Iowa Radio News

SAC CITY – The death of a trucker who went missing last November was ruled not a homicide. KTIV reports they were told by Sac County Attorney Ben Smith that the Iowa State Medical Examiner made the determination after evaluating the remains of David Schultz. He was found in a field near the intersection where his truck with discovered with personal belongings six months prior. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation did not suspect foul play when the body was found in April, and they have closed the case. The family has disputed those claims. OKOBOJI – Rounds of heavy rain earlier this week has caused untreated water to reach both lakes in Okoboji. The Des Moines Register reports many nearby rain gauges topped six inches on Monday into Tuesday. An Iowa DNR release indicated that 10 gallons per minute of wastewater were flowing into West Okoboji Lake. City officials explained that bypass of certain systems occur to prevent water backup in homes and businesses in Spirit Lake. WEST DES MOINES – Seven children and three adults were injured in a head-on collision in West Des Moines. KCCT-TV reports a daycare van crashed into a semi-truck Wednesday afternoon, as the driver of the smaller vehicle veered in front of the semi. Ten children were in the passenger van, and seven were transported to Des Moines area hospitals, as were both drivers involved.    

DES MOINES – A federal court has ruled against a law signed by Governor Kim Reynolds that would have allowed for state criminal penalties against undocumented immigrants. The Des Moines Register reports the illegal reentry law made it a state crime for those who enter the state after being previously deported or denied entry into the United States, or for failing to leave when ordered. Reynolds was critical of the move, stating not enough is being done federally with immigration, but the federal judge ruled the law passed by Iowa lawmakers was unconstitutional. SAC COUNTY – A standoff in Sac County ended with an apparent self-inflicted shooting death in northwest Iowa last week. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office reports they were notified of an ongoing chase in Crawford County. A reportedly stolen vehicle was traveling toward Sac County, driven by Jason Scott French of Manilla, who was wanted on a felony warrant from South Dakota. After Crawford County ended the chase, others picked it up, which eventually ended in a field. Following attempts to negotiate, police say French ended his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. PERRY – The principal who died saving other during a school shooting will be recognized this week. KCCI-TV reports the National Memorial to Fallen Educators will honor former Perry Principal Dan Marburger, who was killed during a shooting in January. Marburger died just over a week after he was shot by a 17-year-old student. The national organization was created after the Sandy Hook attack in 2012.

WRIGHT COUNTY – The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death in rural Clarion. The department received a report Monday morning. Upon arrival, deputies located the bodies of a deceased male and female inside a residence. After further investigation, the incident is believed to be isolated and there is no threat to the public at this time. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was called to assist. An autopsy will be performed by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner. IOWA – While a wet spring made for a good start, hot and dry conditions are starting to impact soil moisture levels in the state. The latest USDA/Iowa Department of Agriculture weekly report shows 13% of the state’s topsoil is now short or worse, and 16% of subsoil is in that category. That’s a jump from near 95% saturation across Iowa last week. Nearly three-fourths of the state’s corn is good to excellent, and 74% of soybeans are in the same category. IOWA CITY – An Iowa city woman has been charged after her toddler was found walking down a sidewalk with a gun on Friday. KCRG-TV reports 31-year-old Samantha Hall received one count of making firearms available to a minor and child endangerment. Iowa City Public Safety said the three-year-old was walking on a sidewalk with a loaded handgun Friday evening. A passerby took the weapon away and the child back home. Hall claimed she was cleaning the home didn’t know the toddler had escaped. BREMER COUNTY – Six people were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Bremer County Sunday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Dodge Journey driven by Abdelrahman Eshad of Cedar Rapids failed to yield to a Ford Bronco operated by Matthew Chase of Fairbank on Highway 3. The two collided, injuring three total occupants in each of the vehicles.

DES MOINES – A man rescued from the Raccoon River in Des Moines on Saturday has now died, according to the Des Moines Police Department. WHO-13 reports a witness saw the individual jump from the Jackson Street pedestrian bridge. A specialized team pulled the man from the water, and he was unconscious at that time. Police say he later died at a Des Moines area hospital. IOWA – The most recent edition of the Iowa Poll shows the Hawkeye State’s status as a red state seems to be unchanged heading into the final few months of the presidential election. The Des Moines Register released the latest numbers from the survey showing former President Donald Trump has the support of half of the state’s likely voters, with current President Joe Biden pulling 32%. Another 9% have picked independent Robert F. Kennedy. The poll comes before the first debate later this month and the nominations of each major party later this summer. The numbers from the survey are largely unchanged from the previous Iowa Poll. Biden’s approval rating stands at 28% as of June. NEWTON – The reigning champion of the NASCAR Cup Series found his way to the finish line first at Iowa Speedway Sunday. Ryan Blaney won the inaugural Iowa Corn 350 to win his first race of 2024. He’s won at Iowa Speedway in  all three NASCAR series, previously in 2012 and 2015. Blaney, whose mother is a Chariton native, led the final 88 laps to earn the victory.

RUNNELLS – A Des Moines man was arrested in relation to the death of a man found dead in Runnells Friday. KCCI-TV reports the Polk County Sheriff’s Office found 50-year-old Richard David Selby dead after responding to a 911 call early Friday morning. Nearly three hours later, police found 35-year-old Jacob Harbold during a traffic stop in Des Moines. He was arrested and charged with first degree murder. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office believes the two had a family relation. WOODBURY COUNTY – Two fatal crashes were reported by the Iowa State Patrol on Friday. The first happened as the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office was attempting to catch up to an Oldsmobile Alero driven by 24-year-old Donovan Burrell of Orange City. Police say he lost control after driving erratically and struck a shed off of the roadway. The Iowa State Patrol believes excessive speed and possible intoxication were factors that led to Burrell’s death from injuries. In Rock Rapids, a two-vehicle collision ended with one fatality Friday afternoon. A head-on collision occurred on Highway 75, as a Chevy Impala driven by Joni Wulf of Rock Rapids was in the wrong lane and hit a Jeep Compass driven by Megan Klapperich. Wulf died from her injuries. NEWTON – Engines were roaring Friday as practice began at Iowa Speedway with NASCAR’s best in town for the first time in the track’s history. Drivers started with practice from the Cup Series ahead of the Iowa Corn 350 scheduled Sunday. Racers from all three series are in Newton, which started with the Menards ARCA series Friday, including the Altas 150 race. The xfinity group is set to qualify and race on Saturday. Sunday’s main event begins at 6 p.m. in Newton. The Iowa State Patrol has posted several travel guidelines for those attending the track this weekend.