DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A 19-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting and beating to death a 66-year-old church secretary in Dubuque has pled not guilty. KCCI-TV reports written pleas were entered Friday for Helmon Betwell. Betwell is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault for the September 1 death of Nancy Krapfl. Police say Betwell attacked Krapfl while she was out walking.
BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – Bettendorf police say they have identified five suspects believed to be responsible for an outbreak of vandalism at a city park and nearby neighborhood early Sunday morning. KWQC-TV reports three of the suspects are juveniles and two are adults. Police attribute tips from the public as leading them to the suspects.
CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – A 43-year-old Iowa City man has been charged for leaving his 4-month-old baby in a car in Coralville. KCCI-TV reports Ahmed Jeddah was arrested Monday and charged with child endangerment. According to authorities, the child had been left in a car seat with the windows down for about 35 to 45 minutes. Jeddah came out to the car and said he had left the child in the care of his wife.
LIVERMORE, IA (IRN) – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is now caring for 10 neglected and emaciated dogs that were seized from a property in the northern Iowa town of Livermore. WHO-TV reports the ARL was called in to assist by Humboldt County law enforcement. The dogs are now being treated for medical issues and will be rehabilitated for adoption. The owner faces possible charges.
WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – One man was injured after someone opened fire on a group of people in front of a home in Waterloo Monday night, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. The gunman came from between nearby houses and opened fire. In addition to hitting the victim, bullets struck a parked car and the house. The victim’s wound is not considered life-threatening.
DES MOINES (IRN) – The first license to develop a bird flu vaccine has been awarded by the USDA, a crucial step toward preventing another devastating outbreak like the one that led to the destruction of 48 million chickens and turkeys this spring. The Sioux City Journal reports the license was given to the Ames company Harrisvaccines, and authorizes it to continue testing the vaccine’s effectiveness and stand ready if the USDA gives the order to begin manufacturing.
JONES COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A South Dakota man visiting in eastern Iowa is thanking the Jones Regional Medical Center staff in Jones County for helping save his life, according to KWWL-TV. Tom Szalat says it was a cold and snowy night in January, when his car rolled and slid into a creek where the car overturned and trapped him for more than two hours in the freezing cold. Szalat’s core body temperature was well below 80 degrees when rescued.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – There’s a stolen car in Des Moines that is not easy to miss. WOI-TV reports a stock car with a bright paint job and full decals was reported stolen from Tjaden Automotive last Friday. If you spot the number 38 stock car you are asked to contact Des Moines Police. The case is still under investigation.