Iowa teenagers could learn how to drive from their parents, without any certified instruction, if Gov. Kim Reynolds approves legislation that has passed the Iowa legislature. The bill would eliminate the requirement that teenagers who are learning to drive receive instruction from a certified teacher, either in the classroom or behind the wheel. That would allow parents to be solely responsible for teaching their teenagers how to drive. The would-be drivers still would have to pass a driver’s test overseen by an instructor in order to obtain a driver’s license. Supporters say the bill is about parental choice, but driver’s education teachers and driving instructors say the proposal is dangerous and will put ill-equipped young drivers on Iowa’s roads.
An Iowa City man has been charged with trying to hinder the investigation of a fatal shooting that took place in his apartment. Police say 20-year-old Mazin Mohamedali was arrested Saturday in connection with the Feb. 12 shooting of 19-year-old Quincy Russom. Another man, 22-year-old Sammy Hamed, has already been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. According to court documents, police say Mohamedali knew Hamed had killed Russom and waited 30 minutes to call 911. Police also said Mohamedali lied during questioning, gave a false description to officers and withheld some information that would have led investigators to Hamed more quickly.
A single-vehicle accident caused injuries to both people that were riding on a motorcycle early yesterday morning. Just before 1:30 a.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office was sent to a report of an accident involving a motorcycle along Williams Boulevard near its intersection with Dean Road, along U.S. Highway 151 between Cedar Rapids and Fairfax. Deputies believe that a motorcycle was operated by 45-year-old David Ballstaedt III of Cedar Rapids. Ballstaedt lost control, with the motorcycle skidding on its side into a roundabout. Ballstaedt and a passenger were taken to a hospital with what deputies described as non-life-threatening injuries. Ballstaedt was charged with failure to maintain control and a registration violation.
One member of Iowa’s congressional delegation was not pleased with what she heard from the President during his address to Congress last week. Second district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks told Fox that President Biden should have credited former President Trump for overseeing the COVID vaccine development. And the congresswoman rejected his continued requests for Americans to wear masks.
A woman is accused of embezzling more than $270,000 from a North Iowa church. Melissa Noland has been indicted for wire fraud in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. Federal prosecutors say Noland was hired in August 2014 by First United Methodist Church in Mason City as a financial records keeper. A federal indictment states that between January 2015 and January 2019, Noland stole or otherwise misappropriated $274,222.09 from church accounts. She’s accused of writing checks to herself, directly depositing money into her accounts, and using church funds to pay personal credit card debts and her personal internet service. Court documents state Noland is expected to file a guilty plea at a hearing on May 12 in Sioux City federal court.
A jury has failed to reach a verdict over a woman accused of exposing herself near a preschool. 41-year-old Krista Elisabeth Mary of Lake Mills was arrested and charged with indecent exposure after preschool employees called police on October 8, 2020, reporting that Mary was naked on the steps of a home in the 400 block of North Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City. Trial began on April 27 but after hearing all the evidence, the jury could not return a verdict and a mistrial was declared. A second trial is now scheduled to begin on June 22 in Cerro Gordo County District Court.
