Monday, September 14, 2015

BUCKEYE, IA (IRN) – Rescue crews were called to a semi vs. minivan crash near the town of Buckeye on Monday. KCCI-TV reports the minivan came off the exit ramp from Highway 20, then went back onto the highway where it was T-boned by a semi. The names and conditions of those involved in the crash have not been released.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids police have made an arrest for a double homicide that occurred in 2014. KWWL-TV reports Kendu Ray Petties, 31, has been arrested and charged with two counts of Murder in the First Degree. He is charged in the murder of Quintrell D. Perkins, 22, and Sierrah Rochelle Simmons, 20, who were both shot.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – An 18-year-old woman was injured after being struck by a train Sunday morning in Dubuque. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports Ellie McIntyre was hospitalized for treatment of her injuries. McIntyre was sitting on the tracks shortly before dawn as a train approached. The engineer blew his whistle and applied the brakes. McIntyre did not move off of the tracks and was struck by the engine. Authorities believe she may have been previously assaulted.

DES MOINES, IA – Five people have been killed in Iowa so far this season in vehicle crashes related to tall corn obscuring the vision of drivers entering intersections. KELO-TV reports crops cover more than 90% of Iowa land, and the problem is made worse because many intersections have no stop signs. The problem is also widespread across Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and Indiana.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An officer involved shooting in Wellman has resulted in the death of a man, according to KCII-Radio. On Saturday the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a call stating that Martin Francis Hammen, 39, was suicidal.  Hammen couldn’t be found at his residence. Later that evening, authorities responded to a fire at that address. Hammen was seen running from the fire toward the tree line, and when he returned he approached officers carrying a handgun and a propane torch. He failed to drop the weapon when ordered, and was shot and killed by a deputy.

IOWA FALLS, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating the discovery of a dead man found in a ditch north of Iowa Falls. Shortly after noon Sunday the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office received the report of the body in the ditch off Highway 65. The man’s name has not been released.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City man who stabbed his wife multiple times with a piece of broken glass last year pled guilty Friday to lesser charges and faces up to 12 years in prison. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports Scott Bender, 49, was assaulting his wife when a window broke. Armed with a piece of broken glass, he got on top of her and began stabbing her. Bender told his wife, “You are dead.” The assault ended when the couple’s son intervened.

GUTHRIE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person received minor injuries in a helicopter accident in rural Guthrie County Saturday, according to Raccoon Valley Radio. Police say the pilot reported a mechanical problem while flying and the helicopter crashed into a corn field. The pilot was able to walk away from the crash.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (IRN) – Taylor Wiebers, Miss Iowa 2015, made it to the top 12 during the Miss America competition Sunday, according to the Des Moines Register. A 21-year-old University of Iowa student, Wiebers hopes to found and operate a pediatric cancer nonprofit. Miss Georgia took home the crown. There has never been a Miss America from Iowa.