DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A Dubuque man pled guilty Tuesday to a federal charge for allegedly threatening his girlfriend and her son with a gun. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that Robert Drafahl, 46, faces up to 10 years in prison. Drafahl was previously convicted of a felony in 1988. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – Layoffs have begun at the Kraft Foods plant in Mason City. KIMT-TV reports Kraft employees have been receiving emails saying they are losing their jobs.  A Kraft spokesperson says they are in the process of eliminating 2,500 positions across the U.S. and Canada.   SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A man has been placed on three years probation and ordered to spend 15 weekends in jail for helping his son avoid arrest after shooting a Sioux City police officer. KCCI-TV reports Levon Dean Sr., 55, and several others were sentenced for their roles in aiding Jamal Dean to avoid arrest. Jamal Dean shot a Sioux City police officer during a traffic stop in 2013. He’s serving 25 years in prison for attempted murder. DES MOINES (IRN) – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says it completed several raids in the Des Moines area early Wednesday morning and say they were successful.  WHO-TV reports a months-long investigation led to half a dozen raids in Des Moines and the surrounding metro. The ATF says they were executing search warrants related to guns and drugs. FARGO, N.D. (IRN) – An Iowa man accused of robbing a downtown Fargo, N.D. motel at gunpoint has pled not guilty in federal court. KCCI-TV reports Eric Webb, 30, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with armed robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Webb was shot by a Fargo police officer shortly after the June 4 holdup. CRESCO, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has cited Donald Burnikel, a Howard County supervisor, for allegedly shooting a red-tailed hawk. Burnikel is accused of killing a protected non-game species. According to witnesses, Burnikel shot the bird with a handgun in the backyard of a home in Cresco. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The city of Cedar Rapids has announced a microloan program for small businesses, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. City officials say microloans as small as $1,000 can help turn an idea into a business. A total of $75,000 has been made available for the program. Recipients will pay 4 percent interest and must repay the loan in three years. DES MOINES (IRN) – One of the headlining acts at the Iowa State Fair’s grandstand has cancelled her tour because of vocal health issues. WHO-TV reports Meghan Trainor called off her remaining tour dates because of a hemorrhaged vocal cord. The ‘All About That Bass’ singer was set to perform at the grandstand on the final Saturday of the fair.  

CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo woman has been arrested for allegedly using counterfeit $100 bills at Wal-Mart, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. The woman bought $39 worth of underwear with one $100 bill and received $61 in real money as change. She then bought a $100 gift card with another fake bill. An employee recognized the fake bill, and Nicole Neuenkirk, 30, of Waterloo, was arrested. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Two men have been arrested in connection with a July shooting in Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 20-year-old Tevin Walker and 23-year-old Kevin Naylor were the shooters. Naylor and Walker got into an argument that escalated to Naylor chasing Walker and firing more than 10 shots at him, stopping to change his magazine in the midst of the shooting. No one was injured. NEWTON (IRN) – A Newton Police officer is on leave pending an investigation into domestic assault charges. The Newton Daily News reports Dustin Hamell, 29, is accused of physically assaulting his fiance. The two were in an altercation in which Hamell slammed a door on her arm while she was trying to get into their child’s room. He is also accused of pushing the victim. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A Coralville man faces a robbery charge after stealing a phone and purse from a woman he was banned from contacting. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 42-year-old Tawan Steel approached the woman and claimed he wanted a hug. When she backed away and clutched her purse and phone against her body, Steel allegedly grabbed her, snatched the phone and purse and ran. He was apprehended a short time later.   ONAWA, IA (IRN) – A 2015 West Monona High School graduate died Friday after injuries sustained in an accident. The Sioux City Journal reports McKenzie Jo Cummins, 18, of Onawa, was driving a Dodge pickup near Denison. She lost control and hit an embankment. The truck became airborne and rolled three times. Cummins was ejected out of the back window and pinned from the waist up. Authorities believe she was looking at her phone when the accident occurred. She was not wearing a seatbelt. DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines man is searching for his motorcycle after he was involved in a serious crash.  KCCI-TV reports it was Mark Miller’s 51st birthday Friday when he went out for a ride on his Harley. A car pulled out of a parking lot and T-boned him. The roofer may lose his foot and be unable to work. While being taken to the hospital, witnesses say two men stole the bike. Miller had owned it for 27 years. DES MOINES (IRN) – The Des Moines Public School district has settled a lawsuit filed by Nancy Sebring, according to WHO-TV. The lawsuit was in regards to the release of emails from the former superintendent’s school account. Sebring sued for invasion of privacy, emotional distress, and interference with a contract. She will receive half of $350,000. Her lawyers will receive the other half. IOWA (IRN) – The Perseid meteor shower will be peaking this week with possibly up to 100 shooting stars per hour streaking across Iowa skies, according to the Iowa Weather Network. The display started in July and continues through August but the peak of the display will be Wednesday and Thursday nights. The Perseids feature fast and bright meteors that frequently leave trains, and there will be no moonlight to upstage the shower.

DAKOTA CITY, IA (IRN) – A small, experimental helicopter crashed in a rural area near Dakota City Sunday night, killing the pilot and injuring a passenger. KCCI-TV reports the gyrocopter suddenly lost altitude and struck a tree before crashing. Dead is pilot Larry Erickson, 58, of Humboldt. Mike Chapman, 65, also of Humboldt was injured. CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – A Coralville man who was previously convicted of transmitting HIV faces 25 years in prison for failing to disclose he has the virus to his sexual partner. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 34-year-old Adam Musser engaged in sexual activity with the victim in June and July. Musser told the woman he was disease-free and did not need to use protection. CLIVE, IA (IRN) – A motorcycle rider was seriously injured in a Sunday night crash in Clive, according to KCCI-TV. A minivan driven by Marshall Henderson of Dallas Center was struck in the rear by a motorcycle driven by 27-year-old Dane Jaquinta, of Granger. Witnesses say the motorcycle was moving at a high rate of speed. Jaquinta was not wearing a helmet and suffered serious head injuries. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Falls man was robbed by two men and two women early Monday morning. KWWL-TV reports the victim said they were hit in the head with a golf club during the robbery. The victim was taken to the hospital with head injuries, and the suspects fled on foot. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Good Samaritan has been killed in Sioux City, according to KCAU-TV. Saturday night, an unidentified 52-year-old Sioux City man and his wife stopped to check on a person slumped over the wheel of a truck stopped on the roadway. The driver of the truck woke up and sped away, running over the victim with a trailer the truck was pulling, killing him. The driver, 29-year-old Dustin Suppi of South Sioux City, has been arrested. MT VERNON, IA (IRN) – A fire destroyed Donmar Lanes, a bowling alley in Mount Vernon Sunday night, according to KWWL-TV. Apartments behind the location were evacuated, but residents have been allowed to return. The roof of the bowling alley is gone. DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines park was vandalized with spray paint over the weekend. KCCI-TV reports park goers found playground equipment at Ashby Park covered with graffiti Sunday morning. Obscenities were spray painted on the plastic slide and the park’s entrance sign. The park remains open. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A investigation released Friday says that a University of Northern Iowa secretary deposited personal and business checks in lieu of cash donations to apparently collect personal and business tax breaks. The Des Moines Register reports the investigation continues but no charges have been filed against Lori Shannon, a secretary who started working at UNI in 1992.  

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A 48-year-old Council Bluffs man is behind bars after being charged with five counts of sexual abuse. The Daily Nonpariel reports the charges against Steven Cain stem from eight years of alleged sexual contact with a woman who is now 18 years old, who recently informed authorities. The acts took place while the mother was home, she was aware of them, and witnessed one nearly five years ago. DALLAS CENTER, IA (IRN) – An investigation is underway after a body was found on the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Dallas County Saturday morning. Raccoon Valley Radio reports the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation and Dallas County Sheriff’s office are investigating a suspicious death. The body was found between Dallas Center and Waukee. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport man has been charged with second degree murder. WQAD-TV reports 28-year-old Justin McGowan has been charged in the death of 28-year-old Gerald Housley on August 2. After a disturbance Housley tried to leave the area and McGowan fired “at least three rounds” from a 9mm handgun.  One bullet hit Housley in the head. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A 29-year-old woman is recovering after being shot Saturday morning in Waterloo. KWWL-TV reports she was in her parked car when it was hit by multiple bullets. Officers located 14 shell casings at the scene. Regina Dollen of Waterloo was by a bullet in her thigh and transported to Covenant Medical Center for surgery. She has non-life threatening injuries. CLEAR LAKE, IA (IRN) – A 24-year-old man is being held in the Cerro Gordo County jail on sexual abuse charges. KIMT-TV reports Daniel Wigant is facing two counts of lascivious acts with a child and two 2nd degree sexual abuse charges. Charges were filed by the Clear Lake Police Department and Wignat was arrested by Charles City Police on Friday.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines Police are looking for three men who assaulted a man with autism because of his developmental disability. KCCI-TV reports the man was beaten and robbed outside his apartment complex. Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said, “They actually targeted the victim based on his vulnerabilities and disabilities. It doesn’t get any lower than that.” CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The U.S. Marshals Office has arrested a Cedar Rapids couple for trafficking stolen weapons, according to KWWL-TV. 18-year-old Sedrick Mac Johnson Jr. and 20-year-old Denaesha Martin were arrested Thursday. Johnson is also a person of interest in some burglary investigations. They face up to ten years in prison. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A motorcycle driver was injured Friday afternoon in a crash that temporarily shut down traffic on the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge. Michael Wells, 60, of Monticello was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque for treatment of head injuries sustained in the wreck. He swerved to avoid a slowing vehicle and lost control. Wells was not wearing a helmet. CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – “Dozens and dozens” of cats were taken from a mobile home Friday in Cedar Rapids and transferred to an animal shelter for treatment after their owner voluntarily surrendered them. The Cedar Rapids Gazette says the shelter will be closed this weekend as workers evaluate the cats. They will be kept separate from other shelter animals for now. DES MOINES (IRN) – Most of Iowa’s state owned beaches don’t have lifeguards on duty, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. KCRG-TV reports one of those beaches is at Lake Macbride State Park, where a 6-year-old girl drowned Thursday. Officials say it’s difficult to find and train lifeguards, and funding isn’t available. Lifeguards also create a false sense of safety so parents simply drop their kids off at a beach.