IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A University of Iowa campus police officer claims that he was unfairly fired days before leaving for a lengthy military deployment overseas. Jeffrey Williams argues in a legal petition that his May 3 firing violated a state law that gives veterans job protections in public employment. Williams was placed on leave April 19 during his final shift before he was leaving for a one-year deployment with the Air National Guard. Williams says his termination came after an internal affairs investigation related to his search for drugs in a residence hall.

A judge has scheduled a July 12 hearing in the case. The 30-year-old Williams says he had no prior discipline and was terminated without a hearing required by law. He’s seeking reinstatement. The university hasn’t responded in court to his petition. A spokeswoman was looking into the reason for his termination.

(Updated) The Iowa State Patrol has released additional information with regard to two recent accidents on Interstate 80 in Cass County. Lt. Joel Ehler, ISP Post 3 District Manager, told KJAN News an accident today (Friday), on I-80 westbound at around 4:40-a.m., took place when a female driving a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, crashed into the back of a semi tractor-trailer. The accident happened one-mile east of Exit 64. Ehler said the 16-year old was driving at a high rate of speed, and that alcohol was involved. The teen, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to Mercy hospital in Des Moines by Mercy Helicopter, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The owner/operator of the semi, 39-year old Randall Bartee, was not injured in the crash. Assisting the State Patrol at the scene were the following: Anita Rescue & Wiota 1st Responders; Cass County Sheriff’s Office; Atlantic Police; IA DOT and the Cass County Emergency Management Agency.

The other accident happened at around 8:11-p.m. Wednesday, on I-80 eastbound at the 69.5 mile marker. In it’s initial report, the Patrol said a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 18-year old Caleb Lee Clemon, of Soldier, Iowa, ran into the side of a 2016 Volvo semi tractor trailer registered to Nationwide Transportation in Omaha, and driven by 70-year old Andre Lee Slusher, of Lake Milton, OH. Clemon was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by mechanical means. He was transported from the scene by Midwest Air to the UNMC in Omaha. Additional information on his status was not available. The report said he was wearing a seat belt. The car was totaled in the crash. The driver of the semi was not injured.

Lt. Ehler said the accident report was not fully complete, and additional information will be released later. Sources say however, that it appears Clemon’s vehicle was pulled off onto the shoulder of the Interstate along with a group of other vehicles, due to the heavy rain in a severe thunderstorm. He apparently pulled back onto the road into the path of the semi’s trailer and became wedged underneath.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found on a Des Moines sidewalk. Officers and medics were sent to the scene around 6:30 a.m. Friday. The man’s death has been characterized as suspicious, and crime scene investigators were dispatched. The man’s name and other details haven’t been released.

KJAN News has learned that “Run for the Fallen” participants will be in Lewis earlier than expected this evening. They should be entering town sometime between 3-and 4-p.m. off Highway 6. You’re invited to watch along Main Street in Lewis. At 6-p.m., a ceremony will be held honoring the Gold Star families, followed by a free-will donation dinner at the Lewis Fire Station. For additional information, go to runforthefallen.org.

The runners left Omaha at around 7-a.m. today and are taking Highway 92 to Highway 59 and then east on Highway 6.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office issued a report on arrests, today (Friday). Authorities say 43-year old Kelly Jeanne Blue, of Council Bluffs, appeared at the Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning, and said she had received a letter regarding a warrant. The warrant, for Violation of Probation, was confirmed. Blue was transported to the Pott. County Jail, and booked-in. 22-year old Joseph Adam Gutierrez, of Omaha, who was already in the Pott. County Jail, was served with a warrant out of Douglas County, Nebraska, Thursday afternoon. The warrant was for being a Fugitive from Justice. Gutierrez was read the warrant and returned to the custody of jail staff.

39-year old Michael David Hillis, of Minden, was arrested by Pott. County Deputies at his home, Thursday afternoon. Hillis was wanted on a Council Bluffs Police Dept. warrant for Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. And, 59-year old William Glen Perrigo, SR., of McClelland, was arrested Thursday night, after deputies were called to his home with regard to a possibly armed subject. A Deputy encountered Perrigo at Juniper Road and 290th Street and initiated a traffic stop, during which it was discovered Perrigo had a loaded handgun in the vehicle, with no permit to carry. At his home, it was learned Perrigo committed domestic assault against his 60-year old wife. He was placed under arrest for Domestic Assault and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

DENISON, Iowa (AP) — A man who operates a vehicle dealership in western Iowa has been scheduled for trial on theft and other charges. Crawford County District Court records say 57-year-old Robert Adams entered written pleas of not guilty Wednesday to 14 counts of theft, one of fraudulent sales practices and one of specified unlawful activity. His trial is set to begin Sept. 25 in Denison.

Customers say Adams didn’t forward to the appropriate agencies or entities money paid for title transfers and warranty contracts and protection plans. His Adams Motor Co. also is accused of selling vehicles without paying off loans still owed on them, which meant buyers couldn’t get clear title.

The Iowa Transportation Department is moving against the dealer license issued to Adams.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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CEDAR RIVER, Iowa (AP) — A 35-year-old Cedar Rapids woman is accused of intentionally driving her car with her two children inside into the Cedar River on a chilly evening in March. Linn County Court records say Alicia Cole is charged with two counts of child endangerment causing injury. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her. Authorities say firefighters and police were sent to Cedar Rapids’ Mohawk Park around 4:45 p.m. on March 11. They found that boaters already had helped Cole and the two children from the sinking car. A court document says all three “were exposed to potential hypothermia and drowning.”

A man from Union County was arrested Thursday afternoon at a motel in Creston, on a Union County warrant for (Felony) Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Creston Police say 37-year old Brian Lee Rhodes, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Super 8 at around 1-p.m., Thursday. Rhodes was being held in the Union County Jail on a $10,000 bond. Thursday evening, 42-year old Tommy Dewayne Watters, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300. And, Thursday night, 25-year old Shelby Rhae Bishop, of rural Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, after she turned herself-in on a Probation Violation warrant. Bishop was being held without bond, in the Adams County Jail.

Creston Police said also, a man living in the 900 block of N. Division Street, reported Thursday, that a flower solar light had been taken from his residence sometime between Wednesday and Thursday morning. The loss was estimated at $100.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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