CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Falls police officer is recovering after being thrown from a vehicle that sped away from a traffic stop late Tuesday night. Police said the officer, who has not been named, pulled a vehicle over in the 100 block of E 4th Street in Cedar Falls at around 11:54 p.m. However, during the traffic stop, the driver sped away, taking the officer with the vehicle. The officer was eventually thrown from the vehicle and was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injures. He has since been released. The driver was later found and identified as Mackenzie Christensen. Christensen was arrested and faces charges of Driving while Barred, Eluding, and Assault while Participating in a Felony.
SIOUX COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has detected another case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a herd of dairy cattle in Sioux County, Iowa. HPAI can travel in wild birds but is often fatal to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. Just over a month ago, the USDA announced bird flu had been found among dairy cows in several states. Now, they are tightening the restrictions on taking those livestock over state lines. According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, this is the 6th case to hit a Sioux County dairy herd in the month of June. There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – Seven children and three adults were transported to nearby hospitals after a daycare van collided head-on with a semi-truck in West Des Moines. At approximately 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, officials responded to South 88th Street between Cody Drive and EP True Parkway for a report of a crash. According to West Des Moines Police, the driver of the daycare van was distracted and veered into the lanes of the semi. Investigators are still determining why the driver was distracted but reportedly said “the cell phone was ruled out.” 10 children were in the van, with 7 taken to nearby hospitals. Both of the drivers and a passenger in the semi were also taken to nearby hospitals. Officials don’t believe any of the injuries are life-threatening.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – At approximately 12:48 p.m. Wednesday, emergency crews responded to a report of a house fire with heavy smoke. Responders arrived to find smoke on the front porch extending upwards. Crews were able to knock down the fire approximately two minutes after engaging the fire. Officials say the fire did not extend into the residence, which was deemed habitable. Dubuque Police evacuated three children and three dogs from the residence. No one was reported injured. Officials say a 17-year-old occupant was not located. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
