CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University is dropping claims of wrongdoing against a former employee and paying her $225,000 to resolve a legal dispute over its popular outdoor sculptures made from Legos. As part of the settlement, Iowa State has also taken several steps to restore the reputation of Teresa McLaughlin. Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen has written her a glowing letter of recommendation calling her an honest, innovative employee.

The school also will dedicate a bench for McLaughlin in Reiman Gardens, the campus landmark that McLaughlin spent most of her career building as its director. Those steps will resolve a contentious three-year legal dispute that derailed Nature Connects, the traveling Lego art program conceived by McLaughlin. McLaughlin had accused the university of failing to pay her commissions. The university accused her of working with the artist to market competing exhibits.

Human remains discovered January 24th, 2019 at the former No Frills Supermarket in Council Bluffs have been identified. Council Bluffs Police say the Iowa DCI Lab in Ankeny reports the deceased individual was Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, who had been reported missing since Nov. 2009, after he became upset and ran out of his parents’ home. The man was 25-years old when he was last seen. His identity was learned through an analysis of DNA collected from his biological parents. Murillo-Moncada was employed at No Frills Supermarket at the time of his disappearance. The store closed in 2016. The autopsy indicated no signs of trauma.

Former employees at the store, which was located at 1817 W. Broadway Street in Council Bluffs, told investigators that it was common for workers to be on top of the coolers, as the space was utilized for storage of goods. Investigators believe that Murillo went to the store after leaving his home and climbed on top of the coolers, where he fell into an approximate 18” gap between the back of the cooler and a wall, getting trapped. The case is being closed and classified as an accidental death. The family of Murillo has requested not to be contacted, so they can grieve the loss of their family member.

(Radio Iowa) — Clean-up is underway in Waverly after a weekend storm injured five people and left wide-spread damage throughout the northeast Iowa community.  Officials say straight-line winds uprooted trees and blew down utility lines around noon on Saturday. The sudden storm hit Waverly just as the city’s annual Heritage Days Festival was getting underway following a parade. High wind hit the fairgrounds and collapsed the beer tent, injuring five people. Festival organizers reported the injuries were all relatively minor. Despite the storm damage, Waverly Heritage Days went on as scheduled.

No one was injured when a pickup struck a cow on 110th Street in Union County, early this (Monday) morning. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 16-year old Gauge Mitchell, of Creston, who wore his seat belt, was driving a 1997 Chevy K1500 pickup westbound on 110th Street at around 12:37-a.m., when the vehicle struck a cow on the traveled portion of the road. Following the collision, authorities say “The cow exited to road to the south.” Mitchell pulled the pickup into a private driveway and parked, because the vehicle had sustained disabling undercarriage damage estimated at $1,500. No citations were issued. The report did not indicate who the owner of the cow was.

Cass County Health System (CCHS) spokesperson Ann McCurdy reports that between the CCMH Emergency Department and the First Aid station, about 25 RAGBRAI participants were treated for injuries or health issues, during their ride through Cass County and Atlantic. While no specific information was released due to HIPPA rules, we can tell you that two, older adult males suffered injuries during falls from their bikes in Atlantic and Marne, Sunday, and one-person was injured during a fall on 7th Street near S. Highway 71 (in the area of Walmart), at around 8-a.m. today (Monday).

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson told KJAN News there were no major issues, other than a man who was arrested for OWI Sunday evening, after his vehicle crashed into a RAGBRAI participant’s camper, at 8th and Chestnut Streets, and the three, in-town injuries mentioned.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has posted a photo of a semi, whose driver found out the hard way yesterday (Sunday) morning, that barricades and “ROAD CLOSED” signs aren’t just suggestions to stay away from certain areas. (See the photo below) The driver ignored the signs and barricades posted on Highway 2 at the Missouri River, where the road was completely torn-up. Their rig ended-up being tilted, with the tractor section partially off the road and the trailer jackknifed onto the shoulder. Officials ask motorists to “Please pay attention and don’t go around traffic control devices. They are in place to keep you safe.”

Photo from the IA DOT Facebook page (Click on the image to enlarge)

An accident at around 1:35-a.m. Saturday, in Griswold, resulted in the arrest of a man from Lewis. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 18-year old Nicholas James Freund was driving a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup near 16958 525th Street, when the truck crashed into two power poles, causing major damage to the utility lines. Freund fled the area, but was located and stopped at Highway 48 and Osage Road, in Cass County. Authorities say he showed signs of being impaired, and failed three of four consent Field Sobriety tests. He was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and cited for Failure to Maintain  Control, as well as leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

At around 4-a.m. Saturday, 31-year old Hunter James Carruthers was arrested in Pottawattamie County, in the 18500 block of River Road, or just north of N. 25th Street and I-29. He was pulled over for having a burned-out registration plate light, and subsequently arrested for OWI/2nd offense. And, at around 11:45-p.m. Sunday, 23-year old Chase Hunter Keul was arrested, after deputies were notified of a fight in progress at Westfair. Keul was taken into custody for Assault with intent to inflict pain or injury. His victim was a 24-year old male.