DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Two Des Moines Public School employees were fired last month after a school bus aide allegedly physically abused a special-needs student. KCCI-TV reports the district alleges Ruby Taylor, a 20-year-veteran with the district, “made abusive physical contact with a student” and “used excessive force in dealing with the student.” The bus driver was fired for not stepping in and stopping Taylor.

CRESTON (IA) (IRN) – A man accused of killing two people in Union County pled guilty to both first-degree murder charges and was sentenced Friday morning. WOI-TV reports 37-year-old Jerry Ray Dillinger was arrested in December and charged with two counts of murder. The body of his former sister-in-law and girlfriend, Loretta Dillinger, was found in a farm pond. Unidentified skeletal remains buried behind a home nearby were also found. He’ll serve two consecutive life sentences.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Police have made an arrest in connection with a bomb threat at West High School in Iowa City earlier this week. KCRG-TV reports the threat led to the busing of more than 2,000 students from the high school. Around the same time, police were called to investigate an armed bank robbery across town. Officers arrested 30-year-old Clifton Brinkmeyer in connection to the robbery. After police looked at his phone records, he’s now also charged with calling in the bomb threat.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – Authorities say about 50 to 100 people in the Mason City area have had their mail stolen over the past couple of months. KIMT-TV reports the thefts started around Christmas, including incoming and outgoing mail. Residents in Mason City, Clear Lake, Manly, Lake Mills and Northwood have all been victimized.

AMES, IA (IRN) A tent caught fire early Friday morning as die-hard Cyclone fans are spending their weekend camping outside at Hilton Coliseum. KCCI-TV reports they’re already in line for Monday night’s big game against Kansas. A propane heater caused the fire. Everyone is OK, at least physically.