(Radio Iowa) – The man who owns the partially collapsed apartment building in Davenport has issued a statement, thanking first responders and groups that are assisting tenants who lost all their belongings. Andrew Wold bought the building in downtown Davenport in 2021. In his written statement, Wold said his thoughts and prayers are with the tenants and their families at this difficult time.

The Quad City Times reports Wold had hired a contractor to work on the building, but the contractor told his employees the structure was unsafe and to get out of the building on Friday. Parts of the building collapsed Sunday afternoon. According to several media reports, the city declared the building a nuisance last year and a judge ordered Wold to pay a 45-hundred dollar fine this spring. This week, the city issued another 300 dollar fine against Wold.

Davenport officials say the building is in danger of total collapse. Two people are thought to still be in the wreckage.

(Radio Iowa) – A human trafficking victim who pleaded guilty to killing a man she said raped her when she was 15 has again been placed on probation at a residential facility. Last November, Pieper Lewis cut off her ankle monitor and left a transitional women’s center in Des Moines without permission. Polk County Judge David Porter told Lewis she’s now been convicted of two felony offenses.

“Miss Lewis, I indicated to you last year — you’ve asked for a second chance, you don’t get a third. I stand by that,” he said. “There are consequences for your actions.” Lewis could have been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham says she agrees with the judge’s decision to keep Lewis out of prison.

“My gut instinct and based on my conversation with Miss Pieper Lewis is that she has learned from what has happened,” Graham said, “and that she is more willing than she has been to listen to those around her.” The judge did revoke the deferred judgment he issued a year ago. It means two felony convictions will remain on Lewis’ record after she completes five years of probation.

The case drew national attention after Lewis was ordered to pay restitution to the family of the man she says raped her. The Iowa Department of Corrections recommended that Lewis be sentenced to prison after her escape.

(Radio Iowa) – The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U.S. House have voted in favor of a bill that raises the federal government’s borrowing limit and outlines future cuts in some federal spending. All four members of Iowa’s U.S. House delegation issued written statements after casting their votes. First District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Le Claire said she was proud to vote yes on a bill that includes spending reforms and policies that are the first step in putting the country on the path toward fiscal responsibility.

Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion said in her statement that House Republicans are pumping the brakes on President Biden’s spending binges and taking a step toward fiscal sanity. Third district Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant said by avoiding default, the bill provides certainty to Iowans who receive Social Security and Veterans benefits — and prevents a catastrophic interest rate increase.

Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull said in his statement that the bill avoids financial ruin for farmers, families and Main Street businesses, while setting up long-term federal spending controls.

The bill is likely to be voted upon in the U.S. Senate today (Thursday).

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced a $5 million investment in food banks and food pantry networks to help more Iowans in need get access to fresh, nutritious food.

“Access to fresh foods is a challenge for those facing food insecurity and soaring inflation has made it even harder,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Iowa is making long-term investments to reduce food insecurity in our communities – supporting food banks and their networks to better serve those in need. This one-time infrastructure investment will help improve capacity and distribution at Iowa’s food banks, and ensure more Iowans have access to the food they need.”

The new Iowa Food Insecurity Infrastructure Fund will help eligible nonprofits that have experienced economic hardship build, expand, or remodel facilities to enable them to increase the amount of food, especially fresh food, distributed to local food pantries throughout Iowa. Eligible nonprofits include food banks that are bulk food aggregators or distributors that replenish food pantries across Iowa, as well as nonprofit food pantry networks that serve as primary distribution points.

IEDA will begin accepting applications on June 1 and will continue to review applications as they arrive through July 1 or until funding runs out. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. For more information, visit https://www.iowaeda.com/infrastructure/food-infrastructure/.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. Last Saturday, 43-year-old Dustin Ray Kilgore was arrested after Deputies in Adams County were called to a residence in the 400 block of 6th Avenue in Prescott, for a possible assault. An investigation resulted in Kilgore being charged with Burglary in the 1st Degree – a Class B Felony, Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd offense, and Assault while participating in a felony, both of which are Class-D Felony charges.  Kilgore was also charged with five counts of Child Endangerment, each count is an aggravated misdemeanor. He was being held in the Adams County Jail without bond and has been ordered to have no contact with four of his alleged victims. Kilgore’s preliminary hearing was set for June 6th.

On May 7th, Adams County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 1300 block of 260th Street in Nodaway, for a possible assault. Following an investigation, 38-year–old Jeffery Allen Knapp was placed under arrest for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. He was transported to the Adams County Jail and held without bond. He has since entered a plea of not guilty. A pre-trial conference in his case takes place August 8th, with a jury trial is set for September 6th.

And, at around 1:45-a.m. on May 7th, a traffic stop was conducted at the intersection of Highways 34 and 148 in Adams County. The 16-year-old driver  of the vehicle was given a juvenile referral for Minor In Possession (MIP) of Alcohol. The juvenile was released to their parents.