect, who eventually pleaded guilty and now is serving a three-year sentence for eluding police and driving a vehicle without the owner's consent. Bender, who was suspended for one day because of the incident, "was one of three officers trying to control a dangerous individual who posed a threat to anyone he encountered, including police officers," Valdez said Thursday.

'Valdez said Sarcone has a difficult task in front of him "as he is possibly under intense pressure to take actional action. However, I am confident his investigation will show no evidence of criminal action. If by some fluke Bender is accused of a crime, along with the Bargaining Unit Association, will stand behind him. We are paid by the taxpayers to deal with dangerous people so they don't have to. If that means we all end up on administrative leave for an investigation, who picks up the Slack?" Judges retiring creates vacancy With the coming retirement of District Judge Ray Fenton, a vacancy will be created in the Polk (bounty Courthouse.

S.The' judicial nominating commission is seeking cations from attorneys Wftb' wish to be considered for the position. Applicants must be Polk County residents. Applications are available in courthouse's administration office. The deadline is April 28. Integra president changes posts 'Jmchael Richards, who has been president of Integra Healtji the doctors' group' affiliated with Des Moines-basedi Iowa Health System has left the position to become Chairman of the board at Integra and chief medical officer of Iowa Health System.

i- Roy Santarella, who has been Iowa Health System's chief financial officer since January 1997, will become president of Integra. Iowa Health System is the parent corporation of Des Moines' Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Blank Children's Hospital, and several medical centers across the state. Recycling effort not lost on D.M. Moines-area residents recycled 281 tons of old telephone directories in US West DWs recycling program last yeaf, the company reported. The, effort saved 928 cubic yards of landfill space and prevented 16,877 pounds of air pollutants that would have come from paper manufacturing, the company said.

ST VfOlR WWA. in case Prosecutors are considering more serious charges in the brutal abuse of Jonathan Drahaus. By JEFF ZELENY Rkc.istkr Staff Writer Prosecutors are preparing to file additional crirniiill charges in the case of Jonathan Drahaus, an Ankeny bojftvha died last spring in a cWid-torture case that stunned Iowans With its brutality. I Jonathan, a tenacious 9-yearold, died April 8, 1997, after surviving more thanfive years beydnd the expectations of any doctor or family member. Jonathan Died at 9 Before he died, his mot her, Joanne Tag-gart, and her boyfriend, Dario Ruesga, were convicted of ony child-abuse charges andT now are serving prison sentences.

But the two could face more serious charges including murder because Jonathan's death was ruled a homicide. these charges for the last year," said Margaret Drahaus, the boy's aunt who adopted him as her own after was injured. "Jonathan served a life sentence, it's only right that they do, too." I Polk County Attorney John Sarcone said Thursday he expected to discuss possible charges today or Monday iJ DRAHAUS furnto Page 2M MAKY KI.I.KN TlIK KMilNl Ricketts shortly before she left on a Christmas shopping trip Dec. 22. "She'd bought a dress for New Year's Eve," he said.

"She was bubbly and full of life. She'd bought Christmas presents for the kids. That's why I don't think she took off. I think she lvlt against her will." Seeking Clues Police Detective Dennis O'Donnell said investigators need help filling in the blanks in the case. But here's what is known: The 120-pound Ricketts, who is 5-feet-8-inches tall and has blond, shoulder-length hair and blue eyes, left her home on the morning of Dec.

22 in her gold 1994 Geo Prizm. At 2:10 p.m., a fire broke out in a bedroom at the duplex where she was staying, causing some $7,500 damage. Firefighters listed the cause as unknown. The next day, friends caring for Ricketts' children reported her missing. At 6 p.m.

on Dec 24 local television stations aired a story of her disappearance and the newspaper followed with an article on Christmas Day. But Des Moines police said that about 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Beth Ann Ricketts "imam uaiiruiiaii, told officers that Ricketts had boyfriend, William Halterman, contacted him via cellular tele- 'phone and said she didn't want to be found and added that she was with friends. Halterman could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Police said he had declined to talk to them and had hired an attorney.

Reporter Tom Alex can be reached at alextnew.dmreg.com or (513) 284-8088 4 get a sticker for bravery. Gene, a fourth-grader, talked his way through, chattering on about his aunt and how much she hates needles and "one time she got a needle and ended up with this big of bruise." Gene didn't want a bravery sticker. Neither did Amanda, a fifth-grader who said she hasn't "had a shot since I as a kid, like 4 or sometlung. I just wish I as getting my ears pierced instead." Johnson went about her business, one shot after another, one kid to the next, from morning until late in the afternoon. "Hi, sweetie.

I know you're nervous. Don't look at me. You won't even notice. Just a little pinch." Rob Borsellino can be reached at borsellinornews.dmrea.com or (515) 284-8102. 'I think she may have been murdered, but I would love to be proven says one officer.

By TOM ALEX Just before Christmas, friends reported Des Moines resident Beth Ann Ricketts missing. A day later, her boyfriend called police to say that the 31-year-old Ricketts wasn't missing after all. This week, ho we vev) police questioned whether she had ever been "found" and saifj, they believe she "quite bly may be dead." Deepening the 3-montlMld mystery for detectives is a fire that broke out and heavily damaged a bedroom in Ricketts' residence at 4000 Dubuque Ave. on the same day that friends say she disappeared. Hasn't Called 4 has not spoken with friends' and relatives flor Jrid to contact her 3-year-bid" son or 10-year-old daughter since December, police said Thursday.

I think she Jias been mur- dered," Assistant Desf Moines; Police Cluef Kayne Robinson Said "But I WOUld love tO be' 1 Paul Christian said he and wife, Regina, are close friends of tickets. "Pj'rsqaally, I think she is aea4," Christian said Thurs- 'i'rtavW iion't know how nr anv- 'thing. 1 just think that because she never got far away from her kids. If she was still alive, she would be with them. It's been way too Cluistiaittof Prairie City, said lie aifci his wife, saw v4 Him fivePainama to.Wiifly nursing.

Sne puts the kids at ease, with a combination of humor and concern. "Johnson' 'only so much you do with a frightened 5- likeCara, Joluison's 'first patient.1 I Johnson pulled a little plastic needle from a box while her aide Swabbed the kid's arm- "Hi, sweetie. I know you're nervousi Don't look at me. You won't even notice. Just a little pinch." It was that quick.

Bruise Remembered Johnson threw the spent needle into a second box, and Cara was sent off to rest and Jacklyn Maher, 5, checks out a neon birdhouse at an exhibit and silent auction of blrdhouses, fcird feeders, birdbaths and sculptures held at the Des Moines Civic Center Thursday. The event, which began Wednesday and ends Jjatur-day, benefits Orchard Plaofc-Child, Guidance Center with fjinds used to provide program scholarships for cfhUdre with emVtioit 1 -h As anger about itis over hepat 3 BORSELLINO VUl HI VilV IO VI I VI Ul IK, 111 J9 floor, it was not a typical day. Nurses Get Heady Three school nurse set up to get parents and kids checked" in, examine sion slips, file forms, PTA President Ron Choate maybe the only hero in this mess shuttled families to the gym, which had been turned into a makeshift health clinic. Under a basketball hoop, a radio reporter interviewed the county health commissioner. i Parents fried to become in-, stantauthorities'on hepatitis 1 comfprted by news that it' was not; life-threatening.

Th shots don't mean the kids won't get sick, ft just gives tjiem a fighting1 chance. followjup shots in Octobej. The county's pick-' in up the tab. Some Tears i Kids crietj. Some ried.

Kve hospitaPgreen curtains marked the a-eas where he shots wpre given. Gina Johnson, a fcounty public health nyrse, was ready to i "Yesterday, they pulled a lot of us in from our regular assignments," khe siud. "But this is pretty standard stuff, giving shots." Joluison's been with the county for seven years and worked at Mercy Infore that. She came to Iowa from her na- Four school board members ') showed up, jaid sip did tie bounty executive na sdlne ot' her staff. Avenue's prnfipil, Gene Stephany, wandered through the room looking shplshockedi It's been relqnt lea; bad news, one of the years as i "principal.

AndSt'ephahygets most of the blame for failing to MCI UTO VVU1U UUl, 1 He admits Mistakes were' made but wants to get on with it "Monday's meeting was an unpleasant experience, but tnat nenina us, ne saia. sense the fear level has gone down now. Rationality is taking hold." TV cables were strung through the room, and one crew was trying to persuade a woman to wait 10 minutes so her daughter could get her shot live on the noon news. For Robin Vinzant there was no gray ara Her daughter is a second-grader at Park Avenue School, and Vinzant was never told about the hepatitis A outbreak 41 confirmed cases. Thursday, the county was doling out medicine at the school, and i Vinzant was there to get her a shot So far, the kid's healthy.

Tm just so angry. They send home notices for head lice and everything else, but not this? She's still not back in school from spring break. I don't know when I'll send her' back. It's day to day." As Vinzant made her way down the hallway, some students and teachers went through their morning routine. There was a spelling drill in one room, and from a nearby music class came the words of "My Favorite Things.".