SAC COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Four children and a driver were on an East Sac County School bus during a crash Thursday afternoon, according to KCCI-TV. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office said the school bus was was hit by an oncoming pickup truck. The crash sent both vehicles into the ditch. The driver of the truck, his passenger, and the school bus driver were taken to the hospital. The four kids are OK.
CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 48-year-old Des Moines man was hurt when his 2012 utility tractor/trailer went through a guardrail and into the Winnebago River in Cerro Gordo County. KIMT-TV reports the vehicle was driver’s side down in the river. The driver, Jonathon Hildebrand was able to get out of the vehicle and walk to a convenience store. He suffered several injuries and hypothermia.
MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A woman accused of stealing from disabled residents when she worked at a Clear Lake facility has pled not guilty. KCCI-TV reports 41-year-old Amy Palmer allegedly took more than $8,000 from the residents at Opportunity Village while she worked there. She’s charged with ongoing criminal conduct and 15 counts of abusing dependent adults. No trial date has been set.
Davenport, IA (IRN) – A body has been found in Davenport in a marsh by the Water Treatment Plant, according to WQAD-TV. The body was found Thursday afternoon when someone saw it in the ice. An investigation is underway.
DUBUQUE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Five people were taken to the hospital following a crash in Dubuque County on Thursday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 29-year-old Marquita Robertson of Epworth was driving and failed to negotiate a turn. The car went into the ditch and over an embankment. Robertson and four passengers, ages 14-25, had to be taken to the hospital.
Robertson was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Driving While Suspended.
JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Johnston police issued a warning Thursday about scam phone calls about the Iowa Caucuses. KCCI-TV reports a woman was called by a man who claimed to be associated with the Iowa Caucuses. He asked her if she planned to attend the Caucuses on January 13, and if so, he would need to meet with her at her residence to fill out some paperwork. She declined. The Iowa Caucuses are February 1.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Public schools are seeking increased aid from the state to help with at-risk students, especially those living in poverty. WHO-TV reports three-fourths of students in the district qualify for free and reduced lunch. Yet, the district receives little more in funding per pupil than nearby wealthier districts like West Des Moines, Waukee, and Ankeny. The district is seeking an increase in K-12 funding of $145 million.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – School districts in eastern Iowa are turning to propane to power their school buses. KCRG-TV reports the Cedar Rapids School District has purchased seven new propane buses to replace older diesel models. The Linn-Mar, Anamosa, and Vinton-Shellsburg districts have also bought propane buses. The buses cost roughly $5,000 more, but districts say they will save about $3,200 per year in fuel and maintenance. The busses are also better at starting in the bitter cold, and emit fewer greenhouse gases.