COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Council Bluffs police officer is OK after being dragged by an escaping SUV. KETV reports the officer went to a Kwik Shop in Council Bluffs around midnight. Before entering, the officer recognized someone sitting in an SUV outside the store as havng a warrant out for his arrest. The officer attempted to make contact and when he ordered the suspect to get out of his vehicle, the suspect put his vehicle in reverse and drove away. The officer’s hand became trapped in the door and he was dragged about 20 to 30 feet before escaping.
IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City business owner accused of repeatedly asking a customer if he was a Muslim and a terrorist has been sentenced to probation. KWWL-TV reports Chad Cermak entered an Alford plea Monday to a misdemeanor charge of harassment. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the state likely can prove the charge. Cermak was arrested after a person complained to authorities that he went to Cermak Automotive, where Cermak repeatedly asked if he was a Muslim, a terrorist, or a suicide bomber.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A state Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday advanced a controversial bill banning abortion as early as six weeks, to cheers from anti-abortion Iowans.
KCCI-TV reports the so-called “fetal heartbeat bill” would make it a felony for doctors to perform abortions after detecting a fetal heartbeat. Committee Democrats who oppose the bill argued that it is unconstitutional, attacks women’s rights and will worsen a doctor shortage.
WARREN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead and another injured following a crash near Indianola. The Iowa State Patrol reports 29-year-old Jenny Somvong died Monday. 29-year-old Cody Meyer was driving south when his vehicle left the roadway, struck a guardrail and entered the northbound lane. Meyer’s vehicle struck Somvong’s vehicle, killing her.
NEVADA, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating a threatening email sent to Nevada High School Monday. WHO-TV reports an email including a threat of violence towards students and staff at the high school was received around 2 p.m. Law enforcement and parents were then notified, and Nevada Middle School and Nevada High School were evacuated.
IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A construction worker is making sure kids at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital are still getting the wave from the Kinnick Stadium field. KCRG-TV reports Justin Mason is working as part of a crew renovating the stadium. He, like many others, enjoyed the tradition of waving to children in the hospital at Iowa home football games. With the football season over, he didn’t want the recognition to stop. So he spray painted a wave hand on the back of his safety vest. For Mason, this is personal. His son was once a patient at the hospital.