DES MOINES —Dozens of residents on the south side of Des Moines were left displaced after a fire caused extensive damage to a three-story apartment building. WHO-13 reports that the fire broke out around 4 pm Monday afternoon, leaving approximately 60 without a home. Fire officials said that the flames spread rapidly throughout the attic of the structure due to strong winds. Despite firefighting efforts, parts of the building collapsed. The official cause remains under investigation, but the fire is believed to have started near a unit on the third-floor. The American Red Cross announced late Monday that it had opened a shelter in response to the fire.
CEDAR RAPIDS —A Decorah farmer pled guilty Monday to stealing more than a quarter million dollars from his business partner in a three-year scheme. KCRG-TV reports that 49-year-old Kurt Krauskopf was convicted of one count of bankruptcy fraud. During the hearing, Krauskopf admitted to selling corn and soybeans grown by his business partner, while claiming he was the sole owner of the crops from 2021 to 2023. Krauskopf then pocketed the profits without the partner’s knowledge. The fraud was discovered after he filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy, which requires monthly income and operation expense reports. In his plea deal, Krauskopf admitted to filing dozens of falsified reports that did not disclose the sales. The sentencing will take place in federal court in Cedar Rapids. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
POLK COUNTY — A member of the North Polk school board has been charged with assault and taken into custody by the Winterset Police Department. KCCI-TV reports that Ashley Delaney was charged following an incident during a track and field meet at Winterset High School last Friday. Court records stated that Delaney approached a male that was sitting on the high jump mat, and grabbed the male by his sleeves to pull him to help move starting blocks. The male stated that he was not a worker or volunteer for the meet. Court documents also said that Delaney admitted to grabbing and pulling the male, but added that she was just trying to guide him and not force him. Delaney is scheduled to appear in court on May 20th.