Author: Iowa Radio News

FAIRFIELD, IA (IRN) – The Fairfield Fire Department is investigating a four-vehicle semi fire, according to KTVO-TV. On Sunday, workers at the Heartland Co-Op in Fairfield noticed one of the semi-trucks was on fire. They immediately called the Fire Department. But, while trying to put out the fire, it spread to the other trucks next to it, causing four vehicles to be completely destroyed.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man died early Sunday morning after he was shot in a domestic-related dispute. KCCI-TV reports the 40-year-old man arrived at Methodist hospital by private vehicle. He later died as a result of the gunshot wounds. No arrest has been made.

BURLINGTON, IA (IRN) – Two people were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Burlington, according to WQAD-TV. A driver lost control of the motorcycle, and he and his female passenger were thrown from the bike. The were hospitalized with unknown injuries.

SPRINGVILLE, IA (IRN) – Authorities in Linn County are investigating an armed robbery that took place at a bank in Springville Friday morning. KGAN-TV reports a white male in his mid-thirties entered the Security State Bank, proceeded to a teller window, and displayed a handgun. The suspect then fled the scene. No one was hurt.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The United States’ unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent, according to the May jobs report. Iowa’s rate is even lower. WHO-TV reports Iowa restaurants are experiencing a worker shortage, and restaurants are starting to look at better compensation. While Iowa’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, some restaurants are starting teenagers at $10 or $12 an hour in their first jobs.

PROSPER, MN (IRN) – A Decorah motorcyclist is dead after he collided with a horse Friday near the Iowa/Minnesota state line, according to KCRG-TV. Timothy Holt, 60, was driving on a rural stretch of a highway near Prosper, Minnesota when a horse which had been grazing in the ditch broke free of its chain and entered the highway.” Holt braked and swerved his Harley Davidson, but was unable to miss the horse. He wasn’t wearing a helmet.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate released new data showing that Iowa has more active registered voters than before any June primary in Iowa history. Secretary Pate reminds voters who want to participate in Tuesday’s June 5 primary but are not registered to vote can register and vote at the polls on Election Day. If you are registering to vote on Election Day you will need to bring a photo ID and proof of residency.

HAMPTON, IA (IRN) – Wind gusts up to nearly 90 miles per hour were recorded near Hampton yesterday morning according to WHO-TV. There have been no reports of serious damage or injuries.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Fireworks sales are expected to be booming this year, given an increase in the number of licensing applications the state fire marshal’s office has received.
KCCI-TV reports Friday marked the first day of year two of legal fireworks sales in Iowa. State Fire Marshal Dan Wood said he expects about 800 requests to sell fireworks in the state, and about 500 requesters have already been licensed, compared to the 664 licenses that the state issued last year.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Waterloo Fire and Rescue crews rescued a baby from a locked car parked in a Dollar General parking lot according Friday, according to KWWL-TV. The temperature in Waterloo at the time was in the mid-80s. The baby is doing fine.

BERTRAM, IA (IRN) – A male has died after crashing his bicycle in the Linn County town of Bertram, according to KCRG-TV. The rider attempted to go down a steep hill when he fell off his bicycle, causing life threatening injuries. He wasn’t wearing a helmet.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – Authorities in Newton have identified the victim of a carbon monoxide leak on Memorial Day. WHO-TV reports Melvin Boyd was found dead in his apartment after a report of a gas leak. The apartment building had to be evacuated and ventilated due to toxic levels of carbon monoxide. The Newton Fire Department says the source of the leak hasn’t been identified.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Iowa teenager responsible for burning down a historic Madison County covered bridge will avoid prison time after a judge handed down a suspended sentence with five years’ probation and community service. KCCI-TV reports Alexander Hoff, 17, of West Des Moines must also receive substance abuse training and a mental health evaluation.

IOWA (IRN) – President Trump’s tariffs are drawing retaliation that is hitting Iowa hard. The Des Moines Register reports Iowa pork producers, already dealing with a 25% tariff on U.S. pork exports to China, could face another trade hit. Mexico is considering a 20 percent tariff on hams and pork shoulders. Falling pork prices have already cost Iowa producers about $560 million. Gregg Hora, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, says the tariffs are “potentially devastating news for Iowa’s pig farmers and the rural Iowa economy.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A judge will temporarily block the most restrictive abortion law in the country from taking effect in Iowa next month under an agreement between lawyers for the state and abortion rights groups. KCRG-TV reports the advocacy groups have sued the state to block the law, which bans most abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines teenager accidentally shot and killed himself earlier this week on the city’s east side, according to the Des Moines Register. James Shorter, 17, was sitting in a car Monday when he moved a handgun and accidentally shot himself in the neck.

TIPTON, IA (IRN) – A Cedar County woman has been charged with the 1992 murder of a man near West Liberty. KCRG-TV reports 55-year-old Annette Cahill has been charged with first degree murder in the death of Corey Wieneke. Police say Cahill had a previous sexual relationship with Wieneke, and that they have new evidence she beat him to death with a baseball bat after an argument about his involvement with another woman.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – The body of a man missing after his kayak overturned on the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge has been found. KCCI-TV reports Alex Dencklau was discovered yesterday by family members assisting in the search. Dencklau and his wife were kayaking when both kayaks flipped Monday. She swam to shore, but he was swept away by the river.

WEST BURLINGTON, IA (IRN) – An eastern Iowa man was hospitalized after getting stuck in a grain bin Wednesday. WHO-TV reports the accident happened in West Burlington, along the Mississippi River. The farmer was trapped in the bin for over an hour. Firefighters believe an air pocket in the grain collapsed and pulled him under. The man’s head and neck remained exposed, but the grain crushed the rest of his body.

TIFFIN, IA (IRN) – What’s the fastest growing town in Iowa? It’s Tiffin, according to the Des Moines Register. The bedroom community near the Iowa City and Cedar Rapid metro areas, saw its population increase from 1,964 to 3,361 between 2010 and 2017. That’s a 72 percent increase. In 1990, the eastern Iowa town was home to only 460 people. Projections are it’s poised to top 4,000 residents by 2020 and 12,000 by 2030.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – An eastern Iowa school nurse has pleaded not guilty to a charge that she had sex with a 16-year-old student. KCCI-TV reports 46-year-old Angela Beik, of Marion, was the school nurse at Linn-Mar High School in Marion and also employed at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Police began an investigation of Beik in March. They’d learned that state officials were checking a report that Beik told fellow St. Luke’s nurses that she’d had consensual sex with the boy. They reported the conversation to officials.

CLIVE, IA (IRN) – Mercy Medical Center officials say the hospital is planning to partner with a national health care company in building a 100-bed psychiatric hospital in Clive. The Des Moines Register reports that Pennsylvania-based Universal Health Services would be the partner. Universal Health has more than 350 hospitals and other facilities across the country and in Great Britain. The Clive hospital would be its first Iowa project. The $31 million facility could open by 2020, if the state were to approve it.

HIAWATHA, IA (IRN) – Iowa income taxes will begin to fall under a tax bill signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds yesterday. KCCI-TV reports under the law, the state will cut $2.8 billion in corporate and personal income taxes over six years. Middle-class families are expected to save an average of $86 to $257 next year. A typical family of four would save about $7 every two weeks, although this might be offset by new taxes on e-commerce.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – Human remains were recently discovered in rural Mason City, but authorities say they are not Jodi Huisentruit, a KIMT-TV anchor who disappeared in 1995. The remains were of a white female between 20 and 45 years old, between 5 feet and 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had been at the location from between five to 15 years.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Federal officials announced yesterday that thirty-one eastern Iowans have been charged with gun crimes. KCRG-TV reports if convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and other penalties.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Tuesday’s strong storms caused damage to Principal Park in Des Moines, according to WHO-TV. The wind snapped off the right field foul post near the base. Outfield signage was also damaged, and winds ripped away some of the tarps on the field, allowing heavy rain to cause damage to the playing field. The damage should be repaired before the I-Cubs return for a home game Tuesday.