From the Associated Press:
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says the lawyer for the family of a Burlington woman shot and killed by a police officer in January 2015 may seek the release of police car dashboard camera video and any unreleased 911 call audio. The decision is a partial victory for the family of Autumn Steele and open records advocates because it allows them to pursue getting additional information about the shooting that they’ve been fighting to obtain for over six years. The case involves the shooting of Steele by Jesse Hill, a Burlington police officer. The case now goes back to a state court judge for hearings on the release of the material.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a California man arrested in Iowa had an assault rifle, ammunition and a “hit list” that named President Joe Biden, former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and others. The Des Moines Register reports that police pulled over the man on Interstate 80 on Dec. 21 because he was driving aggressively. Police say the man made concerning comments about Biden during the stop, so he was taken to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. According to the criminal complaint, he told investigators he left his home in Sacramento on Dec. 18 to drive straight to the White House to kill people in power. The man has been charged with making threats to a former president.
GREENFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A 57-year-old Jefferson man is jailed after he was shot in the arms by an Adair County sheriff’s deputy. The Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a news release that Charles R. Bradshaw II fled on Wednesday evening when a Stuart police officer tried to stop him for a traffic violation. Public safety officials say when the chase eventually ended, an Adair County deputy saw that Bradshaw had a handgun and fired at him. Bradshaw was taken to a hospital for his injuries and then taken to the Adair County jail, where he faces charges of felon in possession of a firearm, felony eluding, and several traffic violations.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Officials with an eastern Iowa school district say students and staff at an elementary school may have been unwittingly exposed to asbestos for several month. KCRG-TV reports that College Community School District sent a letter to parents Wednesday about the asbestos concern at Prairie Crest Elementary School. Winter break will be extended for clean-up measures. The letter states that a contractor replacing carpet failed to properly abate asbestos within the carpet glue before removing it during construction work in June. The asbestos wasn’t detected until this month. Subsequent testing on Monday was clear of asbestos, but the district says it will continue to move ahead with clean-up efforts.
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — About 700 people are losing their jobs this week in Newton, Iowa. KCCI-TV reports that TPI Composites is ending wind turbine manufacturing. The company had been Jasper County’s largest employer. About 50 workers in TPI’s field services operation will remain. The job losses were announced in October. A recent job fair for the soon-to-be displaced workers brought more than 100 companies. Frank Liebl of the Newton Development Corp. says unemployment is low and jobs are plentiful, so he’s hopeful those losing their jobs can find new work.
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Employees and all of the animals are OK after carbon monoxide leaked into a Quad Cities animal shelter, but the facility now faces a costly bill. KWQC-TV reports that employees of the Humane Society of Scott County in Davenport recently noticed something was amiss and called firefighters, who found the leak, caused by a problem with the furnace. The furnace must be replaced at a cost of $60,000. Development Coordinator Celina Rippel says it’s “a big chunk of change” for the nonprofit. The Humane Society is seeking public donations of money for the furnace, as well as blankets and dog beds for the animals.
