Category: State News

GRINNELL, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into the death of a man in the custody of Grinnell police. The Des Moines Register reports that 54-year-old Ronald Shook died Monday after being in Grinnell police custody for less than a day. Why Shook was taken into custody near railroad tracks that run through Grinnell is unclear.

BROOKLYN, IA (IRN) – The reward for the safe return of Mollie Tibbetts has increased to $30,000, according to KCCI-TV. The 20-year-old University of Iowa student went missing two weeks ago in Brooklyn, Iowa. Investigators say they’ve followed over 200 leads in the search to find her.

AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State University officials announced Wednesday a big name change for one of its most well-known landmarks. The field at Jack Trice Stadium will be known as MidAmerican Energy Field starting Sept. 1, when the Cyclones take on South Dakota State in the team’s first home game. The Des Moines-based power company will have its name on the field portion for at least 10 years for $1.5 million dollars annually. The stadium, which honors ISU’s first black athlete, will still be known as Jack Trice Stadium.

MARCUS, IA (IRN) – Quick work by lifeguards at the Marcus swimming pool in northwest Iowa may have saved the life of an elderly women on Tuesday. KCAU-TV reports the woman slipped under the water and to the bottom of the pool. Pool staff managed to pull the unconscious women to the surface and onto the pool deck where she was treated and regained consciousness.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Waterloo Police made an unusual arrest this week outside of XO Liquor. KWWL-TV reports officers were called to the liquor store on a report of a man asking people to buy him alcoholic beverages, and asking for hugs. Ruben Davis was arrested for drunkeness and trespassing.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A Bloomfield drug suspect who eluded capture for months will face a jury later this fall. KTVO-TV reports Nathan Burk is scheduled to stand trial in Mahaska County on drug charges from Nov. 14. It was those charges resulting from an August 2017 truck wreck that caused Burk to go on the lam. Law enforcement says that they found Burk’s truck with a quarter pound of marijuana abandoned in a creek. Burk was arrested, posted bond and released. He was finally arrested in Bloomfield last month, where he had been hiding.

LE MARS, IA (IRN) – The defense of a Le Mars man accused of stabbing his sister to death argues he may have been suffering from amnesia. KCAU-TV reports Thomas Bibler’s trial continued yesterday with a doctor who evaluated Bibler taking the stand. She testified that some medications prescribed to him may have caused him to suffer amnesia. Bibler says he does not remember the stabbing.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man was arrested after a trooper spotted him driving on I-235 with three children in the bed of his pickup. KCCI-TV reports after Jamie Cole was stopped, a plastic container of marijuana was found with the children. Cole told the trooper he was high on marijuana. He’s charged with first offense OWI, child endangerment and several drug charges.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A man has been arrested after being caught on video surveillance stealing packages from a residence. KIMT-TV reports the homeowner posted surveillance videos on Facebook, and several people were able to identify the man stealing packages as Nicholas Wilmarth, 29, of Mason City. He’s in jail.

CHICAGO, IL (IRN) – An Iowa man was wearing a plastic bucket on his head when a large metal pin fell from Wrigley Field’s centerfield scoreboard and hit him on the head during a Chicago Cubs game. KGAN-TV reports 20-year-old Kyle McAleer began wearing the bucket as a “rally cap” a few years ago. McAleer said he put the bucket on his head about a half-inning before his injury. He said he feels “lucky to be alive.”

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A September 25 trial has been scheduled for a Dubuque man who set his apartment ablaze so he could get arrested and have a bed and three meals a day while in custody. KCCI-TV reports 33-year-old Matthew Voseberg has pleaded not guilty to arson. He told police he wanted “three hots and a cot” so he set the apartment on fire. Another building resident told authorities that Voseberg warned her he’d set the fire and told her to get out.

GLENWOOD, IA – A Mills County mother learned her fate Monday after being charged in the death of her 8-year-old daughter. KCCI-TV reports Misty Frazier was convicted of child endangerment resulting in death Monday in the overdose death of Kathleen Tafta. Frazier faces up to 50 years in prison.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – The Dubuque Police Department is investigating a report of an attack on a jogger. According to KCRG-TV, a woman was running when a man started running next to her, asking her weird questions, and then gave her flowers. The victim asked the man what he wanted and then he grabbed her. She was able to kick and punch him and run away. The suspect is a white male in his 20’s with wavy, brown hair.

IOWA (IRN) – UnityPoint Health is warning patients that hackers may have their personal information. About 1.4 million patients have been notified of the data breach. Officials are investigating.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Fair doesn’t start for another nine days, but the lines to get in are already forming. WHO-TV reports the annual running of the campers will happen this week at the fairgrounds. Hundreds of camping sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Dozens of RV owners started lining up last week to be first in line for the big rush this Thursday. The 2018 Iowa State Fair begins on August 9th.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Five juveniles were taken into custody and two have been released to adults following an early morning police pursuit in Davenport. KWQC-TV reports police located a stolen car just before 4:30 a.m. When officers approached, the driver drove it into a fence. After hitting the fence, five suspects ran from the car on foot. A 12-year-old female and a 13-year-old male were both released to adults. One 13-year-old and two 14-year-olds have been placed in detention.

BROOKLYN, IA (IRN) – The reward for information into the disappearance of a University of Iowa student has doubled to $2,000, thanks to a pledge from the power utility in the woman’s hometown. KWWL-TV reports the FBI, state and local investigators have been searching for 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts since she was last seen jogging in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, the evening of July 18. Brooklyn-based TIP Rural Electric Cooperative announced Saturday that it will match a $1,000 standing reward for information that leads to the discovery of Tibbetts’ whereabouts or to an arrest and conviction in her disappearance.

OMAHA, NE (IRN) – A 67-year-old Iowa woman was killed in a car crash Sunday morning in Nebraska, according to KETV. The vehicle left the roadway and rolled several times killing the driver, Marsha Kay Moore of Riverton.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are looking for a man who tried to sexually assault a convenience store clerk early Sunday morning. WHO-TV reports the assault happened at a QuikTrip on the south side of town. The man grabbed the clerk as she was stocking shelves, forced her to the ground, and violently attempted to sexually assault her. When the woman fought back, the suspect fled. Since the victim resisted, the man will likely have noticeable facial injuries.

WEST BRANCH, IA (IRN) – Police in West Branch are investigating an incident involving a child and a white van that attempted to lure two girls from their home. KGAN-TV reports a boy described as 8 to 9-years old approached the home, knocked on the door and asked two girls inside for help finding another boy. The girls said no, and the boy attempted to open the door. The girls screamed, and two men approached the door, took the boy, and returned to a white van that they parked outside and left.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A new health center in Mason City is expected to provide much-needed medical and dental care to low-income residents of the community. The Globe Gazette reports that the Community Health Center will charge patients on a sliding fee scale based on income and household size.

POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An accident at an Iowa wind farm has left one person dead. WHO-TV reports a crane operator died at a construction site in Poweshiek County.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Ankeny police are looking for a man who approached and chased a young girl Friday night. The Des Moines Register reports a white male with a mustache and beard was driving a black SUV, with black wheel rims, when he approached the girl. The girl took off running, and the man chased her for a short distance before she escaped.

CEDAR RAPID, IA (IRN) – Crews in Cedar Rapids responded to a fire at Dental Prosthetic Services Saturday. First responders were cautious with the fire because of denatured alcohol located in the building that burns at a high temperature, as well as compressed oxygen that has an explosion risk. There were no injuries.

FERTILE, IA (IRN) – A Forest City man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he was caught stealing fishing poles. KIMT-TV reports a homeowner saw 68-year-old Steven Strand stealing his fishing poles and when he asked why Strand was taking his stuff, Strand punched him in the face. The resident called 911, then says he went back to Strand and got punched again. The resident then forced Strand to the ground and took his car keys. When deputies arrived, Strand refused to obey commands and resisted arrest. He told deputies he was trying to take “his fishing poles back.”