ANKENY, IA (IRN) – A Nevada man has been arrested following a kidnapping and sexual assault, according to KCCI-TV. 33-year-old Jason Weigel was charged with first-degree kidnapping, third-degree sexual abuse and domestic abuse. Shortly after midnight on March 12, his estranged wife was walking in Ankeny. She was taken against her will by Weigel, was forced into a vehicle and driven to her home, where she was physically and sexually assaulted.
GRUNDY CENTER, IA (IRN) – A former Eldora reserve police officer has been charged with several felonies for assaulting his former girlfriend, often while in uniform and on duty.
KCRG-TV reports 36-year-old Dennis Beadle of Iowa Falls allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend several times when she tried to end their relationship. Beadle followed the woman to her workplace, yelled at her in public and physically and sexually assaulted her.
NORTHWOOD, IA (IRN) – A former northern Iowa mayor is facing fraud charges. KCCI-TV reports 52-year-old Randy Severson was arrested and charged with defrauding $300,000 from Northwood State Bank while he was the president of Northwood Lumber. He’s accused of using the names of family members, customers and acquaintances without their knowledge to make phony invoices that were submitted to the bank to create lines of credit.
DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Several emergency vehicles were at Williams Intermediate School in Davenport, Friday after a can of pepper spray went off in the school’s lunch room where 60 students were having lunch. WQAD-TV reports 26 students were taken to the hospital by ambulance following complaints of respiratory issues after the pepper spray went off during the last lunch period. Police are investigating.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A longtime Iowa philanthropist who donated millions of dollars to the state’s three universities and other organizations has died at age 79. The Des Moines Register reports that Richard Jacobson died Friday. Among his donations, were $100 million to the Mayo Clinic, and he also gave UNI $15 million, the largest donation in the school’s history. He made his money in the shipping business.