DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In 2017 Des Moines had the most homicides it has had since 1978. The Des Moines Register reports the 25 homicides in 2017, including three on the first three days of the year, were the most in the city since 1978, when 27 people were killed. Law enforcement officials attributed a majority of the killings to soured personal relationships, gang-related violence and a trend of young adults solving trivial conflicts and social media disputes with guns.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – State statistics on traffic-related deaths suggest Iowa roads were safer last year than in 2016. Iowa Department of Transportation figures show that 329 people died in traffic-related incidents in 2017, as of Dec. 29. The 2016 figure was 398. Officials say a new state law that cracked down on texting may have helped.
URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – Emergency crews responded to a large fire that broke out at an Urbandale apartment complex Monday. KCCI-TV reports billowing smoke and flames could be seen from the interstate. The extreme cold caused one fire hydrant to malfunction and several fire nozzles to break. No one was injured.
SWISHER, IA (IRN) – A home in the eastern Iowa town of Swisher was destroyed in a fire Monday evening. Jefferson-Monroe fire crews responded to the house fire and KWWL-TV reports the cold temperatures made it hard for fire crews to battle the flames. Because the home was in a rural area, there was no municipal water connection, so all water had to be brought in from several miles away. Eight departments responded to battle the blaze. No one was injured.
EVANSDALE, IA (IRN) – Record breaking cold has created a big problem with water in the Black Hawk County town of Evansdale. WHO-TV reports the town’s water tower has nearly frozen. Water pressure is extremely low and homeowners should boil water before using it.
PASADENA, CA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids woman who received a heart transplant as a teenager was part of the Tournament of Roses parade yesterday in Pasadena, California. KCRG-TV reports Hailey Steimel was on the Donate Life float. Steimel underwent heart transplant surgery nearly four years ago when she was 17 years old. This year she got to be a part of the parade because of her advocacy efforts.