Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES – One person was arrested after shots were fired near the Knapp Center at Drake University Saturday. KCCI-TV reports 22-year-old Bradwick Michael Tukes was charged with going armed with intent, and he’s accused of firing a weapon during Roosevelt High School’s graduation ceremony. Des Moines Police believe there is another shooter still at-large. VAN METER – Four people were rescued from the Raccoon River near Van Meter on Monday. WHO-13 reports the individuals launched kayaks and a small boat into the high, fast moving water in the afternoon, and needed assistance shortly after hitting the water. One of the vessels hit a nearby bridge support. Van Meter Fire and Rescue launched an air boat to reach the struggling individuals, one of whom was tangled in a fishing line. The Iowa DNR reports the waters were not safe, and the small boat and one of the three kayaks capsized during the rescue. MUSCATINE COUNTY – One person has died and another injured in a Sunday night collision in Muscatine County. KWQC reports the crash occurred just after 6 p.m., involving a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Chevy Equinox. Police have not identified those involved.

GREENFIELD – The names of the individuals who died in the tornado in Greenfield have been released. According to Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management, three of the individuals died in their homes when the tornado came through the town, including 78-year-old Dean and 77-year-old Pamela Wiggins, as well as 73-year-old Michael Jensen. Seventy-year-old William Williamson was transported to Greater Regional Health when he later died from his injuries. The EF-4 tornado on May 21st also injured at least 35 people and caused devastating damage in its path. Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management states that recovery efforts are continuing following the aftermath of the tornado. POWESHIEK COUNTY – A teenager died and another juvenile was injured in an ATV incident in rural Poweshiek County on Friday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports 11-year-old Sam Schaeffer was traveling on a rural road near Guernsey and lost control negotiating a curve, rolling onto the drivers side in a ditch. A passenger was identified as 13-year-old Nolan Bayer, who died from his injuries, and Schaeffer was transported by helicopter to a hospital with significant injuries. BATTLE CREEK – The Ida County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday night. The Ida County Communications Center received a 911 call for a shots fired incident in Battle Creek, with responding officers finding 53-year-old Kevin Lee Blume with a single gunshot wound. He was flown to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. An investigation is ongoing, according to a release shared by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. DES MOINES – A man accused of vandalizing a display from the Satanic Temple of Iowa last December is pleading guilty. The Des Moines Register reports 36-year-old Michael Cassidy of Mississippi admitted he destroyed the decorations that were shown at the Iowa Capitol during the holiday season. Cassidy will accept the charge of third-degree criminal mischief, which includes a recommendation of a civil penalty and two years of probation.

GREENFIELD – Governor Kim Reynolds announced Friday that President Biden has approved Iowa’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for counties where significant damage was sustained from severe storms and widespread flooding that occurred on May 21st. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration are now authorized to provide assistance to Adair, Polk, Story, and Montgomery Counties. Residents in these counties can now apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, which provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses with programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services. In addition, the FEMA Public Assistance Program has been activated for Adair County. The Public Assistance Program provides funding for emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures. IOWA – Another round of severe thunderstorms battered much of the state Friday morning. From border-to-border, multiple reports of power outages, tree damage, and brief tornadoes were reported to the National Weather Service as a line of storms pummeled weary residents who’ve seen multiple rounds of severe weather this spring. Greenfield, who was directly hit by a devastating EF-4 tornado, reported 75 miles per hour wind gusts as the line pushed through, and at one point, more than 26,000 MidAmerican customers were without power in central Iowa. More chances for severe weather are in the forecast mainly overnight Saturday into Sunday morning.

CENTERVILLE – The Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office released the final findings from the autopsy of Journey Marberry, a two-year-old who died from injuries suffered in a Centerville home in January. The autopsy ruled that Journey’s death was the result of a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. In light of they findings, law enforcement filed an additional charge against Roger Gillespie. Initially charged with Child Endangerment Causing Death, Gillespie now faces the charge of Murder in the First Degree, a Class A felony. He was advised of the charges while in custody at the Appanoose County Jail, where he has remained since being arrested on January 27. GREENFIELD – The National Weather Service has further refined the rating of a tornado that destroyed most of Greenfield and killed five people Tuesday and injured 35 others. The storm was rated a powerful EF-4 on the enhanced fujita scale, with peak estimated winds of 185 miles per hour. The tornado was on the ground for 44 miles, with a maximum width of 1,000 yards. Additional storms this morning will likely hamper cleanup efforts, as multiple rounds of severe weather impacted central Iowa again, and more is possible across much of the state through the holiday weekend. DES MOINES – Three teenagers were killed from injuries suffered in a crash on the south side of Des Moines Wednesday afternoon. The Des Moines Police Department reports an unmarked vehicle watched as the teens were allegedly operating a stolen vehicle, and the driver sped off when spotting police. Officers claim the driver ran a stop sign and crashed into a tree, ejecting all four occupants. The fourth individual remains hospitalized.

GREENFIELD – Four fatalities and at least 35 injuries were the result of the tornado that impacted Greenfield during the afternoon hours of Tuesday. The names and ages of those killed in the severe weather event are not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. A preliminary survey by the National Weather Service indicated the storm was at least an EF-3 on the enhanced fujita scale, with a higher designation likely with further research planned. It is believed that the number of those injured is likely higher, but these numbers reflect only those patients treated for their injuries at designated alternate care sites. At least 14 patients were transported to out-of-county medical facilities by various EMS Services. CORNING – A fifth victim from Tuesday’s tornado outbreak has been identified. The Associated Press reports Monica Zamarron was killed when the vehicle she was driving was blown off the road during the storms near Corning. The Adams County Sheriff’s office confirmed her identity on Wednesday. Storm damage will be analyzed well into the weekend by the National Weather Service. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered that all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor of Matthew Dickerson, an employee of the Iowa Department of Transportation who was killed on May 16 while working on I-80 near Council Bluffs. Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.