CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An autopsy shows a University of Iowa student found unresponsive last month in sub-zero temperatures died of hypothermia.

The Press-Citizen cites a news release sent out Friday by the university and the Johnson County Medical Examiner Department in the Jan. 30 death of 18-year-old Gerald Belz. Belz was found unresponsive around 3 a.m. behind an academic hall near his dorm on campus during record cold temperatures.

The temperature at the time was more than negative 20 degrees (-28.89 Celsius), and the wind chill had dropped below negative 50 degrees (-45.56 Celsius).

Belz had graduated from Kennedy High School in 2018, where he played football. He would have turned 19 last week.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors for Iowa say a contractor who put workers at risk of exposure to asbestos has been sentenced to two years’ probation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 61-year-old Steven Weaver, of Algona, was sentenced Wednesday in Sioux City’s federal courthouse after pleading guilty in October to one count of violating clean air work practice standards.

Prosecutors say Weaver admitted he was an experienced contractor and building inspector who failed to thoroughly inspect for asbestos before beginning a renovation of a former Kossuth County Home he had bought in 2013.

When the Environmental Protection Agency discovered piping in the basement contained asbestos, it instructed Weaver to report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. But Weaver didn’t and continued the renovation in late 2014.

Weaver was also fined $10,000 and ordered to pay nearly $1,600 in legal costs.

A Red Oak woman was arrested early Saturday morning for Disorderly Conduct. At 2:16am Red Oak Police Officers arrested 49-year-old Kristen Marie Hughes of Red Oak in the 2400 Block of N 8th Street. Hughes was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 bond.

(DES MOINES) – This week, Rep. Ray Sorensen (R-Greenfield) welcomed members of the Nodaway Valley FFA to the Iowa House of Representatives.  They were visiting the Capitol to talk with legislators during FFA day on the Hill.

 

The driver of a 2004 Buick Rainier (SUV) was injured this (Friday) morning, during a rollover accident on Highway 34 in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 35-year old Kaleb Lee Wagaman, of Stanton, was traveling east on Highway 34 at around 5:22-a.m., when the SUV went out of control on the icy, snow-covered road. The vehicle entered the south ditch and rolled at least three times before coming to rest on its side. Wagaman – who was wearing his seat belt – complained of pain and possible injury. He was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital by Red Oak Rescue, to be checked-out. No citations were issued due to the road conditions.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One of four attorneys convicted of overbilling the state of Iowa while serving as lawyers for the indigent has had his law license suspended for at least a year. The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday indefinitely suspended the license of Clinton attorney Matthew Noel for at least a year. Noel pleaded guilty last year to two misdemeanor theft charges. Auditors say he repeatedly billed for meetings he did not attend and made false mileage claims resulting in nearly $15,000 in overpayments. He received a suspended jail sentence, was fined several hundred dollars and has repaid the money he overcharged.

The high court rejected Noel’s plea for a 90-day suspension, noting his misrepresentations were repeated over years. One dissenter, Justice David Wiggins, argued that he would have revoked Noel’s law license, meaning Noel would not have been able to practice for at least five years.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A man has been given probation and jail time for operating a western Iowa dog business where carcasses and dozens of malnourished dogs were found. Pottawattamie County court records say 36-year-old Dustin Young was sentenced Wednesday in Council Bluffs to two years in jail with all but 30 days suspended. He also was given two years of probation. The judge barred Young from training, caring for or boarding animals while he’s on probation and to pay restitution. He’d pleaded guilty in November to 12 counts of animal neglect after prosecutors dismissed 28 more.

The dogs and carcasses were discovered in May at Young Gunz Kennel, about 2 miles southeast of Hancock. Officials said the inside of the business was covered in animal urine and feces, and there was no food or water for the dogs.

(Radio Iowa) — Heirlooms from the family of a fallen rock-n-roll star that were stolen during the Winter Dance Party in Clear Lake earlier this month — were found early Thursday. The Clear Lake Police Department recovered the two framed family photos of Ritchie Valens and the framed movie poster that were reportedly stolen from the Best Western Motor Lodge back on February 2nd. The items were recovered in good condition.

If anyone has any information on the items whereabouts over the last 12 days, they are asked to contact the Clear Lake Police Department at 641-357-2186 or police@cityofclearlake.org. The case remains under investigation and no further information is being released at this time.

The City of Harlan would like to remind everyone to parallel park on any street where the snow is windrowed in the center of the street. Parallel parking assists with snow removal operations. Once the windrowed snow is removed please resume regular parking. This is primarily in the Downtown Area. The City of Harlan appreciates your cooperation.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Harassment in the 1st Degree/4th or subsequent offense, was arrested today (Friday), after he turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office. 20-year old​ Jacob Kyle Whaley was escorted to Pott. County Corrections and then turned over to corrections staff. ​