DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported three Iowans have contracted the Zika virus. The cases were confirmed by lab tests in a new report released Friday. All three cases are women, and none of the women were pregnant. The women all had traveled to countries where the virus is present. Mosquitoes carrying the virus have not been found in Iowa or most of the U.S.
OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – A Florida man has been federally indicted in a case out of Ottumwa that prompted an Amber Alert. Nineteen-year-old Kevin Ramirez faces federal charges of enticement of a minor; travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, enticement of a minor; transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and possession of child pornography. Ramirez is accused of travelling to Ottumwa from Florida to meet with a 13-year-old girl.
MOLINE, IL (IRN) – Deere & Company has announced 100 layoffs at two Iowa factories. KCCI-TV reports the company informed the employees that they will be placed on indefinite layoff, effective April 1. The company said the layoffs will take place at Deere’s factories in Davenport and Dubuque.
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IA (IRN) – A single-vehicle rollover accident near Crawfordsville Thursday afternoon resulted in the death of a Washington man. KCII radio reports the SUV was traveling southbound, left the roadway, travelled through an intersection, overcorrected, crossed the centerline, entered a ditch and rolled several times. Dirk Charles Weerman was transported by helicopter from the scene and succumbed to his injuries at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The boarding school for troubled teens in Keokuk is under a new investigation. KHQA-TV reports this time it’s Iowa legislators who want answers about Midwest Academy child abuse allegations. Iowa representative Bobby Kaufmann initiated the formal request to start the inquiry. He wants to find out who is responsible, and how they can prevent it from happening again.
LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Two Cedar Rapids residents face charges in connection with a robbery Thursday afternoon. KCRG-TV reports the 29-year-old male victim provided information on two suspects who left in a silver Ford Taurus with Missouri plates. Cedar Rapids Police located a vehicle matching the description a short time later. Linn County Deputies then arrested 23-year-old Tanor Jimmison and 24-year-old Kashawna Harris on various charges.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man is in custody after he led officers on a chase through the east side of Des Moines Thursday night. WHO-TV reports the man was taken into custody after he crashed the van he was driving into a ditch.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines has reached its highest homicide rate in two decades this past year. Now one rapper is using music to speak out against violence in the state, according to CNN. The untimely death of 16-year-old Terry Harris inspired hip-hop artist Will Keeps to write a song, “Wake Up, Iowa.” Keeps, who at one time was left for dead on the streets of Chicago, has dedicated his life to keeping gangs out of central Iowa. The Des Moines Police Department is helping the rapper promote his song.