MANCHESTER, Iowa (KCRG) – The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the human remains found in rural Delaware County last November have been confirmed to be of a man who had been missing since 2013. On November 5, 2023, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded one mile south of the 1300 block of 180th Street for a report that human remains had been located in a field just west of Manchester by some pheasant hunters. The remains were removed from the scene and taken to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification. Officials believed at that time they were those of Brian Burns who was reported missing on December 23, 2013. Now, officials have confirmed that they are those of Burns. Brian Burns was the cousin of Jerry Burns, who was convicted of killing Michelle Martinko. At the time Jerry Burns was arrested in 2018 for the murder of Martinko, TV9 asked the Delaware County Sheriff’s office if Jerry Burns was connected to Brian Burns’ disappearance. Delaware County Sheriff John LeClere said in a statement back in 2018, “We are reviewing the case and at this time have not uncovered any additional information that would implicate Jerry Burns in that disappearance.” The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding Brian Burns is asked to contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 563-927-3135.
JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The building that houses the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail might not be able to stay open, according to Sheriff Brad Kunkel. “It is now possible that the jail could face closure because of the structural integrity concerns. The question is when. I don’t think that will be tomorrow, but I don’t know how many years down the road that will be,” Kunkel said. The building that holds the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail was built circa 1980. That makes the building roughly 44 years old. A bond to build a new Justice Center attached to the Johnson County courthouse failed to pass in 2013. If the building were to close, three major pieces would have to be considered: where the inmates would be housed, where staff would go, and where new arrestees would go.
HIAWATHA, Iowa (KCRG) – It’s been more than 6 months since the Tower Terrace interchange officially opened in Hiawatha. That project includes the cities of Cedar Rapids, Robins, and Marion, too, and eventually will connect Interstate 380 to Highway 13. But those cities are waiting for several federal grants to come through. Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization Manager Liz Burke says they are looking at RAISE – or ‘Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity’ – funding. They are also hoping for Rural Service Transportation funding. That funding would go toward bridges over Dry Creek in Robins and a bridge over Indian Creek in Marion, and paving to connect the road to Highway 13. While waiting for that funding, leaders say they aim to be as “shovel ready” as possible. But without that funding it could 2045 until the rest of this project is finished.
TAMA, Iowa (KCRG) – A 26-year-old has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison after stabbing his brother multiple times. Evidence at the hearing showed that in November 2022, Victor Garcia and his brother were drinking at their residence when a fight broke out between the two and Garcia retrieved a knife from the kitchen. Garcia stabbed him ten times, injuring him in multiple areas. Garcia pled guilty to assault causing serious bodily injury back in August 2023. He was sentenced on Monday to 45 months in federal prison. He must also serve 3 years of supervised release after the term.
