Fitxgerald Not Going for Governor

WHO-TV reports State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, a democrat, won't be running for Governor. Two other democrats, State Rep. Tyler Olson and Bob Krause have already said they're not interested. State Sen. Jack Hatch hasn’t made an announcement but has expressed interest. Gov. Branstad hasn't said what his plans are, but is expected to run again.

Arrests in Daughenbaugh Beating Death

Des Moines Police have arrested two men and have a warrant out for the third, for first degree murder in last Sunday's beating death of Richard Daughenbaugh near 2nd Avenue and Center Street. KCCI reports the suspects in custody are Yarvon Russell and James Shorter. The warrant is for Kent Tyler, III.

NRSC releases video of people unhappy with Braley

The National Republican Senatorial Committee goes after Brue Braley in a two-minute video on its YouTube channel.

The video shows Iowans confronting Braley at several meetings around the state this summer.

It also shows a woman askinh him why he has decided to run for Senate instead of retire.

Witnesses to Daughenbaugh Beating Sought

Des Moines PD continue their investigation into Sunday's beating death of Richard Daughenbaugh near the Wells Fargo Arena. KCCI reports detectives think there may be several more people who were present for Daughenbaugh's beating and have relevant information. If you're one of them people call DM PD 515-283-4869 or Polk County Crime Stoppers anonymously 515-223-1400.

Reports of Mountain Lion Seen in NE Des Moines

Des Moines police are investigating reports of a mountain lion seen in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 4214 Hubbell Avenue. Residents of the complex, in the northeast corner of the city, tell KCCI they've seen it multiple times in the early morning hours. Big cats have been seen before in that area of the city.

3-DM Teens Busted for Kum and Go Robbery

Three Des Moines teens, one only 14, have been arrested for first degree robbery after the alleged hold up of a Des Moines Kum and Go early yesterday. 18-year old Jonathan Willies, and 18-year old Justin Gardner also allegedly assaulted the store clerk trying to get cash from the register. Police say the 14-year old's admitted being the driver of the getaway car.

WDM PD Investigate Sunday Shooting Outside Val Air Ballroom

So far, no arrests in yesterday's shooting of a man outside the Val Air Ballroom early Sunday morning. West Des Moines PD were called to Mercy Hospital after 25-year old Freddie Millsap, Jr. was brought in. WHO-TV reports he says he was hit in the arm walking to his car. A friend took him to Mercy.

Three Metro Area Attorneys Recommended for Upcoming Iowa Court of Appeals Vacancy

Gov. Branstad has 30-days to pick one of three candidates recommended by the judicial nominating committee to replace Larry Eisenhauer on Iowa's Court of Appeals. The three are Des Moines district Judge Christopher McDonald, Assistant Attorney General Jeanie Vaudt of West Des Moines, and attorney Sharon Greer from Marshalltown.

New DMACC Southridge Center Open

The DMACC Center for Career and Professional Development officially opened this morning at the Southridge Mall. KCCI reports mall officials consider the new DMACC facility an important element in the transformation of Southridge. The new DMACC center offers new programs and departments, and plans to more actively recruit students south of Des Moines.

Thieves Steal Gear from Polk County Master Gardners' Altoona Greenhouse

Authorities are trying to track down whoever broke into the Polk County Master Gardeners' New greenhouse in Altoona, making off with thousands of dollars in new fans, lights, and tools. Most of the gear was donated to the group, which devotes its time to beautifying Polk County. KCCI reports the theft happened sometime Wednesday or Thursday.

Iowa's Drying Out

The dry conditions aren't getting any better statewide. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report says 82% of the state is either abnormally dry or in moderate drought. That’s better than the beginning of the year, when the whole state was dry. The area considered in drought is 35% of the land, most in west-central counties. The area considered abnormally dry grew by 8%, to 47%.

More Cryptosporidium Cases Reported

The number of cryptosporidium cases in Iowa keeps climbing, up 173 last week to a statewide total as of yesterday of 538. WHO-TV reports Polk County has the most, 261. Cryptosporidium's a parasite, found in soil, food, water or on surfaces that have been contaminated with feces from an infected animal or human. It can cause severe diarrhea for up to 30-days,

Polk County Property Tax Bills Are On the Way

If you own property in Polk County, your property tax statement is in the mail. The county's sent out 177,000 of them, covering $885-million in revenue. The Des Moines Register reports Treasurer Mary Maloney says the easiest way to pay your property tax bill is on line. You can see and pay at www.iowataxandtags.gov. The first installment's due Sept. 30.

DM PD Capture Work Release Walk Away

Des Moines Police took 20-year old Temmira Morrison of Des Moines to the Polk County Jail, after her arrest yesterday. She'd walked away from the Fort Des Moines Work Release Facility earlier this month. She's charged with escape from custody, work release violation, interference with official acts and harassment of public officers.

DM PD After Man Passing Counterfeit Bills

Des Moines PD Need your help trying to catch a man who's been passing counterfeit $5 and $10 bills across the metro area. KCCI reports he's a white male in his 30's, bald, with a brown mustache, goatee, and gauges in his ears. If you know who he is, call DM PD, 515-283-4824 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at 515-233-1400.

Branstad Driver Pays Speeding Ticket

Idaho State Trooper Steven Lawrence has paid the $181.50 speeding ticket issued when he was driving the Gov. and Lt. Gov. at 84 mph in a 65- mile an hour zone back in April. The Des Moines Register reports Lawrence chose not to challenge the citation. He was disciplined and ticketed last month only after audio and video of the incident were released.

State Officials Tour DM Water Works

As part of their monthly meeting, members of the state commission that oversees Iowa DNR toured Des Moines Water Works today. KCCI reports Water Works GM Bill Stowe criticized the DNR and the EPA this spring after Water Works had to start up a system that costs $7-grand a day to run to get high nitrate levels out of rivers.

Grand Avenue Bridge Work Resumes

Construction work on the Grand Avenue bridge has resumed after Des Moines officials say the State Historic Preservation Office determined the items found at the site earlier this week do not justify any further archaeological work. Animal bones and a stone projectile point fragment were located Monday. The new bridge's still expected to be completed at the end of next month.

Mom Won't Be Charged in Boyfriend's Death

A Des Moines woman won’t face charges for stabbing her boyfriend to death, because police have confirmed her statement, that she was protecting her children. WHO-TV reports 25-year-old Tyshar Mosley was considered a person of interest and questioned in yesterday's death of 34-year-old Amyn Brown.

DM PD Cruiser in Pursuit Hit by Driver Charged with OWI

A Des Moines Police officer, in high-speed chase, was hit by another driver who investigators say failed to yield at a stop sign. It happened around 3:15 this morning at 36th and Kingman. The officer was pursuing another driver who was eventually caught. Aaron Taylor, who hit the squad car, is charged with OWI. The other driver, Clarence Reed charged with eluding and OWI.

Part of Smith Bike Trail Closing for Repairs

Part of the Neal Smith Biking and Hiking Trail will close next Wednesday for repairs. KCCI reports it's a 3-mile stretch between the Sycamore access and Morningstar Drive in Polk County. The work should be finished by late October. Part of the trail has been damaged by stream bank erosion to the point it has undercut the trail.

Imam Charged in Johnston Sex Abuse Case

Johnston PD have charged an Imam with the Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak with sexual abuse. 40-year-old Nermin Spahic is charged with third degree sex abuse and sexual exploitation by a therapist or counselor. The arrest was made at the home of a 42-year old woman and her 18-year old daughter say he abused them during a ceremonial ritual. Spahic admits performing the ritual, but denies the sexual abuse.

Polk Cty Seniors Can Get Free Cell Phone for 911 Calls

Polk County residents over 55 will be able to receive free emergency cell phones from the sheriff’s office. According to the Des Moines Register, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is offering the free phones to be used to call 911 in situations that require an immediate response from law enforcement. You can get one at the Polk County Sheriff’s Field Headquarters Office, on NE 14th St., Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Driver in DM Hit and Run to be Sentenced Tomorrow

A judge decides how long Kristine Gordon stays in prison tomorrow. The 26-year old Des Moines woman's to be sentenced on a guilty plea's to involuntary manslaughter and driving while barred. Des Moines PD say Gordon was the driver of an SUV that hit 58-year old Clayton Payne last March at 6th and College. Payne later died of his injuries.

2 Metro Communities Make Best Places List in Money Magazine

Two metro communities will be in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live issue out Friday. WHO-TV reports Waukee made the list at #22, getting high marks for job opportunities. Ankney ranked at #37 getting good grades for home affordability.

MidAmerican Picks Wind Energy Farm Sites

MidAmerican Energy's picked locations in 5-counties as sites for new wind energy farms. They promised in May to invest almost $2-billion in wind power in Iowa, and the sites picked include Grundy, Webster, and Marshall counties. Construction's expected to start next month.

Ethics commission sanctions Johnston school employees

The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board fines two Johnston School District employees for campaigning with school resources. The board ruled last week that 15 district employees violated state election laws during the district’s school board election in 2011. The ethics board fined an office associate and a teacher for sending campaign messages to parents using their school accounts.

Arrests down at Iowa State Fair

The number of arrests at the Iowa State Fair is down from last year. Sergeant Scott Bright of the Iowa State Patrol says 17 people were arrested at the fair Saturday. Thirteen of the arrests were alcohol-related. One was a drug arrest, one was for disorderly conduct and two others were for miscellaneous reasons. Bright credits an increase in patrols by undercover officers for the decline.

I-80 Coast to Coast Challenge Stats

Over 14,200 tickets were issued during the 8-day coast-to-coast I-80 Challenge. Police in 11-states including Iowa set out to cut deadly crashes and make sure people were driving safely. 162 impaired drivers were yanked off the road, 9400 warnings issued. Commercial drivers were issued 1,711 tickets. Authorities also filed 92 drug charges and seized over $2.5-million in illegal drugs.

Panel dismissed ethics complaint

The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board has dismissed a complaint against the state auditor. The Des Moines Register reports Mary Mosiman's lawyer says the board has approved an M-O-U. It declines to make a finding on the complaint because the law surrounding the issue remains unclear. The board intends to write an advisory opinion to give guidance to future candidates. Iowa Democrats showing Mosiman used a thousand dollars from her campaign account to pay for training sessions and reimburse herself for travel costs last year. This followed her resignation as Story County auditor and the start of her work for the secretary of state.

Paulsen staying put

Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen has decided not to run for Bruce Braley's seat in Congress.

Braley's run for Senate has opened an election for that seat.

In an e-mail to supporters, Paulsen says he intends to run for re-election to the state House. He says he plans on staying where he has "the greatest impact for all Iowa's families."

Ankeny hires Polk Co. administrator as city manager

Ankeny's city council has selected Polk County administrator David Jones as its new city manager. As administrator, Jones has held responsbility for administration of county operations, staff and managing the budget. The council has authorized mayor Gary Lorenz to negotiate an employment agreement with Jones. As city manager, Jones oversees a staff of two-hundred full-time employees and a hundred-million-dollar operating budget.

Stepped Up Traffic Safety Effort Tied to State Fair

If you're going to be on the road Friday night in Polk County you'll be seeing a beefed up law enforcement presence. Officers will be looking for impaired drivers and people not buckled up in a special enforcement action in the eastern end of Polk County. The enforcement effort comes in the part of the metro where the Iowa State Fair will be underway.

DM School Board Hires Law Firm in Sebring Suit

Des Moines police have arrested a former youth pastor in connection with abuse allegations by two girls. 27-year-old Ryan McKelvey is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation by clergy and two counts of 3rd degree sexual abuse. Officers began investigating the matter after being contacted Monday by a girl and her parents about an alleged sexual assault by McKelvey, who was a former youth pastor at Heritage Assembly Church in Des Moines.

Hog confinement proposed near Collins

A large hog confinement facility may pop up in Collins, and some residents want to stop it.

The farm project would house 2,500 hogs.

The Story County Board of Supervisors has yet to make a decision on the issue.

Officials have held public forums, but KCCI-TV reports most neighbors have spoken out against the proposal.

State launches Web site for public education jobs

The state has launched a Web site listing all its public school job openings.

The education legislation that lawmakers have passed this year has required schools to post their vacanies at the site -- TeachIowa.gov.

The site already has hundreds of listings.

Candidates can apply over the Internet and post personal profiles for employers to see. Applicants also can sign up for electronic notification of openings.

All hiring decisions continue happening locally.

Authorities Identift Woman Found Dead in Field

An autopsy's being done to find out what killed 31-year old Maggie Weave of Brookfield, Missouri. The DCI says her body was found in a field just outside Lenox Saturday. WHO-TV reports Weaver was a one time resident of Creston, Iowa. Investigators say there are no obvious signs of foul play.

Referendum Votes in Dallas and Green Counties Tomorrow

Referendum questions are up for votes tomorrow in Dallas and Green counties. Dallas County voters are being asked to approved a $17-million bond for a new jail and administration building. In Greene County, voters will decide if the county applies for a new casino license on Wild Rose Entertainment's proposal to build a new casino outside Jefferson.

Trial Next Month for Ankney Man Accused of Shooting Daughter

Scott Hazelbaker goes on trial next month. The 51-year old Ankeny man's charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault without intent causing bodily injury for the shooting death of his 18-year old daughter Emily in June. WHO-TV reports Hazelbaker's admitted pointing a gun at his daughter, but has told investigators he didn’t know it was loaded.

Sex Exploitation Charge Dropped

Sexual exploitation charges have been dropped against former high school coach Melissa Eshelman. She'd been charged with sexual exploitation by a school, employee for an alleged relationship with a female student last November. Eshelman was a 9th grade girls basketball coach at Bondurant-Farrar High School.

Story Blogged at 08-02-13 15:39 by djennings

Annual Sales Tax Holiday Ends Midnight Tomorrow

Iowa's annual sales tax holiday is on, and runs through midnight tomorrow. you can buy clothing and shoes with no sales tax in Iowa stores. The holiday means no sales tax, including local option sales tax, will be collected on sales of clothing or footwear having a selling price less than $100. You can get more info on what's exempt at www.iowa.gov.

Sex Exploitation Charges Against Former HS Coach Dropped

Sexual exploitation charges have been dropped against former high school coach Melissa Eshelman. A school employee had accused her of sexual exploitation last November. The Polk County Attorney's Office dropped the charges yesterday. Eshelman had been an athletic coach at Bondurant-Farrar High School.

State House Democratic Leader Quitting for State AG'S Office Post

Iowa House of Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's resigning his seat effective August 15th. McCarthy's going back to work for the Iowa Attorney General's Office. He was there from 1994 to 2001. His new job will focus on mental illness and the criminal justice system, consumer protection for military members, and financial exploitation of seniors.

I 235 Windsor Heights Ramp Closing for Construction

August 12th's the date Iowa DOT will be shutting down the I-235 westbound ramp at 73rd Street to Windsor Heights. KCCI reports it's part of a big construction job to widen the highway through the area. Depending on weather the ramp should reopen in early October.











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Story Blogged at 08-01-13 16:10 by djennings

Story Blogged at 08-01-13 16:10 by djennings

State BD of ED Rejects Plan to Change How School Start Dates Are Set

The State Board of Education today rejected a proposed rules change on when schools can start. Right now, schools can't start earlier than the calendar week that includes September 1st without a waiver. The new rule would require districts to hold public hearings and approve resolutions saying a later start date would negatively affect education, and provide data to back it up.

Westbound I-235 Ramp at 73rd to Windsor Heightts Closing Aug. 12

August 12th's the date Iowa DOT will be shutting down the I-235 westbound ramp at 73rd Street to Windsor Heights. KCCI reports it's part of a big construction job to widen the highway through the area. Depending on weather the ramp should reopen in early October.











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Story Blogged at 08-01-13 16:10 by djennings

I-235 Westbound 73rd St Ramp Closing August 12th

August 12th's the date Iowa DOT will be shutting down the I-235 westbound ramp at 73rd Street to Windsor Heights. KCCI reports it's part of a big construction job to widen the highway through the area. Depending on weather the ramp should reopen in early October.











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Judge Approves Franchise Fee Refund for Des Moines Utility Customers Approved

A Polk County judges approved a plan for Des Moines to reimburse utility customers almost $40 million in franchise fees they shouldn't have collected. WHO-TV reports customers who had accounts between September 1st, 2004 and May 26th 2009 will be getting money back. Legal fees and other costs still have to be figured in before refund checks start going out.