Autopsy Report Shows Rural Merrill Shooting Ruled As Homicide
(Le Mars) — Additional information regarding the fatal shooting incident that happened Monday west of Merrill has been released by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting incident happened at 20139 Echo Road. The results of the autopsy conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s Office at Ankeny for the shooting victim, 51-year old Kevin Juzek
shows the cause and manner of death has been determined. Juzek died as a result of shotgun wounds to the abdomen and chest. The manner of death is ruled as a homicide.
The investigation is continuing by the Le Mars Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. 81-year old Thomas Knapp continues to be held at the Plymouth County Corrections facility under Domestic Assault charges. He is a party of interest in this case. No additional charges have been filed at this time, although additional charges may be pending.
Reynolds Allows Beauty Salons And Barbershops To Open
(Des Moines) — People will now be able to get a haircut beginning on Friday since Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday she is allowing for many businesses throughout the state, including beauty salons and barbershops, to again open for business. Reynolds is also giving businesses
within the 22 Iowa counties with higher numbers of positive COVID-19 virus cases to open, given they follow tight restrictions. The governor says officials have implemented a three-phase approach in deciding to again open businesses.
Reynolds says the state has begun to stabilize the number of COVID-19 cases.
With the exceptions of Polk and Woodbury Counties, which has had specific targeted testing, Governor Reynolds says the number of positive cases within the 22 counties are showing signs of stabilizing. The governor says it is now up to Iowans to act in a safe and responsible manner when dealing with the
coronavirus and with the re-opening of businesses.
Reynolds says “COVID-19 will remain around for a while longer, but with everyone working together, we can and must re-start our economy,” and she says “we can re-start our businesses in a stable, safe and a responsible way.” Reynolds is betting on the odds to be in her favor in terms of slowing down any additional spread of the virus.
Public Health Department Shares Guidelines For Businesses To Re-open
(Des Moines) — Businesses wanting to re-open will find it may not be “business as usual” when they are allowed to open their doors beginning Friday. Iowa Department of Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Reisetter shared the rules that must be followed during Governor Reynolds’ daily briefing on Wednesday. She reminded those people that may be most vulnerable to contracting the COVID-19 virus to continue to use good judgement, and stay at home when possible.
Reisetter says all businesses will need to perform regularly scheduled deep cleaning rituals.
Reisetter says businesses should ask their customers whether or not they have symptoms associated with the coronavirus, and whether or not they have come into contact with individuals that have tested positive.
The state public health official says employers should develop appropriate policies that allow employees to remain home if they should contract the COVID-19 virus. She says Iowans can open up our businesses to not only protect the customers, but the employees as well.
COVID-19 Now Found In All 99 Iowa Counties
(Des Moines, IA) — The number of positive coronavirus tests in Iowa rose to 13-thousand-289 today after 377 new cases were confirmed (Wednesday).
State health officials report 17 more Iowans died from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 306. There were nearly 46-hundred tests which is a single-day high. Three-hundred-88 patients are hospitalized with coronavirus. Another COVID-19 outbreak is under investigation at the Upper Iowa Beef plant in Lime
Springs. COVID-19 has now been reported in all 99 Iowa counties with Emmet, Sac, and Ida Counties, the last three counties not having the coronavirus, now each reporting positive cases within this week.
Iowa Legislature to Reconvene Session on June 3rd
(Des Moines, IA) — Republican leaders say the Iowa Legislature will resume its session on June 3rd. Lawmakers suspended the session on March 15th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Capitol is scheduled to open to the
public May 18th. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver said, “It is now time for the Senate to resume its constitutional duty to represent the people of Iowa, implement policy priorities, and pass a conservative budget to fund the necessary functions of government.” Members and staff will undergo a health
screening before entering the Capitol and are encouraged to stay home if they’re sick. Face masks and social distancing will be recommended.
Teen Suspect Shot By Marshalltown Police Officer
(Marshalltown, IA) — Investigators say a 17-year-old boy is recovering after being shot this morning by a Marshalltown police officer. Authorities were responding to multiple 9-1-1 calls about suspicious activity involving someone armed with a handgun. Officers found the suspect and he reportedly refused to comply with their commands and aggressively charged two officers.
They used a Taser but it didn’t stop him so an officer shot him below the waist. The teen was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. No officers were hurt. Police are not naming the juvenile.
Iowa City Police Investigating Violent Incidents On City’s South Side
(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa City police executed multiple search warrants Wednesday as they were investigating recent gun violence incidents on the city’s south side. There have been more than 15 shots-fired calls so far this year, already surpassing the total number from 2019. In many cases, police haven’t been able to track down the shooters. The increase in shots-fired calls in Iowa City has also been seen in Cedar Rapids.
Iowa Politicians Chosen To Serve On Democratic Task Forces For Unity
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Two Iowa politicians will serve on separate task forces as Democrats work to put together a solid party platform. Presumed presidential nominee Joe Biden and his former rival, Senator Bernie Sanders, assembled a half-dozen task forces to discuss climate change, criminal justice reform, the economy, education, health care and immigration. Former
Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack will be part of the education task force.
Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker was chosen to join the tax force for criminal justice reform.
Sentencing For Former Radio Talk Show Host Delayed For Second Time
(Des Moines, IA) — A federal judge has delayed the sentencing for a former Iowa radio talk show host for a second time. Marty Tirrell is facing prison time for a financial fraud scheme. He was accused of stealing more than a million dollars from his victims. Tirrell told investors he could buy sports tickets with their money, then re-sell them for a higher price. He has admitted lying and using the money to pay his debts or buy personal items. A third sentencing date hasn’t be set.
