Sunday, March 30, 2014

Dallas County Growth

You want to see fast growth, check out Dallas County, which added almost 75-thosuand people last year alone. Dallas County has seen a population jump of nearly 13% since 2010, making it the fastest growing county in the state. Waukee, Urbandale, and West Des Moines have all seen a large population increase. The number of houses more than doubled in Waukee over the past ten years, growing from nearly 2,400 to over 5,200.

Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer's presence has been confirmed in Jasper County.  Nine counties statewide have been infested by the insect, which destroys ash trees over time.  To slow the spread, a statewide quarantine was issued in February, limiting the movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs, wood chips and ash tree nursery stock out of Iowa into non-quarantined areas of other states.

Road Work

Monday, the same day the construction project starts that will close the Mile Long Bridge, another project will cause slowdowns on the Highway 65 bypass. The Iowa DOT said the construction zone will be at the Des Moines River just south of Pleasant Hill where two bridges will be replaced. KCCI reports southbound traffic will be moved to a northbound lane during the construction.
The project is expected to be completed by November.

Weapons Arrest

A Des Moines man has been accused of walking around his neighbor's house with a loaded gun. Police say 45-year-old Robert Webb was arrested Wednesday on weapons charges. Officers found Webb on his patio, sitting in a lawn chair with a revolver next to him and confiscated additional weapons in his home.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Teacher Abuse

A Knoxville teacher and coach accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old student has resigned. The superintendent of Knoxville Schools told KCCI that Troy Rider submitted his resignation Monday night as football coach and PE teacher effective April 1. Rider is charged with third-degree sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a school counselor. He has been on paid leave since the allegations surfaced. Rider's next court hearing is scheduled for April 18.

Sexual Assault Bill

the Iowa house has passed a bill that would strengthen laws against sexual assaults in military forces... the measure would require that the Iowa national guard annually filing a report with the legislature, detailing sexual abuse allegations... also... a commander would not be able to interfere in the victims reporting process... the bill now goes back to the senate for more consideration.

Drunk Driving Law

A bill that aims to change the state's law dealing with drunken drivers has cleared the Iowa house... right now, drunken driving offenders face an immediate license suspension, even on the first offense... the new bill would let offenders start driving sooner if they put in an ignition lock device, so they can't start their car unless they haven't had alcohol... the bill now goes back to the senate for more consideration.

Dangerous Playground

Police are investigating the discovery of about a dozen razor blades at a Quad Cities playground. The razor blades were first found when a 2-year-old cut his hand on one of them at Millennium Park in East Moline. Police then found the razor blades glued to playground equipment with a white, putty-like substance. They were found on the monkey bars, on the ground and glued to other equipment. Police said they believe it was a prank, but some parents are concerned.

Water Works Settlement

The Des Moines Water Works Board of Trustees is voting on whether to accept a $2.1 million settlement from the federal government to resolve a lawsuit over flood repair funding approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and later withdrawn. FEMA approved the $7.6 million in disaster funding in 2010 but rescinded it in 2011 after the Water Works had already spent $2 million.

Mile Long Bridge

The mile-long bridge over Saylorville Reservoir closes next Monday morning at 9a.m. for repair work. The detour for traffic is Iowa 415, Northwest 26th Street, NW 66th Avenue, and Northwest Beaver Drive. WHO-TV reports the $300,000 project's expected to be finished just before Memorial Day weekend.

Park Shelter

An historic shelter in Greenwood Park's about to get a quarter million dollar facelift. The Des Moines shelter, which dates back to 1933, is limestone and timber. KCCI reports the rehab includes adding glass walls to make it a three season shelter with updated bathrooms. The park's in the 4500 block of Grand Ave. 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Missing Woman ID

Waterloo police have identified a woman whose body was found behind a business this weekend... an autopsy was planned for 53 year old Sharon Creighton, who was found Sunday afternoon by the business owner and his son... she was found face down near a pile of wood, and her car was nearby... police have said the circumstances surrounding her death are suspicious. She had been reported missing earlier Sunday.

Project Alluvion

The West Des Moines City Council may approve incentives tonight that would push forward a $255 million dollar project.
KCCI reports the project is code named Project Alluvion. The as-yet unnamed developer is asking for financial incentives and infrastructure improvements to help with the project. Tax increment financing support for the project is expected to total about $18 million. Documents show the project is expected to create about 84 jobs.

Secret Settlements

Governor Branstad has signed an executive order prohibiting state agencies from making confidential settlement agreements. with disciplined or fired state workers. It is Branstad's response to criticism of agreements reached between state agencies and six state employees who were dismissed and then paid more than $280,000 to keep quiet.  Branstad, just back in the state from vacation, says he didn't know about the settlements.

Branstad, back in Iowa from vacation, is responding to criticism of agreements reached between state agencies and several state employees who were fired and then paid more than $280,000 to keep quiet.

Branstad says Monday that Iowans expect more from state government and deserve better. He says he didn't know about the settlements.

His order requires settlement agreements to be reviewed by the attorney general's office and all agreements to be posted on a state website.

He's also ordered all past settlement agreements to be posted - that's more than 321 since he took office. He says 24 contain confidentiality agreements and 10 included lump sum payments to workers.

Utility Bills Debt

Hundreds of thousands of Iowa residents are behind on paying their utility bills because of the brutal winter that caused bills to skyrocket. The Iowa Utilities Board figures say 4 percent more households are in arrears than a year ago ... but because of the severe cold and the higher costs of natural gas and propane, the AMOUNT of the debt has hit a record high $46 million.  Iowa's moratorium on shut-offs of utility customers qualifying for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program assistance ends April 1st.

Youth Pastor Sentence

A former Des Moines youth pastor has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex abuse charges.  A judge told 27-year-old Ryan Matthew McKelvey she believed he was a “predator” who used his status in the church to abuse two teenage females. McKelvey was a youth pastor at the Heritage Assembly Church, until he lost his job last summer.

Kum & Go Corporate Office

Kum & Go plans to build a new corporate office in the Western Gateway in downtown Des Moines.  The company, which operates about 430 convenience stores in 11 states, is negotiating for the purchase of a block of land north of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.  CEO Kyle Krause says Kum & Go could move all of its roughly 250 corporate office employees to the new building, from their present offices in West Des Moines, by late 2016 or early 2017.

Settlements Follow-Up

Lawmakers continue raising questions for Gov. Terry Branstad's administration about accusations that fired state employees were paid secret settlements. The most vocal critic on Thursday was Sen. Jack Hatch who is running against Branstad in the upcoming governor's race. Republican leaders wouldn't go so far as to criticize the response of the governor's office that included forming a closed committee to investigation the accusations, but they do have opinions about the settlements.

Tax Scam

A government watchdog says more than 20,000 taxpayers have been targeted by fake IRS agents in the largest phone scam the agency has ever seen. The IRS inspector general says thousands of victims have lost a total of more than $1 million. As part of the scam, fake IRS agents call taxpayers, claim they owe taxes, and demand payment using a prepaid debit card or a wire transfer. Those who refuse are threatened with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver's license. Real agents don't demand payment by debit card, credit card or wire transfer, nor do they call you until after you've been sent quite a bit of mail about the tax bill.

Boys Stuck

Two little boys are ok after being trapped on an ice sheet on the Des Monies River. The 12 and 7 year old brothers had been throwing rocks when the littler one's shoe got stuck. They both were trying to get it out when the ice block floated away. Someone spotted them near the hydroelectric dam and called 911 Firefighters found them quite a ways from the river bank and they were pulled to safety.

Fishing Restrictions

The city of Des Moines wants to delay fishing restrictions on the river downtown. The city is asking the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to allow it on the banks within the Principal Riverwalk and north to Univesity Ave. KCCI says city manager Rick Clark sent a letter saying public agencies should try to improve and expand access along the
Des Moines River rather than restrict it. Parks and Rec first proposed banning it because of safety issues and trash and rotting fish that are left behind.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Lake Fish Kills

Some fish populations in the state could be hurt by this nasty winter. The State Department of Natural Resources says it's typical for lakes and ponds to have some fish deaths in the winter, but one official says this winter, they're seeing more lakes and ponds affected. Jim Wahl says a few lakes are experiencing lower-than-normal oxygen levels. A few lakes with a history of winter kills are now installed with aeration systems, which can help keep the lakes from freezing.

Man Runs Over Girlfriend

Ten years in prison is the sentence for a 24-year-old man accused of running over his girlfriend in the parking lot of a shopping center in Sioux City. Anthony Barton allegedly used a stun gun several times on 22 year old Karilyn Schroeder, and then ran her over as he took off in her vehicle last year. He was found guilty of assault and another charge, and he was sentenced to two back-to-back five-year terms behind bars.

Settlement Agreements

State Sen. Janet Peterson, a Des Moines Democrat, wants Gov. Branstad to release copies of settlements with state employees who were laid off then paid to sign agreements not to talk about it.  Peterson chairs the State Senate Oversight Committee, and wants to know who asked for the agreements and who authorized the payouts.  

Des Moines Shooting

A Des Moines man was shot in the knee last night in an apparent robbery attempt on Maury at East 30th Street.  27-year-old Chad Kain told police he was pushed to the ground and shot, and said the suspect looked just as as surprised as he was that a shot went off.  Kain told police he thinks the man never meant to shoot him.

Walmart Games

Walmart is expanding its video game trade-in program... in the past, Walmart offered trade-ins online... but plans to let video game owners trade in used video games IN Walmart and Sam's club stores... the traders can get store credit for thousands of games, but not cash... also, for the first time, Walmart will be offering refurbished used games.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Playground Arson

Two middle school aged girls are facing 2nd degree arson charges after this mornings fire at Park Avenue Elementary School in Des Moines.  The fire consumed the playground equipment that was installed last October.  No students were in the school because of spring break.  KCCI reports the equipment damage's estimated at $50- to- $100,000. 

Teens Shot

Des Moines PD are looking for suspects in last night's shooting of a brother and sister outside their home in the 1500 block of 20th Street. 18-year old Stashawna Johnson says someone followed her cousin to their home in an SUV and shots were fired.  KCCI reports she and her 15-year old brother are in fair condition with non life threatening injuries at Mercy Medical Center.

Texting 911

You may soon be possible to text 911 dispatchers for assistance. Texting also means having the ability to send dispatchers real-time pictures. The Federal Communications Commission said AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have voluntarily committed to provide text-to-911 service by May 15 in all areas with a 911 call center equipped to receive texts. An Eastern Iowa call center has been able to receive 911 texts through iWireless. The Black Hawk County call center in Waterloo was the first in the nation to receive 911 text messages in 2009.

Transportation Director

A guilty plea this week - from the former transportation director of a northwest Iowa school district who was accused of tampering with bus records... 52 year old Douglas Wessling was the transportation director for the Galva-Holstein community school district... he'd been put on leave last fall, then lost his job after an investigation by the Iowa state patrol... three buses had reportedly been taken out of service because of damage...Wessling allegedly falsified repair records on at least three buses... and he put one of those buses back into use before it had been fixed. He will receive two years of probation and an order to pay a $1,000 fine.

Truck Leasing Company Moving

A truck leasing company is moving its corporate office from Omaha, to Council Bluffs... Wayne Hoovestol plans to build a 24 thousand square foot building, along with an attached shop and nearby warehouse... the daily non pariel says Hoovestol plans to move his 55-person Cresco capital operation from Omaha,and put it with his lone mountain leasing operations... he says the consolidated site would have an initial payroll of three and a half million dollars... lone mountain truck leasing operation has 15 employees who would relocate from pacific junction. he expects to add jobs.

Tyson Decision

A decision from Tyson foods will save nearly 400 jobs in western Iowa... Tyson foods has changed its plans - and decided NOT to close - it's beef plant in Dennison... a couple of years ago Tyson said the plant would close after the completion of a 90 million dollar expansion and modernization project at the beef plant in Dakota city... that project has taken longer to finish than expected. Tyson says it's keeping the Denison plant open because of the lower feed prices for cattle, and the closure of some competitors' beef plants. employees were told about the change last week...

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Hotel Incentives

A plan to build a four-star hotel next to Hy-Vee Hall and Wells Fargo Arena won't happen unless Des Moines city leaders can convince the state's economic development authority to fork over millions in tax incentives for the project. Des Moines Assistant City Manager Matthew Anderson said this week is a prime example that proves why a hotel is needed next to the Iowa Events Center. Fans from across the state are coming to downtown Des Moines in droves to cheer on their favorite teams at the boy's state basketball tournament.

Military Sex Assault Bill

The Iowa senate has approved a bill giving victims more power to report sexual abuse and other crimes involving state military personnel.... Under the bill, state military forces would have to file an annual report with the governor and the Legislature detailing sexual abuse allegations within the forces. It also says state military forces have to give the governor and lawmakers an annual report detailing sexual abuse allegations in the ranks. The Senate voted 47-0 to approve the legislation, which now goes to the House.

New Airport Terminal

The preliminary plans were unveiled today for a brand new Des Moines International Airport.  The proposal, with a $467-million price tag, would have 14-gates, and is designed to be expanded to hold 4 more when needed.  It would be built south of the current Fluer Drive terminal.  The Airport Authority says the current terminal's no longer adequate.   

State Senate Texting

The State Senate's passed a texting while driving bill.  Some lawmakers weren't happy that it didn't deal with the bigger issue of distracted driving.  The bill allows police to pull drivers over just for texting.  The existing texting ban applies only if someone's bulled over for a different traffic violation. 

Sweet Gets Life

A judge has sentenced 19-year old Isaiah Sweet to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Sweet pleaded guilty last October to two counts of first degree murder for killing his grandparents in their Manchester home in 2012.  Sweet was 17 at the time of the murders. 

Monday, March 10, 2014

Fatal Crash

Three people have been killed in a collision between a car and pickup in southern Iowa Wednesday. Troopers said 35-year-old Sherissa Goodman, of Leon, was driving east toward Garden Grove when she lost control of her vehicle and swerved into the path of the westbound pickup. Goodman, her fiance 21-year-old Charles "Tyler" Downard, of Van Wert, and Goodman's daughter, 3-year-old Shayla Matte, were killed in the crash. Downard's family told KCCI that they were told the car hit a patch of ice.

State Budget

Legislative leaders say they agreed before the current session started to arrive at broad budget figures that Republicans and Democrats could both agree on, to prove that divided state government can work.  Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says record low public disapproval of Congress gave state leaders impetus to work together.  It resulted in this week's release of joint budget targets , six weeks ahead of when such numbers are usually completed.

Synthetic Drugs

A spike in synthetic drug use locally is affecting hospitals and treatment centers. Lab technicians at Iowa Lutheran Hospital sift through hundreds of samples every day. Techs test blood sugar levels, glucose, diagnosing diseases and drug abuse. But even the most high-tech machines and computers at the hospital cannot detect everything. Des Moines police also see synthetic drug use on the rise. In one of their biggest synthetic-drug bust to date, Des Moines police raided six convenience stores caught illegally selling products such as K2.

Teacher Sex Abuse

Knoxville teacher and football coach Troy Rider's in the Marion County Jail, charged with 3rd degree sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a teacher.  KCCI reports Knoxville Police took a sex abuse report from s 15-year old girl last month.  The alleged abuse happened between May 2013 and January at a home in Carlisle and also at Knoxville High School. 

Utility Bills

There are a record number of Iowa residential utilities customers with past due bills for January.  The amount's almost $42-million.  January was dominated by extreme cold.   Consumer advocates say those with past due bills have can negotiate an affordable payment plan with their utility company.  If you need help with negotiations, call the Iowa Utility Board, 1-877-565-4450.

Wheelchairs

No arrests have been reported after sports wheelchairs were stolen from a Cedar rapids YMCA parking lot... they were found in pieces a few miles away in fairfax... the chairs cost 3-thousand to 5-thousand-dollars each... more than a dozen wheelchairs were in a trailer that was taken away from the stoney point YMCA in December... the wheelchairs were used by the iowa chariots team, whose members have little or no use of their legs. There was one usable wheelchair found in the pieces.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Drug Bust

Des Moines police carried out a simultaneous drug bust at six stores yesterday, netting thousands of dollars of synthetic drugs and ending with six arrests.The raids were the result os a six-month investigation, according to KCCI. Police say the drugs were targeting teens in a deceptive manner, with bright, colorful packaging and names such as Mr. Nice Guy. Search warrants were served at six stores in Des Moines and two other locations were also searched.

I-80 Crash

A 44 year old man from council bluffs has died on Interstate 80 in Omaha... witnesses said Michael Holcomb had gotten out of his disabled SUV, which was parked on the inside shoulder of the eastbound lanes... he was hit by a semitrailer after he stepped into the far left lane... it happened at about 1030 am Tuesday about a mile west of the 42nd street interchange. The accident is being investigated.

Radio Shack

Radio Shack has announced plans to close up to 11 hundred stores – or about a fifth of its locationsin the u-s... the company did not immediately identify which stores will close, or how many jobs would be lost... the closing would leave RadioShack with more than 4 thousand stores in the u-s. The company has been struggling... For the three months that ended Dec. 31, RadioShack Corp. lost more than 191 million dollars...RadioShack reported a full-year loss of just over 400 million dollars.

Radon Testing

The Iowa Senate has passed a bill requiring school districts to test for the presence of radon gas. The bill pushed by Democrats passed 35-14. Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, says fewer than 10 percent of Iowa schools are tested. Sen. Tod Bowman, a Maquoketa Democrat, says the bill isn't perfect but will identify how many schools have radon. Republican Sen. Mark Chelgren, of Ottumwa, says the bill is improved because it removes mandates that were undue burdens. It moves now to the House.

Teen Taser Case

The state is refusing to release records involving the case of a man who died after being shocked by deputies. The Des Moines Register sought the records from the Sept. 22 incident in Northwood after Worth County Attorney Jeffrey Greve cleared officers of any wrongdoing. The deputies shocked 39-year-old Michael Zubrod at least four times with a Taser after responding to a complaint and finding him beating his girlfriend with a hammer and scissors. He also attacked a deputy. After he was subdued, Zubrod passed out and could not be revived.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Des Moines Special Election

Des Moines voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve an increase in the fee charged on their utility bills to repay $40 million the city borrowed to pay a court-ordered refund of previously over-collected franchise fees between 2004 and 2009. City officials say if voters don't approve the increased fee, they'll be forced to raise property taxes to repay the money.

Mason in Hot Water for Comments

University of Iowa President Sally Mason is receiving criticism but no discipline from the school's governing board for her handling of a campus uproar over a comment she made about sexual assault. The Iowa Board of Regents met in private Friday to evaluate Mason. President Pro Tem Katie Mulholland blasted Mason's comment that ending sexual assault probably wasn't realistic "just given human nature." Board members expect her to improve communication and want details of her plan to crack down on sexual assault.

Pharmacist Acquitted

Jurors have acquitted an Iowa pharmacist of 15 counts of health care fraud, rejecting allegations that he fraudulently billed an insurance company for life-saving drugs sent to hemophilia patients. The Des Moines federal jury returned the verdict today following  a week-long trial in the case of Michael Stein, the owner of Pharmacy Matters in Iowa City. 

Police Investigating Southside Burglary

Burglars didn't steal much in a Southside Des Moines burglary, but what they got was expensive. A wedding ring worth $10,000 was one of the items stolen on Maxwelton Drive Friday. The burglars broke in through the back door sometime during the day. Des Moines police tell ABC5 there's been an increase in Southside burglaries, that's why they started up a new special undercover burglary unit.

Urban Forester

West Des Moines is hiring a full-time urban forester, who will be charged with overseeing an emerald ash borer removal plan... the register says the city set aside 370 thousand dollars for the plan for fiscal year 2015... in all the plan is set to go six years and cost 1 point 7 million dollars... 12 hundred ash trees will be removed from city property... eight counties in Iowa have confirmed infestations of emerald ash borer.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Franchise Fee Vote Tuesday

A story years in the making may finally be coming to an end; franchise fees. That end will have people in Des Moines giving money to the city, but how much?  City Manager Rick Clark says if people reject the franchise fee, the city will be forced to raise property taxes to pay for police, fire, libraries and parks. Des Moines has cut $28 a year beginning 8 years ago. Another $40 million out of the $170 million general fund would cut into essentials.  March 4th, voters will decide whether the $40 million will be paid back through everyone using utilities or only property owners.

Mystique Casino Incident

A former employee of Mystique Casino in Dubuque is accused of using 26 players club accounts to steal 20-thouasnd-dollars worth of customer reward points... Joy Smith worked as a casino host supervisor and oversaw the players club services... she got to club accounts and converted their points into cash vouchers, which she allegedly cased and kept the money from. She's facing a theft charge.

Polk City Street Work

The Polk City City Council's expected to go ahead with spending as much as $930,000 for reconstruction of Booth and Washington Streets.  The Des Moines Register reports the council's been given options including storm sewers, curbs, and gutters.  A public information meeting for residents affected by the work is March 13th, and the council could have a decision on March 24.

Regional Med Board

A new regional governing board is made up of four large medical centers in Iowa's Mercy Health Network. The board will provide governance and oversight to the mercy medical centers in Sioux City, Mason City, Dubuque, and Clinton... the new regional board does NOT replace the local board in each medical center's hometown... but the organization's officials say the new regional board will allow for greater unity in developing strategies and pursuing better care, healthier organizations, and lower costs.