Iowa Radio News

ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – Prairie Meadows Casino and Racetrack in Altoona may lose its tax exempt status, according to WHO-TV. The Internal Revenue Service has advised the casino and racetrack that it is looking into its tax exempt status which allows the company to donate millions of dollars to Polk County and Polk County charities.​ The IRS is auditing the casino back to its 2012 tax returns. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The South Dakota Board of Regents is considering a proposal that would extend in-state, undergraduate tuition rates to new Iowa students at four of its public universities. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the state already has a reciprocity agreement with Minnesota, but that the Iowa proposal would be “one-way only.” WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo man convicted last year for killing a man wants a judge to move his new trial outside Black Hawk County, according to KCRG-TV. A jury in March 2015 found 25-year-old Perquondis Holmes guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Dae’Quan Campbell. A judge in February threw out the conviction after Holmes’ attorneys argued jurors should not have seen Facebook photos showing Holmes using gang signs. MOUNT VERNON, IA (IRN) – Two homes, each valued at more than a million dollars, were destroyed by fire within 30 miles of each other at nearly the same time Monday. KWWL-TV reports one fire was near Mount Vernon, the other near Solon. The State Fire Marshal is looking into the possibility of the two fires being related. Both homes were complete losses, and no one was injured. DELAWARE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Delhi man has pled guilty to vehicular homicide by reckless driving for a crash that killed a 23-year-old Dyersville woman in 2013. KCRG-TV reports 25-year-old Dean Dempster was originally charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication. A rollover crash in 2013 killed Brittany Honkomp and injured four others. Honkomp’s parents said they didn’t want to see Dempster go to prison, so his plea agreement calls for a suspended prison sentence and a fine of $10,000. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – What was initially believed to be a shooting that left a Davenport girl hospitalized, is not a shooting after all. WQAD-TV reports police were called to a report of a 17-year-old girl down in the street, possibly suffering from a gunshot wound, in February. The next day, a 15-year-old boy was charged with attempted murder. Now authorities believe the injuries were caused by blunt force trauma. The girl is out of the hospital and getting ongoing care. CARLISLE, IA (IRN) – Students at Carlisle High School wore black Tuesday to protest changes being made with health and sciences classes. KCCI-TV reports Carlisle plans to change the way that sexual education and health classes are offered by combining the curriculum with the science and technology track. Students say they understand the push for more STEM classes, but don’t believe it should come at the cost of the wellness program. Staff say funding isn’t there for both. CASS COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A baby was born Tuesday morning on Interstate 80 near Atlantic, according to KETV. The couple were on their way to the hospital, but the baby wouldn’t wait. Emergency responders were dispatched, but before crews arrived, the woman had given birth to a healthy baby. Mother and child are doing well. There’s no report on the condition of the father.

BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – The American bald eagle that was rescued after falling from a tree in Bettendorf has died, according to WQAD-TV. The eagle had been taken to a Davenport veterinarian on Wednesday, then transferred to a nonprofit rehabilitation clinic in Iowa City on Friday. The bird tested high for lead poisoning. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A 51-year-old man has been accused of sexually assaulting a staff member at a Mason City facility that helps people with mental illnesses, according to KCCI-TV. The suspect had fled the scene but returned later and was arrested. The staff member was treated at a hospital and released. Police say Joseph Wallace is charged with felony sexual abuse. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Nebraska man has been arrested Tuesday in Council Bluffs, accused of backing his pickup into a police cruiser. The Omaha World-Herald reports officers were dispatched to a residence to check a report about a man who wouldn’t leave. The pickup was in the driveway with its lights on as the officers arrived. The man soon backed the pickup down the driveway and struck the cruiser. He was arrested after an officer noticed that the man seemed to be intoxicated. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Multiple fire departments responded to a large home that caught on fire Monday night in Linn County, according to KCRG-TV. Smoke and flames could be seen for miles. No one was injured, but the house was destroyed. The house is owned by Jay Johnson, a businessman and the leader of a think tank that’s working to stop youth violence in Cedar Rapids. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Two women are accused of assault because of what they allegedly did to a store clerk in Dubuque who asked them for identification. The women were reportedly trying to buy alcohol at the Iowa Street Market. When the clerk requested identification, the women allegedly spit on the clerk and threw a beverage at her. The women remain unidentified. REINBECK, IA (IRN) – The Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community School District is facing the possibility of shutting down. KWWL-TV reports school officials held a meeting Monday night to inform people of potential solutions if the school were to close. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials are proposing a new company take over management of Honey Creek Resort. Officials are recommending a contract with Delaware North Companies. The DNR said the new agreement is expected to help the resort remain properly maintained and protected, expand amenities and services, and increase profitability. Honey Creek Resort is located on Rathbun Lake. It has a hotel, cabin rentals, a water park, golf course and more.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Two armed robberies were reported within 90 minutes of each other at Davenport gas stations about five miles today. WQAD-TV reports the robber reportedly went into both gas stations with a handgun, demanded money, and made off with some cash. No one was injured. WEBSTER CITY, IA – Police and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are looking into the death of a six-week-old infant on Easter. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports the baby was found unresponsive Sunday in Webster City. The child was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The identity of the child and cause of death have not been released. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Three Iowa City men are facing felony robbery and burglary charges in connection with two armed robberies last week. KCRG-TV reports 20-year-old Taylin Anderson and 22-year-old Nico Johnson-Williams entered an apartment and held three occupants at gunpoint before stealing multiple items. They hit one victim in the face. Then 18-year-old Alexander Regennitter joined Anderson and Johnson-Williams to enter another apartment, point a gun at the resident, and threaten his life repeatedly. They fled after robbing him. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Police say a Dubuque man sustained serious injuries after a two-vehicle crash pushed his vehicle into a nearby home. 54-year-old David Gatena was taken to a local hospital Friday. KCRG-TV reports 40-year-old Jamie Birch of Dubuque was driving south when his vehicle hit the passenger side of a vehicle driven by Gatena. The force of the crash pushed Gatena’s vehicle off the street and into a nearby home. Birch faces multiple charges. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Two Davenport gang members have been arrested following a multi-jurisdictional gun investigation, according to WQAD-TV. A search warrant turned up approximately 100 grams of high-grade marijuana, seven guns and rounds of ammunition. Both men are known members of the Lowrider street gang, and face multiple charges. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Officials in a northwest Iowa county appear ready to change an ordinance that would allow more semi-truck terminals in rural areas. The Sioux City Journal reports the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors is considering a plan that would apply to small, home-occupied businesses. The current ordinance prohibits trucks from being parked outdoors so they can be seen by passing motorists. The new ordinance would allow outdoor parking. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Terrorism by Islamic extremists is in the headlines around the globe but Muslims in Iowa say that’s not the Islam they practice, according to KGAN-TV. Imam Molhim Bilal of the Iowa City Mosque says, “The people who do these terrorist attacks and these evil actions have nothing to do with Islam.” The Iowa City Mosque is inviting the community to learn more about Islam. Bilal says he’s been happy with turnout and community reaction and is excited to continue breaking down barriers through education.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Two Des Moines police officers were killed Saturday morning in a fiery crash, and the pain is being felt throughout the community. KCCI-TV reports community members left flowers and bouquets on the hood of a parked police squad car and dropped off cookies at the police department in memory of fallen officers Susan Farrell and Carlos Puente-Morales. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an inmate who was in custody at the Polk County Jail. On Friday evening staff found 38-year-old Lamont Walls of Des Moines unresponsive in the jail. Staff began life-saving measures and Walls was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Walls was booked into jail Wednesday on charges of probation violation, among other charges. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – One person is in custody after a high speed chase through several counties in Iowa. KCRG-TV reports the Iowa State Patrol chased a vehicle starting in Hardin County around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Speeds of 100 mph were reached during the chase. The chase ended 40 minutes later when the car drove into a field near near Cedar Falls. The Iowa State Patrol did not release the name of the person involved or what may have originally started the chase. ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – Adventureland amusement park in Altoona is working on its newest attraction: a brand new rollercoaster to replace the log ride, according to WOI-TV. It’s called “The Monster” and it’s set to open in June. When it’s all put together, the end result will be 2,500 feet of steel track with five inversions.

WAUKEE, IA (IRN) – Two Des Moines police officers were killed in the line of duty Saturday morning while transporting a prisoner. The prisoner and the driver of the second vehicle were also killed. The crash happened on I-80 near the Waukee at 12:40 a.m. The officers were returning a prisoner from Council Bluffs to Des Moines when they were struck head-on by a vehicle driving the wrong way on the interstate. Officers Susan Farrell and Carlos Puente-Morales died in the crash. The names of others involved are being withheld until families can be notified. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City hospital is warning patients that some of their personal information may have been accessed through a computer virus. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports an investigation revealed that a computer virus that is designed to capture personal data had infected some computers in January at Mercy Iowa City and Mercy Clinics. CHICAGO, IL (IRN) – The Cyclones’ season is officially over after a double-digit deficit in the second half was too much to overcome on Friday night. No. 4 seed Iowa State fell behind early and ultimately lost to No. 1 seed Virginia by a score of 84-71 at the United Center in Chicago. CENTER POINT, IA (IRN) – Center Point’s library is shutting down for three weeks after regular hours today, according to KCRG-TV. But that’s good news for the small Linn County community, because it means a $2.8 million expansion project is finished enough to begin a moving-in process. Library leaders have an unusual request for patrons. To help the staff move fewer items, they’re asking people to check out a greater-than-normal number of books and movies and keep them for up to a month. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A flock of wild turkeys is terrorizing the residents of a Des Moines neighborhood and damaging cars in the area. KCCI-TV reports on Friday two wild turkeys attacked Dottie Bauer’s car. Bauer said she then saw them attack three other cars, trying to keep anyone from getting past them. Her car has deep scratches caused by the turkeys. On Thursday, a woman reported to police she was trapped in her car and couldn’t get out because the turkeys were attacking it.