DES MOINES, IA – Frigid conditions are contributing to a spike in car thefts in Des Moines, according to KCCI-TV. Des Moines Police say 10 cars were reported stolen Monday, and that seven of them had been left running and unlocked to warm up. Police say that unless cars have an automatic start option with an anti-theft system drivers are rolling the dice on whether or not their cars will be stolen.

JESUP, IA (IRN) – A car went off the roadway this morning and landed upside down in a creek near Jesup. KCRG-TV reports first responders were able to free the driver, and transport them to the hospital with apparent non-life threatening injuries.

OSCEOLA, IA (IRN) – A body has been found in the wreckage of a house fire that took place in Osceola over the weekend. KCCI-TV reports fire destroyed the home Sunday. The cause is under investigation.

MITCHELL COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City man claims to have found fish hooks in lettuce he bought from a big-box store. KIMT-TV reports the man says he found seven fish hooks after inspecting the lettuce. Police are investigating.

UNITED STATES (IRN) – The longest-serving Republican in the Senate has announced he is not running for an eighth term. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch has served in the Senate for 42 years and will retire at the end of 2018. Once Hatch retires, Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran will become third in line for the presidency. However, Cochran is expected to announce his own retirement this month because of health concerns. If Cochran resigns, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley will be third in line for the presidency.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Quick thinking by a University of Dubuque women’s basketball coach may have saved players from injury or death. KWWL-TV reports the team was returning home from a trip to Nashville when the bus driver slumped in his seat unconscious, and the bus veered from guardrail to guardrail. Assistant coach Justin Smith jumped to his feet, grabbed the steering wheel, and brought the bus to a safe stop. The driver will be OK.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In 2017 Des Moines had the most homicides it has had since 1978. The Des Moines Register reports the 25 homicides in 2017, including three on the first three days of the year, were the most in the city since 1978, when 27 people were killed. Law enforcement officials attributed a majority of the killings to soured personal relationships, gang-related violence and a trend of young adults solving trivial conflicts and social media disputes with guns.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – State statistics on traffic-related deaths suggest Iowa roads were safer last year than in 2016. Iowa Department of Transportation figures show that 329 people died in traffic-related incidents in 2017, as of Dec. 29. The 2016 figure was 398. Officials say a new state law that cracked down on texting may have helped.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – Emergency crews responded to a large fire that broke out at an Urbandale apartment complex Monday. KCCI-TV reports billowing smoke and flames could be seen from the interstate. The extreme cold caused one fire hydrant to malfunction and several fire nozzles to break. No one was injured.

SWISHER, IA (IRN) – A home in the eastern Iowa town of Swisher was destroyed in a fire Monday evening. Jefferson-Monroe fire crews responded to the house fire and KWWL-TV reports the cold temperatures made it hard for fire crews to battle the flames. Because the home was in a rural area, there was no municipal water connection, so all water had to be brought in from several miles away. Eight departments responded to battle the blaze. No one was injured.

EVANSDALE, IA (IRN) – Record breaking cold has created a big problem with water in the Black Hawk County town of Evansdale. WHO-TV reports the town’s water tower has nearly frozen. Water pressure is extremely low and homeowners should boil water before using it.

PASADENA, CA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids woman who received a heart transplant as a teenager was part of the Tournament of Roses parade yesterday in Pasadena, California. KCRG-TV reports Hailey Steimel was on the Donate Life float. Steimel underwent heart transplant surgery nearly four years ago when she was 17 years old. This year she got to be a part of the parade because of her advocacy efforts.

MIDWEST (IRN) – Bone-chilling cold gripped the middle of the U.S. as 2018 began, breaking low temperature records, icing some New Year’s celebrations and leading to at least two deaths attributed to exposure to the elements. Dangerously low temperatures enveloped eight Midwest states including parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska along with nearly all of Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. Omaha’s temperature low of 15 below zero before midnight broke a record that had stood since 1884.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A 63-year-old man died after a house fire in Waterloo Saturday night. KCRG-TV reports the only resident of the home, Robert Smiley, was taken to a hospital after the blaze, but did not survive. Firefighters say the cold weather made it difficult for firefighters, as the closest hydrant was found frozen. But firefighters were able to find another hydrant down the street and contain the blaze.

CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person was injured in a single-vehicle crash Saturday night in Cerro Gordo County. KIMT-TV reports 41-year-old Brooke Sanchez-Peterson, of Mason City was taken to the hospital after the accident. Icy conditions caused her to slide through a stop sign at an intersection and off the roadway, down an embankment and into a tree.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – 2017 has been an unprecedented year for Des Moines firefighters, according to WHO-TV. Crews are dealing with record-breaking statistics and calls for service.
Lieutenant Joe Van Haalen, president of the local union says, “we’re seeing about a 4.5% increase each year over the last several years in call volumes.” The reason? Van Haalen says it’s due to rapid city growth.

COLFAX, IA (IRN) – Someone from central Iowa is ending 2017 on an extremely happy note.
Powerball officials announced Sunday that a $1 million winning ticket was purchased at the Kum & Go store in Colfax.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids police responded in large numbers to an overnight shooting. One witness says they heard police yell, ‘get down!” but authorities have released no additional information.

IOWA (IRN) – A wind chill warning is in effect through Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Officials say as you’re planning your New Year’s Eve activities and festivities, know that many parts of Iowa could near record low temperatures tonight into Monday morning. Record low temperatures range between -15 and -20.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Central Iowa Shelters and Services is working to make sure every homeless person in Des Moines sleeps inside as frigid temperatures sweep across the state this weekend. KCCI-TV reports the shelter is bending some of its rules and allowing anyone to stay for the next few days while temperatures drop well below zero. Usually there is a time limit on how long someone can stay. Several people died about five years ago after a similar drop in temperatures.

MEMPHIS, TN (IRN) – Allen Lazard caught 10 passes, including the decisive touchdown as the Iowa State Cyclones capped a historic season with a 21-20 win over Memphis in the Liberty Bowl Saturday. Lazard finished with a Liberty Bowl record 10 catches for 142 yards to earn MVP honors. His touchdown catch was his 10th of the season, setting a new school record. ISU had a chance to put the game away in the fourth quarter, but David Montgomery fumbled just before crossing the goal line, giving the ball back to Memphis. Iowa State’s defense rose to the occasion, turning Memphis away on downs to seal the win.