From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
The trial for a man accused of killing four people in Linn County earlier this year is now set for April. That’s the ruling after a psychiatrist testified in Court yesterday that 34-year-old Luke Truesdell is competent to stand trial. Truesdell is accused of beating four people to death with a metal pipe in an outbuilding on East Otter Road in northern Linn County on June 5. The victims were Brent Brown, Romondus Cooper, Keonna Ryan and Amanda Parker. Truesdell didn’t say anything during yesterday’s hearing.
A Johnson County judge sentenced a 24-year-old man to probation and a fine of more than $100,000 after a crash that killed another driver. 24-year-old Drake Brezina admits he was distracted while driving, running a red light and crashing into a car, killing 30-year-old Kristina Pearson and injuring her passenger. Brezina was charged with homicide by vehicle, reckless driving and serious injury by vehicle. The judge noted Brezina had no criminal record and has shown sincere remorse for his actions.
Police are looking for a suspect after someone vandalized Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion. At least one nearby home was also targeted. A swear word and an offensive symbol were spray painted on the turf. It happened just hours before the start of a Linn-Mar golf event. Nearby, one home on Fairways Court also had a swear word and offensive symbol painted on the driveway and garage door.
A celebration was held last night in North Liberty for a couple of local paralympians headed to Paris. A send off ceremony was held for Jessica Heims and Erin Kerkhoff. Both are competing in track and field events. Heims, from Swisher, is making her third paralympics appearance. This is the first appearance for Kerkhoff from Coralville.
The Iowa State Fair had a record-breaking year with the biggest attendance figures in its 170 year history. 1.18 million visitors passed through the gates, 10,000 more than the previous record, set in 2019. Fair organizers say perfect weather during the 11-day fair was a big reason for breaking the record.
