DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As the investigation into the tragic ride accident at the Ohio State Fair continues, Iowa State Fair organizers are taking additional safety precautions to make sure their rides are safe. The fair has hired an independent contractor for safety inspections, as well as the state inspectors. They say having two different sets of eyes on the rides will make them even safer than in years past.
BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – A Bettendorf couple are facing charges after they received marijuana through the mail. KWQC-TV reports 21-year old Tanner Werthmann and 24-year-old Steve Le face multiple drug charges. On Tuesday Le went to a post office and picked up a package that smelled strongly of fresh marijuana. Police say they admitted having marijuana shipped to them which they intended to sell to help pay their bills.
ANKENY, IA (IRN) – An Ankeny couple who adopted nine children with disabilities has been charged with child endangerment. John and Joyce Bell were jailed Thursday. The arrests came hours after Ankeny police turned over 68 police reports in response to a Des Moines Register probe into years of child abuse in the home. The couple’s 21-year-old adopted daughter questioned why they hadn’t been arrested after she provided police four expletive-laden videos depicting physical abuse of her adoptive brother.
CARROLL COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The State Auditor’s office says a pair of Carroll County employees split more than $128,000 that rightfully belongs to the county. Deputy Tom Fransen taught a permit to carry weapon class for the county. Shanna Balukoff, an administrator, assisted. None of the money collected for the classes was given to the county. The two split the proceeds instead.
CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – Coralville police have arrested a woman after finding her in the parking lot of an elementary school with her car running after 10:00 at night. KCRG-TV reports Allisandra Roe had slurred speech, bloodshot watery eyes and a strong smell of cannabis. She had been driving around smoking marijuana, which was found in the car.
DECORAH, IA (IRN) – The 51st annual Nordic Fest is underway in Decorah. The annual festival celebrates the area’s Scandinavian roots with music and food you’ve probably never heard of. It usually pulls anywhere from 10,000-20,000 people to the city. But this year, attendance will be up. RAGBRAI passes through today.