CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – More than 20 people will serve time in federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine and money laundering ring based in Marshalltown. KWWL-TV reports the group was responsible for distributing hundreds of pounds of ice methamphetamine throughout northern Iowa. The money was then funneled back to Mexico either by wire transfer or using cars to smuggle cash across the border.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A jury has convicted a Des Moines resident of murder in the shooting death of a man during a drug deal. The Des Moines Register reports on Friday a jury found 26-year-old Larry Ratliff Jr. guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of 36-year-old Antonio Quinn. Ratliff brought an assault rifle to the planned drug deal and killed Quinn during a fight.
CLIVE, IA (IRN) – A burglary at a Clive gun store has police concerned. KCCI-TV reports the burglary was Thursday at Rangemaster’s Training Center, a gun store and shooting range. Upon arrival, officers found that the front door glass and the interior glass had been broken and that seven fully automatic weapons and nine handguns had been stolen. Security camera footage shows that the burglary was committed by two people in less than two minutes.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The city of Council Bluffs is suing the federal government to stop a Native American tribe from building a casino just seven miles away in Carter Lake. KWQC-TV reports the city says a Ponca Tribe of Nebraska casino would compete with state-licensed casinos in Council Bluffs, and cut into millions of dollars in fees, taxes and charitable contributions that benefit the city’s residents.
AMES, IA (IRN) – An unusual pair of students just received their teaching degrees at ISU, according to WHO-TV. 47-year-old Kathleen Robertson, of Madrid, along with her 22-year-old son Zack both received their degree. Kathleen had always wanted to be a teacher, but with marriage and kids she decided to spend time raising her four sons. Kathleen says, “this is what I’m supposed to do…for someone who never thought I’d go back, I’m really glad I did.”