Stories courtesy 24/7 News, KCRG-TV9 and KWQC-TV6
1 UI Doctor Says Vaccine Halting Means System Works
(Iowa City, IA) -- A University of Iowa doctor says the halting of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine shows the vaccine systems works. Doctor Patricia Winokur [[ WIN-oh-kuhr ]] says rare events like blood clotting can occur and they aren't detectable unless millions of people get a vaccine. She reassures people hundreds of millions of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been administered with no complications.
2 Ames Man Charged With Murdering Woman Pleading Not Guilty
(Ames, IA) -- An Ames man charged with murder is pleading not guilty. Richard Fleck is accused of killing Ranea Bell in her apartment back in February. Fleck was considered a person of interest in Bell's death, but wasn't arrested until about a month later when police say he assaulted a woman in Des Moines. His trial starts June 15th.
3 Frost Advisory In Effect In Southern Iowa
(Undated) -- A frost advisory is in effect for the entire southern third of Iowa. The National Weather Service says morning low temperatures across the state will be near freezing this morning and Thursday morning. All of Iowa is at risk for frost, but the advisory is only in effect in southern Iowa because crops are further along. However gusty winds could prevent frost in many areas.
4 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic At Collins Aerospace Canceled
(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- A coronavirus vaccine clinic scheduled for Tuesday at Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids gets canceled. This comes after the Iowa Department of Public Health, CDC, and FDA recommended pausing use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine after several women developed a blood clot after getting the vaccine. People who were scheduled to get vaccinated at Collins will be rescheduled for a later date.
5 ICSD Adding Jewish, Muslim Holidays To School Calendar
(Iowa City, IA) -- The Iowa City School District is adding Jewish and Muslim holidays to its calendar next school year. On Tuesday the school board voted to give students days off for Yom Kippur on September 16th and Eid al-Fitr [[ ah-HEED-al-FEET-uhr ]] on May 3rd. Two days will be added to the end of the year to account for the holidays.
6 Iowa Football Ranked 23rd In ESPN Power Rankings
(Iowa City, IA) -- Iowa football comes in at 23rd in ESPN's preseason college football power rankings. ESPN's simulations say the Hawkeyes have an over 20 percent chance to reach the Big Ten Championship game this season. The Hawkeyes kick off the season at home against Indiana on September 4th.
7 Pause Of J&J Vaccine Won't Impact Milan Vaccine Clinic
(Milan, IL) -- The pausing of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine isn't impacting the vaccination clinic in Milan [[ MY-luhn ]]. Nita Ludwig with the Rock Island County Health Department says people scheduled to be vaccinated Thursday will receive the first dose of the Moderna vaccine instead. Appointments can be made on the Rock Island County Health Department website.
8 COVID-19 Cases Up Over 40 Percent In IL Over Last Two Weeks
(Undated) -- Coronavirus cases are on the rise in Illinois. According to numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the New York Times COVID Tracking Project, new cases are up over 40 percent over the last two weeks. However new deaths remain low, down about three percent over the last two weeks.
9 Two Arrested After Police Chase In Davenport
(East Moline, IL) -- Two people are arrested after a shooting report in East Moline and police chase in Davenport. Police say they were called to the 13-hundred block of 9th Avenue in East Moline on a shooting report Tuesday morning. Davenport police later found the suspect car and arrested two people inside after a chase. Police still aren't sure if the people in the car are connected to the shooting.
10 Modern Woodmen Park Could Be Getting Millions In Renovations
(Davenport, IA) -- Davenport's Modern Woodmen Park could be getting millions of dollars in renovations. The Quad-City Times reports the renovations would take place under a new ten-year lease agreement with the owner of the Quad Cities River Bandits. Davenport aldermen will vote on the lease agreement today.
11 Senior Golf Cart Tours Taking Place In Bettendorf Next Month
(Bettendorf, IA) -- Senior golf cart tours at the Bettendorf Recreational Trail are coming back next month. Tours will take place May 24th and will run from Palmer Hills Golf Course to Duck Creek Park and back. Reservations can be made on the Bettendorf city website.
12 Rock Island Schools Lower Graduation Requirements
(Rock Island, IL) -- It is the latest impact of the coronavirus on local schools. Rock Island-Milan's school board last night voted to lower their graduation requirements for this year. The change means kids don't have to pass as many classes to get their diploma. Assistant Superintendent Kathy Ruggeberg says the district doesn't want to lower the graduation requirements, but she says they also don't want to make it tougher on kids who've been learning from home for most of the past year.
13 Rock Island County Health Department Pauses Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
(Rock Island, IL) -- Rock Island County's health department has shelved its doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Health director Janet Hill said the decision comes after the CDC issued a pause for the vaccine because of a small number of blood clot reports. Hill said about 800 people in Rock Island County had signed-up for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Rock Island County will instead use the Moderna vaccine.
14 One Arrested After Two-State Chase Tied To East Moline Shooting
(East Moline, IL) -- The suspect in a shooting in East Moline is in jail after a chase that went from Iowa, to Illinois, and back into Iowa. It started with a report of a shooting yesterday morning in East Moline. Davenport Police then spotted the suspect's car a short time later and chased him into Rock Island, but the suspect was able to sneak back into Davenport. Officers eventually found him, forced the suspect to wreck, and took him into custody. There are no formal charges yet.
15 Illinois State Police Delay FOID Cards, Again
(Springfield, IL) -- It is going to be several more months before gun owners in Illinois get new FOID cards or concealed carry permits. The Illinois State Police yesterday gave gun owners another 150-day, or five-month, extension for their current cards. The State Police say they are buried in a backlog of paperwork and applications. Gun owners say the delay clearly breaks the state's law regarding FOID cards and concealed carry permits. Some people have been waiting months to get permits for the first time.
16 Illinois Attorney General Investigating Hack
(Springfield, IL) -- Add the Illinois Attorney General's Office to the list of government offices that have been hacked. Attorney General Kwame Raoul yesterday said his office's computers were 'compromised' over the weekend. It's not clear just what information may have been accessed, or if any information is being held hostage. Raoul says his office is working with federal investigators to find whoever is responsible for the hack.
17 DM City Council To Resume In-Person Meeting In June
(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines city council will resume in-person meetings in June. Mayor Frank Cownie announced Tuesday in-person meetings will begin June 14th. The city plans to fully reopen administrative buildings to the public on June 1st. Masks and social distancing will still be required inside the buildings.
18 Ankeny Police Investigating Reports Of Assault At Gas Station
(Ankeny, IA) -- Ankeny police are investigating reports of an Asian man being assaulted at a gas station. On Tuesday police said they're aware of a Facebook post that says the man was hospitalized over the weekend. Police say the woman who made the post has taken it down and the victim hasn't given any information to police. Police continue to investigate the claims.
19 Work Being Done On Damaged Power Pole In Nevada
(Nevada, IA) -- Crews in Nevada are working to fix a heavily damaged power pole on the city's east side. A piece of heavy equipment caught the wires Tuesday and nearly snapped the pole in half. Alliant Energy and Mediacom crews are working to lift wires and install a new pole People in the area may see power and cable outages until the work is done.
20 DM Stair-Climbing Fundraiser Being Moved Outdoors
(Des Moines, IA) -- A Des Moines stair-climbing fundraiser is moving outdoors. The American Lung Association's Fight For Air Climb will be held at Principal Park on May 15th. This is the 18th year for the event, which usually takes place in office buildings. Because of the pandemic, this year's event will be held at the baseball park.
21 ISU Football Ranked 4th In ESPN Power Rankings
(Ames, IA) -- ESPN releases its college football preseason power rankings and Iowa State fans have a lot to be excited about. The Cyclones come in at fourth, the highest they've ever been ranked in a preseason poll. The Cyclones are returning their biggest offensive weapons from last season, including quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall. They kick off their schedule at home against Northern Iowa on September 4th.
22 Wisconsin Vaccine Effort Closing-In On 40 Percent
(Madison, WI) -- Wisconsin could see 40-percent of people in the state with at least one coronavirus vaccine shot by the end of next week. The state's Department of Health Services yesterday reported that 37-percent, or two-point-one-million people, have gotten one dose of the vaccine. Another 24-percent, of one-point-four-million people, have gotten both doses. Some cities say they are seeing less demand for the vaccine. The state says there are plenty of doses available.
23 Wisconsin Lifts Most Caps At State Parks
(Madison, WI) -- It's pretty much a full return to normal at Wisconsin's state parks. The state's Department of Natural Resources yesterday said all outdoor spaces in parks can return to 100-percent capacity. Indoor spaces, like concession stands, are still limited to 50-percent capacity for the time being. DNR saw record crowds last year because of the coronavirus and expects large crowds once again this year.
24 (KCRG) - The non-profit Urban Dreams is teaming up with the City of Cedar Rapids to address food insecurity. They’re opening a new food pantry on the city’s southwest side. Urban Dream’s Executive Director said they knew the southwest side of Cedar Rapids is in need of more help regarding food insecurity. Knox hopes they can start helping more people across the community by adding a location there.
25 (KCRG) - Around 130 soldiers from the Iowa National Guard’s “Ironman” 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment made their way back home, to Dubuque, on Tuesday. Family and friends welcomed them home in a special ceremony at the Dubuque Regional Airport. Christy Hendricks, who was waiting for her son Brady Meyers, said she was anxiously awaiting his arrival after being away from home for more than ten months. Meyers, who told KCRG-TV9 that he had been serving in Qatar, said he was excited to be back with his loved ones.
26 (KCRG) - What started as one North Liberty restaurant passing off their extra doses to another, turned into a chain effect of restaurants helping each other get access to COVID-19 vaccines. It all began at Tin Roost, where staff from North Liberty Pharmacy came on-site and vaccinated restaurant workers. Afterward, they had extra doses and decided to give Reds Alehouse a call to offer them up. As a result, six staff members from Reds went to Tin Roost and got vaccinated. Reds later organized the North Liberty Pharmacy to come on-site at their restaurant. They paid it forward and passed their extra doses off to a couple of workers at Mosley’s and Mirabito’s Italian. Roger Thompson, with North Liberty Pharmacy, said he wanted to reach restaurants, where workers might not have had access to a vaccine before they opened up to the general public.
27 (KCRG) - Kimble, the puppy in a recent Cedar Rapids abuse case, has a long road to recovery. Police arrested a 22-year-old last week, saying he broke the dog’s bones when he threw the dog to the ground and kicked him. Jan Erceg, the medical coordinator at Critter Crusaders in Cedar Rapids, said they are seeing more of these cases. As for the cause, it’s hard to determine.
Ronald Schlabs, the program manager for Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control, said it has been a while since they’ve seen a severe case like Kimble’s. But, he said that they see a variety of circumstances at their shelter. Shelters like Dogs Forever, who are helping with Kimble’s care, said they are seeing an influx in animals due to the pandemic. Kimble has gotten an overwhelming amount of people looking to adopt him, but Erceg said he has a long way to go before he can be considered for adoption. Right now, they have stopped taking in any more applications for Kimble.
28 (KCRG) - Metro High School in Cedar Rapids planted trees at the Czech and Slovak Museum. Shannon Ellis, a building facilitator with Metro said, they normally maintain a garden at the museum, but decided to do something different following the August derecho. Ellis said it also has to do with sustainability. Today was Metro’s first day of the project. In total, they’re putting in 20 trees at the museum.
29 (KCRG) - Multiple people were arrested after a brief investigation following a report of a disturbance near the center of town in Ossian. Michael Foland, 19, of Calmar, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of amphetamine with intent to deliver, three counts of failure to affix a drug tax stamp, possession of Xanax with intent to deliver, carrying a dangerous weapon, and public intoxication. Joshua Koller, 20, of Calmar, was arrested and charged with failure to affix a drug tax stamp and possession of Xanax with intent to deliver. After the initial report, an investigation led to Carson Larson, 20, of Fayette, being arrested and charged with second-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana. Sydney Winter was also arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and failure to affix a drug tax stamp.
30 (KCRG) - Iowa highway officials discovered a large number of nails on a state highway in Tama County on Monday. The Iowa Department of Transportation said, in a post to its Twitter account, that employees from its garage in Tama made the discovery along Iowa Highway 21. Workers estimated that around 50 pounds of nails were recovered from the location. Officials gave no indication of any damage caused by the nails, but reminded drivers to secure any loose loads they may be hauling before driving.
31 (KCRG) - An organization that sets up special memorials for uniformed public servants who die in the line of duty needs volunteers to help with a display honoring Iowa State Patrol trooper Sgt. Jim Smith. The Flagman’s Mission Continues will set up the flags in Independence, starting at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14. Volunteers should gather at the Independence Junior/Senior High School. Organizers recommend that volunteers bring work gloves if possible, be at least 12 years old, wear comfortable walking shoes, and be able to lift up to 10 pounds. The organization also said that they will need the use of a few pickup trucks or cargo vans to assist in moving the materials. The group plans to place around 2,000 flags for the display. Setup will take around two hours. Teardown, with similar requirements, will take place on Saturday, April 17, at 9:00 a.m. starting at the parking lot for the school.
32 (KWQC) - Henry and Stark counties reported they were seeing an increase in positivity rates. RaeAnn Tucker, Director Health Promotions at Henry & Stark County Health Department said COVID fatigue and lax in following mitigations contributed to the creep up in numbers but they’re continuing vaccinations including a Pfizer clinic specifically for Henry and Stark County high schoolers on April 20th. Tucker said they’re working with the school districts and the Regional Office of Education for the clinic and transportation will be provided. That could mean a return to missed events, like proms, graduations, picnics and large church events. They’re hoping to continue vaccination efforts in the area.
33 (KWQC) - Officials have released the identities of those involved in a fatal crash over the weekend in Lee County, Illinois. Officials say 14-year-old Caylee Krug and 14-year-old Brecken Kooy, both of Dixon, died following a single-vehicle crash. Law enforcement says the driver, 19-year-old Draven Webb, of Dixon, and another passenger, 14-year-old Madison Rockwood, of Amboy, were both taken to the hospital and are both expected to recover.