Author: Iowa Radio News

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo man has been arrested for allegedly selling a deceased acquaintance’s car. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports 51-year-old Ruben Davis was arrested for second-degree theft. Davis had the vehicle in his possession when the owner died, and he told relatives he would return the car. The car was later found in the yard behind a home, and the resident told police he bought it from Davis for $1,000.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Part of a National Guard logistical support unit based in Cedar Rapids will soon be heading to Afghanistan, according to KCRG-TV. About 40 members of the 649th Regional Support Group will deploy as part of Operation Enduring Freedom later this month. While overseas, the 649th will be responsible for managing facilities and providing logistical and administrative support to soldiers at forward operating bases.

DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines teen told police he was stabbed by a man with a screwdriver while walking home Tuesday, according to KCCI-TV. 15-year-old Sherrad Scales says that he was walking home with a friend when a teen in a hoodie approached them. The other teen pulled out a screwdriver and stabbed him in the stomach before running off. Scales injuries are not serious, and police are investigating.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Police found two naked men lying in the dirt after a fight Tuesday morning in Des Moines after one apparently tried to steal gas from the other’s truck. The Des Moines Register reports an officer arrived at a home on a report of an assault, but found two naked men. The nude resident’s clothes had somehow come off during a fight with an already-naked Daniel David Mutchler, 35, of Paton, who was allegedly siphoning gas. Mutchler faces numerous charges.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Two people were killed Tuesday after a stolen car was involved in rollover accident in Sioux City. KMEG-TV reports a Nissan Altima driven by a 34-year-old man was speeding when it hit a Dodge Durango that was backing out of a driveway. The two people in the Durango were not injured, but the driver of the Altima and a 28-year-old woman who was a passenger were killed. Witnesses say the Altima was travelling so fast as it went over a hill it went airborne before hitting the Durango.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo police officer is on leave after shooting a wanted drug suspect on Tuesday. WHO-TV reports 24-year-old Brandon Seeley refused to pull over his vehicle when officers tried to stop him. Instead, he turned his vehicle around and drove towards an officer who had exited their squad car. The officer fired and hit Seeley. Seeley was hospitalized with gunshot wounds and remains in custody. The DCI is investigating.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – It’s another 25 years behind bars for the man convicted in the 2010 murders of two gas station clerks in northern Iowa, according to KIMT-TV. 21-year-old Michael Richard Swanson pled guilty Monday in Iowa City to attempted murder for using a weapon to slash the neck of a fellow inmate at the Iowa Medical Classification Center in Coralville. Swanson is already serving two life sentences for the 2010 killings of the convenience store clerks.

CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A 104-year-old woman voted in Cedar Falls Tuesday, according to KWWL-TV. Margaret Cundy has voted in almost every election since 1932, when she was 21 years old. She was born before women were allowed to vote, and says voting is a privilege.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – Employees at an Urbandale business called authorities about 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon after opening a package containing white powder. The Des Moines Register reports one employee of WorldWide Logistics felt a “tingling sensation” after coming in contact with the powder. A hazmat team was called to the scene.

CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – A Hiawatha man is accused of orchestrating the theft of a truck and welding equipment last month. KCRG-TV reports a burglary and theft occurred at Pickwick Manufacturing. A truck and welding equipment valued at approximately $60,000 were stolen from the business. 34-year-old Bret Wolf charges of first-degree theft and conspiracy to commit a felony.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines Water Works CEO Bill Stowe will receive nearly $500,000 if he remains at the central Iowa utility through 2020, a decision that’s garnering some criticism in light of the utility’s plan to raise customer rates 10 percent. The Des Moines Register reports the utility’s board says Stowe deserves the bonus in part for his leadership during a controversial lawsuit against three northern Iowa counties for high nitrate levels entering the watershed.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City woman is accused of rear-ending her ex after he broke up with her. According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the victim broke up with 28-year-old Shawna Olsen-Zipse on Monday. Police said Olsen-Zipse responded by biting her ex on his arm. The victim left the residence in his pickup truck. Olsen-Zipse then followed him in her vehicle, and when he stopped she accelerated and intentionally rear-ended his truck.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City man faces burglary and assault charges after assaulting two people at a home Sunday. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports police responded to a fight in progress, and found 33-year-old Ricardo Prosper outside of the home. Prosper had been inside and had punched a woman in the face. She threw him out of the residence and locked the door. Prosper then kicked open the door and assaulted a man inside.

CORNING, IA (IRN) – The Iowa National Guard is permanently closing the armory in Corning and will move the unit to Camp Dodge. Approximately 80 Soldiers will be affected by the closure. The Iowa National Guard has a long history in Corning dating back to 1892. Soldiers from the Corning armory have fought in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and in Afghanistan.

MONTICELLO, IA (IRN) – Over half of the students in the Monticello school district didn’t show up for school Monday, and it will be an excused absence. KWWL-TV reports police received a text shortly before school started that someone was bringing a weapon to school. Parents were notified of the potential threat, but school wasn’t called off. Police presence was increased, and will be increased today.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A teenager is facing multiple charges after leading police on a high-speed chase with a 12-year-old passenger in the car in Fort Dodge. KCCI-TV reports a routine traffic stop resulted in a high-speed chase on Monday. The 17-year-old driver crashed into the foundation of a home being built 1 mile into the pursuit. The driver left the vehicle after the crash and took off, leaving the car dangling over the foundation while an 18-year-old and 12-year-old passenger sat in the car.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines police are investigating the death of a woman they say was hit by a vehicle Saturday night. WHO-TV reports the body of 22-year-old Haley Hols, of Des Moines, was found just before midnight on Halloween. Investigators say she was found outside of a vehicle she had been a passenger in. It appears Hols was struck by the vehicle and died from the injuries she received.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A north Iowa woman has been arrested for allegedly passing counterfeit money. KIMT-TV reports 38-year-old Tiffany April Glaser of Mason City is charged with three counts of forgery.  She’s accused of using phony $20 bills to purchase items at two Casey’s General Stores in Mason City.  Glaser is accused of using the fake bills to buy candy, lottery tickets and a beverage.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – An April trial has been scheduled for an 18-year-old in the drug death of a Sioux City high school student. KCAU-TV reports Rose Mouw has pled not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance. Mouw is accused of selling synthetic marijuana to a high school student. He died in April after smoking the drug.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo man accused of robbing a Cadillac from an acquaintance was arrested Thursday after a bicycle chase with police. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Gazette reports police arrested 29-year-old Johnnie Carter for first-degree robbery, interference, possession of a prescription drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. The acquaintance says he was asleep on a couch when he woke to Carter standing over him with a bat and demanding his wallet and keys.

DES  MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines police used a K-9 dog to nab a suspect after a long and dangerous chase overnight. KCCI-TV reports it started before 3:00 am south of downtown. For nearly half an hour, the suspect weaved in and out of lanes, ran stop signs and tried to avoid police stop sticks. The chase ended when the suspect ditched the vehicle and tried to run. Police released the K-9 and the dog caught the man across the river from Principal Park. He is being treated for a dog bite.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A 3-year-old boy may have fallen from a second-floor window in Council Bluffs, but managed to avoid major injury. KWWL-TV reports the boy was taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for treatment after the fall. Initial tests and X-rays didn’t reveal any major injuries.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – Over 30 people are facing charges after north Iowa law enforcement broke up an underage party Saturday night in Mason City. KIMT-TV reports 20-year-old Gabriel Earl Craighton is charged with hosting an underage party.  Others were arrested on drug charges and assault on a police officer. 29 juveniles were charged with consuming alcohol under the legal age.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Police are reviewing video footage of an assault at a Burger King in Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports an angry customer threw chicken nuggets and fries at the store manager and struck her in the head. The customer also swore at the manager, complaining that the food was cold, and that they wanted their money back. The manager was not injured.

PERU, IA (IRN) – A man was found dead Saturday morning after his jeep flipped near Peru, in rural Madison County. WOI-TV reports when deputies arrived, they found a Jeep Wrangler on its top. Its driver, 60-year-old Paul Shafer of Des Moines was pronounced dead at the scene.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Waterloo Firefighters were called to a house fire at 516 Iowa Street on Saturday, according to KWWL-TV. The Waterloo Battalion Chief says a 911 caller initially said the fire was at 516 Iowa Street in Cedar Falls. Fortunately, firefighters from both Waterloo and Cedar Falls responded to the respective 516 Iowa Street addresses in their towns. The Waterloo home was extensively damaged, but no one was injured.

MONROE COUNTY, IA – A routine Monroe County traffic stop turned into a high speed chase and a school lockdown Friday, according to KTVO-TV. Monroe County Sheriff Daniel Johnson attempted to pull over Kyle Edward Popson near Albia. Popson was known to have a suspended driver’s license. A pursuit ensued into Albia and a school lockdown was put into place. Popson abandoned his vehicle near the High School, and was apprehended after a short foot chase.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – West Des Moines police say they received calls that drivers were pulled over on Interstate 80 picking up loose money on Saturday.  KCCI-TV reports police responded to an exit near Jordan Creek Parkway, and found a few drivers picking up money. The officers say they didn’t see a large amount of cash whirling around, only a few dollar bills.

IOWA FALLS, IA (IRN) – A mother and her three young children were saved in the nick of time by a phone call. KCCI-TV reports Jennifer Smith called a free health care helpline around 3 a.m. Thursday after she and her three children became ill. Smith told Tammie Zeiser, a nurse who works at the hotline, their symptoms. Zeisner called back later to check on the family, received no answer, so sent paramedics. The family had passed out because of carbon monoxide poisoning. They are now doing fine.

BLOOMFIELD, IA (IRN) – A man was killed Friday morning after he was struck by a semi while driving his horse and buggy. The Iowa State Patrol reports 77-year-old Norman Jessie Yutzy was driving a horse and buggy in Davis County when a semi attempted to pass the buggy in the left lane. The horse reportedly turned left while the semi was passing, causing the collision. Yutzy was pronounced dead at the scene.

CLERMONT, IA (IRN) – A Jesup man was injured while deer hunting on Friday after falling from a tree stand. The DNR reports 67-year-old Timothy Lindquist fell approximately 20-feet from a homemade tree stand while bow hunting Friday morning outside of Clermont in Fayette County. Lindquist was not wearing a safety harness. He was discovered by two other men he was hunting with.

FAIRFIELD, IA (IRN) – Schools in Fairfield are battling a variety of illnesses. KTVO-TV reports students and staff at Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment tested positive for pertussis, better known as whooping cough. At the same time, administrators at Washington Elementary are facing an outbreak of a flu-like illness. 90 students have been sent home from school.

NEVADA, IA (IRN) – Dignitaries from all over the world gathered Friday to formally open the new DuPont Cellulosic Ethanol Facility in Nevada. WHO-TV reports the new plant will take corn stover, the stalks left in the field after the harvest, and turn that into ethanol. The $225 million refinery is the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol plant. The plant will have 85 full-time jobs, and employ 150 seasonal employees for stover collection.