(Radio Iowa) — The five candidates competing in the G-O-P Primary in Iowa’s 4th congressional district are quarreling about their conservative credentials AND their ability to win the district in November. Incumbent Steve King, who’s seeking a 10th term, says he was warned soon after his narrow 2018 win that he was going to be broadsided by a coup “I”m happy to have all of this scrutiny,” King says. “…I think the people that are going to the polls are going to be real pleased with the job that I have been doing.”

By mid-May, King had raised about 330-thousand dollars, but had just 32-thousand left in his campaign. Challenger Randy Feenstra of Hull, a state senator, raised 925-thousand and had nearly four times as much money as King left for the campaign’s closing weeks. Feenstra has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Right-to-Life Committee as well as well-known Iowa Republicans like former Governor Terry Branstad and Bob Vander Plaats, president of The Family Leader. “You need to be an effective conservative leader,” Feenstra says. “I’ve proven it.”

Jeremy Taylor of Sioux City, a former state legislator and former county supervisor, raised about 165-thousand dollars and had 24-thousand left in mid-May. “Most of my funding comes from former Steve King supporters,” Taylor claimed, “about 80%.” Bret Richards, the former mayor of Irwin, says he is primarily self-funding his campaign and put 73-thousand miles on his van. “Before the pandemic, I was door-knocking,” Richards says. “After the pandemic, it’s been social media — name recognition that way.”

Steve Reeder, a businessman from Arnolds Park, filed paperwork indicating a negative balance in his campaign account on May 13th. Reeder says he didn’t chase the big money or King’s former donors. “I’m not beholden to any special interest groups or PACS,” Reeder says. “I’m beholden to the people of Iowa.” The candidates made their comments during a weekend online forum hosted by Story County Republicans.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:10 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 16-year-old boy is facing several charges after another teen was shot in the neck and died. Des Moines Police said 17-year-old Ishmael Muhammad was wounded Saturday afternoon while he was with a group of several other teens at a home in a neighborhood north of downtown. Police said Muhammad was critically injured in the unintentional shooting and died later at a hospital. The 16-year-old Des Moines resident has been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, carrying a weapon and interfering with police.

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa authorities are investigating the death of a hiker in Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mount Vernon. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said Sunday that 32-year-old Brian Jungen, of Coralville, died Friday after a fall. Officials say a group of four hikers found Jungen on the Cedar Cliff Trail with several cuts to his head. Jungen was able to speak to the hikers before he blacked out. When paramedics arrived, they were unable to locate Jungen’s pulse, and he was pronounced dead.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 35-year-old Waterloo husband and father is recovering after nearly dying last month of the coronavirus. Doctors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics warned his family last month that Elvir Alicajic was likely within hours of succumbing to the virus. But after plasma and dialaysis treatments, Alicajic’s condition improved and he soon woke up from a medical coma. Alicajic has been transferred to Allen Hospital in Waterloo, where he is regaining the ability to walk on his own and hopes to leave soon. Alicajic’s friend and neighbor says the experience has been shocking and scary for everyone involved, and left the family with “outrageous” medical expenses.

One person died in a two vehicle crash, Saturday, about half-way between Hamlin and Guthrie Center. A report by the Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened at the intersection of Highway 44 and Chestnut Road, at approximately 2:30-p.m., Saturday.

Authorities say a 2001 Ford Taurus that was driven by 88-year-old Mary Virginia Mingus, of Coon Rapids, was traveling south on Chestnut Road, and as she approached the intersection with Highway 44, pulled out in front of a westbound 2016 Ford F-150 pickup, driven by 43-year-old Jonathon Roger Merk, of Waukee.

After the pickup collided with the car, both vehicles went into the south ditch. Mingus was taken by Guthrie County EMS to the Guthrie County Hospital, where she died from her injuries. Merk and a 12-year-old passenger in his pickup were transported by Audubon County EMS to the Audubon County Hospital. Each of the crash victims were wearing their seat belts.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Guthrie and Audubon County Sheriff’s offices, and Audubon and Guthrie Center Fire and Rescue Departments.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman said Sunday, a sixth case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Montgomery County. The new case is a middle-aged adult (41-60 years) who contracted the virus through close contact with a positive case.

The latest report shows 5 persons have recovered from the virus, in Montgomery County. 232 persons have been tested. Serology testing data show 1 person COVID-19 positive, 28 Negative and 29 tested.

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — On Friday, May 22, around 3:45pm, the DNR was notified of a person who had fallen on a trail at Palisades-Kepler State Park and had lacerations to his head. Four hikers came upon 32-year old Brian Jungen, of Coralville, along Cedar Cliff Trail. Jungen was lying along the trail near a bench and was bleeding from lacerations on his head. The hikers were able to speak briefly with the victim before he blacked out.

The hikers called 911 and first responders from Mount Vernon and Lisbon, as well as Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies and DNR park rangers responded to the scene. When they arrived on scene, they were not able to detect a pulse from Jungen and began immediate medical attention. Jungen was pronounced dead at the scene.

DNR park rangers continue to investigate this incident.

DES MOINES, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — Police say a teen who was shot in the neck at a home over the weekend has died from his injuries. The Des Moines Register reports that the shooting happened Saturday afternoon in a home just north of the city’s downtown. Police say 17-year-old Ishmael Muhammad was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. Police say people in the house initially told officers that Muhammad had shown up with a gunshot wound. But investigators determined that a small group of teens that included Muhammad were in a house when a handgun was accidentally fired and hit Muhammad. A 16-year-old has been charged as a juvenile with involuntary manslaughter and other counts.

An accident that took place at around 2:30-a.m. Sunday in Madison County, claimed the life of a young Winterset man and resulted in injuries to a Man from Peru. The Iowa State Patrol says a 1997 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 18-year old Memphis Issac Kincade Pickett, of Winterset, was in the process of eluding a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy at a high rate of speed, when the pickup failed to negotiate a curve to the left in the 1800 block of Wind Wood Trail (A gravel road). The vehicle left the road and entered  a ditch, where it crashed into trees and a wire fence.

Kincade-Pickett died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. His passenger, 21-year old Quentin Lane Siefkas, of Peru, who was wearing a seat belt, was trapped and eventually freed by mechanical means. Siefkas was transported by Madison County EMS to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. The Patrol says alcohol is believed to be a factor in both the pursuit and crash.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 35-year-old Waterloo husband and father is recovering after nearly dying last month of the coronavirus. Doctors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics warned his family last month that Elvir Alicajic was likely within hours of succumbing to the virus. But after plasma and dialysis treatments, Alicajic’s condition improved and he soon woke up from a medical coma.

Alicajic has been transferred to Allen Hospital in Waterloo, where he is regaining the ability to walk on his own and hopes to leave soon. Alicajic’s friend and neighbor says the experience has been shocking and scary for everyone involved, and left the family with “outrageous” medical expenses.

The State of Iowa reports (as of 10-a.m. Sunday), there were 263 additional positive cases of COVID-19. Cass County has 11 positive cases, one more than reported Saturday. One of those individuals (as previously mentioned) has recovered. Statewide, 489,433 assessments have been completed, and 127, 854 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19. 17,213 tested positive (13.5%), 110,358 tested negative. The number of Iowans who have recovered from the virus numbered 9,285 as of the latest data. Five more people have died from the virus, for a total of 449. The dates of these confirmed COVID related deaths were from May 19 to May 23. (Keep in mind, these figures change, as results are included in the State COVID-19 dashboard https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.)

Around the area, here are the current (as of 10-a.m., 5/24) cases of positive test results and (number of recovered): Adair County: 8 (3); Adams County: 5 (1); Audubon County: 11 (9); Guthrie County: 42 (29); Montgomery County: 6 (5); Shelby County: 31 (24) and Pottawattamie County: 208 (109).

In RMCC Region 4 (Southwest/western Iowa), seven people are hospitalized for COVID-19, two are in an ICU, and one person was admitted to a hospital. Across the State, the number of patients who are hospitalized due to the virus (as of this posting) is 363.  114 COVID-19 patients were in an ICU. 34 were admitted.

Statewide, LTC facility outbreaks are down one, to 36. The number of patients and staff at those facilities who have died number 238. The number of patients/staff have recovered is 662, and 1,529 have tested positive.

The COVID-19 dashboard contains updated information throughout the day, but due to planned maintenance this weekend, the Case Counts Dashboard will not reflect accurate counts during the maintenance period.  All Case Counts will be brought up to date by 6:00 am Monday, May 25th.

No injuries were reported following a collision at around 6:36-p.m. Saturday, in Red Oak. Authorities say the accident happened at the intersection of E. Summit Street and Sunnyslope Drive. A 2015 Nissan Versa driven by 17-year old Alissa Rice, of Red Oak, was stopped on Summit Street facing east, waiting to turn north onto Sunny Slope Drive, when a 1999 Chevy Silverado driven by 30-year old Megan Waltz, of Lorimor, struck the Nissan from behind. Waltz told Police she didn’t see Rice’ car.

Waltz was cited for Following too Close. Damage from the collision amounted to $6,000, with the Nissan being a total loss. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Red Oak Rescue, and Red Oak Fire Department.