The Search For Lyric and Elizabeth

My heart goes out this family. My hope is that I can help to tell the story of their return.

Marcus Norman, of the Evansdale Fire Department, right, gives instructions to a search group before sending them out to an agricultural field East of Raymond to search for Lyric and Elizabeth. More than 1,000 volunteers helped with the search within the two days following the girls' disappearance.

Volunteer Earl Conerd, 77, of Quasqueton, kicks at a barrel to expose any possible content as he and others continue to search the sand pits and wooded areas of BMC Aggregates L.C. in rural Gilbertville. Conerd says he saw the story of the missing girls on the news the night before and knew that he needed to help with the search.

Curtis DeGroote, front left, hands out stacks of posters to Liz Chihak, of Waterloo, front center, and Brittni Gipper, front right, Michelle Kremer, back left, and Alexis Kremer, 10, back right, all of Fairbank, to post in their work places and neighborhoods in order to familiarize the public with Lyric and Elizabeth's faces in hopes that anyone with information would call the tip line.

 

 

Drew Collins, front, is comforted by his wife Heather Collins, center, during one of many prayer vigils held in honor of the Collins'  missing daughter Elizabeth Collins, 8, and her cousin  Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo, at Heartland Vineyard Church, the Collins' home church,  in Cedar Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

Curtis Bertch, front center, of Cedar Falls, releases his ballon as Tammy Brousseau, front right, of Waterloo, holds up a stuffed bear at a balloon releasing ceremony held to support the family of missing cousins Elizabeth Collins, 8, of Evansdale, and Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo, at Deerwood Park in Evansdale, marking one week since the girls' disappearance. Bertch is a cousin to the girls, and Brousseau is the girls' aunt.

Capt. Rick Abben responds to questions about the lack of new information available during a press conference, in Evansdale, regarding the continuing search for missing cousins Lyric and Elizabeth. Within the first week, volunteers searched Evansdale and surrounding communities, Meyers Lake was partially drained, and the FBI brought in a diving team to search deep pockets in the lake. The girls were not found.

 

Misty Cook, front, mother of  Lyric, prays aloud and encourages others to do the same during a candlelight vigil at Meyers Lake, marking one week since Lyric and her cousin Elizabeth's disappearance--which earlier in the day was officially reclassified as an abduction.

Brittnay Brousseau, front left, Haley Bertch, 14, front center, and Isabella Schlamann, 12, front right, comfort each other while  attending a candlelight vigil, for missing relatives Lyric and Elizabeth.

FBI spokeswoman Sandy Breault urges anyone who was at Meyers Lake on Friday, July 13, 2012 to come forward, even if they don't believe that they hold useful information. Breault also dispelled rumors about the investigation and discussed the ongoing search efforts for Lyric and Elizabeth.

 

Grace Burg, 5, at left, of Waterloo, looks down at the flower she has chosen as a crowd gathers for a candlelight vigil held for missing cousins Elizabeth and Lyric at Meyers Lake, marking two weeks since the girls' abduction.

Drew Collins, of Evansdale, takes a moment after tossing his flower into the water during a candlelight vigil for his missing daughter Elizabeth and missing niece Lyric, at  Meyers Lake in Evansdale, marking two weeks since the girls' disappearance.

Happy Habitat Home

Sakai Walker, 3, front center, smiles proudly as he looks down at his new book that was one of several books presented to he and his family by Delta Kappa Gamma, at the Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication for Walker's mother Niisha Walker, back far right, at 306 Oneida Street in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, July 13, 2012.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Linda Morgan, Executive Director for Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, front right,  leads a home dedication for and congratulates Niisha Walker, center, while Walker's daughter Saniece Robinson, 8, left, looks on during the dedication ceremony at 306 Oneida Street in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, July 13, 2012.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Outdoor Activities in June

Sophia Cooley, 4, left, of Cedar Falls, Nohle Cooley, 5, center, of Cedar Falls, and Brenner Ortman, 7, of Waterloo, watch the My Waterloo Days Parade in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, June 1, 2012.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Mya Pixler-Knight, 3, of Cedar Falls, rides on the Speedway during the Sturgis Falls Days carnival  in Cedar Fall, Iowa on Sunday, June 24, 2012.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Hattie Wholert, 11 months, gnaws on a carrot while playing with a water gun while sitting on a blanket on her front lawn while her mother Samantha Wohlert (not pictured) looks on, in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

 

Zina Hodzic, top right, supported by Cody Lehr, lower right, wrestles with Nizama Mahmutovic, top left, supported by Casey Brookhouser, lower left, all of Waterloo, while swimming at the beach at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

  ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Raveone Johnson, 17, left, is trained by her father Willie Johnson, right, an Ultimate Fighting Championship Fighter, at Gates Park in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. The elder Johnson offers "Neighborhood Fit", which is a selection of training that is free to the public which includes self-defense, kick boxing, Mu Tia, as well as others, at the park five days a week, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Those interested in future sessions are encouraged to contact Johnson at 433-8009.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Living a Legacy and a Fatal Ending in May

Roosevelt Taylor, recipient of the 8 over 80 award, poses for a photograph at the Elk's Club in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. Taylor, 84, worked at John Deere for more than 35 years. He has served with a number of organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Pythias and as a board member Veridian, formerly John Deere Community Credit Union. Taylor has received a lifetime achievement certificate from the Orient of Iowa Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry P.H.A. Northern Jurisdiction. He remains active with 25 boards and voluntary organizations and has helped Westminster Presbyterian Church with its annual Christmas dinner for the last 27 years.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Officials remove the body Greg Kollmann, of Waterloo, who was pronounced dead at the scene of a two-vehicle accident at the corner of Kimball Avenue and Schrock Road in Waterloo, Iowa, that occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2012. Deputies who responded to the scene said Kollmann, who was traveling south on Kimball, failed to yield to a vehicle traveling eastbound on Schrock. Kollman’s vehicle was struck and he was thrown from the vehicle.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Holocaust Survivor and Child Labor in April

Inge Auerbacher, survivor of Terezin (Theresienstadt) concentration camp, holds up the fabric gold star that was sewn to her clothing during the Holocaust, while she speaks of her experiences during the 2012 Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony at the Grout Museum in Waterloo, Iowa on Thursday, April 19, 2012. Auerbacher has authored several books about the Holocaust, including the story of her survival, "I Am a Star." 

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Marlene Steinbeck, right, and Ivan Steinbeck, left, both of Independence, observe the Holocaust exhibit, "BESA", which containts stories and photographs of,  "Albanian Muslims Who Saved Jews During World War II, Photographs by Norman Gershman", following the 2012 Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony at the Grout Museum in Waterloo, Iowa on Thursday, April 19, 2012.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Celina Young, a junior at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, throws a bale of hay into a trough while feeding the cows on the farm of Dennis Kuker on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 in Readlyn, Iowa. Young works for Kuker about four days a week, and enjoys getting paid to do what she enjoys--working with the animals.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Celina Young, a junior at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, sprays off the platform and milking equipment before she and dairy farm owner Dennis Kuker, not shown, milk the cows on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 in Readlyn, Iowa. Young works for Kuker about four days a week, and enjoys getting paid to do what she enjoys--working with the animals.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

 

Celina Young, a junior at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, retrieves and throws down a bale of hay to feed to the cows on the dairy farm of Dennis Kuker in Readlyn, Iowa on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Young works for Kuker about four days a week, and enjoys getting paid to do what she enjoys--working with the animals.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Pool in March

Eddie Robinson Jr., left, of Des Moines, plays 9-Ball during the 2012 IOMA State Pool Championships at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, March  14, 2012.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Chris Siefken, of Lincoln, Nebraska, plays 9-Ball during the 2012 IOMA State Pool Championships at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, March  14, 2012. Siefken would place first in the tournament.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Loss of a School, and Community Coming Together in February

Northern University High School students Dorian Hundley, left, and Danielle Snowden, second from left,  react to an announcement made earlier by University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen, that Malcom Price Lab/Northern University would be closing this July, at Northern University High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Participants in the violence prevention program, Dare To Be King, gather in a unity circle and take turns pouring out water into a plant as part of their weekly ritual before beginning the program materials at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. The group of about 15 African-American boys ages 9-14 has been participating in the 16-week program since early November.

  ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Seated, from left to right, Jalen Webster, 10, Dakar Carter, 12, Tymaine Beaman, 13, Taveon Hale, 14, and Keon Campbell, 9, all of Waterloo, are mentored by (standing, from left to right) Willie Johnson, Dairon Carter, and James Smith, during a small group discussion of a hypothetical situation as part of the curriculum for decision-making and violence prevention, called Dare To Be King, held at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. The group of about 15 African-American boys ages 9-14 has been participating in the 16-week program since early November.

  ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

As a side note, Willie Johnson, above, is the father of Martavious Tavarous Johnson, 17, who was shot and killed in Waterloo on January 5, 2012. At a candlelight vigil honoring the loss of his son, Willie said, "We want to turn that negative energy to positive energy," he said. "Use this as a stepping stone to teach your children to do better and know better."

Politics and Religion in January

I've selected a couple of highlights from each months assignments so far this year to get my blog more up to date.

Brandon Long, left, debates the merits of voting uncommitted with other members of Cedar Falls Ward 1 Precinct 2, during the Democratic Caucus at Central Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Taemin Han, music director, at left, plays piano as choir members Marie Fernau, Mary Kabel, Mary Mumm, Janis Shea, and  Kari O. Narey, perform the choral anthem, "It Only Takes a Moment", during a service held at First Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.  

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Closing Out 2011

Here are just a couple more that I like from 2011.

Deputy Jordan Gallagher, front, makes a splash after being tugged into a mud pit as his team, the Sherriffs, take on Team Tyson during Tuggin' for Kids Tug of War Tourney at the Evansdale Fire Department in Evansdale, Iowa on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. The tournament was won by team Tyson, and all proceeds support the NE Iowa Food Bank, Salvation Army, and the United Way locally, in addition to Feeding America. Th event was organized by Tyson.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Northern Iowa's Marc Sonnen, front, struggles with Milwaukee's Ryan Allen, center, for control of the ball while Milwaukee's Tony Meier, back, looks on during the second half of the game at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Northern Iowa would win 67-51. 
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

The Unpublished Draft

It seems that my blog is in need of some updating, and in beginning the process I have found a post in my drafts that was never published. So we will start with this one.

I am so thankful for my job, and that it affords me the opportunity to have a glimpse into so many different lives. This particular assignment was about a single father of three who is in the National Guard. It gave us a glimpse of their family time together.

 Clockwise from left, Abby Mauss,  5, Sam Mauss, 8, Mike Mauss and Kate Mauss, 9, all of Cedar Falls, gather at the table for dinner in their home on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. Mauss is a single father who currently serves in the National Guard as a helicopter pilot.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Chief Warrant Office-3 Mike Mauss, left, reads with his daughter Abby Mauss, 5, right, in their Cedar Falls home on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. Mauss is a single father who currently serves in the National Guard as a helicopter pilot.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

   

Chief Warrant Office-3 Mike Mauss, right, looks up historical facts on his phone while working with his daughter Kate Mauss, 9, left, on her homework in their Cedar Falls home on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. Mauss is a single father who currently serves in the National Guard as a helicopter pilot.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

 

Chief Warrant Office-3 Mike Mauss, top, quizzes his daughters Abby Mauss, 5, front, and Kate Mauss, 9, left, on their math in their Cedar Falls home on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. Mauss is a single father who currently serves in the National Guard as a helicopter pilot.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Thunder in the Valley

I had the opportunity to fly at the Thunder in the Valley air show at the end of August.  It was awesome.
I <3 my job.

 

 Pilot Brad Deckert, front, of Eureka,  Illinois, rides along as a crew member tows Deckert's Grumman TBM Avenger Model 3E to the runway for a media flight during the Thunder in the Valley air show at the Waterloo Regional Airport in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011.

 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

 

 Land surrounding the Waterloo Regional Airport is seen from a media flight in a Grumman TBM Avenger Model 3E during the Thunder in the Valley air show  in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

 

Land surrounding the Waterloo Regional Airport is seen from a media flight in a Grumman TBM Avenger Model 3E during the Thunder in the Valley air show  in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Over the Summer

Fely Houts, of Cedar Falls, writes on the pink firetruck that is making a tour of the area to support those battling breast cancer, in the College Square Mall parking lot in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Sept. 9, 2011. Houts is a 19-year survivor, following a radical mastectomy in 1992, and was accompanied by her husband Tim Houts (not pictured).
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

A Benton's Sand and Gravel bobcat, at right, smooths out a layer of large rock, which is the first step of the three layer process in the new permeable pavement being layed in the University of Northern Iowa parking lot just north of the UNI-Dome near the Wellness Center on Friday, June 17, 2011 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Following the large rock, a smaller layer of rock will be layed, and lastly, a layer of asphalt, shown in foreground.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Brent Messmore tees off on the 18th hole in day two of the 2011 Waterloo Open Amateur Tournament at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, July 16, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Oelwein's Tyler Rau, left, leaves the field as Waukon celebrates their a winning run in the seventh inning in a substate final game in Oelwein on Wednesday, July 20, 2011.  Waukon won the game 2-1.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Rylan VanDaele,left, 7, and Kateri VanDaele, right, 5,  both of Hudson, play as they cool themselves in the fan in the exhibition hall for the non-livestock entries in the 2011 Black Hawk County 4H Fair held at the National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Iowa's Head Coach Kirk Ferentz speaks during a press conference at the Iowa Hawkeyes Media Day in Iowa City, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

The Trinity Irish Dancers perform during Irish Fest in Lincoln Park in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Observers watch as a competitor completes a jump in the Rock 108-National Cattle Congress Outlaw Motocross Championship in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011. 
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

"Mormon", left, and Sarah Rynearson, second from left, both of Waterloo, watch the Rock 108-National Cattle Congress Outlaw Motocross Championship in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

  Shelby Bellinger, right, and Warren Bellinger, second from right, drive the family-owned 1920 Woods Brothers Steam Engine that pulls Scott Buck, left, of Waterloo, Dakota Bellinger, 11, second from left, of Eagleville, Missouri, and Terry Bellinger, center, of Eagleville, Missouri, during a steam plowing demonstration at the 47th annual Old Time Power Show at Antique Acres in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

 A 1920 Woods Brothers Steam Engine  pulls Terry Bellinger, left, Dakota Bellinger, 11, center, both of Eagleville, Missouri, and Scott Buck, right, of Waterloo, during a steam plowing demonstration at the 47th annual Old Time Power Show at Antique Acres in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

George Shimek,of Custom Blacksmithing and manufacturing, right, works on a fire-poker while apprentice Andy Mills, left, both of Waterloo, looks on while they customize a fire-poker at the 47th annual Old Time Power Show at Antique Acres in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Waterloo East's Elliott Thompson, left, comforts teammate Alex Schutte, center, while LeTray Reed, right, looks on, after Waterloo East gave up the ball to Iowa City West in the second half of the game at Memorial Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011.  Waterloo East would fall to Iowa City West 56-13.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Paris Anding motions to family and friends as he makes his initial court appearance at the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 9, 2011. Anding faces charges of murder in the second degree of Marcellus Andrews.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier