Iowa Radio News

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – A driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 35 near Ankeny triggered a five-vehicle crash Saturday, according to KCCI-TV. A Chevy Cobalt did a U-turn and started traveling south in the northbound lanes. The car hit a Saab head-on and sent it into the back of a semi tractor-trailer. A Chrysler Sebring crashed into the Saab and then continued northbound, hitting a GMC Terrain. The driver of the Sebring and the driver of the Cobalt were both charged with OWI. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Police in Cedar Rapids are looking into an instance of shots fired Sunday night. KGAN-TV reports when officers arrived, they found that two houses and a car had been hit by gunfire. Several shell casings were found on the scene. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made. Police are not sure if the homes that were hit were targeted or random. MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – Marshalltown police are investigating a reported sexual assault involving a 17-year-old early today. KCCI-TV reports while driving to the man’s home officers spotted him standing in the parking lot of a store. 48-year-old Harvell Louis Murphy was arrested and charged with third-degree sexual abuse. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A man who was shot during a police chase in Waterloo has been sent to prison. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 24-year-old Brandon Seeley pled guilty Friday to assault on an officer, eluding and possession of methamphetamine for sale. He was given 20 years in prison. An officer said he feared for his life when he fired four shots through the window of Seeley’s vehicle as it sped toward him. Seeley was struck three times but drove off with police in pursuit. HANCOCK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Britt man was injured after his vehicle rolled on top of him in a crash in Hancock County Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 20-year old Brian Cliff was driving a 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada when he came to a stop sign. Thinking it was a four-way stop, he pulled into the intersection, and into the path of a pickup driven by a 15-year-old. It’s a two-way stop and the teen driver hit Cliff’s vehicle broadside. Cliff’s vehicle rolled, ejecting Criff, and came to rest on top of him. He was flown to a hospital by helicopter, treated and released. WEST UNION, IA (IRN) – A Fayette County detention officer has been arrested for OWI. KWWL-TV reports 25-year-old Austin Vagts was charged Sunday morning for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He’s been working full-time for the county less than six months. SOLON, IA (IRN) – Iowa officials are considering banning alcohol use at two state beaches because of past problems. The Des Moines Register reports the proposed rule would apply at Lake Macbride near Solon and Pleasant Creek at Palo. These two beaches have a history of alcohol-related problems, and officials decided they need attention first. But they are reviewing alcohol policies at all state parks, so additional changes are possible. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Epilepsy Foundation hosted its first Iowa Walk for Epilepsy Saturday morning at the Mystique Ice Rink in Dubuque, according to KCRG-TV. Ice skaters and walkers came out to support the foundation. Organizers want people to realize that epilepsy is a lot more common than people think. One out of 26 people develop epilepsy by the time they are elderly.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A drunk driver hit a person at a gas station while they were filling up their car with gas in Des Moines Friday night, according to WHO-TV. When police arrived, they found the victim’s vehicle and several gas pumps on fire. After looking at surveillance video, police say 20-year-old Brett Stevens drove off after driving through the parking lot and hitting the victim as well as several pumps. Stevens was charged with OWI. The victim is expected to be OK. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Two Grand View University men’s volleyball players are in the hospital Saturday after an early-morning car accident in Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports Felipe Nogueira and Pedro Cardoso, both from Brazil, were driving near downtown when they were hit by a car driven at a high rate of speed. The engine of one car was found 200 feet from the crash. The two suffered serious injuries, but are expected to survive. There’s no word on the other driver. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City man is facing numerous charges after a meth lab and drugs were found in his storage unit. KGAN-TV reports the Johnson County Multi-Agency Drug Task Force executed a warrant on Kurtis Stanfield’s storage unit. Inside, they found meth making products, prescription pills, marijuana, along with a digital scale and plastic baggies. Stanfield faces numerous charges. INDIANOLA, IA (IRN) – A judge has declared the Warren County Courthouse no longer habitable and says court employees are at risk, according to KWWL-TV. Chief Judge Arthur Gamble told Warren County supervisors if the county doesn’t act soon, the court will begin a process to compel them to provide suitable court facilities, as required by law. A $35 million bond referendum for a new justice center failed earlier this month.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (IRN) – A Rock Island man has been sentenced to 23 years in prison in connection with a heroin overdose death in Bettendorf, according to KWQC. A federal judge sentenced Steven Waldrip this week, after being found guilty of distributing heroin last fall. A co-defendant, Kyle Wilson, received a 12 year sentence. The case stems from the death of a Bettendorf woman who was found dead in her home in 2013 from a heroin overdose. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man who intentionally crashed his truck into a squad car with a K-9 inside has been found guilty of first-degree criminal mischief, assault on a peace officer and operating while intoxicated, according to KCCI-TV. 34-year-old Juan Carlos Nino-Hernandez of Des Moines rammed a police car in a gas station parking lot. The officer was in the store, but the K-9 was inside the car. The dog suffered minor injuries but has fully recovered. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The U.S. postmaster in the northern Iowa town of Nora Springs has been accused of federal crimes. KIMT-TV reports the indictment filed Thursday in U.S. District Court charges Deann Lewman with two counts of misappropriation of postal funds and 42 counts of making false entries in postal records. Federal authorities allege Lewman took almost $6,000 in cash, stamps, and money orders. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A new report shows Iowa is near the top of the pack across the country for the accessibility of preschool, according to KCRG-TV. But the same report shows state spending on Iowa’s programs lags behind other states. The National Institute for Early Education Research report says Iowa ranks seventh in accessibility for four year olds, and 18th for accessibility for three year olds. However, our spending rate is only 35th among states. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Thousands of dollars were raised this year for northeastern Iowa nonprofit organizations as part of Great Give Day, according to KWWL-TV. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque says over $370,000 was raised for 114 nonprofits on May 3rd and 4th.

AMES, IA (IRN) – The Ames’ fire department is taking some heat for trying to increase diversity on its staff. WHO-TV reports the department announced plans to scale back its standard fitness test. The department is hoping the change brings in more recruits — specifically women and minorities. The Iowa Professional Fire Fighters Organization called the move into question. The group says it supports diversity, but is concerned about changing hiring standards. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A man is accused of shooting another man in a Waterloo Kwik Star parking lot yesterday. KWWL-TV reports Daytrell Pendleton is accused of shooting the other man multiple times. An off-duty deputy saw Pendleton get out of his truck with a shotgun and fire at the victim, who was standing near, or sitting in, his truck. He was hit in the elbow, hand, hip and stomach. The off-duty deputy arrested Pendleton at the scene. BUFFALO, IA – A body was pulled from the Mississippi River in the Scott County town of Buffalo this morning. WQAD-TV reports a caller reported the body, and the Buffalo Fire Department and Scott County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and pulled the body from the river. The investigation is continuing. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A 22-year-old Council Bluffs man has been given 10 years in prison for trying to kidnap a girl near her elementary school. KMTV reports that Nathan Busse pled guilty Thursday to child stealing after prosecutors dropped a kidnapping charge. Busse grabbed the girl in January 2013 near Edison Elementary School and forced her to walk with him. She struggled and broke away. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Ames man was arrested and charged Wednesday with carrying a handgun on school grounds, according to KCCI-TV. Paul Smiley-Oyen was driving a charter bus heading for Valley High School to pick up band students. He began tailgating a car, honking his horn and flashing his lights. He was tailgating an on-duty Des Moines police captain in a city vehicle. The officer followed him to the high school, approached the bus, and saw Smiley-Oyen was holding a handgun. He was arrested and faces felony charges. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Floyd County judge is under fire for banning a woman from getting pregnant, according to WHO-TV. Twenty-four-year-old Stephanie Fatland was charged with child endangerment last year. In court, she opted for a plea deal from Judge James Drew. The agreement stipulated Fatland not get pregnant. The Iowa Court of Appeals overturned the ban. ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – Federal officials are revoking a central Iowa casino’s nonprofit status. The Des Moines Register reports the Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday that Prairie Meadows, in Altoona, should lose its tax-exempt status, following an 18-month audit. The casino plans to appeal the decision. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Christians, Jews and atheists are working together to remove graffiti from the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Waterloo, according to KCRG-TV. Police are reviewing surveillance footage to try to figure out who drew crosses and wrote the words “Jesus Saves” on the synagogue. Officials are calling the vandalism a “hate crime.” Volunteers say it’s important to stand together, as one community.

POLK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives have made one arrest in the Evolution Night Club Shooting. Detectives arrested 27-year-old Mykael Maggett of Windsor Heights. Maggett was identified on surveillance video discharging a handgun into a crowd. He was charged with Assault while displaying a Dangerous Weapon and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon; he has since posted bond and was released from jail. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man reported a burglary Wednesday that happened while he was out working in his yard. KCCI-TV reports the homeowner was in the backyard and when he came back around the house he saw his truck was missing. Inside the garage, tools including a chain saw, cordless drill, and bag of tools had been taken. Next, he spotted the side door to his house standing wide open. Inside the home, keys including the pickup truck’s were missing from the TV stand. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man was shot in the torso overnight on the east side of Des Moines, according to KCCI-TV. It happened just after 3:30 a.m. at the Parkside East Apartments. People inside the apartments called 911 after hearing gunfire. Police found one man who had been shot in the torso. He was hospitalized and is expected to survive. No one has been arrested. OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A woman found a cat in a sealed plastic tote near the city brush dump in Oskaloosa on May 5th. The woman contacted the Oskaloosa Police Department and the cat was taken to a shelter. The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Police are investigating a possible hate crime against a Waterloo religious community, according to KWWL-TV. Vandals defaced the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Waterloo, Tuesday evening by painting “Jesus Saves” and two crosses on the building. Synagogue leader Erin Maidan says it’s a hate crime because the implication is that Jews are going to burn in hell for their beliefs. ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – A woman who left her three children alone in an Altoona hotel room is back in jail after Des Moines police re-arrested her for missing court hearings. KCCI-TV reports 23-year-old Jeorkan Alvarado-Morales was arrested on child endangerment charges in December after police found her three children, ages 4, 2, and 1, alone inside a Quality Inn hotel room. The children were crying, which caught the attention of the hotel clerk. Alvarado-Morales had left her children to go to Prairie Meadows Casino. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines woman who died just days after Christmas last year was just one semester away from graduating from the University of Iowa. WHO-TV reports she was honored Wednesday and received a degree posthumously. Nicole Underwood was Chicago-bound on a bus to see her boyfriend when the bus crashed. Nicole’s family is raising money to endow a scholarship in her name. She had planned to be a social worker. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School students in Dubuque have published their fourth annual Miracle Book, according to KCRG-TV. Authored by six graders, the book is full of poems the students wrote about their lives. The students sold advertisements in the book and are giving the money to the Iowa Children’s Miracle Network. The book has already raised over $400, and the children hope to raise more through book sales.