Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A pipe bomb was found late Wednesday at the Cherry Glen picnic area near Saylorville Lake. KCCI-TV reports workers told deputies that they found the device while closing the area for the night. The device was a PVC pipe wrapped in electrical tape. The Des Moines Bomb Squad was called in to disarm the device.

TIFFIN, IA (IRN) – Someone stuck razor blades into eastern Iowa playground equipment. KCRG-TV reports the sharp objects were discovered three days ago at a park in Tiffin. After investigating, residents of the neighborhood discovered at least 10 blades. Many of them were protruding from grooves on the playground equipment. One toddler suffered a minor cut.

BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – An English Bulldog in Bettendorf was seriously injured by a firecracker. WQAD-TV reports nine-year-old “Red” was taken to the Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities, with injuries suffered from a firecracker. The dog, unbeknownst to his family, had gotten out of the house as firecrackers were being lit in the backyard. When one was tossed, Red chased it and jumped on it as it exploded.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A flight headed to Arizona from eastern Iowa was grounded Wednesday after reports of smoke on board caused an emergency landing. The Des Moines Register reports an Allegiant flight from Cedar Rapids to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport left and returned after reports of smoke in the cockpit. The smoke resulted from a mechanical issue, and no one was injured.

CHARLES CITY, IA (IRN) – One Iowa farmer who’s also a tennis fan is bringing London to the middle of corn and soybeans. KCAU-TV reports in rural Charles City you’ll find a hidden gem, a full-sized replica of the all England Lawn Tennis Club–Wimbledon. The man behind the work, Mark Kuhn, says this was his family’s vision for decades. It’s called “the court of dreams.” Unlike the real Wimbledon, anyone can come out and play, you just have to call and make reservations.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man was hospitalized Tuesday after authorities say he was stabbed by his girlfriend. KCAU-TV reports 30-year-old Simone Tyndall-Morris allegedly stabbed her boyfriend in the lower abdomen.

PRINCETON, IA (IRN) – A 14-year-old was killed in a single-vehicle accident in rural Scott County Tuesday, according to KWQC-TV. The 14-year-old was riding in a utility vehicle along with three other people when the crash occurred.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Ames man faces charges after a woman was badly injured by a boat propeller on Saylorville Lake. KCCI-TV reports on Saturday, Hunter Wagner was charged with operating a motorboat while intoxicated, causing serious injury. Wagner was operating a boat when a woman who was sitting at the back of the boat had her legs lacerated to the bone by the propeller.

FOREST CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Attorney General’s Office says recent victims of flooding are not the only ones who need to be worried about water damage; people looking to purchase used cars need to pay attention as well. Cars that have water damage can come with a number of safety issues including electrical and brake issues as well as airbag malfunctions.

IOWA (IRN) – A new report from ADT Security Services named Iowa the most dangerous state for cyclists. Five Iowa cities — Webster City, Waterloo, Sioux City, Johnston and Des Moines — rank among the top 10 most dangerous in the country. Los Angeles ranked No. 1, New York City came in at No. 2 and Webster City ranked No. 3. The report placed Johnston at No. 9 on the list. Des Moines ranked No. 10.

LISBON, IA (IRN) – A man walking across Highway 30 in Lisbon yesterday was struck by a vehicle, according to KCRG-TV. He is expected to recover.

MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – The Muscatine Fire Department says a vehicle caught fire on Sunday after a firework incident. KWQC-TV reports after the fire was put out, an investigation revealed physical evidence, burn patterns, witness reports and remnants show the fire was caused by a fireworks explosion.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City man is facing a felony domestic abuse charge for allegedly choking out a woman twice. KIMT-TV reports Brandon Benson, 26, allegedly strangled a woman to the point where she lost consciousness and after she came to he did it again.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – An investigation is underway in Waterloo after reports that violent comments were made by one councilperson about another council member. KWWL-TV reports witnesses heard Councilwoman Margaret Klein made threatening comments towards Councilman Pat Morrissey. She reportedly said, “if I was in a dark room with Pat Morrissey with a knife, I would stab him.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police issued a warning Monday about scams that could pop up as flood cleanup begins. KCCI-TV reports officials encourage flood victims to only use legitimate contractors when planning home repairs and to research charities asking for donations for flood victims before pulling out their wallets. To verify that a charity is legitimate, visit charitywatch.org.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An ax-throwing pub has opened in Iowa, according to KWQC-TV. Hatchet Jack’s in Iowa City is the first pub in Iowa in which patrons can throw axes at targets. The concept started in Canada about 10 years ago, and now there are hatchet throwing bars located in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, among other cities. Safety measures are in place, and employees known as “axperts” enforce the rules. The bar will cater to corporate events and bachelor or bachelorette parties.

MARION, IA (IRN) – A Marion mother of two has died after her boyfriend allegedly beat her unconscious causing a serious brain injury. KWWL-TV reports Stephanie Bowling died early Friday morning. 27-year-old Cody Brown faces a murder charge. Brown told officers he was arguing with Bowling when he picked her up and threw her on the ground. When officers arrived they found Bowling unconscious and without a heartbeat.

PANORA, IA (IRN) – There was an officer involved shooting in Panora yesterday, according to Raccoon Valley Radio. The Guthrie County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a man with a knife threatening people in an apartment complex. Upon arriving at the address, law enforcement located him in a hallway. He confronted law enforcement with a knife. They ordered him to drop it several times but he refused. An officer fired his weapon striking the man. He was given medical aid but later died from his injuries.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Polk County officials described this weekend’s heavy rainfall and major flooding as a “historic event” and anticipate at least a monthslong cleanup effort, according to KCCI-TV. Much of the metro received over six inches of rain, with Ankeny receiving ten inches. Longtime Iowa sportscaster Larry Cotlar, 66, died when he was swept away in flood waters after his van flooded on a north Des Moines street. His body was found several blocks away. There were approximately 40 water rescues during the period due to vehicles stalled in flood waters.

OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – A motorcycle crash in Ottumwa sent two people to the hospital late Friday night. An SUV pulled out in front of the motorcycle, and the motorcycle struck it, ejecting both occupants from the bike.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A Brazilian man faces federal charges after causing a flight from Calgary, Canada, to Chicago to be diverted to Cedar Rapids. KGAN-TV reports the man became disruptive, and “lost it” with a flight crew member. Passengers restrained him with zip ties provided by the flight crew before the plane landed. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

IOWA (IRN) – It’s been ten years since Iowa cleared the air with the Smoke-free Air Act. Former Governor Chet Culver signed the bill into law in 2008. It bans smoking in bars, restaurants and outdoor entertainment venues.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A 65-year-old man died after he was swept away in flash flooding in Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to a report of a stalled and occupied van in flooded streets. The occupants had left the van, and one person was swept away in the flash floodwaters. First responders found the man, deceased, several blocks away. The Des Moines Metro received more than seven inches of rain in less than three hours, possibly a record.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – Firefighters responded to a house explosion in Urbandale Saturday night, according to KCCI-TV. People living in the area reported hearing and feeling an “enormous explosion” and noticed flames coming from the building. No injuries were immediately reported. It’s unclear what caused the explosion, but firefighters suspect the major flooding contributed.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A driver is dead, after refusing to stop and crashing through gates at the Davenport Municipal Airport. The Iowa State Patrol reports the driver accelerated and crashed into an aviation fuel container which caused a large fire.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Texas man was arrested in Davenport Saturday for illegally selling fireworks without a permit. KWQC-TV reports Jarred Carlyle also had marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a loaded firearm in his vehicle.