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Iowa early News Headlines: Jan. 1st, 2019

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January 1st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:55 a.m. CST

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A Feb. 11 trial start has been scheduled for a 19-year-old Muscatine man accused of stabbing to death his grandmother. Muscatine County court documents say Darian Lensgraf pleaded not guilty Friday to first-degree murder. He’s accused of killing 66-year-old Diana Lensgraf at her home early on Dec. 12.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A southeast Iowa couple convicted of locking their adopted 7-year-old son in their basement at night have filed appeals. Court records say Heidi Fiems, of Mediapolis, filed the appeal notice after her sentencing Friday. She and her husband, Justin, were sentenced to 180 days in jail but must serve only 60 days. Each was fined $625 and given two years of probation. The Hawk Eye reports that Heidi Fiems was tearful Friday as she described the “wrong choice” she and her husband made.

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say one person was hospitalized after a fire in the basement of home in the eastern Iowa city of Clinton. The two residents were outside by the time the firetrucks arrived Sunday morning, but firefighters rescued two dogs from inside, giving one of them oxygen to help it recover. The fire cause is being investigated. The name of the injured person was not released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines’ last single-screen movie theater has closed after 80 years. The Des Moines Register reports that the Varsity Theater was packed during its final screening on Sunday, just over eight decades after the theater opened on Christmas Day in 1938. Theater owner Denise Mahon says the turnout touched her heart. She’d announced the closure in November, citing plans to undergo knee replacement surgery.