Iowa Radio News

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A dispute over a phone charger led to criminal charges for an Iowa City man.  The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 27-year-old Adam Cole was drunk and upset over his phone charger being moved. He allegedly punched holes in the walls and stabbed the walls with a knife. He also threw glass bottles and threatened to cut the hands off one person, to stab another, and shoved one person into a refrigerator. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Johnston woman told police that a man pulled out a gun during a dispute over a parking spot on Saturday. KCCI-TV reports the woman was waiting for a spot at the Price Chopper on Merle Hay Road when a silver car pulled into it. She said she got into a verbal dispute with the driver, when the man said “I’ve got something for you,” and pointed a gun at her. She provided the man’s license plate information to police. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A 48-year-old Council Bluffs man has been arrested after authorities say he bit one police officer and spit blood into the face of another. Police responded to a domestic dispute, and the unnamed man who was carrying a chainsaw rammed his head into a door repeatedly, eventually knocking himself unconscious. He faces numerous charges. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The West Des Moines Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run which killed one man early Sunday morning.  WHO-TV reports officers found a deceased male lying down on the road. The investigation and initial autopsy results indicate the victim, 21-year-old Daulton Holly of Troy, Tennessee, was hit by a car. BOSTON, MA (IRN) – Two Iowa men were arrested after making threats of violence towards the attendees of the Pokemon World Championships being held in Boston. WCVB-TV reports the threats were made over social media. Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27, were stopped from entering the event. Police found one 12-gauge shotgun, an AR-15 rifle, several rounds of ammunition and a hunting knife in their car. CHICKASAW COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A man from the northeastern Iowa town of Lawler is dead after a crash in Chickasaw County on Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 19-year-old Jesse Johnson was speeding when his car went airborne, hit several trees, and came to rest in the ditch. The vehicle then caught fire and was completely burned by the time authorities arrived. DES MOINES (IRN) – The final results are in for the presidential straw poll at the Iowa State Fair. Over 9,000 votes were cast. Donald Trump was the top overall vote-getter by a wide margin. Second in the Republican race was Dr. Ben Carson. Winning the Democratic vote was Hillary Clinton, followed by Bernie Sanders.  All other candidates from both parties trailed far behind. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The University of Iowa is welcoming its largest incoming class ever. KWWL-TV reports over 5,000 new students are starting classes this fall. Classes begin this morning.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A 24-year-old Sioux City man was killed in an ATV accident Saturday. KCAU-TV reports Carlton Pierce Smith, Junior was found by a family member in rural Sioux City. Smith died of head trauma after he hit a tree and was thrown from the ATV. DES MOINES (IRN) – A man wanted by police for a killing in Minneapolis has been arrested in Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports that 23-year-old Jamez LeShannon Merrett was arrested Wednesday after a brief foot chase. Merrett was a passenger in 21-year-old Enekeya Stallworth’s vehicle. When officers attempted to pull over Stallworth, she continued driving until Merrett jumped out of the vehicle. Police caught Merrett after a short foot chase. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Waterloo police have made an arrest in the case of a woman who was dragged about 50 feet when she tried to repossess a car in July. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports the victim was working for The Repo Man when she attempted to show the driver information about the vehicle on her cellphone, and the driver took off while the woman’s hands were still inside the car. 55-year-old Verlita Marie Dunn was charged with felony assault. DES MOINES (IRN) – There was some unusual traffic on the streets of Des Moines Saturday. Four planes and a helicopter were slowly moved from the Des Moines International Airport to a new hangar at McCombs Middle School. The planes and helicopter will be used to teach students in the Des Moines School’s aviation program.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Newsweek magazine has named five Iowa High Schools among the top high schools in the country.  Two Iowa City schools made the list–West High, and City High. Other schools recognized are Ankeny High, Linn-Mar High in Marion, Pleasant Valley High in Bettendorf, Ames High, and Waverly Shell Rock High School. NORWOODVILLE, IA (IRN) – After more than 14 hours, the suspect involved in a standoff in Norwoodville surrendered to Polk County deputies. WHO-TV reports Alan VanGorp, 42, surrendered after tactical teams used tear gas. Deputies were called to the home for a report of a suicidal man with a handgun. When deputies arrived Van Gorp fired two shots into the ground and then pointed the gun at his head and went into the home. He faces multiple charges. MECHANICSVILLE, IA (IRN) – A home was destroyed by fire Friday in the Cedar County town of Mechanicsville.  KWWL-TV reports the fire happened around 4 a.m. Fire officials say a woman, her son and dog who were sleeping inside made it out safely. The owners of the home say they have nothing left but the clothes on their back and a cell phone. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – FedEx has announced a plan for a more than $2.7 million expansion to its Sioux City facility, according to the Sioux City Journal. The project includes the addition of 24 semitrailer bays, for a total of 44. It’s not clear how many jobs will be added, but city officials said they likely will be filled by drivers hired as contractors. DES MOINES (IRN) – Why are egg prices so high? The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports Iowa egg production in July rose slightly from the previous month but remained 44 percent below year-ago levels. The decline in production and high prices are attributed to the lasting impact of the bird flu which decimated the state’s hen flocks. United States egg production was down 10 percent from last year.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The Des Moines Police Department has released more information regarding an ongoing prostitution sting. WHO-TV reports over 40 arrests have been made over several days. The sting included operations at two local hotels and one street-level enforcement project.  A department spokesperson says the timing coincided with the Iowa State Fair because of the large number of people it brings to town. CARLISLE, IA (IRN) – A pickup and a train collided near Carlisle on Friday morning.  KCCI-TV reports the train was backing up when the truck crossed the tracks and was hit.  Authorities said it was a low speed collision, but the truck was knocked into a ditch. A passenger in the truck was taken to an area hospital. DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa’s unemployment rate went up in the month of July. Iowa Workforce Development reports Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.8 percent in July. The unemployment rate in June was 3.7 percent. It’s good news though, as the jobless rate was 4.3 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 5.3 percent in July. BEAMAN, IA (IRN) – A 73-year-old woman and her 9-year-old passenger were taken to the hospital after their car failed to yield to a crossing pick-up in Grundy County on Tuesday.  KWWL-TV reports Martha Browns, 73, of Conrad and Elianna Browns, 9, of Grundy Center were both taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries. DES MOINES (IRN) – Four Des Moines cab drivers were robbed in just two weeks, according to KCCI-TV. Des Moines police said it’s likely the same person, who drivers describe as a black male about 25 years old. In each case the man entered the cab, held a knife to the driver’s throat and demanded money. The robberies happened all within a 3-mile radius of downtown. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – The K9 partner of a fallen Sioux City Police Sergeant has died, according to KTIV-TV. Eik, who worked alongside Sergeant Jay Fleckenstein, was suffering from cancer and was put down Thursday. Eik served alongside Sgt. Fleckenstein for six years. After Fleckenstein died of natural causes in April, his family bought Eik for $1 from the city. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque’s City Council voted unanimously to approve $2,500 for buying a drone.  KWWL-TV reports the city wants a “bird’s-eye view” of construction projects. The drone might also be used by firefighters and police. WALLINGFORD, IA (IRN) – A presidential candidate running under a fake name inspired by a rap song is doing well in the polls, according to KCCI-TV. The fake candidate, named Deez Nuts, is the creation of 15-year-old Brady Olsen, a teenager from the northern Iowa town of Wallingford. Deez Nuts has stirred a social media frenzy by polling nearly 10 percent of registered North Carolina voters in a hypothetical match-up against Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City Police have arrested a man who allegedly stole $15,000 worth of rings from a man that were likely worth much more in sentimental value. KWWL-TV reports Stacy and Melissa Levell stole 12 rings, valued at $15,000, that were left to the man by his wife after she died.  The couple pawned the rings. Melissa hasn’t been arrested. DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa House Republicans elected a new leadership team Thursday for the 2016 Legislative session.  KCCI-TV reports Rep. Linda Upmeyer was selected as Speaker of the House. She was first elected in 2002 and is serving her seventh term.  Upmeyer will replace Rep. Kraig Paulsen who announced earlier this month that he will not seek reelection next year. DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines woman had a surprise when she returned home after giving birth to a healthy baby boy on Wednesday.  WHO-TV reports the baby’s bassinet, toys, and clothes had been stolen. The burglar broke into the home through the window and also stole a flatscreen TV, DVD player, bicycle, and a bed. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The number of mumps cases has jumped in Johnson County, and officials are warning University of Iowa students as they begin arriving for the start of the fall semester. Students are advised to stay home if ill, and make sure their vaccinations are up to date. There have been 15 reported cases in the county this year when most years there might be only a single case. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Two teenage girls have been charged in a bank robbery at a Security National Bank branch in a Hy Vee in Sioux City. KMEG-TV reports 18-year-old Heaven Zevenbergen and 18-year-old Angelica Perez of Sioux City were arrested. Using a disguise, one of the girls handed a teller a note demanding money and threatening to shoot employees if the teller did not comply. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man suspected of firing a single shot inside an Iowa City apartment early Tuesday morning was arrested Wednesday by Cedar Rapids police. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 28-year-old Diamond Wilson was taken into custody. He was wanted on a warrant for intimidation with a dangerous weapon for firing the shot during an argument DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Twenty five people have been arrested during a prostitution sting conducted by the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force at motels in Polk County. Among those charged was 58-year-old David Greenspon. He’s the owner of a local advertising and marketing company and former owner of the Iowa Barnstormers. Also arrested was 31-year-old Tommy Birch, a sports reporter for the Des Moines Register.   SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Facebook ad selling an alligator known as “Allie” led Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue to confiscate the illegal reptile, according to KMEG-TV. A 16-year-old purchased Allie online about a year ago. When he realized he would be unable to care for her, he tried to sell her on Facebook. Allie is now two and a half feet long but has the potential to get up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds.