(Radio Iowa) – A Casey’s convenience store in the town of Maxwell is permanently closing its doors after two recent fires, which officials are labeling as suspicious. The first fire to affect the business occurred on February 3rd with a second fire being reported at the same store on February 6th. On Friday, the company announced it would not replace the store. That means there is no longer a place for the town’s nearly 900 residents to get gas or warm food without leaving town.

Officials say the next closest place to buy gas is in Collins, which is five miles to the east, but that location has only pumps and not a store. The next closest place to purchase both gas and food items is in Huxley, which is nine miles to the west. Community leaders say they’re now working to try to attract another gas station to Maxwell.

The Story County sheriff’s office is continuing its investigation into the cause of the recent fires, which have put the Casey’s convenience store in Maxwell out of business.

(Radio Iowa) An Ames man was stabbed to death early Saturdaym and his roommate is charged with first-degree murder.  Police located the victim, 39-year-old Maccarone DeClements, who they say had been stabbed in the upper torso with a knife by his roommate. Officers also located the suspect, 39-year-old Robert Lon, of Ames, inside the home, and placed him under arrest.

DeClements was transported to an area hospital by air ambulance where he later died. Lyons, the suspect, is now charged with first degree murder, a class a felony. H’s currently being held in the Story County Jail.

At this time, it’s not clear what circumstances may have led to the stabbing.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) — A collision between a moving vehicle and a parked vehicle, Saturday evening, resulted in the arrest of a woman on OWI and other charges. According to Shenandoah Police, the accident happened in the 800 block of 6th Avenue, at around 7:30-p.m., Saturday.

Authorities say after further investigation, 37-year-old Amber Michelle Hughes, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated/1st offense (a serious misdemeanor), and child endangerment resulting in bodily injury (a Class D Felony).

Hughes posted a $6,000 bond and was released with a court date.

(Corning, Iowa) — A traffic stop a bit east of Corning at around 1-a.m., Sunday, resulted in the arrest of a woman from Union County. According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Crystal Mack, of Creston, was arrested on charges that include driving under suspension, failure to have ignition interlock device, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mack was being held in the Adams County Jail on a little less than $2,100 bond.

Crystal Mack

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says people involved in blockades and occupations like the one that’s been going on in Canada would be quickly arrested if that happened in Iowa, but Reynolds is expressing sympathy to Canadians who’re unhappy with that country’s vaccination requirements.

“The means don’t justify the end, but I’m telling you it is a reflection of where people are at today,” Reynolds says. Reynolds approved a state law last year that raised the penalties for protest-related crimes. It created a new crime called “interference with public disorder control” and people convicted of “unlawful assembly” can be sentenced to up to two years in prison.

Iowa law now provides civil liability protection to drivers who accidentally hit protesters blocking roads. Demonstrators began blocking the streets of Ottawa, Canada on January 28th and police began making arrests and towing vehicles late last week.