Category: State News

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa – A 14-year-old Dyersville girl has died from her injuries suffered when the personal watercraft she was riding on as a passenger was involved in a collision on Clear Lake, on July 4. Around 5:30 p.m., two personal watercraft collided near the boat ramp at MacIntosh Woods State Park, on a part of the lake known locally as Little Lake. Passengers on a nearby pontoon immediately rendered aid. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) water patrol and conservation officers, Ventura and Clear Lake fire departments, Iowa State Patrol, Clear Lake Police Department and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office were quickly on scene. Five individuals were on the two personal watercrafts and all five were transported to Mercy-One Medical Center in Mason City.

JOHNSON COUNTY – A person was killed after being struck by vehicles while standing on Interstate 80. KGAN reports 28-year-old Yanelli J. Camarena was standing on the highway was struck by a semi and another vehicle early Sunday morning. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating as to why the individual was in the highway.

WEST DES MOINES – Police are investigating the death of a person under the age of 18 at a West Des Moines party on Saturday. KCCI-TV reports officers responded to a report of a shooting, finding a large gathering and a juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound. Witnesses say an argument broke out an escalated until a gun was fired.

WASHINGTON D.C. – An extreme heat wave in the eastern United States has cancelled an opportunity to perform for an Iowa-based Marching Band. America’s 250th celebration parade was supposed to feature the Pella High School Marching Dutch, but has now been cancelled. Heat index values up to 115 degrees are in the forecast in the eastern United States.

NEWTON – Another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms prompted additional Flash Flood Warnings in central Iowa overnight Friday. Multiple communities in central Iowa reported over 10 inches of rain in the last few days due to the storms, according to National Weather Service radar estimates.

IOWA – Those with holiday travel plans are reminded that extra officers are on roadways patrolling for the 4th of July holiday. The Iowa State Patrol and Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau are partnering with local police agencies and county sheriff’s departments for the extra enforcement period, focusing on speeding, drinking while intoxicated, and while distracted.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Attorney General’s Office issued a statement on Thursday that three Polk County sheriff’s deputies were legally justified in a fatal shooting incident. KCCI-TV reports 44-year-old Austin Mark was killed during an armed confrontation with officers on June 1st. An investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation showed the deputies were lawfully acting when they after Mark opened fire on police during a felony arrest warrant attempt.

NEVADA – The City of Nevada has offered assistance to rebuild a drive-in restaurant destroy in a fire earlier this week. WHO-13 reports the Nevada Fire Department responded to a blaze at Starbuck’s Drive-In, which caused approximately $175,000 in damage. On Thursday, the City of Nevada and its mayor announced they would assist with the rebuilding.

WOODBURY COUNTY – A brief tornado touchdown in Woodbury County damaged a cemetery on Wednesday. KTIV reports the storm touched down near Smithland and the City of Oto’s cemetery, knocking over tombstones. It comes during an active late part of the week, with several storms prompting severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings, according to the National Weather Service.

WEBSTER CITY – A wrong way driver caused a fatal crash near Webster City on Wednesday. KCCI-TV reports the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office were notified of a truck heading east in the westbound lanes of Highway 20. Before they could stop the vehicle, it collied head-on with another, with the drivers of both killed in the crash.

ATLANTIC – The former Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Director has changed her plea to guilty in a felony theft case. WHO-13 reports 33-year-old Bailey Smith was charged with ongoing criminal conduct, fraudulent practice, first degree theft, and unauthorized use of a credit card for making more than 700 personal transactions from 2020 to 2025, totaling nearly $27,000. She pled guilty to two of the four original charges and faces up to 10 years in prison.

WEST DES MOINES – Residential customers of Central Iowa Water Works can resume watering lawns again, as a ban is reduced for those individuals. The water authority overseeing most of the Des Moines metro area announced a reduction in those restrictions on Wednesday after an increase in banning measures was re-introduced on June 8th due to high nitrates.

IOWA CITY – Planned Parenthood will close its clinic in Iowa City at the end of this month. KWWL-TV reports the organization supporting reproductive health will be down to one location in Des Moines. The regional hub of the organization is citing political and financial pressure as to why the Iowa City Health Center will close on July 31st.

NEVADA – A fire destroyed a drive-in restaurant in Nevada this week. KCCI-TV reports Starbuck’s Drive-In suffered thousands of dollars in interior damage. The restaurant located on old Highway 30 was damaged due to electrical overload, according to first responders. The restaurant was closed due to excessive heat in the area.

DES MIONES – An award-winning chef was sentenced to prison for sexual abuse. WHO-13 reports 55-year-old Enosh Kelley was arrested and charged with sexual abuse and invasion of privacy last November. He was accused of abusing a woman in 2023 while she was sleeping and incapacitated from pain medication. Kelley was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest in 2009. He pled guilty to the charges in April and faces a maximum of ten years in prison.