DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol is understaffed and spread too thin, according to a union chief. The Des Moines Register reports that the state patrol currently has 358 troopers. That’s about 100 fewer than the year 2000, before budget cuts led to staff reductions. Officials say there are as few as five troopers on duty overnight covering the entire state.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A former administrative law judge for Iowa Workforce Development turned herself into authorities Wednesday morning. WHO-TV reports Susan Ackerman is charged with filing a false document. Her daughter says the charges are retaliation for Ackerman’s testimony before a legislative oversight committee. Ackerman and other IWD judges claimed IWD Director, Teresa Wahlert tried to influence their rulings in unemployment appeals cases to favor businesses over employees.
BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – Bettendorf police are investigating an officer’s shooting of a 19-year-old man holding a toy gun. KGAN-TV reports officers who were sent to a Home Depot store Monday to check a disturbance confronted a man with what appeared to be a handgun, but turned out to be a realistic-looking air gun. One of the officers shot the man, identified as Joshua Price, of Bettendorf. His injuries are not life-threatening.
DELAWARE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A former Delhi City Clerk has been arrested for theft, according to KWWL-TV. The state auditor says Angie Billings spent approximately $246,000 inappropriately. Billings put much of it on the city’s credit card, including $16,000 at convenience stores, $14,000 at WalMart, $7,800 for personal cell phone service, $2,700 for fitness equipment and weight loss supplements, and almost $2,000 in charges to a psychic hotline.
IOWA (IRN) – Home sales in Iowa are surging, according to a new report. The Iowa Association of Realtors says homes sold in November were up 14.9% compared to last year. The median sale price for this November was $8,000 more than November of last year to $148,000. In all, realtors sold more than 3,000 homes across the state in November.
NEWTON, IA (IRN) – Newton drivers pulled over for minor traffic offenses received a surprise Sunday night. Instead of giving them a ticket, Jasper County deputies gave them a turkey. Deputies ended up handing out 25 turkeys instead of tickets. The turkeys were donated.