DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man is behind bars after police say he chased his neighbor with a sledgehammer Tuesday. WHO-TV reports the man said he heard his neighbor, 26-year-old Ryan Pastorik, screaming at their property line and went outside to check what was wrong. An argument began, and Pastorik began chasing the man while wielding a large sledgehammer. The incident was captured on video.
MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – A firefighter was injured while battling a house fire Tuesday night, according to KGAN-TV. The Muscatine Fire Department was called to a garage fire that had spread to the second story of the house. During the initial attack, a firefighter was injured when a ceiling collapsed on him.
DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A man is in custody after a two-hour standoff near a Dubuque elementary school yesterday. KCRG-TV reports police pulled the man over just before the end of the school day. As the man fled his car, he pointed a handgun at himself, and the school went under lockdown. Negotiators talked with the man for two hours before he surrendered.
JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – In an era of school shootings, Johnston officials believe one simple step could save lives. KCCI-TV reports the school district will allow city police to review the school’s security footage in real-time. Previously, police have not been allowed to watch footage in real-time due to privacy concerns. The agreement now allows real-time viewing in emergency situations.
IOWA (IRN) – Iowa’s economic development board has approved a new round of tax breaks for companies to expand in the state. Eight companies will receive tax breaks under the state’s “high quality jobs program.” This includes money for Atlantic Bottling to add 106 jobs in Walcott, and a tax break for Tyson meats in Perry to install a new cooling system. That project will not create any jobs. Tyson Foods had a net income over $1 billion last year.
MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – The Muscatine School District is investing one-million dollars into it’s music programs, according to WQAD-TV. While a million dollars is a lot of money, the district believes it’s an important investment. Student participation is growing rapidly, and student grades and graduation rates are better for music students than those of the general student body.