Iowa Radio News

GREENFIELD – Multiple lives were lost during a powerful tornado that ripped through Greenfield Tuesday afternoon. Sgt. Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol made the announcement that the community of just over 2,000 residents took a direct hit, and that their office is investigating the impact on life the devastating storm had on the community. Adair County Memorial Hospital was directly hit by the storm, and is working to transport patients to other medical facilities. Governor Kim Reynolds released a statement, announcing plans to visit the community with local officials and state emergency responders. JOHNSTON – Several communities across the state received extensive storm damage from Tuesday’s tornado outbreak. Johnston High School cancelled classes and senior awards night activities after taking a direct hit from severe winds, according to WOI-TV. It’s likely that at least half a dozen strong tornadoes touched down in the state, including in northern Polk and eastern Story Counties, and in many other communities from southwest to northeastern Iowa. The National Weather Service offices in all three locations serving Iowans will be out conducting storm surveys for the remainder of the week. POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY – A Lincoln, Nebraska woman died in a three vehicle crash on Interstate 80 Tuesday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Honda Odyssey driven by 45-year-old Emma Gonzalez Maldonado was heading westbound, when it struck a semi stopped in the left lane for a prior collision. The patrol says Maldonado failed to slow down and spun out, hitting another vehicle before coming a rest. Maldonado died from her injuries. A passenger, 18-year-old Emily Esteban of Lincoln, was transported to Harlan hospital by ambulance. The drivers of the other vehicles involved were unharmed.

IOWA – A widespread severe weather outbreak is possible across most of the state today. The National Weather Service indicates the risk for tornadoes, hail, and winds is four out of five, or considered Moderate, on their scale. Several central Iowa communities started today under a flash flood warning, and since Sunday, many communities have received three to six inches of rainfall during that time. COUNCIL BLUFFS – An Iowa DOT worker killed on the job is being remembered this week. KCCI-TV reports the funeral for 36-year-old Matthew Dickerson is scheduled this Thursday in Council Bluffs. The Iowa State Patrol reports Dickerson was killed in a work zone on Interstate 80 by a UPS driver trying to pass a semi. The Iowa DOT reminds the public this is the risk construction workers face while working on roads, and they urge all drivers to slow down in those areas. DES MOINES – The Des Moines City Council approved a settlement to resolve a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit against Des Moines Police. WHO-13 reports four employees in the department claimed they were overlooked for promotions and harassed repeatedly while working there in 2021. The women also accused the then-leader of the Des Moines Police Officers Union of sending explicit photos — Stew Barnes resigned shortly after. The city will pay $2.4 million dollars to the four officers.

DES MOINES – Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver announced Friday he’s been receiving therapy and treatment for a brain tumor. The Des Moines Register reports the diagnosis came after the session concluded in April. Whitver represents Iowa Senate District 23 northwest of the Des Moines metro. He intends to remain in his Senate leadership position as he receives medical treatment. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynold signed her final three bills of 2024. This included House File 2686, Senate File 2370, and Senate File 2385 — which deal with restructuring and cutting of state government boards and establishing some state salaries, House File 2605 — which deals with the regulation of hemp and hemp products, and 16 others. Reynolds vetoed House File 2539, which would have required public officials to receive training about Iowa’s open meeting laws and further defined what the requirements were. It was the only veto performed by Reynolds this session. DES MOINES – Des Moines Police arrested a suspect accused of stealing an SUV with a baby inside. KCCI-TV reports Corey Van Le was found hours after they believe he abandoned a stolen vehicle Friday morning. Le is charged with neglect of a dependent and operating a motor vehicle without owner’s consent. Police say he took over the car after the parents had stepped away briefly.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY – One construction worker died in a collison near a construction site on Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County Thursday. The Iowa State Patrol reports a UPS vehicle operated by Clifford Miller was traveling toward a one-lane merging zone and tried to pass a Dodge Ram operated by Jordan Hargens of Council Bluffs and an Iowa DOT maintenance vehicle with flashing lights. Miller struck both, killing 36-year-old Matthew Dickerson of Neola, who was working for the DOT. Hargens was also injured. BURLINGTON – A Burlington man died in a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision in Burlington Thursday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a garbage truck operated by Dale Deitrick of Mediapolis was backing out onto Isabell Avenue, and struck a hearing-impaired pedestrian, identified as 49-year-old Brian Whittaker, as he was attempting to cross the street. The crash remains under investigation. JOHNSTON – Police responded to incidents at a Johnston-based juvenile treatment center nearly 1,000 times over the past three years, according to a CBS News Report. Kathleen Galloway-Menke was assaulted at Ellipsis Iowa and died from her injuries earlier this week. Her family’s attorney says the 50-year-old suffered brain damage and died after life support was removed. The 15-year-old juvenile accused of the assault had a violent history and had made previous threats against Galloway-Menke, according to the lawyer. Among the calls for service police received for the Ellipsis facility formed in August 2021 were 676 runaways and 72 for reported assaults.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board is reviewing a complaint about a Democrat running for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. WHO-13 reports the Iowa Unity Coalition filed a complaint against Melissa Vine and her campaign after a vote was held for who the local political action committee would endorse in the primary. During the vote on April 30th and May 1st, the coalition noticed an unusual number of votes attributed with an email to the domain name “@melissavine.com.” The campaign is accused of making illegal donations through ACTBlue as part of the alleged activity. OSCEOLA – The former Clarke County Attorney is accused of a third operating while intoxicated offense. KCCI-TV reports Michelle Rivera was arrested Tuesday after a car collision in Osceola. Responding officers claim Rivera had impaired balance, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. She was arrested previously in 2018 and 2021 for similar offenses. Several of her cases were called into question near the end of her term in 2019, which included dismissal charges against a man who admitted to child sex abuse. DES MOINES – A new report from non-profit Feeding America shows that 11% of Iowa adults and one in six children are food insecure. KCRG-TV reports the study in 2022 matches the demand seen from the Food Bank of Iowa, which claims they are distributing 30% more food in now as opposed to 2023. Leaders across the state at non-profits are concerned provisions in the Farm Bill and other state policies are not doing enough to counter the sharp rise in prices at the grocery story over the past three years and match policies to the latest buying habits.