Iowa Radio News

NODAWAY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has released more information on the report of a death Saturday in Nodaway. They report that the death of Allen Pafford, 44, has been ruled a homicide. The investigation is ongoing. JACKSON, MN (IRN) – An Iowa couple was killed in a motorcycle crash on I-90 near Jackson, Minnesota Monday. KEYC-TV reports a motorcycle and a minivan collided head-on in a construction zone. The motorcycle, driven by 67-year-old Richard Hedeen of Davenport lost control and hit the van, killing Heeden and his passenger 66-year-old Francois Hedeen. The driver of the van, 40-year-old Sharon Rowlet of West Des Moines, suffered non-life threatening injuries. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his female partner after she was found dead Tuesday morning of apparent stab wounds. The Sioux City Journal reports the suspect, Isack Mahad Abdinur, 35, was arrested after a K9 unit helped find him in a near-by-garage. The victim’s name has not been released. GRUNDY CENTER, IA (IRN) – Colfax-Mingo Schools superintendent Marty Lucas, 61, was arrested and charged Thursday in his second OWI case. KCCI-TV reports that he resigned from his position Monday. Lucas, of Charles City, was arrested shortly before 9 in the morning in Grundy Center after posting a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit. DES MOINES (IRN) – Early morning storms in the northern part of the state yesterday that brought winds up to 100 mph were followed by late afternoon storms in the southern part of the state. A tornado was spotted near Columbia in southern Marion County that reportedly continued into Monroe County, causing damage to buildings in Lovilia and Albia. The National Weather Service will continue to assess storm damage today. DES MOINES (IRN) – The National Weather Service reports that nine people have been killed by lightning strikes this year in the U.S., two in Iowa.  William Clevenger, 35, of the Muscatine County community of Moscow was killed rounding up cattle on his horse in early May. Rebecca McCarthy, 42, was killed walking from campground to campground this past weekend in Palo in Linn County. DES MOINES (IRN) – A former Des Moines Police officer will receive 63 months in federal prison for kicking a restrained subject in the mouth and nose. The Southern District Federal Court of Iowa sentenced Colin J. Boone, age 39, for unreasonable use of force. Other officers on scene reported Boone’s misconduct. WASHINGTON, DC (IRN) – The USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service has released its weekly crop and weather report. Wet weather continues to limit the ability of farmers to get in the field.  Generally crops are reported in good condition, but dry weather and warm temperatures are needed to help the crops mature.

STORY COUNTY, Iowa – One person was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital following a crash on Highway 30 Monday morning. WHO-TV reports the one-car accident happened west of Nevada where a car ended up in a creek under a Highway 30 bridge. The man inside was trapped for a short time. Officials on scene said he may have a broken back. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man who carjacked and assaulted his former girlfriend and threatened to kill her was sentenced to 13 years in prison. During the assault he pointed a gun at her face. The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa reports that Angel Gomez, age 23, received the prison term after a guilty plea. The assault took place after his girlfriend told him she wanted to end their relationship. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Severe thunderstorms rolled through northern Iowa early this morning. KTIV-TV reports winds of up to 100 miles an hour in western Iowa, and KWWL-TV reports 93 mph winds at Independence in northeastern Iowa. The Sheldon Regional Airport in O’Brien County received a 95 mile per hour wind gust, and a hanger was damaged and five airplanes in it were destroyed. Baseball-sized hail was reported near Cedar Rapids. DES MOINES (IRN) – The emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Poweshiek County. The Iowa Department of Agriculture reports that the pest was collected from a city-owned tree in Grinnell. The small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia kills ash trees, and has now been identified in 25 Iowa counties. DES MOINES (IRN) – A triple-stabbing at a Des Moines party early Sunday has become a homicide investigation. WHO-TV reports 27-year-old Timothy Washington has died, and two others are recovering from stab wounds after an altercation at a home east of the Capitol building. There are 13 witnesses being interviewed. NODAWAY, IA (IRN) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office along with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating a suspicious death in the southwestern Iowa town of Nodaway. The investigation is ongoing and the name of the deceased is not being released at this time pending notification of family. EDDYVILLE, IA (IRN) – An F1 Tornado struck south of Eddyville Saturday night. The National Weather Service reports that the tornado was on the ground for approximately 3.5 miles, was 175 yards wide, and had peak winds of 110 mph. The tornado was accompanied by hail, and while there was property damage, no one was injured. MOUNT PLEASANT, IA (IRN) – One person died and four others were hurt in a rollover crash in Mount Pleasant on Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol reports that a 15-year-old was driving a minivan when she lost control and rolled into the ditch. All of the victims were from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sarah White-Young, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene. DES MOINES (IRN) -Two men were arrested on Saturday after jumping into the Des Moines River in Des Moines while intoxicated. WHO-TV reports 23-year-old Michael Rocha and 33-year-old Anthony Lozano were charged with public intoxication. Police believe the two men went to the Iowa Craft Brew Festival on the Court Avenue Bridge, before jumping into the river to cool off.

OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – Damage from last night’s storms from across the state is still being assessed. KTVO-TV reports that storms tore through southeast Iowa, with considerable damage to trees in Bloomfield and other communities. Estimated 70 mph winds in Ottumwa tore the roof and front off of a home. PALO, IA (IRN) – A Hiawatha woman died after being struck by lightning early Saturday evening at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area near Palo in Linn County. Rebecca McCarty, 42, was camping with friends and family when she was struck by lightning while walking between camping spots. MADRID, IA (IRN) – A Nevada woman was injured Saturday after an approximately 40-foot fall from a cliff at Ledges State Park in Boone County. Shannon Novak, 19, was taken by ambulance to Iowa Methodist in Des Moines after suffering injuries to her back and ankle. Novack lost her footing and fell from a sandstone outcropping over the Des Moines River. DES MOINES (IRN) – A West Des Moines teenager was airlifted to Iowa Methodist in Des Moines after suffering a head injury while tubing on Lake Panorama Saturday afternoon. Angela Cary, 15, was on a three-person tube being towed by a boat when the tube hit a wave throwing all three into the water. Also on the tube were Angela’s sister, Kayla, 19, and Rachael Anfinson, 16, of Urbandale.  Anfinson also suffered a head injury, and it is believed that the girls bumped heads when the tube was flipped over after hitting the wave.

AMES, IA (IRN) – One person is dead following an early morning shooting in Ames. WHO-TV reports that police responded to a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a male victim with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported hearing an argument and several gunshots. The name of the victim is being withheld. LACONA, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a possible homicide near Lacona in rural Marion County. No names have been released in the incident, pending family notification. DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to six companies for job creation and expansion projects on Friday. According to the agency, the awards will assist in the creation of 304 jobs, retention of 137 jobs and will result in almost $52 million in new capital investment for the state. Cities and towns benefiting include Le Mars, Pella, Spencer, Cedar Rapids, Urbandale, and Coralville. AMES, IA (IRN) – One person is dead after two construction workers fell from scaffolding while working on a new six-story apartment complex in Campustown in Ames Friday afternoon. The Ames Tribune reports that the two workers fell approximately three stories. The cause of the accident is unknown, and the workers’ names have not yet been released. DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines’ housing market continued to heat up in May, with homes selling at the fastest pace in nearly nine years, according to a report from the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors. According to the Des Moines Register, home prices also surged in May. The median sale price during the month was $179,000, up 8.5 percent from $165,000 in the same month last year. Homes sales and prices grew statewide as well. DES MOINES (IRN) – Four elderly sex offenders who live at the state mental hospital at Clarinda will soon be transferred to another state facility before the Clarinda hospital closes, according to the Des Moines Register. Thought was given to transferring the men to a private facility, but state officials decided to place them in the state mental hospital in Independence rather than in a regular nursing home.

DAVENPORT, IA – A Iowa man has been sentenced to 180 months in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and being found an armed career criminal. Jonathon Adam Lamb, age 36, formerly of Bettendorf, was sentenced Friday in the Southern District Court of Iowa. Lamb was found in possession of a stolen Colt .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol a year ago, and had prior convictions for unarmed robbery and burglary. DES MOINES, (IRN) – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent in May, significantly down from the May 2014 rate of 4.4 percent, according to Iowa Workforce Development.  Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.5 percent in May from 5.4 percent in April. DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled today that Planned Parenthood of the Heartland may continue to use its controversial telemedicine-abortion system. The Des Moines Register reports that more than 7,200 Iowa women have used it since 2008. The system, the first of its kind in the nation, allows Planned Parenthood doctors in Des Moines or Iowa City to interact via video with patients in outlying clinics, and then dispense the pills to the women. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Waterloo police on Thursday night arrested an adult and three teens on drugs and weapons charges following a traffic stop. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports officers detected an odor of marijuana and during a search recovered marijuana, a digital scale and packaging material. One of passengers, Dennis W. Washington, 24, of Waterloo, was in possession of a stun gun and a loaded .22-caliber handgun, which was reported stolen earlier in the year. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A Dubuque man stabbed his girlfriend to death and then, while suffering from stab wounds of his own, demanded alcohol from neighbors, fell off a nearby retaining wall, and repeatedly asked responding police officers to shoot him. The Dubuque Tribune Herald reports that Eddie Hicks, 26, is charged with one count of first-degree murder. Police said he stabbed Kahdyesha J. Lemon, 21, to death Wednesday night at their home. Lemon had more than 20 stab wounds to her head, neck, chest and back. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Police continue to investigate the death of a toddler who was found unconscious at an in-home day care Wednesday afternoon. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports that the 18-month-old boy, Brody Harrelson, of Waterloo, was discovered unresponsive in a car seat inside the home. The cause of death is unknown. OMAHA, NE (IRN) – A new report shows farmland values continue a gradual decline in Iowa and the Midwest. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Omaha-based Farmers National, a real estate company, says the average sale price of an acre of high quality Iowa farmland fell to $11,000 this month from $12,250 in June 2014. Farm profit margins are depressed due to lower corn and bean prices and steady input costs. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The American Heart Association announced a $3.7 million dollar grant to the Carver Biomedical Research Center at the University of Iowa for researchers to investigate methods to predict, prevent and treat preeclampsia in pregnancy.  Preeclampsia is a hypertension disorder in pregnant women, complicating 5-7% of all pregnancies, killing 100,000 women and 500,000 babies every year.