Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man is in custody after crashing a car into a Drake University fraternity house yesterday evening. KCCI-TV reports the driver crashed into the Theta Chi fraternity house and fled the scene. Officers caught up with and arrested the driver, Jamaal Dudley, 23, of Polk City. He’s charged with OWI, carrying weapons, interference with official acts and other traffic charges. No one was hurt in the crash.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A jury has found a Des Moines man guilty of second-degree murder for stabbing his brother to death at a family gathering in 2017. Shawn Eugene Davis had earlier been convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of another man in 1986.

DELAWARE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Delaware County man accused of killing his wife would like his bond reduced. KCRG-TV reports Todd Mullis, 42, is charged with first degree murder in the death of Amy Mullis, 39, in November. Officials say he used a corn rake to kill her because he thought she was having an affair. He would like his bond reduced from $5 million to $1 million.

ALTA, IA (IRN) – A motorcycle driver has died after being involved in a crash near the Buena Vista town of Alta Monday night. A witness said that the motorcycle hit an anhydrous tank being pulled by a truck. Officials say speed was a factor in the crash.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Senate has sent a bill legalizing the growing of industrial hemp to the House for consideration. The Iowa Hemp Act passed the Senate Monday 49-1. The bill allows licensed growers to cultivate the crop on up to 40 acres.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A jury has convicted a man who Des Moines police say was found with his dying girlfriend’s blood on his hands. The Des Moines Register reports that 33-year-old Nickolas Pettinger was found guilty Monday of first-degree murder. He’ll be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors say Pettinger choked and used a 20-pound weight to batter 19-year-old Katelynn “Kat” Gould in a Des Moines garage.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – An Oskaloosa man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a college basketball player last year. KCCI-TV reports a Mahaska County jury Monday convicted 24-year-old Luke VanHemert, who argued that he was defending himself when he fatally stabbed 22-year-old William Penn player Marquis Todd in March 2018.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A man is facing criminal charges after an argument at home devolved into several alleged assaults on Sunday in Davenport. WQAD-TV reports police responded to a call at a Kwik Shop, where Jacob Mitchell, 27, had allegedly shot a female clerk with a stun gun. Earlier, Mitchell reportedly got into a fight and assaulted his mother’s boyfriend, and then struck his mother numerous times in the face and head.

OTHO, IA (IRN) – An effort is underway in Webster County to preserve part of the state’s history. WHO-TV reports the historical museum in Otho is home to about 10,000 artifacts at risk of being destroyed. Phillis Stewart, the 83-year-old woman who runs the museum, said the leaky roof isn’t holding up.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds is asking Iowa lawmakers for $15 million from the ending balance of the current year’s budget for immediate work on levees and repairs in flooded communities. She’s also seeking $10 million from next year’s budget to accelerate housing improvements. Reynolds also announced the creation of a Flood Recovery Advisory Board, which will coordinate state recovery efforts. Reynolds says she’ll lead the panel of up to 15 people.

IOWA (IRN) – A person from Northeast Iowa had been confirmed to be infected with measles. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports the individual was unvaccinated and recently returned from Israel, where measles transmission is occurring. This is the first case of measles in Iowa since 2011.

PONCA, AR (IRN) – A student from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City has died after falling off a ridge while hiking in Northern Arkansas. KCAU-TV reports the victim has been identified as 20-year-old Andrea Norton. Norton played on BCU’s women’s volleyball team. She was with other students on top of Hawksbill Crag Saturday morning when the accident happened. Witnesses say she was in the process of repositioning herself for a photo when she fell.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A homicide investigation is underway following a fatal shooting in Des Moines Sunday. KCCI-TV reports police responded to reports of a gunshot victim at Mercy Hospital. Police said the 17-year old male victim was transported by private vehicle and died from their injuries. It is the third homicide of the year for the city.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Two were killed in a crash between an SUV and a double-stacked train Sunday afternoon in Cedar Rapids. KCRG-TV reports officials are investigating.

FOREST CITY, IA (IRN) – A Winnebago County man is getting jail time for spanking a three-year-old child. KIMT-TV reports Joshua Dean DeBower, 26 of Forest City, pleaded guilty to aggravated misdemeanor child endangerment after the child was found to have bruising and scratches on her bottom. He’s been sentenced to 30 days in jail. DeBower had earlier served jail time for the possession of meth.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In March the Des Moines International Airport had the highest number of passengers ever traveling through its terminal. Despite future reconstruction plans to tear down and expand the current terminal, the airport built four new restaurants last year. A record number 2.77 million passengers came through the airport, and restaurant sales are up 20%.

AMES, IA (IRN) – Three men are in custody in connection with a stabbing in Ames on Wednesday. WHO-TV reports the victim was assaulted by several men and then stabbed in the abdomen as he tried to get away.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – The Dubuque Police are investigating a stabbing at a home. When officers arrived they found a 19-year-old with a laceration on the left side of his body. The victim was hospitalized, treated and released.

USA (IRN) – Home goods superstore Bed Bath and Beyond plans to close at least 40 stores this year. The Des Moines Register reports whether any of the company’s nine Iowa locations will be among those closing is unknown. Bed Bath and Beyond has not released a list of locations it plans to shutter.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A total of 80 Iowa communities have received a Tree City USA Award. The awards were presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on April 3.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man faces numerous animal abuse and criminal mischief charges after authorities said he beheaded chickens and vandalized cars at a property on the city’s east side. KCCI-TV reports Anthony William Runner, 31, was taken to the Polk County Jail late Friday afternoon. Police said Runner killed the chickens and ran down an alleyway. They said he vandalized about seven cars. Some bricks were thrown through the windshields.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – A man was shot in the neck and left across the street from the Johnston Public Library Friday afternoon. The Des Moines Register reports a passerby saw a car stop, pull the man out of the back seat, and dump him in the parking lot.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines city leaders on Friday expressed dissatisfaction with initial plans for a proposed federal courthouse in downtown, saying it looks like a prison. KCCI-TV reports it’s been three years since the old Riverfront YMCA came down and plans for luxury condos at the site came to a halt. Federal officials bought the property, and want a new $137 million courthouse, replacing the aging courthouse across the river. But city, county and Des Moines business leaders are trying to convince the General Services Administration to reconsider.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The U.S. Department of Transportation says Iowa may make immediate use of $9 million in Federal Highway Administration emergency relief funds to repair roads damaged by flooding. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced the emergency grant on Friday.

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack announced Friday that he will retire at the end of this term, after representing Iowa in Congress for 14 years. The Iowa City Democrat, who is 66, was first elected to the House in 2006.