State News

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Wednesday, January 4, 2017

COLFAX, IA (IRN) – Multiple fire departments were called to a house fire in Colfax this morning. KCCI-TV reports fire crews had to fight the fire and severe cold, with temperatures in the single digits. No injuries were reported. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Massachusetts-based company says it hopes to build a manufacturing and distribution center in Davenport that eventually will employ 500 people. KWQC-TV reports the plastic-container company Sterilite wants to build a $73 million facility on 160 acres of land. It would be the largest building in Davenport. MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – A Muscatine man was sentenced Tuesday in a deadly hit and run that killed a couple on their motorcycle near Illinois City in 2015. WQAD-TV reports Robert Darrow was driving drunk, crossed the centerline, hit the couple, then fled the scene. He asked the judge for mercy before he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. BOONE, IA (IRN) – Authorities have identified the 63-year-old Ames man who died after falling at Ledges State Park in Boone Sunday. The DNR says Danny Carlile fell approximately 60 feet from an overlook. He left the trail to take photos at Solstice Rock and lost his footing, falling to the riverbank below. Carlile was one of about 100 people participating in a “First Day Hike” at the park. The hike takes place in state parks across the country. MARION, IA (IRN) – A popular Marion restaurant is closing its doors, according to KCRG-TV. The Marion Maid Rite will be gone by the end of the month. The restaurant downtown has been open for 31 years, but the owner says it’s time to move on. Ellie Riley says “I compare it to Peyton Manning. He won the SuperBowl and then retired. We’re busy, customers are very sad, but it’s time.” WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Actor Mark Wahlberg’s new film opens later this month, and he plans to promote it in Iowa, according to WHO-TV. Wahlberg is starring in the movie Patriots Day, which documents the stories of first responders following the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Wahlberg will appear at a private event for Hy-Vee in West Des Moines to raise money for local fire and police departments.


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Tuesday, January 3, 2016

DURANGO, IA (IRN) – One man was killed and another injured while repairing a tractor in Dubuque County. KWWL-TV reports the accident occurred around 2 p.m. Monday at a farm in rural Durango. The tractor slipped into gear during the repairs and ran over the two men. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was hospitalized. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Rescue crews were called to a stabbing in Des Moines Monday afternoon, according to KCCI-TV. A 55-year-old male victim suffered serious stab wounds and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance with life-threatening injuries. He later died. Police have a suspect. TAMPA, FL (IRN) – The 20th-ranked Florida Gators thumped the 21st-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida yesterday 30-3. It’s the fifth bowl loss in a row for the Kirk Ferentz led Hawkeyes. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Nebraska man accused of threatening to stab someone with a syringe that he said held HIV-tainted blood has pled guilty to a reduced robbery charge. KCRG-TV reports 35-year-old Jeshua Divis, who lives in Omaha, was sentenced to time served. Prosecutors say Divis told a woman at the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs that he’d inject her with the tainted blood if she didn’t hand over her money. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A charity controlled by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has missed a legal deadline for disclosing the names of donors who paid for his inaugural celebration two years ago. KCCI-TV reports the lack of disclosure could result in IRS penalties. It also means the public doesn’t know the identities of individuals and corporations who wrote checks totaling $1 million toward Branstad’s inauguration. DES MOINES, IA – A Des Moines woman’s effort to get rid of bugs in her home ended in a fire, according to WHO-TV. Firefighters found a woman on her porch wrapped in a blanket, and flames in the living room. She was hospitalized with burns. Firefighters say the woman was spraying a home remedy bug spray in the room when she went to light a cigarette and the fire erupted.


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Monday, January 2, 2017

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A man whose first job as a kid was selling pop at Hawkeye football games announced a $5 million gift to help renovate Kinnick Stadium’s north end zone, according to KCRG-TV. Ted Pach says “my passion for Iowa athletics started as a child, and it has never left.” Ted Pacha and his wife Deb’s contribution was announced on January 1st during the Outback Bowl festivities in Tampa, Florida. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City may has been arrested for violating a no contact order among other charges. KIMT-TV reports 25-year-old Montez Guise allegedly kicked in the door of a home and then prevented someone inside from getting to the door for help. He’s charged with 2nd degree burglary, false imprisonment and violation of a no contact order. JOHNSON COUNTY, IL (IRN) – Federal investigators are at the scene of plane crash in southern Illinois that killed four people from Iowa. WSIL-TV reports the victims are two adult men and two adult women. Their names and ages have not been released. The plane is registered to an individual in Iowa. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A 63-year-old Ames man died Sunday after a fall at Ledges State Park. The DNR reports he fell approximately 60 feet from an overlook off the Lost Lake Trail. The man was part of an annual group hike at the park. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines firefighters are investigating a possible explosion and fire at a home overnight. KCCI-TV reports firefighters found a woman with burns outside the home near Lincoln High School. They say the interior of the home sustained significant damage due to fire and smoke. VATICAN CITY (IRN) – Pope Francis held a New Year’s Day mass at the Vatican, and an Iowa man was part of the service. WHO-TV reports Maxwell Carson, a 2012 Dowling Catholic High School grad, gave a scripture reading in English before the Pope delivered his message. Carson is studying to be a priest.


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Sunday, January 1, 2017

LE MARS, IA (IRN) – A semitractor-trailer carrying raw turkey was sliced in half following a train collision in northwest Iowa Friday. The Sioux City Journal reports the collision happened in downtown Le Mars. The semi was dragged about 100 feet, and raw turkey was scattered across the area. The driver of the semi was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines woman has been accused of driving at speeds of 110 mph in a 45 mph zone during a car chase with police. The Des Moines Register reports 36-year-old Belladonna Guirgis was taken into custody following the Friday night incident which began in Altoona. Guirgis eventually stopped the vehicle and began to run before police arrested her. IOWA (IRN) – Your Amazon.com bill will be 6% higher beginning today. The online retailer will now charge sales tax for eligible purchases, just like local stores. Iowa has lost an estimated 18 to 24 million dollars in sales tax collections to online retailers. Officials say it isn’t just about the tax revenue, it’s also about being fair to local brick and mortar businesses. TAMPA, FL (IRN) – As part of the Outback Bowl festivities before the game between the University of Iowa and the University of Florida football teams tomorrow, the Hawkeye cheerleaders battled face-to-face with the Florida gators cheerleaders. The two teams competed in a tug-of-war competition. The Hawkeye cheerleaders emerged victorious.


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Saturday, December 31, 2016

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A 50-year-old woman was found dead inside a building in Fort Dodge Thursday morning. WOI-TV reports the woman has been identified as Lorri Alexander of Fort Dodge. Police are investigating. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Three men were arrested Friday in Des Moines after a traffic stop turned into a police pursuit, ending in a rollover accident that sent the culprits and a bystander to the hospital. KCCI-TV reports police received notification of narcotics and weapons inside a Jeep and tried to pull it over. The jeep blew through a traffic light, hit another vehicle, and then rolled into a power pole. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A California man has been charged with setting up fake businesses in three states, then using names taken from temporary visas issued to students to obtain more than $355,000 in unemployment benefits for nonexistent workers. KCRG-TV reports Iowa was one of those states. He’ll be tried in Davenport. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A massive marijuana growing operation worth an estimated $2.5 million was found inside a warehouse in Davenport. WQAD-TV reports during a search of the warehouse, which holds a business called “QC Honey Do,” police found more than 800 marijuana plants, grow lights, grow chemicals, timers, potting soil, digital scales, packaging material, and marijuana wax. Three have been arrested. CHICAGO, ILL (IRN) – Former Cyclone player and head coach Fred Hoiberg is making dreams come true as head coach of the Chicago Bulls. WHO-TV reports Hoiberg signed a new player this week–one who’s a little shorter than his teammates. 17-year-old Trey Flowers is recovering from a liver transplant. Thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Trey signed a one-day contract with the Bulls, the team he’s always dreamed of playing for.