BENTON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Benton Community School District Superintendent has confirmed that a school bus carrying 9 students collided with an SUV on a gravel road near the 76th Street and 23rd Avenue intersection, northeast of Blairstown. The bus was taking 9 kids aged between preschool and high school home after an early dismissal when the collision happened. The bus reportedly went into a ditch and rolled over. 3 students were taken to a hospital via ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. Both the bus driver and driver of the SUV were taken to the hospital too. The other children were checked on scene and released to their parents. Superintendent Dr. Pam Ewell says that her thoughts and prayers are with all the students and drivers involved, and that she is thankful for the quick action of the bus driver and the school resource officer for responding so quickly to helping the students.
EVANSDALE, Iowa (KCRG) – Police in Evansdale are investigating after they say a person allegedly threatened someone before getting in his vehicle and leaving the area. Police said they were called to a “disorderly situation” at about 8 a.m. Wednesday in front of Poyner Elementary School, on Central Avenue. The situation caused the school to activate lockdown procedures. In a press release, police said witnesses told them the person got out of his vehicle, exchanged words with another driver, making a reference to shooting them. Police say the man then allegedly made a hand gesture, then returned to his car and drove away without incident. Police say they have no credible evidence that a firearm was present during the incident, nor that there is an ongoing threat to the public or the school. The person involved in the alleged threat has been identified. They have been located, arrested, and charged with disorderly conduct. Extra police patrols remained around Poyner Elementary School and Bunger Middle School.
MONTEZUMA, Iowa (KCRG) – The Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office said it has made an arrest following an investigation into the 2020 death of a 28-year-old woman in Montezuma. In a press release, the sheriff’s office said the investigation started on January 28, 2020, when deputies were called to 200 East Harrison Street where a woman died. Deputies said the lengthy investigation resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Chancy Lee Grife, who lives at the address where the body was found. Grife faces multiple charges related to the incident, including involuntary manslaughter, and multiple drug related charges.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On September 26th, 2022, the Cedar Rapids Transit will resume fare collections with updated fare pricing. Passengers may use a bus pass, participating school ID, exact cash, a Free Fare ID Card, or a blue ticket in order to use the public bus service. Full fare is priced down from the previous price of $1.50 to just $1 for adults, students, and non-qualifying passengers of the free-fare groups. Drivers do not give change and cannot take credits or debit cards. Riders may use credit/debit cards to purchase 10-ride tickets and passes at the Ground Transportation Center. Bus passes are available for purchase at the rate of $30 for 31-Day/Monthly Passes; $10 for 10-Ride Passes; and $2 for Day Passes.
