State News

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Friday, July 22, 2016

HUXLEY, IA (IRN) – Story County authorities have released the name of the man who was killed in a fall while working on a wind turbine. KIMT-TV reports the accident occurred Thursday near Huxley. The man was working inside a wind turbine that’s under construction. He fell about 40 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene. He’s been identified as 31-year-old Christopher Thompson of Manly. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City man is facing a felony charge for a two-year-old robbery case. KCRG-TV reports 37-year-old Larry Hook is charged with second-degree robbery for robbing the adult entertainment store Romantix in April 2014. Hook took about $61 and fled, leaving an item of clothing behind. Hook’s DNA matches DNA found on the clothing. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Police are expected to release more information today in a shooting that killed one person on Des Moines’ east side Thursday. WHO-TV reports a man was found in the parking lot of the East Gate Coin Laundromat suffering from several gunshot wounds in the chest and groin. He died shortly after being transported to a local hospital. DURANGO, IA (IRN) – A woman from the northeast Iowa town of Durango has been charged with theft and elder abuse, and is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from an aunt who had Alzheimer’s. KWWL-TV reports 44-year-old Molly Bodish wrote checks to herself or for her personal use from her aunt’s account totaling more than $365,000 over several years. HUXLEY, IA (IRN) – One person died after falling Thursday afternoon in a construction accident near Huxley, according to KCCI-TV. A 31-year-old man fell approximately 30 feet inside a wind turbine that was under construction. It’s unclear what caused the fall. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A Center Point man died after a crash at the interchange of Interstates 80 and 380 near Iowa City Wednesday. KCRG-TV reports 36-year-old Justin Witter went into the curve too fast and his vehicle vaulted over a gorge and slammed into a bridge footing. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Rock Island man is behind bars after assaulting a woman in a Davenport parking lot Wednesday, according to WQAD-TV. 33-year-old Charles Spicer came up behind a woman as she was getting out of her vehicle in a parking lot of a retail store and raped her. A sexual assault kit was performed at the hospital and DNA was found that matched Spicer. He’s in jail. MITCHELLVILLE, IA (IRN) – A transgender man who is an employee of the Iowa Department of Corrections has filed a civil rights complaint against his employer. WHO-TV reports 34-year-old Jesse Vroegh works as a nurse at the Mitchellville Women’s Prison. He alleges that despite over a year’s notice that he would be transitioning at work, no transgender policy would be written for employees because transgender issues were “too controversial.”


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Thursday, July 21, 2016

BOONE, IA (IRN) – Six people were hurt in a crash at a rural intersection northeast of Boone this morning, according to KCCI-TV. At least three ambulances and an air ambulance were dispatched to the T-bone crash. After the crash, one vehicle landed in the ditch and another landed on its top in a cornfield. Names and conditions have not been released. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A 17-year-old from Waterloo, who was wounded in a shooting over the weekend, has been arrested for robbery in a different case. KWWL-TV reports Dewon Campbell was arrested after a woman says she had a gun pointed at her at her apartment complex early this morning. Campbell and 20-year-old Queshandis Seals have been charged. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A 1-year-old child was dropped off by its parents at a Mason City Fire Department Tuesday night, according to KIMT-TV. The toddler was then taken to Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, and is now being taken care of by the Department of Human Services. Police are investigating. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – One Des Moines man is behind bars for nearly beating a man to death in broad daylight, according to WHO-TV. 49-year-old Harvey Singleton is charged with willful injury in an incident that happened Monday afternoon when a 42-year-old man was found on the sidewalk unconscious and severely injured. The victim is expected to survive. OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – Two people have been charged with kidnapping in Ottumwa, according to KCCI-TV. The Ottumwa Police Department was contacted by a victim who reported that she had been held against her will for several days. The victim also reported that she was repeatedly assaulted during the time she was held captive. MOUNT PLEASANT, IA (IRN) – A corrections officer at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility is recovering from cuts, bruising and swelling following an attack by an inmate. The Hawk Eye reports that the inmate punched the officer several times in the face before other officers could respond to help. The officer was taken to a hospital to receive stitches for cuts from the assault. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A Charles City-area farmer has pled guilty to selling more than 90,000 bushels of corn that was pledged as collateral on federal Farm Service Agency loans for nearly $200,000. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 59-year-old Leroy Jones pled guilty Monday in federal court to one count of conversion of property pledged to the agency. Jones faces up to five years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A drunken woman who refused to go with police decided to go skinny-dipping instead, according to KETV. The woman was drunk while at Lake Manawa Monday with two young children. It took nearly 10 minutes for officers to bring nude 36-year-old Brandee Steffes to shore. Her speech was slurred, eyes bloodshot, and she spit on, kicked and hit officers while being arrested. It was all caught on camera.


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Wednesday, July 20

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Extreme heat is forecast to settle in over the state of Iowa beginning today and lasting through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. The highest heat index reading in Des Moines since 1980 was 118º on July 26, 1997. We could come close to this on Thursday afternoon when heat index values are expected to reach 115º. Heat is the No. 1 weather killer in the United States. WAVERLY, IA (IRN) – Terex suddenly shut down its crane factory in Waverly Tuesday, leaving roughly 175 workers out of a job, according to KCRG-TV. The company announced it is expanding its crane production facility in Oklahoma City and, as a result, closing the Waverly operation effective immediately. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A local group is working to save a Girl Scout camp in northeast Iowa that’s been around for nearly 50 years. KWWL-TV reports Camp Tahigwa, which sits nestled in the hills of Allamakee County, may be sold. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois will vote on a recommendation to sell the camp August 11. The recommendation to sell is based largely on money and poor attendance. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The signing of a sister city agreement between Herat, Afghanistan and Council Bluffs takes place today, according to KCCI-TV. Many Americans associate the country with war and terrorism, but three visitors from Afghanistan in Iowa this week are working to change both the perception and reality. They hope one of the first opportunities from this new relationship will be a cultural exchange of art.


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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A conflict over a broken window escalated to gunfire in Iowa City early Monday morning, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Officers responded to the scene, and their investigation revealed the shooting was the result of a month-long conflict. Police say 29-year-old D’Anthony D. Money, of Holland, Mich., was located outside of the residence attempting to flee the area. The residence belongs to Money’s sister. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Two officers are on administrative leave after firing their guns at a suspect in Davenport. KWQC-TV reports officers were called to a residence Monday for shots fired. Police chased a suspect speeding from the scene, and two officers fired their service weapons. Later that day, officers were called to a hospital for a man with a gunshot wound. CLEVELAND, OH (IRN) – Representative Steve King sparked controversy Monday by stating Europe and the United States have contributed more to civilization than any other “subgroup.” KCCI-TV reports King took part in a panel discussion on MSNBC, discussing Donald Trump’s history of racially-loaded comments. King recently received criticism for keeping a Confederate flag on his desk at the U.S. Capitol. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – One Des Moines resident is in critical condition and police are looking for a suspect in a shooting yesterday afternoon, according to WHO-TV. The victim suffered a severe head wound. Police have not released a description of the suspect or name of the victim involved in the assault. The victim remains in critical condition but they expect him to survive. Several children witnessed the incident. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Davenport police arrested a man in connection with a June 6 shooting, according to WQAD-TV. 24-year-old Jovonta Litt is charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury causing serious injury. Litt approached a 25-year-old male victim who was standing next to a vehicle with other people and fired seven shots. Litt stood on the hood of the vehicle to shoot the victim, striking him in the arm. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Hawkeyes fans will be able to see hoops highlights on a new scoreboard inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, according to KCRG-TV. Workers are installing the LED scoreboard inside the arena. The four-sided display will hang over center court and will allow the Hawks to show a combination of live video, instant replays, statistics, and sponsor information. There will also be four smaller displays, two at each end of the arena.


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Monday, July 18, 2016

VINTON, IA (IRN) – The National Weather Service says an EF2 tornado went through Vinton Sunday morning, with winds speeds up to 130 mph. KWWL-TV reports high winds hit several multi-family apartment buildings and one business. The buildings sustained serious structural damage, losing roofs and walls. Several residents suffered minor injuries. BURLINGTON, IA (IRN) – Suspects accused of an armed robbery in Burlington tried to outrun police and ended up crashing into a garage, according to WQAD-TV. The victim was approached by three men shortly after midnight. One of the men held a handgun to the victim’s chest and demanded the items in his pockets. The victim followed orders, and the three suspects fled. A chase ensued followed by a crash and a short foot chase. Two are in custody. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City Councilman has died at the age of 34. KIMT-TV reports Alex Kuhn died Friday. Kuhn has been a City Councilman for several years and has been active in the Mason City community. Law enforcement officials are investigating and not releasing any information regarding his death. CLEVELAND, OH (IRN) – The Republican National Convention begins today in Cleveland, and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst will be the focus on opening night. Ernst will deliver a prime-time speech on security. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Police are investigating a crash where a young child was hit by a vehicle Sunday, according to KCCI-TV. The child was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. One person is in custody and charges are pending. CHARLES CITY, IA (IRN) – A motorcycle crash has left one man dead near Charles City. KWWL-TV reports 23-year-old Thomas Houdek was driving on Highway 18 pulling on to Highway 218 northbound when he was hit by a semi, driven by Joshua Brood of Plainfield. Houdek was pronounced dead at the scene, and Brood was airlifted to Mason City for his injuries. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Police are investigating a shooting that killed a 21-year-old man and injured two other people in Waterloo yesterday, according to KCRG-TV. The two hospitalized have non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not announced any arrests. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The National Governor’s Association summer meeting in Des Moines ended yesterday, and state leaders spent the day giving back. WHO-TV reports they teamed up with the Outreach Program, an organization that packages meals for people in need. The organization’s mission is to end hunger across the world. However, on Sunday, the mission was focused on helping thousand of Iowans. The group packaged 50,000 meals for the Food Bank of Iowa.