From the Associated Press:
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa State Patrol officer with a history of excessive force allegations has been indicted on a federal charge over a 2017 traffic stop that was captured on video and during which a motorcyclist was injured. A federal grand jury charged Robert James Smith last week with violating the motorcyclist’s civil rights by using unreasonable force during the Sept. 25, 2017, stop near West Liberty, which is southeast of Iowa City. The indictment notes that the victim suffered “bodily injury” during the encounter, which means the charge could carry a maximum of 10 years in prison. Smith due in court Nov. 16. He didn’t immediately respond to phone messages and court records don’t show if he has an attorney.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks says she will seek reelection in a new Iowa congressional district next year, avoiding a head-to-head run against Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne. The two congresswomen were drawn into the same district through the once-a-decade redistricting process. The new electoral maps drawn up by the Republican-led Legislature and approved by the Republican governor moved Miller-Meeks’ home county of Wapello into the 3rd District and it renumbered her previous 2nd District as the 1st District. Miller-Meeks did not commit to moving into the new district, saying her physical location is less important than who she is serving.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 15-year-old boy has died after being shot near a park just north of downtown Des Moines.. Officers were called Sunday morning to a shooting near Evelyn K. Davis Park and found someone performing CPR on a teenager. Officers and medics continued life-saving efforts and the teen was taken to a hospital. Police said Tuesday he had died. Police said the boy was a Des Moines resident but haven’t identified him. Investigators haven’t charged anyone in the death.
WINTHROP, Iowa (AP) — Sheriff’s officials in northeastern Iowa say a 12-year-old girl was killed when the utility vehicle she was driving overturned and pinned her. Sheriff’s deputies say the crash happened Sunday evening in Buchanan County southeast of Winthrop. Investigators say the girl was driving a Polaris Ranger UTV and carrying a passenger when she lost control on a county road and rolled over into a ditch. Deputies say the girl was pinned under the UTV. The passenger — also a juvenile — was not injured. Officials say the girl was flown to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Officials have not released the girl’s name.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines food pantry that last year helped nearly 60,000 people has announced it has launched a $5.6 million capital campaign and will move its headquarters from downtown to the city’s south side. The Des Moines Area Religious Council announced Tuesday its move is needed because of a nearly 80% increase in the number of people the organization has assisted since moving to its current downtown site in 2014. DMARC agreed in October 2020 to buy a building, and a construction company began renovations last spring with a goal of finishing the work in early 2022. The new site will triple the amount of storage space and dramatically improve the cold storage capacity. The organization plans to sell its current location.
BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — A woman who died in a weekend house fire in Bettendorf was identified as a 74-year-old woman. Officials said Tuesday that Colleen L. Johnson died in the Saturday night fire. Firefighters were called to the house and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the home. Although a man was able to escape the fire, officials said the woman was trapped and died. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
