CHARLES CITY, Iowa (KTTC/KCRG) – A medical center located in Charles City continues plans to develop a cancer treatment center after Iowa’s Supreme Court recent ruling against Mayo Clinic. The case deals with the estate of Herman Carl Stille, a Nashua, Iowa resident who left more than $10 million to the Floyd County Medical Center (FCMC) to establish a cancer center to serve area residents. Stille stated FCMC needed to have several amenities, including an area for administering radiation and other types of cancer treatments. However, in a key portion of the will, Stille states the gift was contingent on FCMC remaining an independent hospital, and if not, the money was to be given to Mayo Clinic for Alzheimer’s research. Floyd County Medical Center officials began drawing plans to build the facility but quickly realized radiation therapy required equipment that was too expensive and heavily relegated. This left FCMC unable to provide radiation treatment. Mayo Clinic petitioned to receive the money, claiming FCMC was unable to provide that stipulated care. A district court ruled in favor of FCMC on merits, finding the medical center could establish a cancer treatment center funded by the request and that FCMC remained independent. Mayo appealed the decision. In the court’s opinion released May 1, Justice Thomas Waterman agreed with the district court’s ruling, adding that the medical giant did not have the standing to receive the funds as FCMC did not lose its independence.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Gas prices in Iowa have topped $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, averaging $4.11 a gallon. According to GasBuddy, prices jumped 15 cents from Sunday night to Monday, up from $3.84 last Wednesday. Prices have risen 61 cents in the past month. Iowa gas prices are $1.18 higher than a year ago. The highest recorded average in Iowa was $4.77 per gallon in June 2022. Nationally, Georgia has the lowest average gas price at $3.85 per gallon, while California has the highest at $6.08.
RIVERSIDE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a district court’s decision to reject a challenge to the Highland Community School District’s bond referendum that passed in 2024. The challengers argued that it passed because of “illegal votes.” In November 2024, voters approved a $15 million bond for the district to build a new full size gym and locker rooms at its high school. Results show the referendum received 61% approval – above the 60% approval needed for the measure to pass. The Washington County Auditor’s Office told KCRG-TV9 in 2024 that some voters had received the wrong ballots and that people who should not have been allowed to vote on the Highland Community School District bond issue received a ballot with the measure and voted on it. A Contest Petition was later filed challenging measure’s approval. They contested that the ballot mix-up may have impacted the election’s outcome. A Contest Court and Iowa District Court both rejected the challenge. The challengers appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court arguing the results should be tossed because the public measure received “illegal votes in a sufficient number to change the result of the election.” But the Iowa Supreme Court sided with the district court. In his opinion, Justice David May said because the challengers did not provide any names of people who are alleged to have voted illegally, their challenge cannot succeed. In his concurring opinion, Justice Edward Mansfield wrote the “record suggests” it might have been “impossible” to figure out who cast illegal votes.” Mansfield also wrote that “if you do the math” that it appears unlikely that the improper votes would have changed the election’s outcome.
CLINTON, Iowa (KWQC/KCRG) – A Clinton man was arrested in Indiana after police say he set his father’s house on fire. Aaron J. Hines, 36, is charged with felony second-degree arson, according to court documents. He was arrested in Lake County, Indiana on Thursday. In April, Clinton police and firefighters went to the 100 block of South 3rd Street around 11 p.m. for a structure fire. Firefighters found John Hines, Aaron’s father, lying on a mattress in the living room, according to a search warrant application. He was later taken to the hospital where he died. The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office ruled that the fire was an arson based on the use of accelerants. Aaron Hines lived in the home and officials said he was seen leaving on security footage just before the fire. Witnesses also told officials he was seen leaving the house with a gas can before a neighbor saw it was on fire.
