CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Cedar Rapids Fire Department officials say no one was hurt or killed in an explosion and fire at the Quaker Oats facility in downtown Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids Fire Department responded to a call for a fire on the back side of the Quaker Oats facility at 4:44 p.m. on Saturday; that is the side facing away from I-380. Firefighters responding found signs of an explosion as they worked to put out the fire. That fire was considered under control as of 6:15 p.m. Saturday, but firefighters were still working in the building to ensure all hot spots were out. As of 6:25 p.m., CRFD said there were still limited operations addressing final efforts and overhaul in the interior of the building. The cause of this fire and explosion are under investigation. Viewers reported hearing and feeling an explosion before black smoke could be seen rising from behind the Quaker Oats facility. PepsiCo. Foods US, which owns the plant, said in a statement Saturday, “This evening a fire started at the Quaker facility in Cedar Rapids. Details of how the fire started will be investigated. We can confirm all employees are accounted for and we are grateful to the first responders who continue to operate at the facility.”
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Police said a Palo man is in custody, accused of assaulting a care technician at Mercy Medical Center on Friday. Police were dispatched to the hospital for reports of an assault around 6:40 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, police said a patient care technician was assisting 62-year-old Merlin Ricklefs to the bathroom when he attempted to grope her chest. The technician pushed him away, got him to the bathroom and went back to work on the computer in Ricklefs’ room. Police said when Ricklefs returned from the bathroom, he grabbed at the technician’s groin area over the pants and grabbed her chest from behind. When she attempted to pry Ricklefs’ hands away, he began to choke her from behind and broke equipment on her uniform. Officers said other staff had come in to intervene. After reading Ricklefs his Miranda Rights, officers said he admitted he was trying to rape the victim. The victim said she felt Ricklefs’ hands/fingers trying to get into her groin through her clothes. Ricklefs was taken into custody and is charged with Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse.
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (KCRG) – Three people are in custody after a sexual abuse investigation in Independence. The Independence Police Department said a report in August claimed 21-year-old Camron McNeese, 36-year-old Shawn Riley, and 31-year-old Thomas Kauffman were alleged to have had sexual contact with a child at various locations across Independence. Kauffman was also alleged to have assaulted an adult male while displaying a knife and alleged to have solicited prostitution from and attempted to sexually abuse an adult female. After a two-month investigation, police arrested McNeese and Riley on Friday. Kauffman was arrested in Fayette County on warrants related to the investigation and transported to the Buchanan County jail. McNeese, Riley and Kauffman are facing four counts of 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse. Kauffman also faces charges of Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Soliciting Prostitution.
WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – The Cedar Bend Humane Society announced Saturday it’s waiving adoption fees for long-term residents of the facility. The shelter said cats and dogs who have been waiting 90 days or more will have their adoption fee waived, through October 31. The shelter’s Facebook post went on to say the shelter is at capacity.
