Thursday, December 31, 2015

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A person fell through the ice in rural Johnson County Thursday morning. KCRG-TV reports Swisher’s fire chief confirms rescuers responded to a report that someone fell through the ice at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area. After a brief search the subject was located and pulled from the water by personnel donning cold water rescue suits. When rescued the man was cold and wet but otherwise uninjured. He was identified as Jared Bushell, 25, of Hills.

STORM LAKE, IA (IRN) – A 30-year-old woman has been accused of stealing from a Storm Lake sign business when she worked there. KCCI-TV reports Rachel Wunder, of Storm Lake, is charged with theft. Police say she stole more than $3,300 from The Sign Shed & Graphics. Employees of the business reported that Wunder made unauthorized purchases and account withdrawals while employed there.

SLOAN, IA (IRN) – An apartment fire in the northwest Iowa town of Sloan kept crews busy all day Tuesday. KCAU-TV reports everyone got out of the building alive, but two women were taken to the hospital after they jumped from the second floor to escape the fire. Fifteen residents were affected. The building is a total loss.

DES MOINES (IRN) – State auditors say more than $13,500 was improperly spent from Garwin Ambulance Service funds since 2010. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports improper spending included cash withdrawals by Karen Boege, the ambulance service’s former secretary and payments to her husband, Steve Boege, the former ambulance service president. Garwin, a city of 525 people, is in Tama County. The Boeges resigned after the mayor requested a state audit.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has a surprising statement that’s grabbing national attention, according to KCCI-TV. Miller is known for fighting with tobacco companies, but now says electronic cigarettes are safer than people claim, and can be helpful to people quitting tobacco. Public health officials disagree with Miller, saying e-cig use is harmful.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – An Iowa woman is breathing a little easier after she discovered a missile in her basement was inactive, or inert. KWWL-TV reports Carol Hora found the missile while cleaning her basement in Waterloo. She called police moments after finding it, and they were able to confirm it wasn’t a hazard. Hora says the missile must have been the property of her deceased husband.