Thursday, November 19, 2015

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A robbery at a Waterloo grocery store broke into a brief gunfight Wednesday night. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports no injuries were reported in the exchange of gunfire at Save More Foods. Police said the suspect walked into the business and displayed a handgun. The robber and clerk both fired guns. The suspect then fled on foot.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Three teens held a knife at a boy’s throat after following him home in Des Moines Wednesday. WHO-TV reports the 13-year-old boy was approached by the three teens at McDonald’s after he left school. They asked him if they could come over to his house, but he told them no. They followed him home, kicked the door down, and two teens held him on the floor while the other held a kitchen knife to his throat. They took prescription drugs and food before leaving.

FARRAGUT, IA (IRN) – A southwest Iowa school district has been dissolved after officials say it has run with a negative balance and sub-minimal educational standards. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Board of Education voted to close the Farragut School District Wednesday. State officials say the district had a five-year period of deficit spending that was approaching $1 million. School board members say the legislature provides insufficient funding for rural schools.

CHARLES CITY, IA – An apartment fire forced residents to evacuate their apartment complex in Charles City early Thursday morning. KIMT-TV reports the fire caused significant damage. When crews arrived around 1:00 am, they found hallways filled with smoke and flames. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in a matter of minutes, and no one was injured.

POMEROY, IA (IRN) – Authorities have arrested a man in connection with a death in northern Iowa. The Calhoun County Attorney’s Office reports that 48-year-old Freddy Crisp has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Dale Currie Potter, of Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. Potter was found dead in Pomeroy on November 10 with a gunshot wound.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – Three Iowa state senators met with federal officials Wednesday morning at the White House to challenge Governor Branstad’s plan to privatize Medicaid. WOI-TV reports Iowa Senate president Pam Jochum and state senators Amanda Ragan and Liz Mathis said they made it clear to White House staff and leadership from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services they have no confidence in Governor Branstad’s proposal.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a Waterloo Police Officer hit a woman riding a bicycle. KWWL-TV reports the officer was on patrol and not responding to a call. The woman went to the hospital with minor injuries. She received citations for riding a bicycle without a light and violating 1-way traffic. The officer is not currently facing any charges.

SWISHER, IA (IRN) – The mayor of Swisher in Johnson County has directed city staff to continue welcoming all refugees, regardless of their national origin or refugee status. KCRG-TV reports Mayor Christopher Taylor issued a proclamation Tuesday in response to Governor Terry Branstad’s order that all state agencies halt efforts to resettle Syrian refugees. Taylor says Swisher continues to welcome all visitors and prospective residents, regardless of national origin or refugee status.