Iowa Radio News

CRESCO, IA (IRN) – Two people died Sunday after a motorcycle hit a pedestrian near the Minnesota-Iowa state line, according to the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office. They say Wyatt Tibbals, 21 of Cresco, was riding the bike at a high rate of speed and hit Finn Ronken, 22 of Canton, Minnesota, who was in the roadway, killing both. NEVADA, IA (IRN) – An investigation is underway into the death of a 7-month old in Nevada. The Nevada Public Safety Department said they were made aware of the baby’s death on Sunday evening. They have requested the assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in gathering information. No other details are provided at this time. BENTON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A motorcyclist died after being hit from behind by a car near Luzerne in Benton County Saturday afternoon. A 2012 Ford Focus was pulling a motorcycle, with the motorcyclist still riding it, by a rope at a slow speed. A 2015 Volkswagen Passat came up behind the motorcycle and was unable to stop in time. The Volkswagen crashed into the motorcycle, which caused the bike to then crash into the back of the Ford Focus. The motorcyclist was critically injured and transported to a nearby hospital, but he later passed away. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Davenport city officials have announced that the dismantling process of the partially collapsed apartment building “The Davenport” will begin today. The process is expected to take several weeks. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – June is Pride Month, and thousands of people celebrated this weekend in downtown Des Moines. The 44th Annual Capitol City Pride Fest was held from Friday to Sunday in the East Village. Last year, the event attracted 40,000 people.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A 17-year-old was arrested after allegedly stabbing someone in Waterloo on Thursday. Police said the teen was involved in a fight before pulling out a knife and stabbing someone. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.The teen is charged with willful injury. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – An arrest warrant could be issued for the owner of a collapsed Davenport building, after he missed court Friday morning. Three people died when Andrew Wold’s apartment building partially collapsed two weeks ago. The city cited him for failing to keep the building safe. He was supposed to enter a plea Friday. Instead, his lawyer told the judge by phone Wold agreed to maintain ownership of the building. He says he and the City agreed Wold would plead “no contest” in the case. The judge rejected that agreement, saying pleading “no contest” isn’t an option. It’s guilty or not guilty. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited the Blank Park Zoo for the death of a monkey. The 8-year-old snow monkey underwent a dental procedure in August. The animal was on a heating pad for three hours, which led to severe burns, and the monkey had to be euthanized. The USDA views it as an isolated incident. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The city of Des Moines will soon be taking over the management and ownership of the Masonic Cemetery. The Des Moines Masonic Cemetery Board of Directors announced on Friday that Des Moines will be taking over the cemetery at the end of the month. The Board said increased operating costs and revenue losses led to the decision to transfer ownership.

RUNNELLS, IA (IRN) – The pilot of a small plane was forced to land on a busy rural road north of Runnels Wednesday night. The 30-year-old pilot was flying home to Indiana from Colorado. The pilot apparently got into trouble after a stop for fuel at the Des Moines airport. There were holes in the hood through which pistons flew when the engine blew. URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – An Urbandale man was arrested and charged Wednesday for allegedly videotaping his roommate while she was in the shower on multiple occasions. The victim alleges that her roommate, 24-year-old Alexander Sutton, had taken multiple videos of her while she was changing and showering. After executing a search warrant on Sutton’s phone investigators discovered inappropriate photos that were taken of the victim without her knowledge or consent. One such photo allegedly showed Sutton lifting up the victim’s shirt while she was asleep, WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A West Des Moines man is expected to be OK after he was hit by a truck while inside his house. Police say the pickup truck went off the road and slammed into a home. A 28-year-old man was inside the four-season room. The crash threw him completely out of the home, but he suffered only suffered minor injuries. Police are working to find out why the 60-year-old driver left the roadway. ROSEMONT, IL (IRN) – The Big Ten Conference announced changes are coming to the 2024 and 2025 football season schedules with the additions of UCLA and USC. 2024 will be the first season with 16 teams and no divisional format. The conference will instead implement the Flex Protect Plus model, which features a combination of protected opponents and rotating opponents for universities. There are guaranteed annual protected matchups, and the University of Iowa will play Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin every year.

CRESCO, IA (IRN) – A former northeast Iowa Boy Scouts leader is charged with sexually abusing multiple teenage boys over the course of decades. Investigators say 73-year-old James Hughes abused several juvenile Boy Scouts. Court documents say Hughes took advantage of victims during physical therapy sessions. Hughes’ phone contained images of young men and boys engaged in sexual activity with each other. At the time of the alleged offenses, Hughes was serving as a Boy Scout leader in the Twin Rivers district. He was also a licensed physical therapist. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Protesters in Davenport gave the city council a piece of their minds at the first council meeting since the deadly apartment collapse on May 28th. They’re also calling for the mayor’s resignation. Protesters are demanding answers from city leaders after three people lost their lives and another fifty or so lost their homes in the collapse a week and a half ago. They gathered in the streets outside, and packed council chambers Wednesday evening. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Former Vice President Mike Pence launched his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday in the first-in-the-nation state of Iowa. Pence announced his presidency with an online message earlier in the day before his first live campaign announcement in Ankeny on the DMACC campus. Pence will now take on his former boss and current front-runner for the nomination Donald Trump. ANKENY, IA (IRN) – The Ankeny city council is considering the legalization of golf carts on city streets with speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less. The ordinance would also permit drivers to cross primary streets across the city. Those opposed say the carts are a safety hazard.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham has determined that a deadly shooting in Des Moines was justified. Ezekiel Williams, 23, was shot on May 20 by a woman he was in a long-term relationship with. Williams was on life support until his death on May 27. Together they had three young children. Graham says the woman previously reported abuse and that she and two of the children were assaulted before the shooting. Williams broke the woman’s nose and left her with bruising and swelling. She shot and killed him. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead and another was injured after a crash in Linn County involving a semi-truck Tuesday. The driver of a 2008 Nissan Rogue tried to cross an intersection and was hit by a truck. The truck pushed the car into the yard of a vacant house. The driver of the Rogue was taken to a hospital for serious injuries. A passenger in the vehicle died at the scene. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Former University of Iowa basketball star Jordan Bohannon is suing the Iowa State football player who assaulted him in 2021. Nicholas Kron attacked Bohannon outside a bar in Iowa City. Bohannon was punched in the head three times, leaving him with a serious head injury. Kron pled guilty to the assault in March of last year. On Tuesday, a judge sentenced Kron to a year of probation, a $430 civil penalty, and 100 hours of community service. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City will soon be switching to a free transit system. Iowa City’s City Council approved the two-year pilot program to make sure anyone who wants to ride can. They’re also looking into the possibility of adding Sunday service and overnight rides. The plan would approximately cost the city $1 million.