INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (KCRG) – The city of Independence is holding a special election next week, on Tuesday, to find a new mayor. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and people can fill out absentee ballots at the Buchanan County Auditor’s Office. It comes after the city’s mayor, Bob Hill, died unexpectedly in April. The 70-year-old had been mayor since January, and had worked on the city council for more than a decade. The three candidates vying to be the next mayor are Nathan Hansen, Brad Bleichner and Denny Vaghn. People can vote at the Falcon Civic Center on 5th Avenue northeast.
ALTOONA, Iowa (KCCI) – An Altoona man is being called a hero. He saved the life of his next-door neighbor in a fire that killed her husband. “I told her to grab on to me and I just pulled her out,” Tyler Warner said. Warner was camping in his backyard with his family when they noticed smoke coming from his next-door neighbor’s house. He told his wife to call 9-1-1. Warner identified his neighbors as James and Ruth Norton. He pulled Ruth out after seeing her climbing through her backyard window. That’s when the fire dept arrived. Fire Chief Jared Ogbourne said there was thick black smoke from floor to ceiling. By the time they found Ruth’s husband James, it was too late. Investigators say the fire likely started in the basement. There’s not much damage visible from the street. Chief Ogbourne calls Warner a hero. Warner said he just did what he had to do. The fire chief said it will take a while to determine how James Norton died and what caused the fire.
TAMA, Iowa (KCRG) – Volunteers are needed for a traveling memorial that’s visiting Tama in August. The “Wall That Heals” is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that travels from community to community. The memorial will be open 24/7 and needs volunteers for set up and disassembly, as well as volunteers to act as ambassadors to the Wall. Ambassadors will help answer questions and help visitors find names on the wall. “It just takes your breath away. It really does,” said Randy Zimmerman, a spokesperson for the “Wall.” “And if we can touch one or two people, that’s all that really matters.” The memorial will be brought to Tama on August 2nd and line the outfield of the Meskwaki High School baseball field from August 4th to 7th.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) – The Iowa State Fair is now less than 30 days away, but there’s a growing concern among vendors. Many say they don’t have enough workers for this year’s event, and they’re battling rising food prices. Revenue at last year’s state fair was higher, despite lower attendance from the 2019 fair. Organizers reported more than one million people went to the fair, and spent more than $100 million total. Many vendors say they start planning for the fair and sourcing ingredients months in advance. One says it’s about more than just serving food. Some changes are coming to the Iowa State Fair this year, including improvements to opening day. Two big building projects include covered seating and more bleachers for people going to events at the Elwell Family Park. There’s also construction underway for a new shelter behind the pavilion. Organizers of the fair say it is a constant effort to stay ahead of the curve. The state fair kicks off August 11 and runs until August 21 in Des Moines.
