CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A former Assistant Linn County Attorney said she left her job at the Linn County Attorney’s Office because of what she called a “hostile” work environment. Rena Schulte shared her story after a different former county employee filed a sexual misconduct lawsuit against Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks and First Assistant Attorney Monica Slaughter. That lawsuit claims Slaughter exposed herself, inappropriately touched, made sexual comments and assaulted the employee. It says the employee reported their concerns to Maybanks and Human Resources, but was still forced to work under Slaughter. The employee was later placed on administrative leave and fired. Schulte says she experienced similar treatment and reported the behavior to Maybanks the following day. The lawsuit claims Maybanks and county administration tried to downplay the behavior and claimed fault on both sides. Linn County denies those claims, releasing a statement that said officials “took appropriate action based on the internal review” but declined to comment further.
EAGLE GROVE, Iowa (KCRG) — One person has died after attempting to flee police early Sunday morning. Officers say 36-year-old Jose Casiano was driving erratically on Iowa Highway 17 near Eagle Grove. When a Wright County deputy attempted to stop Casiano, he fled, driving at speeds of up to 130 miles per hour. Casiano failed to make a turn and went into a ditch. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. Casiano was pronounced dead at the scene.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Iowa’s News Now) — Police say a medical episode may have played a role in a deadly crash early Friday evening. Crews were called to the area of Highway 30 and 21st Street SW around 6:20 p.m. When crews arrived, they found a car driven by 21-year-old Nicholas Pearson had gone off the road and hit railroad property below the bridge spanning the tracks and Prairie Creek. Despite efforts by first responders, Pearson was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say there is evidence that Pearson may have suffered a medical incident, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The crash delayed traffic on Highway 30 for several hours as crews processed the scene.
CLINTON COUNTY, Iowa (KXEL) — One person was killed and another injured in a vehicle accident in Clinton County. The incident occurred just before 5:30 p.m. Friday on U.S. Highway 61. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2020 Ford Escape became disabled in the middle of the road. Both people in that vehicle got out. A 2012 Chevy Silverado came up in the same lane and then hit a woman standing in the roadway as well as the disabled car. The disabled car ended up in the median, and the other car landed in the ditch. State Troopers said 68-year-old Cheryl Neilson of Delmar died, and 18-year-old Amber Edens of Dubuque was injured. First responders took her to Genesis East Hospital in Davenport. Officials say investigation into the accident is continuing.
