Looking in at Iowa

From The Enquirer (Cincinnati):

Fifth Third Bank has filed suit in federal court in Cincinnati to recover more than $323 million in losses from insurance policy investments it claims were mismanaged by Transamerica Life Insurance Co. and its consultant Clark Consulting Inc. in Dallas. …

In the lawsuit filed today, Fifth Third claims that Transamerica, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Clark Consulting, both units of Aegon USA Inc., a financial services holding company, failed to manage and monitor more than $612 million the bank paid into the investment backed policies known as Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) products. …

From Iowa Department of Public Safety - Division of Criminal Investigation - Missing Person Information Clearninghouse:

Tianna Maclin [15] was reported missing to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, in Iowa City on Apr 16, 2008. …

Image via Wikipedia

Includes a one-minute video of Dr. John Vargo inside the UI Lab.

From today’s Chicago Tribune special report:

Using sampling techniques and containers provided by the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, Tribune reporters took samples on March 17 from drinking fountains at City Hall, Sherman Elementary on the South Side, and the Waukegan Public Library. Water from a tap at Tribune Tower also was filtered through a household filter before collection.

The water samples were shipped to the Iowa lab and analyzed for nearly 40 different compounds, including regulated pesticides and heavy metals and unregulated prescription and non-prescription drugs.

The tests did not reveal the presence of most of the contaminants But water from a drinking fountain on the 7th floor of City Hall, just outside the Department of Streets and Sanitation, contained small amounts of carbamazepine, a prescription drug used to control epileptic seizures and treat bipolar disorder. Also found was acetaminophen, an over-the-counter painkiller. …

John Vargo, the environmental program manager at the University of Iowa lab that conducted the Tribune’s tests, said he has found traces of carbamazepine, acetaminophen and other pharmaceuticals in the drinking water of other Midwestern cities. He declined to reveal the specific locations, citing confidentiality agreements written into the lab’s contracts. …

Image of Denmark Straits
via Wikipedia

From January 14, 1962 Cedar Rapids Gazette:

Push Plane Search; C.R. Man in Crew

The search continued over the Greenland icecap Saturday night for a U.S. navy Neptune plane carrying a crew of 12, among them a Cedar Rapids man. Grover E. Wells.

Operations were hampered by 75-mile-an-hour winds and low visibility, according to a telegram received late Saturday by the man’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wells of 1435 N St. SW.

The missing plane took off Friday morning from Keflavik airport on the northwest tip of Iceland. It was spotted on radar at 10:45 a.m. Friday 270 miles northwest of Keflavik.

Operations are being concentrated in the Denmark Straits, the war department telegram said.

While the search continued, Wells’ wife, Nancy, prepared to enter a Jacksonville, Florida, hospital for the birth of the couple’s third child. Two daughters, Wanda Lee, 3, and Marjorie, 2, were to stay with their mother’s sister.

Wells, 24, attended McKinley School and enlisted in the Navy in 1955. He is an aviation ordnanceman.

In addition to the missing son, the Wellses have 4 children: Bob, Donna, Carol and Roger, all living in Cedar Rapids.

From September 17, 1966 Cedar Rapids Gazette:

Find Body of Missing C.R. Airman Wells

The body of a Cedar Rapids man, Grover E. Wells, has been discovered on Kronborg Glacier in Greenland, where he died nearly five years ago in a plane crash.

Wells, 24, an aviation ordnanceman, was one of 12 men aboard a U.S. navy Neptune plane which disappeared over the Greenland icecap Jan. 12, 1962, on a flight out of Keflavik, Iceland.

A British research expedition reported Friday that it had discovered the bodies of 12 airmen. The defense department Saturday listed them as those of the missing Neptune crew.

Wells, 24, attended McKinley school and enlisted in the navy in 1955.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wells, lived at 1435 N St. SW at the time of the tragedy. They have since moved to Portland, Oregon.

The airman’s two daughters, Wanda Lee and Marjorie, were 3 and 2 at the time of the crash and his wife, Nancy, was preparing to enter a Jacksonville, Fla., hospital for the birth of their third child.

He was also survived by four brothers and sisters, Bob, Donna, Carol and Roger.

Today’s Gazette article quotes brother Bobby Wells saying “He was an excellent guitar player.” Here’s an October 5, 1954 Cedar Rapids Gazette article about a Grover Wells providing music for a birthday party:

BIRTHDAY PARTY GIVEN
FOR PATRICIA GOODALL.

Patricia Goodall was honored on her thirteenth birthday at a party given by her mother, Mrs Robert Goodall, Monday evening at their home, 1216 Tenth Street SE. The 15 guests spent the evening playing cards and dancing. Jimmy Burgess and Grover Wells furnished the music.

Guests included Nancy Bammert, Nancy Goodall, Rosalie Vavra, Carol Hathaway, Carolyn Perry, Jackie Brubaker, Waneva Benda, Alice Clark, Jim Zacek Billy Clark, Darrell Goodall, George Hawley, Dale and David Goodall, and Larry Goodall.