DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa agriculture official has limited the movement of live birds in the state as a response to a return of bird flu with the fall migration of wild birds. State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand signed an order Thursday cancelling all events where live birds are brought together, including bird sales, auctions, swap meets and exhibitions. The order is effective for at least 30 days and will be in effect until 30 days have passed without a positive confirmation of bird flu in Iowa. The most recent case in Iowa was reported Tuesday in Louisa County in a backyard flock of 20 birds. An egg laying farm was identified Nov. 6 in Wright County, where more than 1 million chickens had to be killed.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced that the administrative recounts his office requested have been completed following county issues with reporting on election night. According to the Secretary of State, there were approximately 2,000 uncounted ballots in Warren County and approximately 800 in Des Moines County. Pate also stated that on Wednesday, his office discovered that Linn County reported 600 more absentee ballots than had been received by their office at the time polls closed. “The Linn County Auditor’s Office did not follow the basic review process recommended by the Secretary of State’s Office in multiple trainings to county auditors. Failure to verify their totals against the absentee precinct board’s election night results before publishing was the cause of the issue. It has now been corrected.” The deadline for the State Board of Canvassers to convene and certify Iowa’s election is December 5th. Results remain unofficial until that time.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Testimony in the trial for a man charged in a nightclub shooting in Downtown Cedar Rapids will begin Monday. Dimione Walker is facing multiple charges for the shooting at Taboo Nightclub. It happened in April, killing three people and injuring nine others. Walker is charged with First Degree Murder, Going Armed with Intent and Felon in possession of a firearm. An earlier charge of Willful injury causing serious injury was dropped. He’s accused of firing 8 gunshots inside the club which was packed with people for a 90′s themed party. Prosecutors believe Michael Valentine was shot 6 times by Walker, including in the face. Valentine died during the shooting. Prosecutors plan to show surveillance video from inside Taboo Nightclub during the trial. Another man, Timothy Rush is set to go to trial in March. He’s accused of firing the shots that killed Nicole Owens and Marvin Cox. As of Thursday afternoon, Walker’s jury is set. Jury selection started Tuesday and lasted more than two days given publicity of the case. The courthouse will be closed Friday for Veteran’s Day, pushing opening statements to Monday. Walker’s trial is expected to last at least five days. A witness list from the state lists more than 30 people.
DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – On November 9th at approximately 10:05 am, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a person lying next to railroad tracks near the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. Crews arrived and located the subject, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials say the report was called in by train staff who observed the body as the train was passing by the location. Officials identified the subject as Joseph Peavey, who had been reported missing from the Hillcrest Residential Care Facility since October 26th. Preliminary reports indicate Peavey appeared to have been inadvertently struck by a passing train sometime between October 26th and November 9th. Peavey’s body was released to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. The investigation is ongoing.
