CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids woman was charged after police say her child died after being found unresponsive in a trash can. Jaley Bush, 28, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with child endangerment resulting in death. According to a criminal complaint, police responded to a report of an unresponsive child at a residence in Keokuk around 2:01 p.m. on January 27. Police say the child was found in a basement bedroom and officers began life-saving measures. Investigators say Bush was visiting a friend when she passed out on the bed that morning. Bush reported that the child was asleep next to her on the inside part of the bed, but when she woke up, the child was found unresponsive inside of a trash can. Bush told police the child must have crawled around her before falling into the trash can. Police say an autopsy report showed the cause of death to be asphyxiation. Bush reported that she took Klonopin before falling asleep on January 27. Bush told police that she had not taken any narcotics after travelling to the hospital with her child. The infant died on February 5. A blood analysis confirmed Bush was using narcotics including methamphetamine and Benzodiazepines at the time. Investigators issued a search warrant and Bush was arrested last month according to court documents.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss rezoning the Duane Arnold Energy Center at its December 15 meeting. It’s this commission’s first meeting allowing public comment on the proposal. The Duane Arnold Nuclear power plant near Palo was in operation from 1974 to 2020. NextEra Energy said it mainly wants to reopen it to power data centers set to come to Linn County. NextEra Energy said reopening the plant would have a $9 billion impact on the state and bring around 400 jobs. The company said the plant would generate 615 megawatts of power, with Google set to receive around 565 of those megawatts and CIPCO, a utility company, getting the rest. At the November 12 Iowa Utilities Commission meeting, one concern from residents was that their energy bills may go up. NextEra says the plant won’t affect rates. NextEra plans to have Duane Arnold fully operational in early 2029. The board will send its recommendation to the Linn County Board of Supervisors following the meeting, which will review the application in January. The application will also need multiple state and federal approvals, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – A 21-year-old Marshalltown man is behind bars after his arrest following an extensive investigation involving child pornography. The Marshalltown Police Department says it took Damon Borton into custody around 7:45 p.m. Monday. Borton has been charged with dozens of felonies, including 3 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor – cause to engage in act; 29 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor – promote film; 7 counts of purchase/possess depiction of minor in sex acts, 1st offense; and 17 counts of dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors. Investigators say the investigation started after a cyber tip was submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children about images of potential child pornography located on the cloud service of a cellphone company. The case was eventually referred to the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Marshalltown Police Department. Numerous search warrants were executed on a private residence, a smartphone, several social media accounts and several messaging applications. Borton is being held at the Marshall County Jail on a $367,000 cash/surety bond.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Riddle’s Group, Inc. purchased the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark for $7,500,001 at a public auction Tuesday morning, marking the start of a new era for the Mississippi River property. The Rapid City, South Dakota-based company operates largely as a jewelry chain with one store in Dubuque. CEO Brett Riddle said his company owns one hotel and is eager to invest in the hotel and water park. Riddle is planning a complete renovation and intends to join a hotel franchise. Dubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen said being associated with a hotel chain would help with the property’s maintenance and help the nearby Grand River Center book events. The previous owner, Platinum Holdings, failed to pay back a loan and owes about $10 million, according to a lawsuit filed this summer by Westdale Capitol Investors. Riddle said renovations on the property should be complete in the next two years, with plans to add amenities to the property coming soon.
