CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – Fire crews were called to a Cedar Falls manufacturer twice in less than 12 hours this week after a fire started at PPG Coatings Services, Cedar Falls Public Safety said. It happened at about 9 p.m. on Tuesday, when smoke and a possible fire were discovered in an oven at the business. Firefighters said the high temperatures in the furnace made ventilating the smoke difficult, but they believed the furnace had burned itself out. However, crews were called back at around 5 a.m. Wednesday after more smoke accumulated. No one was hurt, but the business sustained smoke, fire and water damage.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The case of a man accused of driving through a group of protestors is now in the hands of the jury. The state and the defense both rested in the case of David Huston Wednesday. He is charged with assault and leaving the scene of an accident. It happened in June of last year when people gathered to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Huston, his wife and his daughter all took the stand Wednesday. All three testified today that protestors were the ones who came up to them and made contact with the truck.
DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa’s ethanol and corn industries are praising a lawsuit to force the federal government to allow cheaper E-15 gasoline to be sold year-round. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed that lawsuit this week saying the EPA’s delay is violating the Clean Air Act. E-15 is about 15 cents a gallon cheaper, burns cleaner than regular unleaded, and most cars on the road today can run on it. Most gasoline sold in Iowa already has 10 percent ethanol in it. E-15 ups that number to 15 percent. Oil companies don’t like that since that means less room for petroleum in your gas tank. Last year, Governor Kim Reynolds and a group of other governors asked the EPA to lift a summertime ban on E-15. That ban is in place over smog concerns that studies have found are unfounded. Iowa’s Attorney General argues the EPA had 90 days to issue rules. Instead, it issued rules in April that wouldn’t take effect until next year. Dan Keitzer with the Iowa Corn Growers’ Association says the delay is costing Iowa farmers.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Wellman woman has died after a crash in Iowa City on Monday. In a press release, police said it happened just before 1 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Highway 6 East and Boyrum Street. Investigators said 30-year-old Kristina Pearson, of Wellman, was heading north on Boyrum Street when her vehicle was hit by a truck heading eastbound on Highway 6. Pearson’s vehicle then hit a third vehicle. Pearson was taken to the hospital, where she later died. A passenger in her vehicle was also injured and taken to the hospital, where they remain in critical condition. No other injuries were reported. The driver of the truck, Drake Brezina, 24, of Riverside, was cited for a red light violation. Law enforcement said additional charges are possible, and this crash remains under investigation.
