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KJAN News

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Several U-I projects approved by Regents

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The University of Iowa is moving ahead on a project to expand and renovate the Tippie College of Business after getting approval from the Board of Regents. U-I vice president, Rod Lehnertz (Lenn-ertz), says the budget is projected between 45 and 60 million dollars.

Part of the project involves renovation of Gilmore Hall.

The Pappajohn Business Building will also be renovated in this project. Lehnertz says they are seeking private gifts to fund a majority of the project. Another project would spend 14 to 17 million dollars to renovate the restrooms in Burge Hall.

Lehnertz says it is a major residence hall and dinning facility, so the work will be done during the summer to avoid disruptions. The Board of Regents also approved renovationg of Level 7 of the John Pappajohn Pavilion for expanded labor, delivery and postpartum patient care at the University Hospitals.

The estimated project cost is 74 million dollars.

Crash in Crawford County Sunday morning injures a Schleswig man

News

June 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Schleswig, Iowa) – A man from Crawford County was injured during a single-vehicle rollover accident this (Sunday) morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2008 Ford F-3250 pickup driven by 24-year-old Victor Rafael Eugenio, of Schleswig, was traveling north on Highway 59 about one-eight of a mile south of F Avenue, south of Schlewig, and according to witnesses, was being driven recklessly  with another vehicle.

The pickup went off the east side of the road, re-entered the road and then went out of control before leaving the road again, and rolling over. The crash happened at around 2:3-a.m.  Eugenio – who was not wearing a seat belt – was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported by Crawford County Ambulance to the Crawford County Memorial Hospital.

The patrol was assisted at the scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County man injured in an eastern IA skydiving accident

News

June 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

An Iowa man was taken to a hospital Friday afternoon following a skydiving accident. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a group of skydivers jumped from just under 15,000 feet Friday afternoon shortly before 2:30 p.m. At about 4,000 feet, members of the group noticed one man experiencing an issue with his parachute. The man spiraled out of control and hit the ground near the Knoxville airport.

Officials on Saturday identified the man as 61-year-old Samuel Owens, of Urbandale. He was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital with serious injuries.

Teen who died in a June 9th central Iowa crash is identified

News

June 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CARLISLE, Iowa — Authorities have identified a Carlisle teenager who was killed June 9th in a crash that injured two others. According to Iowa State Patrol, a Toyota Camry Solara was traveling northbound on 200th Avenue in Warren County on Sunday evening. The vehicle entered the ditch near the intersection of 200th and Delaware avenues, rolled and ejected two of the three occupants.

A passenger in the car, 15-year-old Hanna Shaffer, was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital, where she died from her injuries. The 16-year-old driver and another 15-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital; their conditions is not available. All Carlisle school district activities for Monday evening have been postponed. Services for Hanna Shaffer are set for Tuesday.

According to the latest data from the Iowa Department of Transportation, 119 people have died so far this year on Iowa roads. That number is 24 fewer than at the same point in 2023. Over the last five years, an average of 350 people have been killed in statewide crashes annually.

Fatal motorcycle-vehicle accident in Cedar Rapids

News

June 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Officials with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Saturday, reported on a fatal collision that occurred  Friday night between a motorcycle and another vehicle. Authorities said that at approximately 8:47-p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of 1st Ave. and 27th St. NE, following the report of a motorcycle-vs-car accident.
Officers arrived on scene, along with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and Area Ambulance, and began life saving measures on the driver of the motorcycle. The motorcycle driver was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased a short time later. The Identity of the motorcycle driver is being withheld pending notification of family.
Preliminary field findings indicate the motorcycle, traveling south on 1st Ave struck a northbound vehicle vehicle making a left turn from 1st Ave onto 27th St NE. No other injuries were reported at the scene.
There is an ongoing investigation into this incident.

High speed pursuit in three western Iowa counties, Friday afternoon

News

June 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Denison, Iowa) – KJAN’s sister station KDSN in Denison reports they were informed of a pursuit that occurred Friday afternoon, that ended in a field. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office told the station they were made aware of a stolen vehicle out of Woodbury County, and that at approximately 3:12-p.m.. authorities located the vehicle in Denison.

When a traffic stop was initiated by Denison Police, the stolen vehicle driven by a male, fled North on Highway 59 and escalated into a high speed pursuit towards Schleswig. Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in the chase when it crossed into the County.

The stolen vehicle eventually turned east onto County Highway E-16 in Schleswig, and continued toward County Highway 39, before turning north onto Highway 39. Speeds at that point increased to as much as 110-miles per hour, with vehicle being passed in No Passing Zones.

The Sheriff’s Department terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns. Approximately 20-to 30-minutes, later Sac County Sheriff’s Deputies came into contact with the driver and engaged in a pursuit. The stolen vehicle eventually came to rest in a field.

KDSN says there are unconfirmed reports suspect driver of the stolen vehicle died from self-inflicted wounds. Additional information is currently not available.

Eastern Iowa man injured in a motorcycle-pickup collision Friday afternoon

News

June 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Butler County, Iowa)  – The operator of a motorcycle was injured in a collision Friday afternoon in northeast Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 34-year-old James Cummings, of Greene, was hurt when the 2008 Honda motorcycle he was riding, struck a 2016 Chevy pickup truck, as the pickup was turning from southbound Yale Avenue onto eastbound Highway 188, west of Plainfield. The accident happened at around 3:20-p.m.

The Patrol says Cummings, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle during the collision, and transported by helicopter to Unity Point/Allen Hospital in Waterloo. The driver of the pickup, 46-year-old Patrick Lentz, of Plainfield, was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, and Yield the Right-Of-Way.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Ambulance, Waverly paramedics, Plainfield 1st Responders, Plainfield Fire Dept. and Mercy One Airmed 3 helicopter.

Orange City man killed in a crash early Friday morning

News

June 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Woodbury County, Iowa) – A vehicle traveling about the posted speed limit crashed on the southeast side of Sgt. Bluff, Friday morning, resulting the death of its driver. The Iowa State Patrol says a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy was trying to catch-up to a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero driven by 24-year-old Donovan Burrell, of Orange City, when the crash occurred at around 3-a.m.

The car was traveling on S. Lakeport/Old Lakeport Road near Wilde Street, when it went out of control and traveled southbound in the northbound lanes. The vehicle then went off the east shoulder, back on to the road and crossed over both lanes onto the west shoulder, before it struck a shed and came to rest.

Burrell, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to St. Lukes Hospital by Sgt. Bluff Fire/Rescue, and died from his injuries. The State Patrol says excessive speed, alcohol &/or drugs, and erratic driving were all contributing factors in the crash.

The Patrol was assisted by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.

Elk Horn (IA) Mayor reports alleged/possible child abduction attempt; issues a reminder to parents

News

June 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – Elk Horn Mayor Stan Jens issued a reminder to parents, Friday afternoon, to talk to their children about stranger danger, and letting their children know to be familiar with their surroundings and to stay vigilant to suspicious persons and/or vehicles. His notice, posted on social media, followed an incident that allegedly occurred at around 3:30-p.m., Friday.
Mayor Jens said staff at the Elk Horn Pool were notified by the Audubon County Communications Center about a the driver of a white van that had allegedly attempted to lure a child into the vehicle after leaving the facility to walk home. All surrounding law enforcement agencies were notified immediately conduct a sweep of Elk Horn.
All facilities were placed on lock-down until the all clear was given. At the time, the driver was described as a white male, bald and wearing a black shirt. Law enforcement searched the area, including the Highway 173 I-80 entrance to Elk Horn, and surrounding roadways, but were apparently unable to locate the vehicle.
No other details are currently available.

Crash in NW Iowa claims a life Friday afternoon

News

June 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Lyon County, Iowa) – One person died and another was injured during a collision Friday afternoon in northwest Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a car and an SUV collided head-on at around 4:30-p.m. near Rock Rapids. The Patrol says a 2004 Chevy Impala driven by 48-year-old Joni Wulf, of Rock Rapids, was traveling north on Highway 75, when it crossed the center line of the road.

A 2018 Jeep Compass SUV driven by 29-year-old Megan Klapperich, of Orange City, was traveling southbound on Highway 75 and swerved to the left to avoid striking the car, but the vehicles collided in the northbound lane.

Joni Wulf died at the scene. Klapperich was injured and flown by helicopter to a hospital in Sioux Falls. Both women were wearing their seat  belts.