Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES – Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand announced his running mate for the upcoming election for governor. KCCI-TV reports Crawford County Supervisor Dave Muhlbauer is the candidate of choice for lieutenant governor. He’s a fifth-generation farmer and one of the lone elected Democrats in his region of the state.

INDIANOLA – Governor Kim Reynolds issued an executive order on Monday establishing the Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation during a press conference at Lake Ahquabi State Park near Indianola. The office will be an extension of the Iowa Tourism Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). Executive Order 19 aims to support, enhance, and expand Iowa’s outdoor recreation sector while ensuring the responsible stewardship of its natural landscapes for future generations. It also creates a centralized structure for public and private stakeholders which actively invest in outdoor recreation to work together, expanding strategic partnerships and promoting cohesive growth.

IOWA – An active weather week returns, with hotter than normal temperatures and multiple thunderstorms in the forecast. According to the National Weather Service, daytime heat in the low 90s is possible today and on Wednesday, with severe storm chances returning every evening and overnight for many Iowans. This also has increased the risk for localized flooding after multiple warnings were issued over the weekend.

SUN VALLEY LAKE – The body of a missing West Des Moines man was found in Sun Valley Lake in southern Iowa after a two-day search. KCCI-TV reports the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office were called to the lake Saturday morning for 70-year-old Ronald Brown. The man was found Sunday morning just before noon.

PLEASANT HILL – A Pleasant Hill man is accused of attacking his ex-wife with a machete. WHO-13 reports 42-year-old Jeremy Dale Reben was arrested on Saturday for a warrant related to attempted murder and domestic abuse charges. Reben is accused of driving his vehicle into the side of his ex-wife’s SUV, trapping her, and then striking her with a machete. Her condition was not released.

UNION COUNTY – A Tingley man was pronounced dead following a head-on collison in Union County on Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports that 19-year-old Tanner Richardson was traveling on a rural road and went through a stop sign, which caused the crash. He was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead there. The other driver was uninjured.

JOHNSTON – Three Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been placed on leave following a deadly standoff in Johnston. KCCI-TV reports that the department’s mental health unit and members of the U.S. Marshals were attempting to serve a warrant on Monday. The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Austin Mark, who is accused of opening fire on law enforcement, and police fire back. Mark was found dead at the scene.

DES MOINES – A convenience store chain based in Nebraska is acquiring several Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh locations in Iowa next month. KCRG-TV reports Bosselman Pump and Pantry is adding 21 Iowa-based stores, including five in-store Starbucks and seven in-store Smokey Row locations. Most of the stories are based in the Des Moine metro area.

IOWA – Multiple storms brought heavy rain to the southern tiers of counties of Iowa on Friday, including multiple tornado and flash flood warnings. An active two-day stretch comes ahead of a burst of summer heat next week, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-90s by next Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

VICTOR – The Iowa State Patrol has identified those involved in a semi vs. train crash in Poweshiek County. WHO-13 reports 14-year-old Robert Orton died and his father, 38-year-old Michael Orton was severely injured. The elder Orton pulled a semi carrying a tractor onto railroad on Wednesday afternoon. The collision closed Highway 21 in both directions and derailed 20 train cars.

WINTERSET – State Auditor Rob Sand released reports on Thursday about audits conducted in Madison County. KCCI-TV reports Sand’s office claimed his office could not obtain enough evidence to verify the accuracy of the county’s financial statements. The reports detailed a series of missing checks, unposted deposits, undisclosed bank accounts, and other issues. The findings come after criminal charges were filed against former Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos, and the Board of Supervisors deciding to use an out-of-state auditing firm last year.

DELAWARE COUNTY – A Delaware County man had his 2019 murder conviction upheld in court this week. KCRG-TV reports a first-degree murder charge and guilty verdict against Todd Mullis will stand, according to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. Mullis attached his wife Amy and staged the scene as a farming accident, with an autopsy revealing she died from puncture wounds from a corn rake. Mullis claimed in an appeal that his constitutional rights were violated.

MUSCATINE – The six victims in multiple shooting incidents in Muscatine earlier this week have been identified. KCRG-TV reports 51-year-old Lesa McFarland, 32-year-old Dakota Whitlow, 29-year-old Austin Harris, 20-year-old Ryle McFarland, 16-year-old Mark McFarland, and 13-year-old Ryan McFarland, Jr., were all killed on Monday. Police identified 52-year-old Ryan McFarland as the shooter, who killed himself when confronted by police after multiple incidents.

VICTOR – One person died and other was injured after a truck and train collision in Poweshiek County on earlier this week. WHo-13 reports the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the crash just outside of victory, with the driver of the semi dying and another occupant transported by helicopter with injuries. Two power engines and 17 cars were impacted by the crash and were derailed.

DES MOINES – Three Iowa House incumbents will not return to their seats after losing primary challenges earlier this week. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Republicans Brian Lohse and Jane Bloomingdale both lost in Tuesday’s election to challengers within their own party. Democratic Incumbent Ken Croken of Davenport also lost in the primary.