Category: State News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – One person died in a crash on Highway 5 south of Des Moines early this morning. According to the Iowa State Patrol a pickup truck was eastbound and crossed over the median into the westbound lane and hit a Sweet Honey tanker truck. The pickup truck was split in half on impact.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – One person died in a Mason City house fire Friday, according to KWWL-TV. The victim’s name hasn’t been released. The fire started at a multi-plug surge protector.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport man punched a police officer and pointed a gun at him during a traffic stop Friday. WQAD-TV reports 24-year-old Alexander Noel tried to run after punching and threatening the officer with the gun, but was apprehended. The handgun was stolen and had an obliterated serial number. When apprehended, Noel tried to use false identification. He’s in jail on multiple charges.

BUCHANAN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Two were injured in a crash in rural Buchanan County Saturday, according to KCRG-TV. 39-year-old Todd McCloud of Oelwein, was driving a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue and ran a stop sign, hit a ditch, catapulted into a field and rolled several times before coming to rest. McCloud and his passenger, a juvenile, were hospitalized.

IOWA (IRN) – The Hawkeyes and Cyclones have both made it to bowl games this season, and their locations and opponents have been announced. The Iowa Hawkeyes will be going to the Pinstripe Bowl to play Boston College December 27th at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The Iowa State Cyclones will be going to the Liberty Bowl to play #20 Memphis on December 30.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – November was National Adoption Month, and adoption professionals, court employees, and families came together Saturday in Des Moines to celebrate and finalize adoptions on the 17th annual Adoption Saturday. KCCI-TV reports more than 50 children were adopted. For one family who added two sons, 60 people came to the courthouse to celebrate.

FLOYD COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The body of a missing man has been found near Charles City. WHO-TV reports 28-year-old Michael Johns had been murdered, but the cause of death wasn’t released.

CLIVE, IA (IRN) – Clive police are investigating a crash that sent two people to the hospital and ripped one car in half Saturday. KCCI-TV reports two cars were involved in the crash: One appeared to roll over on its top, while the other split in two. One half wrapped around a light pole while the other half appeared to have flown into the Greenbelt walking trail area.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Two were injured in a shooting Saturday night in Cedar Rapids, according to KCRG-TV. A woman was shot in the face and a man has traumatic injuries. Both were taken to a local hospital. Police believe the two knew each other. They have not named a suspect or taken anyone into custody.

IOWA (IRN) – Winter weather is coming to Iowa, according to the National Weather Service. After a warm fall, a system will move into the Upper Midwest Monday bringing rain and a few thunderstorms. Monday will be warm with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. As this system moves to the east, colder air will dive into Iowa. Any leftover precipitation will likely fall as light snow but little to no accumulation is expected. Temperatures by Wednesday will plummet into the 20s and 30s, which is normal for this time of year but almost 30 degrees colder than the past few weeks.

CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – A suspect wanted for a homicide in Chicago was arrested in Johnson County on the interstate on Friday. KGAN-TV reports 31-year-old Justin Smith was wanted for a homicide that happened in November 2016. U.S. Marshals received a tip that Smith was staying at a home in Cedar Rapids and watched him leave the residence while staking him out. They apprehended him without incident.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are investigating the death of a 4-year-old child that was “accidental in nature.” WHO-TV reports the death involved a dog collar.

CARROLL, IA (IRN) – Police are investigating the “suspicious death” of a 4-year-old boy in Carroll. According to witnesses, the boy went to bed and when caregivers went to wake him he was dead. The cause of death is unknown.

FLOYD COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Two people died in a crash between a train and an SUV yesterday in Floyd County near Nora Springs. The Iowa State Patrol says the train struck the front passenger side of an SUV and it rolled. Two people died at the scene, and first responders airlifted a third person to the hospital. There is not a crossing arm at that crossing.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City student is wasting no time pursuing his dream. 18-year-old Daniel Wilbur has started his own diesel repair shop. He’s currently taking classes at North Iowa Area Community College through their entrepreneurial youth program. Wilbur works on semi-trucks and tractors at his shop. He plans to keep expanding and growing his business.

POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A black bear frequently spotted in Poweshiek County was struck and killed along I-80 Thursday night. KGAN-TV reports the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a van that hit a bear on I-80. The van was found in a ditch and the bear dead at the scene. The driver of the van was not hurt.

AMES, IA (IRN) – Campus police have arrested an Iowa State lecturer who they say smelled of alcohol in his classroom. The Des Moines Register reports that 56-year-old Gordon Knight was taken into custody Thursday by officers sent to check on his concerning behavior. The philosophy and religious studies lecturer is charged with public intoxication, second offense.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – An altercation near Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines ended with a woman suffering a stab wound and a suspect on the run. WHO-TV reports the stabbing happened outside the mall and the victim walked into the mall seeking help. The suspect fled the scene.

FLOYD COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A transit bus and a jeep collided yesterday near Rudd in Floyd County when the bus failed to yield the right of way. The number and extent of injuries has not been reported.

CLEAR LAKE, IA (IRN) – A Clear Lake middle school student allegedly brought brownies with marijuana in them into the school. KIMT-TV reports the investigation is ongoing.

IRVING, TX (IRN) – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell was named the 2017 Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year. Campbell’s 2017 Cyclones, picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll, wrapped up the regular season with a 7-5 record. Iowa State, bowl-eligible for the first time since 2012, rose into the AP Top-25 for the first time since 2005.

WRIGHT COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A hunter was shot by a dog in Wright County yesterday. The DNR reports 36-year-old William Rancourt of Lebanon, New Hampshire was pheasant hunting on the Boone River Greenbelt Conservation Public Hunting Area with three other hunters when he was hit in the back by birdshot pellets from another hunter’s 12-gauge shotgun. The shotgun was lying on the ground when a hunting dog stepped on the trigger guard, causing it to discharge. Rancourt suffered non-life threatening injuries. No charges were filed against the dog.

CLINTON, IA (IRN) – A Clinton man is dead after his home caught fire Monday evening, according to WQAD-TV. Firefighters were unable to enter the home immediately, having to get the flames under control first. Once firefighters knocked the flames down enough they were able to enter the home, they found a body, later identified as 50-year-old Donald D. Loechel. An investigation is underway.

INDEPENDENCE, IA (IRN) – A 32-year-old woman accused of killing her ex-husband has pled not guilty, according to KGAN-TV. Prosecutors say Hillary Hunziker stabbed Jason Hunziker to death at his home northwest of Independence. Police say a child called 911 early on Nov. 6 and said, “My mom just stabbed my dad.” Deputies found Jason Hunziker dead in the home.

HARLAN, IA (IRN) – A body has been found in the burned-out wreckage of a vehicle in western Iowa. The Daily Nonpareil reports that first responders were called to a report of an explosion in Harlan. They found a vehicle next to a shed in a backyard, and both were engulfed in flames. The body was found inside the vehicle once the flames were extinguished. Investigators say the vehicle had left the roadway and hit several trees before coming to rest by the shed.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – It’s probably not the Grinch, but someone is stealing important parts of Christmas decorations in Cedar Rapids, according to KCRG-TV. Several homeowners have reported that the thieves have been stealing light projectors that range in price from $20 to $100. One homeowner says “it’s like the thieves are stealing Christmas.”

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – A new after school program at Urbandale High School is taking class lessons and using them in the community. WHO-TV reports “Hope in Action” started this fall when Senior Maya Sims wanted to make a difference in her community, and the group has been working with the Iowa Youth Homeless Center. Sophomore Cassidy Killam said since the group started, she has a different perspective on life, “it really just makes me more understanding of people, and what they are going through.”