VINTON, Iowa (KCRG) – A teen is in stable condition after police said he was stabbed by another teen at Vinton-Shellsburg High School on Monday night. In a press release, police said they were called to the high school just after 7:30 p.m. for a report of a stabbing. Officers said witnesses told them 16-year-old Kasen Jobe stabbed a 15-year-old male with a knife after a verbal altercation between the two Center Point-Urbana Community School District students in the high school commons area. Police said the two teens involved in the incident were attending an evening driver’s education class at Vinton-Shellsburg High School when the incident happened. The injured 15-year-old was taken to the hospital to be treated; he is reportedly in stable condition. Jobe was charged with Willful Injury – Causing Serious Injury. Normally persons under the age of 18 are not listed in open records, but due to the severity of the charge, Jobe is automatically being charged as an adult.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Tuesday at approximately 5:48 pm, emergency crews responded to the 1400 block of 4th Avenue SE for a report of a porch fire. According to dispatch, a neighbor noticed the fire dwelling on the residence’s front porch and tried to alert any occupants. However, the fire grew quickly and they felt it was unsafe to enter the home. Upon arrival, crews suppressed the heavy fire. Once the fire was knocked down, responders entered the home and searched all levels. No one was home except for three dogs, which were rescued. Smoke damage was found throughout the entire home. The porch was heavily damaged by the fire. The occupant was displaced from the residence as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On October 11th, a judge ruled that a Cedar Rapids man charged with murder undergo psychiatric treatment in an effort to restore his competency. Arthur Flowers is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Emily Leonard. Flowers sought to represent himself in court after not trusting his own attorneys. When the court pressed Flowers on his own education and credentials, he claimed he have attended 6 or 7 colleges and that he started attending when he was 11-years-old, but was unable to name specifics. Flowers reportedly informed the court that he had represented himself in jury trials on three different murder charges and that he had been acquitted by each jury. Based on specific statements made by Mr. Flowers at the hearing, the court had his statements evaluated by a mental health professional and the court found probable cause to believe that a competency issue exists. After undergoing that evaluation, a judge ruled Flowers incompetent to stand trial. The judge ordered Flowers to be sent to and treated at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center. The state psychiatrist at the facility is “directed to provide any medical treatment necessary” in order to appropriately treat the defendant’s illness to restore his competency. When Flower’s competency is deemed to be restored, his trial will be rescheduled.
MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – The soft opening date for the Marion Public Library has been set for Nov. 10. Previously, library staff has said the soft opening date would be on, or near, Nov. 15. It’s now set for Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. Staff with the library said a few minor construction issues need to be mitigated in the coming weeks. After that, staff said they plan to hold a grand opening with a ribbon cutting and other programming.
