Author: Iowa Radio News

WAUKEE – A Waukee woman accused of using false information and forged documents to get hired and who was released on parole is allegedly doing the same activity again. The Des Moines Register reports 36-year-old Priscilla Heronemus has a written complaint against her, claiming she’s used fake credentials to pose as a social worker. Her resume contains detail about degrees from Grand View University, and she has been working at Choices Therapy Services since March of 2024. Heronemus reached a plea agreement in 2019 after receiving previous deferred judgements in 2014.

DES MOINES – More than 80 new foods arrive at the Iowa State Fair next month. KCCI-TV reports the annual contest and top 11 finalists for the Best New Food will be revealed later, but the 2026 new foods list was released. The 2026 Iowa State Fair is August 13th through the 23rd.

WASHINGTON D.C. – More than 100 Iowa National Guard soldiers are being deployed to Washington D.C. this week. WHO1-3 reports that 120 troops will support ongoing events related to America250 and Freedom 250 as part of a six-month deployment, going under Title 32, Section 502 F status protecting the capital. A private send-off ceremony will be held on Friday.

IOWA – Many Iowa communities are cleaning up flood damage after excessive rainfall fell before the Independence Day holiday. KCCI-TV reports residents in Polk, Story, and Jasper Counties received nearly a foot of rainfall over a short two-day period, and that has left a lot of cleanup. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation on Monday related to flood damage.

CLAY COUNTY – A western Iowa nursing home has been fined for refusing to summon an ambulance for a resident. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports it forced the family to take that person to the hospital in their car. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing has cited the Spencer Post Acute Rehabilitation Center in Clay County for a fine of $6,750. The facility is accused of forcing the family to take the resident to the hospital, claiming the situation was not urgent.

FREMONT COUNTY – An international soccer fan in the United States who led police on a chase on July 3rd may avoid charges in the matter. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Nestor Morantes Segura, a Colombian citizen who was visiting the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup. A press release detailed a high-speed chase in the southbound lanes of I-29. After receiving his Miranda warning, he told deputies he saw emergency lights but could not hear the siren and thought he could continue driving. The Fremont County Attorney’s Office filed a motion to dismiss on Monday.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa – A 14-year-old Dyersville girl has died from her injuries suffered when the personal watercraft she was riding on as a passenger was involved in a collision on Clear Lake, on July 4. Around 5:30 p.m., two personal watercraft collided near the boat ramp at MacIntosh Woods State Park, on a part of the lake known locally as Little Lake. Passengers on a nearby pontoon immediately rendered aid. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) water patrol and conservation officers, Ventura and Clear Lake fire departments, Iowa State Patrol, Clear Lake Police Department and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office were quickly on scene. Five individuals were on the two personal watercrafts and all five were transported to Mercy-One Medical Center in Mason City.

JOHNSON COUNTY – A person was killed after being struck by vehicles while standing on Interstate 80. KGAN reports 28-year-old Yanelli J. Camarena was standing on the highway was struck by a semi and another vehicle early Sunday morning. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating as to why the individual was in the highway.

WEST DES MOINES – Police are investigating the death of a person under the age of 18 at a West Des Moines party on Saturday. KCCI-TV reports officers responded to a report of a shooting, finding a large gathering and a juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound. Witnesses say an argument broke out an escalated until a gun was fired.

WASHINGTON D.C. – An extreme heat wave in the eastern United States has cancelled an opportunity to perform for an Iowa-based Marching Band. America’s 250th celebration parade was supposed to feature the Pella High School Marching Dutch, but has now been cancelled. Heat index values up to 115 degrees are in the forecast in the eastern United States.

NEWTON – Another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms prompted additional Flash Flood Warnings in central Iowa overnight Friday. Multiple communities in central Iowa reported over 10 inches of rain in the last few days due to the storms, according to National Weather Service radar estimates.

IOWA – Those with holiday travel plans are reminded that extra officers are on roadways patrolling for the 4th of July holiday. The Iowa State Patrol and Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau are partnering with local police agencies and county sheriff’s departments for the extra enforcement period, focusing on speeding, drinking while intoxicated, and while distracted.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Attorney General’s Office issued a statement on Thursday that three Polk County sheriff’s deputies were legally justified in a fatal shooting incident. KCCI-TV reports 44-year-old Austin Mark was killed during an armed confrontation with officers on June 1st. An investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation showed the deputies were lawfully acting when they after Mark opened fire on police during a felony arrest warrant attempt.

NEVADA – The City of Nevada has offered assistance to rebuild a drive-in restaurant destroy in a fire earlier this week. WHO-13 reports the Nevada Fire Department responded to a blaze at Starbuck’s Drive-In, which caused approximately $175,000 in damage. On Thursday, the City of Nevada and its mayor announced they would assist with the rebuilding.

WOODBURY COUNTY – A brief tornado touchdown in Woodbury County damaged a cemetery on Wednesday. KTIV reports the storm touched down near Smithland and the City of Oto’s cemetery, knocking over tombstones. It comes during an active late part of the week, with several storms prompting severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings, according to the National Weather Service.