From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
The Decorah man convicted of killing a 15-year-old girl received a 50-year prison sentence yesterday. A jury convicted James Bachmurski of second degree murder in September in the death of Jade Colvin. No one has seen Jade Colvin since 2017, after her mother dropped her off at Bachmurski’s farmhouse. Investigators never found her body. Tuesday, family member’s pleaded to Bachmurski to say where Colvin’s body is. Before his sentencing, Bachmurski asked for a new trial; his attorneys said the evidence the state presented does not prove that he killed Colvin. The judge denied that request. Bachmurski plans an appeal.
The government shutdown could leave a lasting impact on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. According to the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, or HACAP, if the shutdown continues, more than 24,000 individuals in eastern Iowa could be impacted. To qualify, a family of four can only earn a maximum of $64,300. The program has existed for more than 40 years, and in President Trump’s budget request earlier this year, he eliminated funding for the program entirely. HACAP says on average, families they serve receive about $468 in utility credit. The second wave of applications will open November 1.
A federal grand jury has indicted a Bread Garden Market employee in Iowa City on three federal charges after ICE agents arrested him last month. Video shows agents in plain clothes taking Jorge Gonzalez-Ochoa to the ground in front of customers and co-workers. Escucha Mi Voz says he and his wife came to the U.S. from Colombia last year. They lived with their baby at the Catholic Worker House in Iowa City. Court documents say he had a permanent resident card with a different name and a registration number on the card was not his. He’s also accused of knowing the document had been forged, counterfeited, altered and falsely made. A trial is set for December 1.
A new event spot that can hold up to 500 people is officially open in North Liberty. The Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park had its ribbon cutting yesterday. It’s all located within Centennial Park, home to the annual Blues and BBQ Festival. Addition of the event center and amphitheatre are part of the first of four phases for the $16 million project at Centennial Park.
