CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – A newly renovated playground was significantly damaged in a fire in Cedar Falls on Thursday. Authorities received a report of a fire at the new Hansen Playground which they believe was “set intentionally.” The playground expansion was nearly complete and set to fully open soon. The tiles and part of the fence suffered significant damage from the fire. The incident is under investigation. No other information is known at this time.
LINN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A house fire caused significant damage and left two dogs hurt in eastern Iowa on Thursday afternoon. At approximately 1:05 p.m. Thursday, authorities responded to a report of a house fire in Alburnett. The homeowner’s young daughter immediately made the call after seeing black smoke coming from the basement. Upon arrival, authorities noticed the smoke coming from the basement. The homeowner arrived and told authorities there were two dogs in the house. The dogs were rescued a short time after and taken to a local veterinarian for treatment of smoke inhalation. No injuries were reported. There was significant damage to the inside of the house. The cause of the fire is believed to have been an electrical issue. The fire remains under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Thursday, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Meskwaki Tribal Chairman Vern Jefferson announced a new pact that could put more dangerous drivers behind bars. The pact clears up jurisdiction confusion between Iowa officers and tribal police while pursuing suspects. Now, Meskwaki Police can chase a car or perform a traffic stop outside of tribal land without waiting for an Iowa officer. Jefferson said officers have been confused in the past when pursuing vehicles, “Meskwaki officers may observe something on the settlement and maybe initiate the stop off the settlement and then it would become a jurisdictional issue.” Attorney General Bird said the agreement will keep state roads safe, “That boundary is known to many people. We would not want wrongdoers to try to flee, endangering the public.” The pact follows the 1948 ruling that gave the state of Iowa jurisdiction over tribal lands when prosecuting criminals. That law was overturned by Congress in 2018.
WHAT CHEER, Iowa (KCRG) – Daniel Brubaker will spend up to 15 years in prison for his role in a hayrack ride crash that injured multiple children near What Cheer in October 2023. Brubaker pleaded guilty in July to three counts of neglect of a dependent person and 10 counts of child endangerment. On Thursday, a judge sentenced him to 10 years on each count of neglect of a dependent person, and 5 years on each count of child endangerment. The judge then determined Brubaker must serve the sentences on one count each of neglect of a dependent person and child endangerment consecutively, or back to back, which would be up to 15 years in prison. All of the other charges would be served concurrently, or at the same time he serves the prison sentence on those first two counts. Brubaker must also pay fines, court costs and restitution. Brubaker was taken into custody immediately following the proceedings to go to prison. He expressed remorse when given a chance to address the children’s families. “I am truly and deeply sorry. You deserved safety, peace, and protection. And I failed that,” Brubaker said. Investigators and prosecutors said Brubaker was driving the pickup truck that was pulling a hayrack ride with children attending a 7th grade class party in October 2023. 29 children were thrown from the trailer into the ditch. Three of them were transported to a nearby hospital for their injuries.
