WATERLOO, IA (IRN0 – A former water and conservation district aide embezzled nearly $300,000 over a 7-year period. A report released by State Auditor Mary Mosiman says Leslie Carey made hundreds of withdrawals and improper purchases. Carey was secretary for the Black Hawk County Soil and Water Conservation District and its counterpart in Bremer County. The auditor’s report found Carey withdrew $182,000 in cash from the Black Hawk district and spent $105,000 on debit and credit cards. She used public funds to buy items such as a new television and water heater, airline and concert tickets, groceries and clothing.
ROCKWELL CITY, IA (IRN) – Rockwell City Council members will decide Tuesday if a slain officer’s widow and her two children will be able to keep city health insurance. KCCI-TV reports Amanda Buenting’s late husband, Officer Jamie Buenting, was killed in the line of duty almost five years ago. The family was guaranteed five years of health insurance, which is set to expire in September. The Buentings’ daughter, Kalie, was diagnosed as a child with Type 1 diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and an autoimmune disorder. Family says they can’t afford the insurance, and won’t be able to pay for her health care costs.
ROCKWELL, IA (IRN) – A 56-year-old man was found dead Friday inside a grain bin at the Five-Star Co-op in Rockwell. KIMT-TV reports authorities identified the man as Jeffrey Sprague, of Mason City. Employees of the Five Star Co-op arrived to work and found him missing. After a search of the property and removal of grain from the bin, Sprague was found inside.
FAYETTE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Fayette County woman has been airlifted to a Wisconsin hospital after being rescued from a trench that collapsed Friday afternoon. KCRG-TV reports fire and ambulance crews worked for more than 40 minutes with local earth moving companies to free the woman. Her condition is unknown.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The first legally recognized same-sex marriage in Iowa happened eleven years ago Friday. WHO-TV reports Sean Fritz and Tim McQuillan’s got married in 2007. The couple is still happily married and living in California with their daughter.