Iowa Radio News

ANITA, IA (IRN) – A man’s body has been recovered from a lake in southwestern Iowa. The DNR reports a passer-by spotted an overturned kayak Thursday in Lake Anita in Cass County. The man’s body was found and pulled from the lake, along with the kayak and a paddle. The department identified the man as 63-year-old Roland Henderson, who lived in Wiota, Iowa. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Relatives of a man suspected of killing his parents and sister in Bondurant are blaming the Iowa mental health system as ineffective. KCCI-TV reports 20-year-old Chase Nicholson turned himself over to Missouri authorities Friday after fleeing the crime scene. Family say he’s been crying out for help, but is bipolar, and there aren’t enough beds in the Iowa mental health system for him to be placed and his treatment to be effective. OXFORD, IA (IRN) – Two people were killed in a plane crash at the Green Castle Airport near Oxford in Johnson County Friday. The plane was a small, single-engine aircraft, and the flight originated at the airport. No other details have been released. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Iowa Republican Congressman Rod Blum says President Trump should have asked Congress for authorization before ordering the missile strike on a Syrian air base. KCRG-TV reports Congressman Blum says firing the missiles at Syria’s airfield was the right thing to do, but congressional approval should have been sought before the strike. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Principal Park in Des Moines is opening up the stadium to fans ahead of the first game of the season. The I-Cubs will hold an open house from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. today. Fans can get a tour of the skybox suites, go out onto the field, and be among the first to see the new high definition ribbon board in left field. The I-Cubs will host their first game Tuesday evening against the New Orleans Baby Cakes.

BONDURANT, IA (IRN) – A suspect and three victims have been identified in an early-morning triple-homicide in rural Bondurant. Polk County authorities have identified the victims as 58-year-old Mark Nicholson, 56-year-old Charla Nicholson, and 24-year-old Tawni Nicholson, all of Bondurant. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office identified 20-year-old Chase Nicholson of Bondurant as a person of interest in the case.Sometime around 10am this morning, Nicholson was arrested after turning himself in to Neosho, Missouri, Police. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill making sweeping changes to Iowa’s firearms laws is headed to Gov. Terry Branstad for final approval. The Des Moines Register reports the bill would allow children to use handguns under adult supervision, enhance “stand your ground” laws, create a way for Iowans to sue cities or counties that enact gun-free zones, legalize short-barreled rifles and shotguns, allow permit-holders to carry handguns in the Capitol, and create confidentiality for permit-holders. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A second health insurance company is pulling out of the individual market in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports Aetna is the second major health insurer to announce this week that it will stop offering individual policies. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield made the move Monday. Medica and Gundersen are currently left on the individual market in Iowa. They have until June to decide if they will continue. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A new and unusual emergency response team is being trained in Iowa City, according to KGAN-TV. Lisa Bragg with the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center says that animals suffer in the face of natural disasters like humans do, and may become injured, scared, displaced, or lost. This Saturday more than 60 volunteers have signed up to receive training to establish the group. POLK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A massive walleye has been caught at Big Creek Lake north of Des Moines. It weighs 12 pounds and is 28 inches long. The walleye was caught by scientists who are doing research on the effectiveness of a fish barrier on the Big Creek Lake spillway, and how it’s working at keeping walleye and muskie in the lake. Don’t worry – the big guy was released.

AURELIA, IA (IRN) – A 15-year-old girl was killed and two others were injured in a crash yesterday in rural Cherokee County. The Sioux City Journal reports Nicole Peterson of Cherokee died in the crash. Peterson was sitting on the passenger side of a 2005 Impala driven by Natalie Peterson, also 15 and of Cherokee. Their car failed to yield the right of way to a pickup driven by 30-year-old Andrew Bierman, of Aurelia. Bierman’s truck struck the car in the passenger side door area. All were wearing seatbelts. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man has been accused of biting his 7-week-old daughter on the face, according to KCCI-TV. 22-year-old Edward Valdez was charged with child endangerment resulting in injury. The child was bitten on March 24, when Valdez was alone with her. He told an officer the girl had been sick and wouldn’t stop crying. Valdez said he became frustrated and bit her cheek. The bite left a mark that lasted several days. ELKADER, IA (IRN) – Two people were hospitalized after driving a pickup truck into the Turkey River in Elkader. KWWL-TV reports the truck flew off the cliff behind the Clayton County Courthouse and plunged into the river. A man and a woman were rescued by emergency crews. Their conditions are unknown. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill debated for days passed in just 47 seconds yesterday. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa House passed a bill that would ban most abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy and add a three-day waiting period for women seeking an abortion. The bill also requires a woman get an ultrasound that indicates the age of the fetus, and that she be given materials that encourage adoption. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Republican legislative leaders have released new budget plans that include more cuts, according to WHO-TV. Republican house and senate leaders have agreed with Governor Terry Branstad on a $7.2 billion budget. That’s $14 million less than the current budget year. Lawmakers have already led two rounds of emergency spending cuts. SOLON, IA (IRN) – It took years of practice but a Solon auctioneer has made it onto a popular TV show. KCRG-TV reports Emily Wears is going to appear on nine episodes of the A&E network show “Storage Wars.” She’s in elite company for another reason. Only three percent of auctioneers are women. Wears said she’s happy to pave the way for others.

BOONE, IA (IRN) – The Boone School District is suffering the impact of lawmakers’ less than inflation 1.1% funding increase for next year. According to the Boone News-Republican, the district approved a nearly $42 million budget for next year, which is more than $3 million less than this year’s budget. The district is reducing staff, reducing stipends for assistant coaches, and offering some employees early retirement. BURLINGTON, IA (IRN) – A man is facing eluding and drug charges after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Des Moines County Tuesday. KBUR-Radio reports deputies began pursuing Gregory Baxter Jr. as part of an investigation. During the 80mph chase, a passenger jumped out of the vehicle while it was still moving, but weren’t injured. Police discovered a large amount of meth in Baxter’s vehicle, along with a digital scale and plastic baggies for packaging. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Ankeny man is facing multiple charges in three Iowa counties, for allegedly enticing and in one case, kidnapping a child. The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports 57-year-old Jeff Lee Altmayer is charged with multiple counts of Enticing a Minor, Second Degree Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Impersonating a Public Official, and drug offenses. The crimes were committed in Monona, Jasper, and Grundy Counties. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa House has begun debate on a bill that would ban most abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy. The Republican-controlled chamber started debating last night. Republicans are expected to easily pass the legislation, which would be a victory for conservatives seeking to restrict abortion. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Republican-controlled Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would make major changes to the state’s gun laws, including adding a stand-your-ground provision. The stand-your-ground provision would allow people to use deadly force anywhere if they believe such force is necessary to avoid injury or risk to one’s life or safety. Opponents say it’s a license to kill. Advocates say it’s a needed strengthening of Second Amendment rights. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – For the first time, an atheist will lead the invocation at the Iowa State Capitol. KCRG-TV reports Justin Scott, who’s president of the Eastern Iowa Atheists, will open a House chambers work session this morning. Scott wants to remind lawmakers of the separation of church and state, and that while everyone is free to believe what they wish to, legislators shouldn’t impose those religious beliefs on others through legislation.

IDA GROVE, IA (IRN) – A former substitute teacher and coach has pled guilty to having sexual relationships with students at two Iowa high schools. KCCI-TV reports 33-year-old John Tietsort, of Battle Creek, entered the pleas Monday to two counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee. Tietsort had a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old female student at Odebolt-Arthur and Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School, and one with a 17-year-old female student from Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – One person is dead after an accident between a semi-truck and a pickup truck on Interstate 80 in Davenport, according to WQAD-TV. Police say a Hawkeye Paving pickup truck was doing maintenance work on the roadway. The driver was backing up onto a portion of I-80 when they were hit by the semi-truck. The driver of the pickup truck was killed, and the semi-truck driver was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A 19-year-old Dubuque man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after his conviction for first-degree murder in the killing of a man at a Dubuque trailer park. The Telegraph Herald reports Imere Hall and two other men broke into the trailer of 21-year-old Collin Brown last April, intending to rob him. Brown was shot trying to flee. BOONE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Officials in Boone County are investigating a string of fires that may be related. KCCI-TV reports five fires that took place at unoccupied rural homes in the past month are considered suspicious, including one reported Sunday morning. In one case, a family had recently purchased the home and had moved most of their belongings in just before the fire. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo family is homeless after the inside of their home was gutted by fire, according to KWWL-TV. Dennis De Vore lost his leg in a motorcycle accident six months ago, and says his family just can’t get a break. Devore says, “We lost everything. We don’t have clothing. I need a shoe. I only need one shoe.” IOWA (IRN) – Farmers in Iowa and across the country are betting on beans this year. The first planting report of the season predicts a national record for soybean acres. Corn growers are expecting to plant 90 million acres, which is a drop of four percent. Soybean growers plan to plant 89.5 million acres, which would be a seven percent increase and a national record. In Iowa, 600,000 acres of cropland will switch from corn to soybeans, largely because of low market prices for corn.