DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a man has died from the severe burns he received in a vehicle fire, and investigators are treating the case as a homicide.

Firefighters responded Friday afternoon to a fire in northeast Des Moines and found two vehicles aflame. Crews also found a man severely burned, and he was taken to a local hospital and then moved to a burn unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

The man died of his injuries Sunday. Police are withholding his name until his relatives can be notified. Investigators have determined the fire was intentionally set and consider the death a homicide. It’s the 23rd homicide in Des Moines this year.

A woman from Cass County who served in the Marine Corps during World War II, was honored Sunday during a “Meet and Greet” at the Armory in Atlantic, on the day after her 100th Birthday, Elleen Wheatley was warmly celebrated and greeted by friends, family and former active members of the military, during the event.  Wheatley is the oldest living female Marine in Iowa.

Photo courtesy Brian Rink.

Brian Rink, a fellow Marine, read a letter from the man who serves as the 18th Sgt. Major of the Corps, to Corporal Wheatley:

“The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, 26 August, 2017. Dear Corporal Elleen Wheatley, I am pleased to convey my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your 100th birthday. You supported the efforts of our nation prior to enlisting in the Corps, by working at a munitions plant in Ankeny, Iowa, at the time your family was already serving in the cause of our nation. With a twin brother and a husband serving in the Army, you paved the way for all Marines, and you should be proud of all your accomplishments.

You answered the nation’s call with courage and devotion to duty. The spirit and fortitude you and your fellow Marines demonstrated, played a key role in shaping the heritage of our Corps.      The Marines serving throughout the world today, take great pride in carrying on the illustrious legacy of valor, discipline and steadfast fidelity that you helped forge. We’re proud to follow in your footsteps.    

Again, thank you for your service to our country and Corps, and Happy Birthday, Marine! Semper Fidelis. (Signed) Ronald L. Green, 18th Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps.” The statement was followed by a raucous “Oooh Rah!”

Wheatley joined the military when she was 25, just two weeks after she was married. She worked in the Quarter Masters, in transportation, during her time of service from July 8, 1943 to Nov. 10th, 1945.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Public Information Board recently met in secret to discuss an accidental fatal shooting by a Burlington police officer. The Des Moines Register objected to the board’s decision to take action Friday based on the secret meeting. The board declined to say what action it took.

Board member Rick Morain says he understands the newspaper’s frustrations, but he supports the action because he took part in the private discussion. The board met Friday to review the 2015 accidental fatal shooting of Autumn Steele. She was shot in front of her toddler by a Burlington policeman.

Steele’s family and the Burlington Hawk Eye want state officials to release a 12-second police video that includes the shooting.

(8/28 – Clarifies rates on burials and inurnments. Previous information was not correct)

The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will discuss matters pertaining to the solvency of the Atlantic Cemetery, Monday. The meeting takes place in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall, beginning at 5:30-p.m.

In his report to the Committee and Council, City Administrator John Lund stated “The Atlantic Cemetery Association is rapidly approaching financial insolvency…due to a seven-year trend of revenues not meeting expectations.” In order to resolve the immediate cash flow issue, Lund says a letter must be written to the Iowa Insurance Commissioner requesting he use his authority under Iowa Code (5231.811A), to allow for the release of funds from the Perpetual Care Trust (as determined by the Board and Treasurer), reflecting long-term planning goals.

The Atlantic Cemetery Association has previously taken the recommendation to raise casket interment and burial rates and put them into effect on April 1^st.  The casket interment rate was raised to $825 and the burial rate was raised to $1,250 effective April 1^st by the cemetery association.

The only other options for increasing revenue, he says, are taking out a loan and decreasing expenditures. Lund says a loan would not solve the long-term problem, and a quick infusion of cash from the Perpetual Trust Fund will only buy the Cemetery Association a little more time to continue honoring its obligations.

Lund says expenditures have exceeded revenue for the past three years, with the largest loss ($26,774) coming in 2016. The majority of expenditures are in the form of: Payroll; Capital Equipment purchases; Supplies and Repair for the equipment, all of which are necessary for maintaining the cemetery grounds, and arranging for burials. Methods of offsetting those costs could include reducing payroll as much as possible, and contracting with local businesses to manage all burials, openings and closures.

In other business, the Personnel & Finance Committee will discuss: The disposition of a structure at 204 E. 6th Street; A policy on replacing certain signage within  the City Limits; A request from the Street Dept. to purchase additional equipment with available funds; and Construction Fees and Easements with regard to the Ash Street Development Project. The Committee will also hear about a major donation to the Animal Shelter, and receive an update on the purchase of land from a revocable trust.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines has seen thousands of people pass through its “Iowa and the Civil War” exhibit. What those visitors haven’t seen are the 34 Confederate battle flags tucked away in the museum’s underground vault.

Michael Morain, of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, tells The Des Moines Register the flags are not on display because they are not central to the history of Iowans on display in the exhibit. Iowa fought for the Union in the war, and more than 76,000 Iowans were in the Union Army.

Other Confederate-related items, such as a spy’s pistol, a bugle, cannon supplies, spurs and a sword, are on display in the exhibit. The dozens of Confederate battle flags typically are only displayed during vault tours.

(Dubuque) – Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Corrections said Sunday morning, that 38-year old Melvin Frank Bogus, who was convicted of robbery 2nd degree in Dubuque County, failed to report back to Dubuque Residential Facility as required.

Bogus is a Black male, height 5’6 and weighing 236 pounds.  He was admitted to the work release facility on July 12, 2017. Persons with information on Bogus’s whereabout should contact the local police.