Author: Iowa Radio News

STORM LAKE, IA (IRN) – Invasive zebra mussels have been found in Storm Lake. The DNR reports the zebra mussels inhabit several lake locations. The mussels probably arrived on or in a boat that had been in an infested water body, such as the Spirit/Okoboji chain of lakes or the Missouri River. The small, black and white mussels are native to eastern Europe and are voracious eaters that gobble up plankton many native freshwater fish need to survive.

IOWA (IRN) – An out-of-state white supremacy group has claimed responsibility for disturbing neo-Nazi robocalls using the murder of Mollie Tibbetts to push a violent, racist message in Iowa, according to KCCI-TV. The 1 1/2-minute robocall begins by talking about Tibbetts’ death, saying she was “stabbed to death by an invader from Mexico.” It goes on to call for the deaths of all 58 million Latinos in the United States.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Democratic candidate for governor Fred Hubbell is releasing details from his 2017 tax filings. WHO-TV reports Mr. Hubbell and his wife, Charlotte, had a federal Adjusted Gross Income of over $3,000,000 in 2017. The Hubbells gave 27.2% of their income to charity. They paid a federal tax rate of 25.3%

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Police in Dubuque confirmed late Wednesday night that two boys reported missing had been located and were safe. KCRG-TV reports late Wednesday evening, police asked for the public’s help in locating the two, who are six and eight-years-old. They wandered away from their home near Loras College Wednesday afternoon.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – From flutes, to saxophones, and all band instruments in between, a small group of students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are part of a rare breed. KCAU-TV reports they’re learning to repair band instruments. The program is one of only three instrument repair programs in the country. And the only two-year program of it’s kind in North America. Because it’s so unique, students from all over the country come to Sioux City to be a part of it.

KOSSUTH COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Livermore man has been charged with murder after a man was found dead at his home in LuVerne in Kossuth County Monday. WHO-TV reports 60-year-old Jeffrey Winters is charged with first degree murder in the death of 54-year-old Randy Page. Investigators received a call Monday from a woman who said her husband was unresponsive and on the ground. When deputies arrived, they found Page was deceased. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

GRANGER, IA (IRN) – An investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Office of the State Auditor into a string of suspicious financial transactions at the Woodward-Granger Community School District has led to an arrest. Melissa Lee Lantz, 35, the school’s former business manager, allegedly made almost $222,000 in improper payroll disbursements.

AMES, IA (IRN) – A study released by Iowa State University says kids under the age of 18 whose parents have divorced are less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree. KCCI-TV reports researchers found 27 percent of children with divorced parents had a bachelor’s degree or higher — much lower than the 50 percent of those with married parents. Researchers say financial problems after a divorce may hinder a child’s ability to obtain a college degree.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The American Civil Liberties Union says panhandling is free speech. WHO-TV reports the ACLU says not allowing people to panhandle blocks free speech and criminalizes poverty. On Tuesday, the ACLU of Iowa sent letters to three Iowa cities demanding change. Those cities are Council Bluffs, Des Moines, and Grimes. It’s part of a larger effort nationwide to strike down ordinances that the organization believes are unconstitutional.

VINTON, IA (IRN) – An eastern Iowa couple who kept hundreds of animals in and outside their home have been given two years of probation for child endangerment. KCRG-TV reports In January officials found hundreds of animals in the their house and garage, including rabbits, rats, mice, hedgehogs, turtles, birds, guinea pigs, gerbils and a ball python.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – An Ankeny mother whose baby died after becoming wedged between a mattress and a wall has been given two years of probation. KCCI-TV reports 33-year-old Michelle Atwell was fined $1,000 at her sentencing Monday and given a deferred judgment. Police were called to the Ankeny home of Atwell and Matthew Cohara on Aug. 26, 2017, after the 7-month-old was found not breathing. Police say the baby became wedged and suffocated after Atwell left her on the bed for hours after feeding her. An autopsy found a cocaine byproduct in the baby’s system. Cohara was given a similar sentence.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Tibbetts Family and Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa announced Tuesday morning that contributions to the Mollie Tibbetts Reward Fund will go back to donors, the Tibbetts family, or the Crime Stoppers General Fund. 20-year old Mollie Tibbetts was last seen on a run in Brooklyn on July 18th. During the search, Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa set up a reward for information that led to the safe return of Mollie. Donors raised nearly $400,000. Mollie’s body was found in a cornfield south of Brooklyn on August 21st. Since the condition of the safe return was not met, no one will get the reward money.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa farmers, facing a projected $2 billion in losses from tariffs, could be helped by Monday’s big trade announcement: The U.S. has reached a tentative deal with Mexico, potentially paving the way for a pact with Canada. Kirk Leeds, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association says,”It’s good. It’s positive. But it doesn’t come close to making farmers whole.”

DUBUQUE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A crash on Highway 20 in Dubuque County killed a motorcyclist. KCRG-TV reports a car and motorcycle were both driving eastbound when the two vehicles collided, throwing the motorcycle’s driver off the bike.

RED OAK, IA (IRN) – Senator Joni Ernst announced Monday that she and her husband are divorcing. The news came in a statement from her office. “Senator Ernst and her husband, Gail, are in the process of divorcing. They remain committed to their children and family, and ask for respect for their privacy during this difficult time.” Ernst, a Republican, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014. She lives in Red Oak.

SHELDON, IA (IRN) – A man was injured after fireworks blew up in his face on a dirt road near Sheldon over the weekend. KCAU-TV reports he was temporarily blinded and had an injury to his face. While at the hospital, a deputy charged him with lighting off a large consumer firework outside the legal dates, a simple misdemeanor.

POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An immigrant charged in the fatal stabbing of an Iowa college student has hired new defense lawyers. KCCI-TV reports Attorneys Chad and Jennifer Frese filed paperwork Sunday to represent Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who is accused in the killing of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts. They’re expected to replace attorney Allan Richards, who called President Trump “sad and sorry” for labeling his client guilty before trial.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Two people were killed late Saturday in a crash in Ankeny, according to KCCI-TV. Witnesses say a truck lost control and hit a light pole.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead after a golf cart accident at the Mason City Country Club. KIMT-TV reports a golfer was driving the cart in the parking lot with a passenger standing in the back. The driver made a turn, and the passenger fell off and hit the pavement.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Cedar Rapids Police Department arrested a man for arson and burglary, according to KGAN-TV. 22-year-old Grant Michael Ajango was seen exiting the building just as the fire started. He was also found in possession of items stolen from a Casey’s General Store. He’s in jail.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Late Senator John McCain was a long time Senator and a two-time presidential candidate. WHO-TV reports he also loved Iowa. David Roederer served as the Iowa State Chair of McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. He traveled hundreds of miles across the state with the Senator who fell in love with Iowa and the Iowa State Fair. Roederer says McCain first became fond of Iowans, in the unlikeliest of places, a prisoner of war camp in Viet Nam. McCain said he owed his life to Colonel George “Bud” Day of Sioux City, who helped nurse him back to health after being tortured.

LISBON, IA (IRN) – The Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom football team wanted their first game of the season at Lisbon Friday night to be normal as possible, according to KCRG-TV. School officials wanted to focus on football – not the tragic developments earlier this week in the case of Mollie Tibbetts. Scott Tibbetts, Mollie’s younger brother, took the field Friday, with family, friends and a stadium full of fans wearing blue ribbons in honor of his sister. The quarterback threw two touchdowns and ran for another in leading his team to a 35-24 victory over Lisbon. Mollie Tibbetts funeral is today.

LAMONI, IA (IRN) – Dody Boswell, a longtime Lamoni teacher and the wife of former Congressman Leonard Boswell, died Saturday morning, eight days after her husband died.
Both were honored at a service already planned for Leonard Boswell Saturday. Dody Boswell taught elementary school for 37 years, mainly in Lamoni. The Boswells were married for nearly 63 years.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A severe storm roared through northern Iowa Friday evening. The National Weather Service issued both Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings for several counties, and heavy rain and hail battered the area. KIMT-TV reports the Clear Lake Fire Department fought a house fire and a sail boat fire during the storms. In Mason City, a foot of water covered intersections.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City landmark may be getting a new look, according to KCAU-TV. The sculpture Sioux City, also known as “The French Fries” will be restored and repainted this year, and the public will vote to determine its color. Your choices of color? Yellow, red, or blue.