Category: State News

JOHNSTON – Three Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been placed on leave following a deadly standoff in Johnston. KCCI-TV reports that the department’s mental health unit and members of the U.S. Marshals were attempting to serve a warrant on Monday. The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Austin Mark, who is accused of opening fire on law enforcement, and police fire back. Mark was found dead at the scene.

DES MOINES – A convenience store chain based in Nebraska is acquiring several Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh locations in Iowa next month. KCRG-TV reports Bosselman Pump and Pantry is adding 21 Iowa-based stores, including five in-store Starbucks and seven in-store Smokey Row locations. Most of the stories are based in the Des Moine metro area.

IOWA – Multiple storms brought heavy rain to the southern tiers of counties of Iowa on Friday, including multiple tornado and flash flood warnings. An active two-day stretch comes ahead of a burst of summer heat next week, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-90s by next Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

VICTOR – The Iowa State Patrol has identified those involved in a semi vs. train crash in Poweshiek County. WHO-13 reports 14-year-old Robert Orton died and his father, 38-year-old Michael Orton was severely injured. The elder Orton pulled a semi carrying a tractor onto railroad on Wednesday afternoon. The collision closed Highway 21 in both directions and derailed 20 train cars.

WINTERSET – State Auditor Rob Sand released reports on Thursday about audits conducted in Madison County. KCCI-TV reports Sand’s office claimed his office could not obtain enough evidence to verify the accuracy of the county’s financial statements. The reports detailed a series of missing checks, unposted deposits, undisclosed bank accounts, and other issues. The findings come after criminal charges were filed against former Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos, and the Board of Supervisors deciding to use an out-of-state auditing firm last year.

DELAWARE COUNTY – A Delaware County man had his 2019 murder conviction upheld in court this week. KCRG-TV reports a first-degree murder charge and guilty verdict against Todd Mullis will stand, according to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. Mullis attached his wife Amy and staged the scene as a farming accident, with an autopsy revealing she died from puncture wounds from a corn rake. Mullis claimed in an appeal that his constitutional rights were violated.

MUSCATINE – The six victims in multiple shooting incidents in Muscatine earlier this week have been identified. KCRG-TV reports 51-year-old Lesa McFarland, 32-year-old Dakota Whitlow, 29-year-old Austin Harris, 20-year-old Ryle McFarland, 16-year-old Mark McFarland, and 13-year-old Ryan McFarland, Jr., were all killed on Monday. Police identified 52-year-old Ryan McFarland as the shooter, who killed himself when confronted by police after multiple incidents.

VICTOR – One person died and other was injured after a truck and train collision in Poweshiek County on earlier this week. WHo-13 reports the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the crash just outside of victory, with the driver of the semi dying and another occupant transported by helicopter with injuries. Two power engines and 17 cars were impacted by the crash and were derailed.

DES MOINES – Three Iowa House incumbents will not return to their seats after losing primary challenges earlier this week. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Republicans Brian Lohse and Jane Bloomingdale both lost in Tuesday’s election to challengers within their own party. Democratic Incumbent Ken Croken of Davenport also lost in the primary.

DES MOINES – Businessman Zach Lahn defeated U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra and three other challenger in Tuedsay’s primary election for Governor. NBC News reports that Lahn received roughly 38% of the vote to Feenstra’s 37%, with Lahn overcoming an endorsement by President Donald Trump. He will now face State Auditor Rob Sand in what many national outlets are rating as a toss-up election in November.

DES MOINES – Iowa Democrats and Republicans made their choice in another statewide election in November. State Representative Josh Turek won 62% of the vote in Iowa to run for the U.S. Senate against U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, who won 74% of GOP voters.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed her final bill into law on Tuesday. KCCI-TV reports among the final legislation is a law that requires the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to check a job candidate’s legal work status. On Monday, Reynolds signed a speed limit increase from 55 to 60 on most rural, two-lane highways.

MUSCATINE – Seven people are dead following a string of shootings stemming from multiple domestic incidents in Muscatine. WQAD reports police found people dead from gunshot wounds in three different locations, all of whom are related to 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland. Police say he took his own life when confronted by officers after finding four of his relatives dead at a home on Monday afternoon.

JOHNSTON – A Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured in an incident that resulted in the death of a suspect in Johnston on Monday. U.S. Marshal’s and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office attempted warrant service on an individual, who barricaded himself in a garage. Police claim the man fired on officers when attempting to enter, and returned fire. The deputies injuries are non-life threatening; the alleged suspect lit the garage on fire and died at the scene.

ATLANTIC – A former teacher in the Atlantic school district faces charges related to grooming and sexual exploitation of a student. KCCI-TV reports Jesse McCann turned himself into police on Monday after a months-long investigation. McCann was fired from the district in march and accused of inappropriate behavior with a student in Stuart, pleading not guilty to those charges.