GRIMES, IA (IRN) – The mother of a two-year-old Grimes child who was found dead last week has now passed away, according to WHO-TV. 33-year-old Stephanie Erickson died Thursday. She was found unresponsive in the Grimes home she shared with her two-year-old son Mason Wyckoff. Dillon Wyckoff, Mason’s father, says Erickson had made threats he reported to the DHS, but they said they couldn’t do anything until something happened.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – An Avoca woman has been accused of injuring a little boy. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 23-year-old Tanisha Pallaya has been charged with felony child endangerment causing injury. Doctors say the child’s bruises and abrasions on his back, abdomen, head, arms and elsewhere appear to have been caused by blunt force and are not accidental.

CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – Police say a woman stole cash from a Subway restaurant cash register more than a hundred times. KWWL-TV reports 45-year-old Molli Lesh of Coralville was an employee at a Coralville Subway at the time. Police say she stole cash from the register 114 times, totaling approximately $1,100. Many of the thefts are on video. She’s in jail.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A construction worker and two passengers in a vehicle fleeing police are recovering after a police chase ended in a crash in Des Moines. WHO-TV reports police tried to pull over 27-year-old Broc Petithory but he didn’t stop. The chase ended when Petithory crashed into a boom lift at a construction site. Petithory faces charges including driving under a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of methamphetamine.

BISMARCK, N.D. (IRN) – The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is suing federal regulators for approving permits for the $3.8 billion pipeline that will move oil from North Dakota through Iowa to Illinois. KCRG-TV reports the tribe says it fears a spill could contaminate drinking water on its reservation, which straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Cheese makers from across the country will be at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines this weekend for the annual cheese conference, “Cheese in the Heartland.” KCCI-TV reports Cheese in the Heartland is open to the public Saturday. Visitors can sample 1,800 competition cheeses from all over the country.

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Need a break from all the serious politics? Then this is for you. KWWL-TV reports the Johnson County Auditor’s Office held their 17th annual mock election this week, and finishing on top of the Best Muppet election was Cookie Monster. Cookie Monster took nearly 24% of the vote, finishing ahead of Miss Piggy with 15%, Kermit the Frog with 14%, and Animal with 11 %. The least favorite Muppet? Gonzo, with 2% of the vote.