WEBSTER COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A former corrections officer in Webster County has pleaded guilty to helping an inmate escape from jail last year. Jordan Mefferd broke out of jail in December of 2021. An investigation showed Michelle Valenti was the only jailer capable of unlocking the door he used to escape. She later admitted to also supplying marijuana and a lighter to an inmate. She also admitted to having sexual contact with a different inmate. Valenti will be sentenced on Oct. 31.

WEBSTER COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A male teenager has been arrested for allegedly shooting a female teenager at a late-night party on Friday. Deputies with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at a party with teenagers. When they arrived they encountered a large number of juveniles fleeing the scene. Police arrested the 17-year-old male at the Fort Dodge Senior High School on Wednesday. The girl is expected to recover.

EVANSDALE, IA (IRN) – Police in Evansdale are investigating after they say a person allegedly threatened someone before getting in his vehicle and leaving the area. A nearby school was temporarily locked down.

BENTON COUNTY (IRN) – A school bus carrying nine students collided with an SUV on a gravel road near the Benton County town of Blairstown. The bus reportedly went into a ditch and rolled over. Three students and both drivers were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man is in the Polk County Jail facing multiple charges after police say he bit an officer Tuesday while they were trying to help him find a sober ride home. Officers were called to a report of a man passed out in a vehicle. Police found 27-year-old Jaston Boone extremely intoxicated and noticed open containers in the car. While officers tried to help him get a sober driver to take him home, Boone jumped in the car and tried to leave. During a struggle, Boone bit an officer on the arm.