RICEVILLE, IA (IRN) – A former northern Iowa vocal teacher and coach who pled guilty to possessing child pornography has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 27-year-old Adam Haacke, of Riceville, was sentenced Friday to 11 years and three months. He wasn’t a teacher in the district at the time of his arrest.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – An escaped inmate from the Newton Correctional Center has been apprehended, according to KCCI-TV. 28-year-old Edward Nathaniel Shorter failed to return to the minimum security release center Saturday. Shorter is serving a 20-year-sentence on drug charges.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The RAGBRAI route for 2016 has been announced, and it will take riders through beautiful southern Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports this year’s ride begins July 23 in Glenwood and ends July 30 in Muscatine. Overnight towns are Shenandoah, Creston, Leon, Centerville, Ottumwa, and Washington.

PLEASANT HILL, IA (IRN) – The Pleasant Hill Public Library is encouraging children younger than 5-years-old to read 1,000 books before they start kindergarten, according to WHO-TV.
John Lerdal, director of the Library, said the goal isn’t as daunting as it might sound. He says if parents read just one book per night to a young child, they’ll make it.