JANESVILLLE, IA (IRN) – A driver’s education instructor who was the Mayor of Fairbank was killed in a crash on Monday in the Bremer County town of Janesville. A 14-year-old student driver was southbound on Highway 218 in a 2014 Chevy Impala when they left the road onto the shoulder then overcorrected and crossed into oncoming traffic. The Impala was hit on the passenger side by an oncoming Toyota Highlander. 71-year-old Gregory Harter was pronounced dead at the scene. The 14-year-old driver and a 14-year-old passenger were taken by ambulance from the scene, as was the 44-year-old driver of the Highlander.

POLK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Polk County is seeing another spike in COVID-19 cases this summer. Omicron B.A. 5 subvariant is causing the rise. This strain is highly contagious and is quickly becoming the dominant strain in Iowa as well as the U.S.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids police were called to Mercy Medical Center Monday after a staff member reported seeing a suspicious item left by the curb near the Hall Perrine Cancer Center. The bomb squad was sent to evaluate the suspicious item. Officials determined that the item was not a threat and it was safely removed.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A group of residents in a southside Des Moines neighborhood is no longer getting their mail delivered after two dogs attacked a postal worker last month. Residents say the pause in service is unfair, inconvenient and has become a headache. About 26 homes are affected by the pause in service.