WATERLOO, Iowa (KXEL) – U.S. Highway 20 was been blocked in both directions for more than five hours Monday after a semi truck hit a guardrail, rolled on its side, and caught on fire, blocking both lanes. The crash happened along Highway 20 at Highway 63 near Waterloo around 7 a.m. Monday. That stretch of Highway 20 is under construction and limited to two lanes of facing traffic. The road was reopened around 12:30 p.m.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – Two people were injured Friday in a crash west of Clermont, including one who suffered life-threatening injuries, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. in the 4000 block of Harding Road, about a mile west of Clermont. Investigators said Karen Laura Kerner, 83, of West Union, was driving a silver 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt westbound when she pulled off the road and stopped. Gary James Berns, 69, of Hawkeye, was also traveling westbound when his vehicle struck the rear of Kerner’s car. Kerner was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated. She was taken to Emplify Hospital in West Union before being flown to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her car was considered a total loss. Berns suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Emplify Hospital. The crash remains under investigation.
MANCHESTER, Iowa (KCRG) – The Manchester Police Department will be installing AXON FUSUS license plate readers this week. Starting Tuesday, the Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) will be installed at Bailey Drive and Main Street. Police say the camera system alerts officials to wanted or stolen vehicles, and that they have been using the technology for about two years. Police caution the public that the data is not shared with anyone, including AXON. They also say that these are not associated with Flock cameras.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – University of Iowa Health Care has scrapped its plans for a new cancer center. Instead, the Gazette reports the University is asking for Regents’ permission to expand cancer-focused research space in the College of Pharmacy. The school got permission to proceed with a new cancer-focused research facility in 2024. Now it says the standalone building will not advance due to projected budget restraints. It says it wants to spend money building out the sixth floor of the College of Pharmacy Building. It added that the expansion would support faculty, research staff recruitment, retention, and collaborations across disciplines. Construction is anticipated to start next spring, and finish in the summer of 2028.
