Friday, June 30, 2017

NORTH LIBERTY, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids man has been arrested for attempted murder.
Ronald Gonterman is accused of stabbing another man four times yesterday near North Liberty. A 911 call came from a man saying he had been stabbed, but he didn’t know where he was. The sheriff’s office used 911 mapping to find him in the Hawkeye Wildlife area. The man identified Gonterman as the person who stabbed him. The victim also said Gonterman shot at him and tried to run him over with his truck.

MASON CITY, A Mason City man is behind bars for abusing an infant under his care, according to KIMT-TV. 27-year-old Jeremy Rose, who is charged with child endangerment, a class C felony, harmed a five-month old child who was in his care on June 22. Police responded to a report of an infant who was unresponsive and having difficulty breathing. Doctors say the infant may have suffered a brain injury.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Davenport police responded to a fatal car accident Thursday, according to WQAD-TV. The car went off the road, struck a retaining wall, and came to rest after hitting a parked vehicle. The driver, an adult male, and passenger were both transported to the hospital, where the driver later died. Police believe the crash was caused by a medical issue.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – The Jasper County Animal Rescue League has managed to save the life of what appears to be a three-month-old kitten. WHO-TV reports the kitten’s jaw is broken and it has suffered severe facial trauma. Authorities say some sort of fireworks exploded in the kitten’s face.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – Union representatives are speaking out after an assault of a staff member by an inmate at the Newton Correctional Facility. KCCI-TV reports an inmate, John Watson, assaulted a guard. Another inmate helped the guard until other staff arrived. The guard will be OK, but union officials say the facility is understaffed and dangerous.

OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – The United Way of Wapello County thanked its volunteers with a barbecue. KTVO-TV reports the group held the event Wednesday at Memorial Park in Ottumwa. United Way Executive Director Blaire Siems says this past year the organization had over 500 volunteers. Siems believes volunteerism is the best way to improve a community. She says if you see something you don’t like about your community, stand up, volunteer, and make it better.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – One person was taken to the hospital after a car slammed into a house in Davenport last night. WQAD-TV reports the car rolled, knocked over a power pole, severed a gas line, and crashed into the house. The driver walked away, but was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – An arrest has been made after a man set five fires in abandoned buildings in Waterloo this morning. KWWL-TV reports 37-year-old Justin Silos set fire to four abandoned homes and a bakery. No one was injured.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Police have arrested a Davenport man in the death of an Illinois man whose body was found burning near a Davenport street. The Quad-City Times reports that 42-year-old Tremayne Thomas was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder in the May 30 death of 35-year-old Brandon Brooks.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A months-long investigation into a methamphetamine distribution network operating in Des Moines resulted in numerous arrests Wednesday. Des Moines police say tactical officers with the department, along with state and federal tactical units, executed search warrants at approximately 20 locations throughout the metro area. The investigation began in April.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In 2010, a Salmonella case swept the country and now the men responsible will serve their time behind bars. WHO-TV reports Jack and Peter DeCoster will serve three months in federal prison. The DeCosters were owners of the DeCoster family farm’s Quality Egg LLC. Quality Eggs recalled more than 550 million eggs in 2010. There were nearly 2,000 Salmonella cases tied to the eggs. The most serious charge was felony bribery of an inspector.

IOWA (IRN) – A storm front moving across Iowa brought numerous tornadoes Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service will be investigating storm and tornado damage in multiple counties, including Adair, Marion, and Warren Counties. There were reports of tornadoes in Taylor, Fremont, Jones and Linn counties as well. One woman was injured when a tornado touched down near Prairieburg in Linn County. A chance of severe weather continues today.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Anti-war protesters encased their arms in concrete and blocked the road in front of the Iowa Air National Guard base in Des Moines this morning. WHO-TV reports three men and a woman joined themselves together and encased their arms in containers of quick-drying cement. The Des Moines Fire Department was called in to safely cut away the cement using specialized tools. The protesters were charged with disorderly conduct.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Police in Iowa City are investigating a death they have called suspicious after finding a cab driver dead inside their car. KGAN-TV reports another cab driver who worked for the same company found the driver slumped over while checking on the welfare of the driver.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport elementary school teacher has been charged with possession and receipt of child pornography. The Quad-City Times reports 43-year-old Michael Ross faces up to 40 years in prison if he’s convicted. Ross told officers who searched his home last week that he had child pornography and that he had both received and distributed it.

IDA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials shot and killed a female mountain lion at a farm near Galva in Ida County. A neighboring livestock producer discovered a dead calf that looked as if it has been attacked by a large cat last week. Dogs treed the cat, and after efforts to humanely capture it failed, it was shot. Since 1995, there have been 21 confirmed mountain lion sightings in Iowa. At least four have been shot and killed.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Republicans planning to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act faced another setback Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on the bill Tuesday because there were not enough votes to pass it. KCCI-TV reports Iowa medical leaders said they are thankful for a delay. They say there should be more open debate and more time to vote on the bill because an estimated 200,000 Iowans would lose their health care coverage under the current version.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – An 88-year-old Newton woman known for her chicken-calling, spunkiness and style will be featured on TV tonight during NBC’s “Little Big Shots: Forever Young.” The Newton Daily News reports Bonnie Eilert, a Baxter native and a 1947 Newton High School grad flew out to Los Angeles this spring to film the show with host Steve Harvey. When asked if she wanted to be on the show, Eilert said. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – An Ottumwa man is behind bars facing multiple charges of sexual abuse. KCCI-TV reports 35-year-old Armando Leyva was arrested after an investigation involving five women. The women say that Leyva sexually abused them. He’s in jail.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – There was an armed robbery at a Wendy’s in Cedar Rapids Monday, according to KWWL-TV. Police say an employee was taking out the trash when a man walked into the restaurant demanding cash and showing what looked to be a handgun. He got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

AMES, IA (IRN) – An Ames woman faces charges for unintentionally causing the death of her girlfriend in December, according to KCCI-TV. 22-year-old Sadie Dalgliesh has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Tashara Burnside. The pair used the synthetic opioid U4, known on the street as “pinky.” It’s a synthetic and deadly version of heroin that commonly comes in a powder form. Police say Dalgliesh gave Burnside the U4.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Monday, the Supreme Court decided to hear travel ban arguments this fall, but until then, part of President Trump’s travel ban is in place. WHO-TV reports people in the Iowa Somali community are concerned. Abdi Abdi, who is a citizen and has lived in Des Moines for ten years, says because of the travel ban his family won’t be able to come from Somalia. Others are concerned because many refugees from the banned countries are fleeing violence. Supporters say the ban is necessary for national security.

BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – After 21 years of planning, crews held a ground-breaking ceremony Monday to celebrate the long awaited I-74 Bridge project. The bridge has connected Iowa and Illinois since 1935 and has outlived its usefulness. The new bridge will be the biggest construction project in Iowa history, costing $400 million.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids city leaders decided to follow state law when it came to setting off fireworks in the city through July 8th, according to KCRG-TV. Now they are regretting that decision. As of Sunday, police have received 136 complaints they have had to investigate, and about 25 “shots fired” calls which turned out to be fireworks. One former fireworks fan says that after night after night of “boom, boom, boom” outside his apartment window, he’s had enough.