NEVADA, IA (IRN) – An Iowa man charged in the death of his 2-month-old daughter allegedly killed the baby by placing pillows on her face. 29-year-old Calvin Curtis White, of Nevada, has been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death after his daughter was found not breathing Jan. 29 and later died. Police say they found a recorded message on White’s phone in which he said he killed the infant by placing pillows on her face to keep from hearing her cry.
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Investigators have released new information in the case where a bus caught fire killing two people in western Iowa last year. According to the Des Moines Register, mechanical repair records for the Riverside Community School District bus were changed a week after the fatal fire. Following an inspection which occurred six days before the fire, the bus was ordered to stop transporting students. An exit lock signal and outside warning light were both not working at the time of the inspection.
PULASKI, IA (IRN) – The body of a woman found in a burned-out car late last month in Davis County has been identified. The Department of Public Safety says the body of 63-year-old Sharon Mortiz, of Northwood, was found by a farmer on Jan. 27 near the small community of Pulaski. Officials haven’t released how she died.
DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A Dubuque business was destroyed by fire this morning. KCRG-TV reports around 4:15 a.m., crews responded to a fire at Link Hydraulic. The building and all inside are a total loss. No one was injurd.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa House Republicans have advanced a bill that would outlaw “sanctuary cities” and withhold state funds for any city or county that doesn’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The Des Moines Register reports that many law enforcement officials are against the bill, saying it’s a waste of resources, addresses a problem that doesn’t exist, and that it would make our communities less safe. There are no sanctuary cities in Iowa, and officials say it would drive hard-working, law-abiding immigrants back into the shadows.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Iowa-based retailer announced Wednesday that it plans to build a new two-level store at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, an expansion that goes against a nationwide trend of department stores closing. KCCI-TV reports Von Maur is expanding in spite of a declining market. General Manager Randy Tennison says, “you can’t just be a normal, everyday retail center anymore — you have to make sure it’s an entire experience for customers.”