A Linn County jury will resume deliberations today in the trial of Drew Blahnik. He’s charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing prosecution in connection with the 2018 stabbing death of Chris Bagley. Blahnik’s attorneys say he stabbed Bagley, but it wasn’t murder. Now the jury will decide whether Blahnik was justified in his claims of self-defense, or whether prosecutors proved his actions were deliberate. Closing arguments were heard yesterday afternoon and the jury began deliberating at 4 p.m.
Police say a car chase briefly crossed the RAGBRAI path. A state trooper pulled over a driver Sunday in northwest Iowa’s Buena Vista County. The driver took off on a gravel road after the trooper smelled marijuana in the car. The driver briefly crossed the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa route south as it fled. Another trooper set a trap to deflate the car’s tires, which caused the car to flip. The driver bailed out before the car rolled and was arrested.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed Marine Corps veteran Matthew Peterson to take over as commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Peterson, a fifth-generation Iowan from Red Oak, served as a major in the Marine Corps infantry. Peterson’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. He would take over for Timon Oujiri, who was “relieved of his duties” by Reynolds as commandant back in May.
Black Hawk County Democrat Central Committee members are looking for artists to create a new design that will be displayed on their t-shirts. A sub-committee has put together parameters showing what should be included. The artist with the chosen design will receive $100 and will have their name displayed with their design on the t-shirts. The deadline for submissions is 1 p.m. on August 15 at the county democrats office in downtown Waterloo.
Meanwhile, the Black Hawk County Republican Central Committee has announced its speakers for the October 3 annual Lincoln/Reagan/Trump Dinner. Headliners include two former congressmen—Rod Blum and Steve King—and entrepreneur Tana Goertz of Des Moines, who competed on Celebrity Apprentice and was a Trump campaign senior advisor. You can learn more at BlackHawkGOP.com.
New billboards are up in Waterloo from Cedar Valley Backs the Blue, supporting the former griffin logo of the Waterloo Police Department and targeting Mayor Quentin Hart. One billboard is located on Franklin St. less than a block away from the Waterloo police station. The top of the billboard says “Remember the Griffin,” with the long-time police department logo underneath. Below the griffin, the billboard says “It’s time to Part with Hart!” referencing Mayor Hart. The Cedar Valley Backs the Blue paid for the billboard. They’ve been advocates for the griffin symbol and against certain other changes in the police department.
The Dubuque County Sheriff’s office is dispelling a rumor related to a death at the fairgrounds. A death was reported yesterday afternoon at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. The sheriff’s office says the person was located in their sleeping quarters. Authorities believe the death was due to natural causes. Officials say a rumor circulating on Facebook related to the death is completely false. Inaccurate posts on social media attributed the death to the Ferris wheel ride. According to the sheriff’s office, there is no relation between the death and the safety of fair rides or attractions.
An Epworth man died after a collision with a semitruck in Dubuque County Saturday night. Nicholas Silich was driving down Highway 151 when he collided with a semi at the intersection at Monastery Road. The Iowa State Patrol is continuing to investigate the accident.
Geico’s office in North Liberty says it’s looking to fill 60 to 70 entry-level sales and services positions, as well as management opportunities. The company will be hosting a hiring event on Friday at its office at 2320 Landon Road in North Liberty, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to apply first at Geico’s website.
Four people were injured when a second-floor outdoor deck collapsed during a barbecue in suburban Omaha, trapping the people and leaving serious burns on one woman when a hot charcoal grill fell on her. First responders said the incident happened around 9 p.m. Sunday at a home in Bellevue. Officials say several people were on the deck when it collapsed, causing them to fall 10- to 12-feet to the ground. Four people, including the woman with first- and second-degree burns, were taken to local hospitals. Officials say some people at the scene declined treatment.
