Monday, August 28, 2017

LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Linn County Deputy was booked into jail over the weekend, according to KCRG-TV. Deputy Jimmy Keller was arrested for speeding and an OWI on Saturday. He’s currently on administrative leave with pay.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A package with the word “bomb” written on it forced the evacuation of the Nordstrom Distribution Center in Dubuque this morning, but it was no bomb at all. KWWL-TV reports an explosive detection K9 and officers with a thermal imaging camera found nothing suspicious. There is no word as what was in the package.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man who suffered burns on a “significant portion” of his body after being intentionally set on fire in Des Moines has died. KCCI-TV reports detectives are “developing suspect information.” This as the 23rd homicide of the year in Des Moines.

WAYNE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An Appanoose County man is dead following a car accident in Wayne County early Sunday morning. The accident happened one mile north of Corydon. The Iowa State Patrol says 33-year-old Jerry Dean Rollins of Cincinnati failed to navigate a curve and went into the ditch. His vehicle vaulted over a farm drive and rolled. Rollins was declared dead at the scene. He wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Three people were hurt in an overnight shooting Saturday on the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City, and two men have now been arrested. WQAD-TV reports 23-year-old Lamar Wilson of Iowa City faces attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon charges. 21-year-old Donte Taylor of Cedar Rapids faces a dominion/control of a firearm charge, trafficking in stolen weapons, public intoxication and interference with official acts.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A long-time employee at the Cedar Rapids YMCA has changed jobs. Jeremy previously handed out and gathered towels until the Y discontinued the service. Now he’s a greeter. Jeremy typically says “Hi” and “How are you?” and he means it. Jeremy is developmentally delayed due to a lack of oxygen at birth, so the words from his mouth are really words from the heart. One long-term member says, “he just makes you feel really special.”

Sunday, August 27, 2017

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport man has been convicted of second degree murder for stabbing a Iraq war veteran to death last summer, according to WQAD-TV. 29-year-old Romane Nunn had served two tours of duty in Iraq and had returned to his hometown. He was playing the video game Pokemon Go in a park last August, when William Crawford approached him, mistaking Nunn for someone who had assaulted his girlfriend. Nunn was stabbed once in the heart, and died.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Three people were shot near the Sheraton Hotel in the Iowa City Ped Mall early this morning, according to KCRG-TV. The names and conditions of the victims, ages 22, 26, and 27, are not being released at this time. Due to the large volume of inquiries from parents, Iowa City police confirmed the victims are not University of Iowa students.

ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – A popular ride at Adventureland Park was shut down after it got stuck mid-operation yesterday. WHO-TV reports the ride Storm Chaser was stuck after a safety mechanism was triggered, causing it to suddenly come to a stop. 32 people were on the ride. Everyone is safe, and officials are not sure what caused the alarm to be triggered.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowans are traveling south to help people affected by Hurricane Harvey, according to KCCI-TV. The Iowa Red Cross is sending six disaster relief vehicles, which cost about $2,500 to stock. Each volunteer is deployed for about 11 days, and the average cost for food, lodging and transportation is $1,650. The Red Cross is asking for donations to help their efforts.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

CAMP PENDLETON, IA (IRN) – A 22-year-old U.S. Marine from Iowa died Sunday in a motorcycle crash in California, according to the Des Moines Register. Cpl. Andrew West of Van Horne was training at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. West is the second Marine from Iowa to die this month while training at Camp Pendleton. 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Cody Haley of Eldora died Aug. 4 when a tree fell on him during routine morning physical training.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man suffered burns covering approximately 90% of his body when someone intentionally set him on fire Friday in Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports cellphone video shows massive flames emanating from the victim’s car. A neighbor who filmed the ordeal says he’s not surprised–“You can see all the problems, the fighting, all the yelling, guys beating girls, guys beating guys there.”

CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Falls man who performed at Adventureland Park will serve up to 10 years in prison for sex abuse. WHO-TV reports Barry Devoll, also known as Bixby, founded the nonprofit Blue Trunk Educational Series. The traveling nature show performed at schools and amusement parks. Prosecutors say he seduced minors in order to produce and distribute child pornography.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Thirty five members of an aviation support unit in Waterloo said farewell to friends and family Friday as part of a yearlong deployment. The General Support Aviation Battalion will go to training in Texas first and then deploy on an overseas mission lasting up to a year. Members of the unit say they’ve been told they will end up in Afghanistan providing medical evacuation services.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Four Iowans will be honored with entry into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame today. Senator Joni Ernst and Governor Kim Reynolds will be honored, as will Des Moines councilwoman Christine Hensley. Hensley is the longest-serving council member in Des Moines’ history. The fourth inductee is Jane Boyd, an Iowa women’s rights advocate who passed away in 1932.

Friday, August 25, 2017

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – Two Newton men face multiple charges of second-degree sexual abuse. KCCI-TV reports Brothers Shawn and Dustin Cooper are accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl over the course of several months. If convicted, they face more than 25 years in prison.

KOSSUTH COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An Algona man is facing numerous charges after authorities say he fired a shotgun in the direction of a peace officer. According KIMT-TV, 32-year-old Allen Larsen is being held in the Kossuth County Jail.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Bettendorf doctor pled guilty in federal court Tuesday to multiple charges. 45-year-old Dr. Paul Bolger prescribed medication to patients he did not know, based solely on internet requests, authorizing nearly 1,400 prescriptions in 16 states where he was not licensed to practice medicine, for a $2.9 million dollar payout.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police have arrested a peeping Tom. WHO-TV reports overnight, an officer responded to a call of suspicious person peeping into windows at a mobile home park. 23-year-old Raudel Alvarez was taken into custody after he was found looking into the windows of a mobile home at two women. He ran but the officer caught him.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – The former executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs has pled guilty to identity theft, according to KETV. The FBI says Gina Malloy forged a signature to apply for a $30,000 loan. The loan application was made in the name of Habitat for Humanity. The application required a second signature, and Malloy signed the name of a former board member, and used his Social Security Number and a copy of his driver’s license in the application.

DES MOINES, IA (IA) – State and local leaders agreed to approve $208 million in tax incentives for tech giant Apple to build two Waukee data storage centers, according to KCCI-TV. The data centers will eventually employ about 50 people, which means over $4,000,000 in state and local funds will be used to create each job. Critics say it’s a huge corporate giveaway. Supporters say the taxes eventually generated will be well worth it.