State Patrol troopers who look for illegal drugs on the interstates that crisscross Iowa say our state is no longer just a drive-through area on the way to larger cities. Captain Nathan Andrews says the amount of drugs they've seen indicated the drugs are now being stored here for … [Read more...]
Accident leaves boat blocking I-35 Sunday
State troopers had to do some unusual traffic control on Interstate 35 Sunday. The Patrol posted a picture of a truck hauling a houseboat that jackknifed on the interstate near Osceola -- blocking one lane of traffic. The accident happened early Sunday before the sun was up, and troopers had to … [Read more...]
Jury returns guilty verdict in shooting death of State Trooper
The jury took less than three hours today to reach a verdict in the trial of 42-year-old Michael Lang of Grundy Center. Lang was accused of shooting and killing Sergeant Jim Smith during a standoff last April. Judge Joel Dalrymple read the verdict sheet. "In the District Court for Grundy County … [Read more...]
Prosecution wraps up case against man accused of killing State Trooper
The prosecution wrapped up its case around noon today against the Grundy Center man accused of killing State Trooper Jim Smith during a standoff last April. In coverage streamed by KCRG TV, the lawyer for Michael Lang asked the judge to dismiss the charges for lack of evidence. But Judge Joel … [Read more...]
Iowa falls short of goal of below 300 traffic deaths
Many thousands of Iowans will be traveling long distances this Thanksgiving week and a few of them likely won't make it home. Brett Tjepkes, chief of the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, says too many motorists are giving in to the temptation to speed, and some are risking their own lives and … [Read more...]
State Trooper remembered for service to state and community
Hundreds of law officers filled the Waukon gymnasium today to say goodbye to State Trooper Ted Benda who died earlier this month after being in an accident on the way to a call. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens gave the eulogy. "We're saddened, but we are not robbed of joy, this is … [Read more...]
State Trooper to be laid to rest today
The funeral for Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ted Benda, who died following an accident, is today 11:00 a.m. at Waukon High School. Iowa Congresswoman, Ashley Hinson, spoke about Benda's death on the floor of the U.S. House Tuesday. "This is a devastating loss of a father, husband, son, friend, … [Read more...]
State Trooper dies from injuries suffered in crash
The Iowa State Patrol says a Trooper who was involved in an accident last week has died. The Patrol says Trooper Ted Benda's car crashed last Thursday as he was on his way to assist the Clayton County Sheriff's Office with a wanted suspect. He has been in the hospital since the accident and has … [Read more...]
State Trooper injured in crash near Postville
The Iowa State Patrol says a Trooper was critically injured and airlifted to the hospital after following a crash while he was responding to a call on Thursday night. Trooper Ted Benda was assisting the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office when he was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 51 … [Read more...]
Trooper rides with trucker to find traffic violations during special enforcement
The last of five statewide Traffic Fatality Reduction Task Force special non-holiday enforcement efforts wraps up in the state today. Iowa State Patrol spokesman, Sergeant Alex Dinkla, says they used a new technique this morning in central Iowa. "We had a trooper who was in with a semi driver … [Read more...]