The teenaged driver of a pickup died, and his passenger was injured, during a crash early this (Saturday) morning, in central Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol says 17-year old Chase Rylee Mohler, of Maxwell, was driving a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup southbound on 645th Avenue, west of Maxwell, when the vehicle crested a hill, went out of control and into a ravine before vaulting out of the ravine and coming to rest on a farm drive embankment. Mohler, who was wearing his seat belt, died at the scene.

His passenger, 16-year old William James Spencer, of Maxwell, was transported to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines by Maxwell Rescue. The accident happened at around 1:20-a.m.  The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Story County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Maxwell Fire and Rescue.

An Iowa couple has pledged 100-thousand dollars to help restore the Battleship Iowa — but only if the non-profit group that manages the floating museum can match their donation. The historic ship was saved from the salvage yard and is docked in the Port of Los Angeles. Volunteers have been working to restore the battleship, but it needs more work. For example, the wooden deck, which is made of teak, needs to be replaced.

USS Iowa in action, 1984. (Wikipedia image)

An Iowa couple who has asked to remain anonymous is offering 100-thousand dollars for the effort, but the Pacific Battleship Center — the owner and operator of the Battleship IOWA Museum — has until June 30th to raise the matching funds. A few years ago the State of Iowa provided funds for the ship’s restoration and Iowans can show an Iowa driver’s license and board the ship for free. The Battleship Iowa floating museum was the site of a pre-Rose Bowl pep rally for thousands of University of Iowa football fans in late December.

(Radio Iowa)

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office says three people were arrested Wednesday, following an investigation into a rural Crawford County residential burglary. The victim said two shotguns and several power tools were taken from their residence.  The incident was investigated and information was obtained that resulted in the execution of a search warrant being executed at 201 Chamberlin Drive, Lot 11, in Denison.

Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted by Denison Police, recovered both shotguns and the power tools. Taken into custody as a result of the search warrant, was 22-year old Jose Rafael Rivera-Zarazoga, and 21-year old Moises Alexander Carrera, both of Denison. Rivera-Zarazoga was faces felony charges of Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree. Carerra faces felony charges Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree.

Officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department responded this (Friday) morning to a reported home invasion. Authorities say Officers were called at around 7:15-a.m. to 1727 Avenue F, with regard to a home invasion robbery involving armed subjects that were still in the residence. Upon their arrival, it was determined that all of the occupants of the residence were outside and uninjured.

Roosevelt Elementary School was contacted and advised of the situation as a precautionary measure for any students arriving early for class. After establishing a perimeter it was determined that there was no forced entry to the residence as reported by the victims. Officers then made entry and cleared the house. No one was located inside the residence and it was determined that nothing from the residence was stolen or damaged.

The residence was turned back over to the homeowners and the school and the neighborhood returned to normal activities.