From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says a West Branch officer shot a suspect while responding to a call about a domestic dispute. In court papers, a bail bondsman says 22-year-old Kalen Tihpen was shot four times while being taken into custody. Thipen was wanted on several warrants. He is in the hospital for his wounds. The officer involved was not hurt and is on leave. State Department of Public Safety is investigating the shooting.
The Iowa State Patrol says a 14-year-old boy died in that deadly crash between a train and a semi-truck in Poweshiek County Wednesday. Police say the train hit a semi-truck that was carrying a tractor, causing 17 train cars and two engines to derail. Robert Orton, who is the son of the semi-truck driver, died. His father remains hospitalized. Those on the train were not hurt.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the state has upheld the conviction of a Dubuque County man who murdered his wife. In November 2019, a jury found Todd Mullis guilty of murdering his wife with a corn rake, then attempting to stage the scene as a farming accident. In response, Mullis has made more than 100 legal claims saying he didn’t receive a fair trial and didn’t have adequate representation. However, a judge rejected those claims, saying his trial was fair and his rights were fully protected.
Federal aviation officials are investigating two drone incidents at the Eastern Iowa airport that might be tied to nearby data center construction. Pilots reported a drone in their landing path Wednesday morning around 10:45. Those reports led investigators to the QTS data center construction site, and two drone operators working for contractors there. The two planes landed safely.
Mercy Medical Center is teaming up to fight homelessness and waste in Cedar Rapids. Crews loaded up furniture yesterday from the former Hallmar Residential Care facility. The hospital is donating the usable items to Central Furniture Rescue. Since 2019, Central Furniture Rescue has furnished homes for thousands of eastern Iowa residents. Central Furniture Rescue says it’s also looking for volunteers to help move furniture.
