DECORAH, Iowa (KCRG) – Law enforcement officials in Decorah are seeking the public’s help after two homes were unlawfully entered on Sunday morning. Decorah Police are seeking a suspect that was described as a man in his mid-20s who is 6 feet tall, has a medium build, and shaggy sandy-colored hair. He was last observed wearing gray sweatpants and a tie-die or white shirt. Police said that they believe a person who fits that description is connected to two incidents in the early morning hours of Sunday where a man entered two separate private properties. The entries took place in the area of Mechanic Street and Division Street. Officials suggested that residents check their outbuildings and vehicles if they live in those neighborhoods. They are also encouraged to review home security cameras for anything suspicious around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. Anyone with information about the suspect, relevant surveillance video, or other tips about the incident should call the police at (563) 382-3667. Police also said that residents should remember to lock their doors at night.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Severe thunderstorms developed in Iowa late on Saturday into early Sunday morning, causing several reports of damage. The earlier round of storms formed and moved eastward between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., generally along and north of U.S. Highway 20. Hail up to quarter-sized was reported with this initial activity, as well as several incidences of strong, gusty winds. Isolated tree damage was reported in Cedar Falls, Janesville, Oelwein, Dyersville, Dubuque, and Galena. Sporadic power outages were initially reported; under 900 customers were without power in Fayette County as of 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, with dozens of others in several counties along the storms’ path. Farther south, large hail was reported with a cluster of storms in Wapello County in the 5 o’clock hour. The largest report was of a hailstone 2.5 inches in diameter southeast of Ottumwa. Additional storms tracked through northern Iowa later Saturday night into Sunday morning, producing more large hail. A swath of hail fell in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area, with reports ranging from half-dollar to baseball-sized hailstones between about 12:45 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.
BUTLER COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – Just after 3:00 p.m. on Friday, a 2001 Ford van, driven by 64-year-old Paul Yerkes from Greene Iowa, was traveling west on Highway 3 when it entered the eastbound lane and hit a semi driven by Timothy Grittmann. Yerkes died on the scene and Grittmann was taken to Waverly Health Center. The crash is under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials in Linn County have filed charges against a man who allegedly sexually abused a child on multiple occasions when she was 3 or 4 years old. Investigators say the victim told family that Zachary Michael Dye had sexually abused her when she lived with her grandmother between January 2021 and January 2023. The victim was then interviewed by a forensic interviewer at the Child Protection Center, where she confirmed this. Officials filed a warrant and charges against Dye, who is still reportedly at large. He is charged with 3 counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree – Child Under 12, 1st Offense.
