Tuesday, February 6, 2018

STORM LAKE, (IA) – A 16-year-old boy was charged Friday after he made a list of people he wanted to fatally stab at his high school in Storm Lake, according to the Des Moines Register. The suspect, who was not identified because of his age, planned to bring a knife to Storm Lake High School to fatally stab people on the list, which included the names of fellow students, faculty, school administrators and family members. The teenager was charged with threats of terrorism.

AMES, IA (IRN) – A massive, deadly pileup involving dozens of cars and semis on a snow-covered freeway yesterday in Ames killed one person and sent at least ten others to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports seven people died on Iowa roads Monday. Troopers responded to 185 accidents across the state.

MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – Rescue crews in Muscatine pulled a person from the Mississippi River yesterday, after cutting through ice to reach them. KWWL-TV reports the person is in critical condition, and three first responders were taken to the hospital for exposure to the elements. They’ll be OK. There’s no word on why the person was on the ice.

CLINTON, IA (IRN) – The entire city of Clinton was put under a boil advisory yesterday, according to KWQC-TV. A 16-inch water main break was caused by cold temperatures. The hospital immediately secured 200 cases of water, and students were told to bring bottles of water to school.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Brad Dwyer of Des Moines has a new offering on the cutting edge of cell phone applications. WHO-TV reports the 29-year-old is the founder and CEO of Hatchlings Inc. Dwyer has developed a new app that features augmented reality. Called “Nose Zone,” the app lets users play games hands-free and requires only facial movement to play. The app is only available on the iPhone X with its facial recognition technology.

Monday, February 5, 2018

AMES, IA (IRN) – A crash involving dozens of vehicles has forced the closure of I-35 southbound in Ames. Approximately 50 vehicles were involved in the crash, which has closed the southbound lanes of I-35 near Lincoln Way. Officials at the scene report a mix of injuries from serious to walking wounded. People caught in the crash are being picked up by officials.

GEORGE, IA (IRN) – One person died in a house fire in the small northwest Iowa city of George. Crews from six communities helped fight the fire, which was complicated by cold temperatures that caused water from the trucks to repeatedly freeze. The name of the deceased has not been released.

CENTER POINT, IA (IRN) – Two firefighters received minor injuries from a house fire Sunday in the Linn County town of Center Point. KGAN-TV reports the home suffered major damages but everyone inside escaped without injury.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The 2018 Iowa County Caucuses are tonight. While there is no presidential election this year, Iowans will decide who will be governor and many legislative positions in November. Tonight, attendees will discuss the candidates, policies, and determine their representatives for their county committees.

LAMONI, IA (IRN) – Layoffs are underway at Graceland University in Lamoni. The private liberal arts university is one of the largest employers in Decatur County on the Iowa-Missouri border. The university will cut 15 full-time employees and 4 part-time workers. Decatur County is the poorest county in Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Legislature is considering making first offense possession of marijuana that’s 5 grams or less a simple misdemeanor. KCCI-TV reports supporters say it would lessen penalties, save the state money, and reduce racial injustice. Half of the 3,400 cases brought in 2016 involved 5 grams or less. In the same period, 18% of people convicted were African Americans.

IOWA FALLS, IA (IRN) – An Iowa Falls man who is a former Philadelphia Eagles player got a special message from the team Sunday. KCRG-TV reports Russell Verhousky signed with the team as a free agent halfback in 1953, and is now battling a terminal illness. He received a signed jersey with the message that read in part, “You have a loving team in your corner. Sincerely, your friends at the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Sunday, February 4, 2018

NEVADA, IA (IRN) – A Nevada man was hit by a train after he allegedly killed his 2-month-old daughter. KCCI-TV reports 29-year-old Calvin White was charged Friday with first-degree murder and child endangerment after the baby’s mother came home to find the infant not breathing and alone with another child. Officers were called to the apartment, and shortly after to the scene of a pedestrian/train accident. White wasn’t seriously injured. He’s in jail.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man will spend two years in prison for killing a puppy by snapping its neck. KCRG-TV reports Christopher Vogel killed his neighbors’ 12-week-old Corgi named “Baby.” The neighbors had refused to give Vogel their Wifi password.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A former dentist who had operated clinics in West Des Moines and Des Moines has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for drug and gun convictions. Prosecutors say 39-year-old Shawn Michael Kerby would prescribe the opiate painkiller to patients who didn’t need the drug. He then would have the patients return the pills to him once they were filled at a local pharmacy. The gun charge stemmed from a search of his home and dental offices that turned up several handguns and shotguns.

AUDUBON, IA (IRN) – Super Bowl Sunday will feature an Iowa landmark in a commercial airing during the game. WHO-TV reports Audubon’s Albert the Bull will be featured in a Cenex Commercial, which is expected to air during the third quarter. The add premiered last week in Audubon, and officials hope it will draw tourists to the community.

Saturday, February 3, 2018

NEVADA, IA (IRN) – Police in Nevada arrested the father of a two-month old baby two days after the baby’s death. KCRG-TV reports 29-year-old Calvin White faces charges of first degree murder and child endangerment causing death. Officers responded to a call for an infant not breathing on Monday. A short time after they arrived, the baby died. No cause of death has been reported.

POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A teenager was killed in a two-vehicle collision in Poweshiek County yesterday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 16-year-old Connor McCrary of Montour drifted off the roadway, overcorrected, and slammed into another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized with unknown injuries.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – $50 a tip. That’s how much students at Lincoln High School will get paid under a new program that allows them to report crimes anonymously. WHO-TV reports the program uses smartphone technology and allows students to get paid for tipping off school officials to crimes on campus. The partnership with Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa was the idea of the students. The program is called “Quick 50.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines parking enforcement officer was injured when a driver ran over her foot to avoid having her car towed. KCCI-TV reports the meter checker was having 22-year-old Shyla Chilous’ vehicle towed because of outstanding tickets. While waiting for the tow truck to arrive, Chilous showed up and tried to take her car, and ran over the checker’s foot. The checker screamed for Chilous to get off her foot. She did, and then ran on foot. Police chased her, used force to stop her, handcuffed and arrested her, and hauled her to jail. The meter checker will be OK, and authorities say people should just pay the ticket.