IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol covered 624 crashes across the state in the month of February. They report most of those crashes were attributed to motorists driving too fast for conditions or following too close. They ask the public to slow down, put the phone down, and buckle up.

EARLVILLE, IA (IRN) – An eastern Iowa man was charged Thursday with murder in the killing of his wife, who was found with a corn rake impaled in her back. The Des Moines Register reports Todd Mullis, 42, of Earlville, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Amy Mullis. Friends say the couple had marital problems for years. Months before she died, Amy Mullis told a friend she feared her husband would kill her, saying if she was found dead, “you’ll know Todd did something to me.”

BOONE, IA (IRN) – A convicted sex offender is allowed at school events in Boone, leaving parents livid, but the school district says they are following state guidelines. KCCI-TV reports Joel Waltz, a former youth pastor, was sentenced in 2017 to two consecutive two-year prison sentences after admitting to having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old. Under state law, he can go to events involving his children.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A new ordinance in Iowa City related to massage parlors is working to help prevent human trafficking. KCRG-TV reports the ordinance requires all employees to be licensed with the state.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – A West Des Moines Valley high school student is using an honors project to give back to the community through music. WHO-TV reports sixteen-year-old Kathryn Wittrock created the nonprofit “Recycling Instruments for Needy Kids,” when she saw not every student could afford to rent or buy a musical instrument to learn how to play. So far, she has recycled 22 instruments.