Category: State News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa agreed Monday to pay $4.1 million to settle claims from two women who say they were repeatedly sexually harassed by a former state director. The two accused former Finance Authority Director Dave Jamison of lewd and offensive behavior.

CORRECTIONVILLE, IA (IRN) – Fire departments in and around the northwest Iowa town of Correctionville battled flames in extremely cold weather at a body shop overnight. Flames were visible when first responders arrived. At least seven different fire departments helped fight the blaze.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City Democrat is proposing that the state legalize and regulate marijuana the same way it does beer or liquor. Sen. Joe Bolkcom says “It’s time for Iowa to end marijuana prohibition.” Bolkcom admits that the measure has “about zero” chance of passing the Republican-controlled Legislature.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers are considering a new bill that could increase penalties for hurting or killing animals in the state, especially eagles. The current penalty for harming an eagle is $50. If passed, it would raise that penalty to $2,500. The bill also increases the fine for hurting or killing elk, antelope, buffalo, or moose to $2,500.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa and Iowa State men’s basketball teams moved up in both major polls released Monday. The Cyclones moved up four spots to 16th in the USA TODAY Coaches’ Poll and up three slots to No. 17 in the Associated Press rankings after home wins over West Virginia and Texas. Iowa took advantage of its thumping of then-No. 5 Michigan 74-59 on Friday. The result was a move up to No. 20 in both polls.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A trial date has been set for a man accused of killing an Iowa high school student almost 40 years ago. KWWL-TV reports the trial for 65-year-old Jerry Burns, of Manchester, has been set for Oct. 14 in Linn County. Burns has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Police arrested him Dec. 19, 39 years to the day after 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was killed. Her body was found the next day inside her family’s car at a Cedar Rapids mall.

HENRY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Three people were killed and five others injured after a tractor-trailer overturned in rural Henry County Sunday, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The driver of the semi lost control, and it tipped onto its side. The semi was then struck by a van, and then another vehicle.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A man was shot at a barbershop in Davenport and then walked to a hospital for treatment on Saturday, according to KCRG-TV. He’ll survive, and police are investigating.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A 16-year-old is in custody after a short chase on Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids Sunday. KCRG-TV reports the teen stole a rental car.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – More than a dozen military veterans in Des Moines could soon be homeless after they were given a 30-day notice to leave. KCCI-TV reports a group living at 180 Degrees, a transitional housing facility for veterans, has been scrambling to find somewhere else to live. Kurt Gabrielson, a Navy veteran who lives in the home says, “It’s miserable. It’s overwhelming.” He said he has post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse and anxiety issues. The VA isn’t answering questions.

POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa judge on Friday set a September trial date for the man accused of killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts. Cristhian Bahena Rivera’s trial is set to begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 3 at Poweshiek County courthouse.

FLOYD COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City man was arrested after a 100 mile per hour chase in Floyd County. KIMT-TV reports deputies tried to stop the vehicle for speeding on Friday, but the driver refused to stop until the vehicle went into a ditch. Wayne Watson, 55, is accused of felony eluding, OWI-2nd offense, driving while license revoked, excessive speed, open container, and driving on the wrong side of a divided highway. Other charges are pending. No one was hurt.

WHAT CHEER, IA (IRN) – A Keokuk County man is facing charges after authorities say he fraudulently received 26 weeks worth of unemployment benefits. KCRG-TV reports John Clubb, 39, of What Cheer collected over $12,000 in benefits from June 2016 to April 2017. Clubb was employed at the time.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – Maytag Dairy Farms, a Newton-based manufacturer of blue cheese and other cheeses, has been sold to a West Des Moines private-equity firm, according to the Des Moines Register. The purchase was made by Midwest Growth Partners, but the amount wasn’t immediately disclosed. All 80 full- and part-time employees will stay on the job. The dairy will use the firm’s investments to expand its production facilities and look into new products.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A woman who suffered serious burns in a house fire that was set by her grandson has died, according to KCCI-TV. Fire crews were sent to a home Jan. 9 in the Drake University area on reports of a fire. Investigators said Ferid Hodzic was unhappy with a purchase he made online, so he poured gasoline on it and lit it on fire on his grandmother’s porch. The blaze destroyed the house and sent his grandmother, Naima Hodzic, 84, to the burn treatment center. She has now died.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City man is being charged with assault with intent to commit sexual abuse for an alleged incident that occurred in a Mason City locker room in Sept. of 2016. KIMT-TV reports Zachary Stephenson, 20, assaulted the female victim in an unoccupied locker room by pushing her down to the floor.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Just days after getting $4.8 million to remodel, Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines has learned an anchor restaurant is closing. WHO-TV reports Old Chicago will close for business after 12 years of serving customers. It will leave a 12,000 square foot retail hole.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Luka Garza scored 19 points, Joe Wieskamp added 16 and Iowa stunned fifth-ranked Michigan 74-59 on Friday night, handing the Wolverines their second loss of the season. The Hawkeyes snapped a two-game losing streak with their biggest win of the season.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Police have arrested three people in an ongoing kidnapping and assault investigation in Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports the three men and a woman, along with another man, lured a 21-year-old man to a home early this month. The victim was pulled from a vehicle, violently assaulted and forced into a garage. The assault continued for nearly two hours, and photos of the attack were circulated on social media.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man accused of at least seven robberies in the past two days in Des Moines is behind bars after a day of being pursued by police around the metro. WHO-TV reports after receiving sequential reports of robberies Thursday, police caught up with Justin Ware. He fled in his vehicle until he crashed into another vehicle, where he tried to flee on foot. Officers caught him.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Republicans and Democrats are working together in an effort to reform medical marijuana legislation in the state. Currently, the maximum level of THC allowed is 3 percent. However, a bill that’s been proposed would raise that number to 13 percent. The change is being made at the request of the medical community.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City welcomed a group of teachers visiting from Brazil — just in time for a rare Polar Vortex. The Des Moines Register reports twenty teachers landed in Iowa on January 20 to compare notes with local educators on how to teach English language learners. Fortunately, the educators were able to buy additional winter clothing when they made their first U.S. stop in Chicago. They say the trip was well worth it, despite the cold.