WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – Law enforcement said a man who stole money from a Waterloo gas station cash register was later found and arrested in Clinton County over the weekend. The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office said at around 9:23 p.m. on Saturday, a man, dressed in dark closing and a black mask, robbed the Elite Fuel Mart at the corner of Elk Run Road and Independence Avenue. Officials said the man, later identified as 45-year-old Revar Harrell, of Waterloo, took money from the cash register and fled in a silver Chevy Equinox with Iowa plates OJK624. On Sunday morning, a deputy with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office saw the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. After executing a search warrant on the vehicle, Harrell was arrested for Possession of a Firearm as a Felon. He is in custody at the Clinton County Jail. There is now an arrest warrant out for Harrell for 2nd-degree robbery. He is expected to be extradited to Black Hawk County.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – At approximately 3:56 p.m. Monday, the Iowa State Patrol responded to the intersection of 240 St. and X Ave in rural Waucoma for a report of a crash. Officials say a 2000 Chevy S10 truck was driving southbound of X Ave when it approached an uncontrol gravel intersection and collided with a 2007 Ford Edge that was traveling westbound on 240 Street. Officials say the driver of the Chevy died at the scene. He was later identified as 41-year-old Joshua Quail of Waucoma. His body has been taken to the State Medical Examiner for an autopsy. The crash is under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials have released more details regarding a lengthy standoff that occurred in Benton County on Saturday. On June 29th, 2024, at approximately 8:23 p.m., the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to Highway 30 near 31st Ave for a report of an erratic driver heading eastbound. Officials arrived to locate a gray Kia Telluride and attempted to conduct a traffic stop for a speeding violation. Responders say that the traffic stop escalated and the driver displayed a handgun. A lengthy standoff ensued before he was arrested. The driver was identified as 56-year-old Marc Leconte of Cedar Rapids. He’s been charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Threatening Manner), Carrying Weapon – While Intoxicated (OWI), Interference With Official Acts, Armed w/ Firearm, Operating While Intoxicated – 1st Offense, Speeding Over 55 Zone (21 and Over), Operation Without Registration Card or Plate.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – On Monday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor in response to “excessive fines” the department has given to businesses that have violated federal child labor laws. The State of Iowa enacted a new child labor law in May 2023, which would let 16 and 17-year-olds work in areas such as manufacturing (as long as it was in a work-based learning program given an exemption by the Iowa Department of Education or Iowa Workforce Development), serve alcohol in restaurants as long as business owners had written permission from the worker’s parent or guardian, and let children younger than 16 work up to six hours a day while school was in session and work later in the day. The previous Iowa law stated that they could work no more than four hours. In September 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor sent a letter confirming the state’s new child labor law went against federal child labor law standards. Federal law states that school-year work hours end by 7:00 p.m. and summer hours by 9:00 p.m. Iowa law states that under 14 and 15-year-olds can work till 9:00 p.m. on school nights and 11:00 p.m. during the summer. According to the Governor, the U.S. Department of Labor is fining businesses that are violating federal law but not Iowa law. Governor Reynolds also accuses the department of targeting Iowa businesses and giving them excessive fines, potentially putting them out of business.
