Category: State News

JEFFERSON COUNTY – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accidental shooting that injured a young girl Sunday. KCCI-TV reports deputies responded to the incident with an unintentional discharged of a weapon. The girl was airlifted to a hospital.

CLINTON COUNTY – Officials have released the names of the people who died in a UTV crash in Clinton County over the weekend. WHO-13 reports 61-year-old Lon Leroy Bennett and four-year-old Harold L. Bennet were killed when the UTV they were driving was traveling along a trail in the area. For an unknown reason, the UTV went off the trail, crashed into a watercourse, and flipped onto its top.

IOWA CITY – The Iowa City Community School District continued its search for an interim superintendent on Tuesday. KCRG-TV reports Superintendent Matt Degner announced his resignation following concerns about finances in the district. Degner cited family health concerns for leaving. The district used a $10 million loan to cover payroll last fall.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – A Missouri Valley man has died in a crash along Interstate 29 after his stationary vehicle was struck from behind. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Chevy Ram was stopped in the traveling portion of the interstate on Monday afternoon for an unknown reason. The truck was struck from behind by a semi. Sixty-year-old Donald Marks was pronounced dead at the scene, and the semi driver suffered minor injuries.

JOHNSTON – The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum held Memorial Day traditions to honor fallen soldiers. KCCI-TV reports the annual event includes a free military breakfast, the laying of a wreath, and the firing of a howitzer. This year’s ceremony highlighted the loss of Iowa service members overseas in the past year, including Staff Sgts. Nate Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar, as well as Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and Sergeant Declan Coady.

PARKERSBURG – Monday marked 18 years since an EF-5 tornado destroyed large portions of Parkersburg. WHO-13 reports on May 25th, 2008, the devastating storm also caused extensive damage in nearby New Hartford. The tornado packed winds of just over 200 MPH and was on the ground for 43 miles. It killed nine people and injured at least 75.

CALAMUS – Two people died when a UTV left a trail and entered water in Clinton County on Sunday. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash occurred in the afternoon, with the vehicle landing on its top. Both the driver and the passenger died, according to the report. They have not been identified.

DES MOINES – Des Moines Police have made an arrest following a deadly hit-and-run incident. WHO-13 reports 28-year-old Ludvin Zuniga Sarceno is accused of driving a vehicle and hitting a woman early Sunday morning. An investigation and search soon followed after police responded to a call of an injured person in a roadway.

IOWA – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to noon today in honor of Memorial Day and directed that the National League of Families POW/MIA flag also be flown on the Capitol grounds for the entire day. Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays on the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be at half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.

SIOUX CITY – A northwest Iowa man arrested for a high-speed chase and shooting at police received more than 100 years in prison. KTIV reports 39-year-old Danie Wenzel was guilty of assault on a peace officer using a dangerous weapon, possession with intent to deliver, and two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon for an August 2025 incident. Wenzel also pled guilty to a pair of other charges related to a domestic incident. He must serve 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

MARSHALLTOWN – A Marshall County jury found a man guilty of 2nd degree murder in relation to a 2024 shooting. WHO-13 reports 31-year-old Ilias Julian Lasley received the verdict this week. He’s accused of shooting 28-year-old Mario Murillo and 33-year-old Frances Tillie Gasca following an argument. Lasley was found guilty on one count of murder and two counts of control of a firearm by a felon — and found not guilty on the other first degree murder charge.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee voted on Friday to dismiss a complaint against State Senator Zach Wahls for his employment of the Next 50 Network while serving in the legislature. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the complaint was filed because the project allegedly violated ethic rules in the senate. Wahls was cleared of any wrongdoing.

GREENFIELD – It’s been two years since a deadly tornado ripped through a southwest Iowa community. WHO-13 reports the community of Greenfield has been recovering, but signs of the May 21st, 2024 EF-5 tornado remain tow years later. The storm with winds briefly topping 300 miles per hour killed five people and injured 35 others. City officials said recovery efforts are approximately 85% complete.

DES MOINES – Iowa’s unemployment rate remained steady in April, according to the latest from Iowa Workforce Development. KCCI-TV reports the percentage remains at 3.3% in Iowa and 4.3% nationally. The number of those not working and seeking employment dropped a bit, and 55,000 open positions are currently listed.

MARION – A Springville woman was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Thursday. KCRG-TV reports 67-year-old Debra Vaughn pled guilty in December to bank fraud for stealing $500,000 from a small business owned by a veteran in Marion. She stole the money from her employer’s bank account through embezzlement, according to court records. She must pay $158,000 in restitution, as the remaining balance was taken from a civil case.