WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo man may spend the next 50 years in jail for killing his girlfriend and dumping her body in rural Linn County. KGAN-TV reports Shawn Hogan was sentenced today in the murder of Crystal Gaffney nearly two years ago. He admitted to beating Gaffney with a hammer and stabbing her in the head with a screwdriver. Her body was found on a rural road in Walker. Hogan is eligible for parole in 2051.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport woman is dead after she crashed into the back of a semi on I-80 in Cedar Rapids, according to WQAD-TV. A semi-tractor trailer was stopped and had just started moving again eastbound on I-80 when a Cadillac CTS ran into the back of it. 28-year-old Nicole Van Hamme from Davenport was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver was not hurt.

FORT MYERS, FL (IRN) – A Mason City woman was killed in a Florida car crash this week, according to KIMT-TV. A Fort Myers man reportedly rear-ended Kristin Lee’s vehicle and caused a seven vehicle pileup. Shortly after the wreck, her car burst into flames, and she perished in the fire.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids Police have arrested a suspect involved in a disturbance and high speed chase before barricading himself in an apartment this morning. KCRG-TV reports 22-year-old Christopher McGee stole items from a woman, including a safe. He displayed a handgun during the theft. Police found him in a vehicle in an alley behind her residence, and the chase ensued. He’s in jail.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A recreational biplane crashed into a hill Thursday evening after it tried to make an emergency landing in West Des Moines shortly after it left the Des Moines Airport. KCCI-TV reports that the front end of the aircraft was destroyed. A 65-year-old man was flying the plane while his 30-year-old son was a passenger. They are expected to recover.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Federal prosecutors have charged a Dubuque woman with harboring a fugitive and obstruction of justice, according to KCRG-TV. Prosecutors say Vivian Rochelle Weakley harbored and concealed Antwain Spratt. Federal authorities wanted Spratt in connection with a heroin distribution investigation. Prosecutors said Weakly also lied to a U.S. Marshal, telling him she did not know Spratt or where he was located.

WEST BRANCH, IA (IRN) – 19 children were on board a West Branch school bus when it crashed into a semi yesterday, according to KWWL-TV. The bus driver, Amber Stubbs of West Branch, hit the back of the semi. Only minor injuries were reported in the crash.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Two central Iowa cities are among the fastest-growing in the country. WHO-TV reports Ankeny ranked number three, with 6.5% growth. Des Moines earned the 104th spot. The fastest growing town in the U.S? Georgetown, Texas.