Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/police-homeless-man-punches-waitress-in-face/6869824

DES MOINES, Iowa —

A homeless man was arrested after punching a waitress in the face.

Police said they were patrolling on foot in the Court Ave. district Sunday morning when Howard Johnston, a security worker at The Station, ran to them saying a fight had broken out.

Officers ran up to the deck area to break up the fight, according to a police report.

Police said Robert Kimbrough, a homeless man, had been trying to grab the rear and chest of waitress Robyn Owen.

According to the report, he also tried to pull her shirt down.

Police said Owen repeatedly asked Kimbrough to stop and then the fight broke out.

Kimbrough jumped over the shoulders of multiple customers trying to restrain him and punched Owen in the left eye.

Officers were able to handcuff Kimbrough and took him to the Polk County Jail without incident.

Kimbrough was charged with simple assault.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/schools-receive-play-60-grant/6870573

DES MOINES, Iowa —

$41,000 have been granted to 35 Des Moines schools from Fuel Up to Play 60.

The grants are being awarded by the Midwest Dairy Council for the upcoming school year.

More than 70,000 schools across the country are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60.

The program was developed by National Dairy Council, local Dairy Councils and National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture.

The schools awarded with the grant are Brubaker, Capitol View, Carver, Cattell, Cowles, Downtown, Edmunds, Findley, Garton, Greenwood, Hanawalt, Hillis, Howe, Hubbell, Jackson, Jefferson, King, Madison, McKinley, Monroe, Morris, Moulton, Oak Park, Park Avenue, Perkins, Phillips, Pleasant Hill, River Woods, South Union, Stowe, Studebaker, Walnut Street, Willard, Windsor and Wright.

“Fuel Up to Play 60 has really taken off in Iowa,” said Chris Freland, Fuel Up to Play 60 Manager for Midwest Dairy Council. “Wellness champions and students in more than 1,100 schools across the state have embraced the program, and these funds will help many of the participating schools do even more.”

Lovejoy and Samuelson received Fuel Up to Play 60 grants in 2011.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/isu-solar-racers-move-up-after-accident/6870567

AMES, Iowa —

The Iowa State team moves up after recovering from a damaged suspension on Sunday in the American Solar Challenge.

Under sunny skies, the solar-powered vehicle was able to move to fourth place overall, passing two teams on Monday.

“Today was pretty much what I hope for during a solar car race,” said Evan Stumpges, the team’s project director and a May graduate in mechanical engineering.

The team’s next checkpoint will be Kalamazoo, Mich. on Tuesday, the next being Normal, Ill.

“We made up time compared to Principia and Minnesota,” Stumpges said. “But we have a ways to go before we can regain what we lost yesterday.”

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/officials-offer-tips-to-stay-cool/6870556

DES MOINES, Iowa —

High temperatures have been hitting Central Iowa hard this summer and staying cool can be a challenge.

“By minimizing how much heat we generate in our homes during the day and letting in cooler air overnight, people can reduce their risk of health problems during very hot weather,” said Scott Slater, interim director at Polk County Health Department.

“When it is very warm indoors don’t sit directly in front of a fan for long periods. It may make you feel more comfortable but, when it is this hot it doesn’t reduce your risk for health problems. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Air conditioning is the strongest protective factor against heat-related illness,” said Mr. Slater.

The Polk County Health Department listed the following to help keep your home cooler:

• Keep all your incandescent lights and heat-generating devices off when possible.
• Humidity can be reduced by limited mid-day showering, washing and drying clothes and cooking.
• Pull your shades closed to reduce your heat gain.
• During the night, open your windows and use fans to bring cooler air in.

The Health Department also wants to remind you to drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun when possible, and to keep pets indoors if you can.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/church-offers-free-school-supplies/6870552

DES MOINES, Iowa —

A Des Moines church is reaching out to help provide kids in need with school supplies.

Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church will be holding giveaways of 1,500 backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies.

The events will take place Thursday, Aug. 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 10 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

Families must provide a form of ID for all household members and proof of income level.

“The children of low and no-income households are most affected by the poverty their families experience. The best way to get them out of the poverty cycle is through education,” said Dr. Roberta Victor, executive director of CROSS Ministries.“If a child has to start school without the basic supplies that other children have, or start school late while waiting for the money to purchase the supplies, it puts them at a major disadvantage. Therefore, the Back-to-School Giveaway is an investment in the future for us all.”

Volunteers will help fill the backpacks on Tuesday, August 7 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

For any questions about the giveaways, call the call the CROSS Ministries office at 515-279-8877.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/registration-open-for-state-fair-express/6870544

DES MOINES, Iowa —

If the Iowa State Fair is a long trip, there may be a deal for you.

The Iowa State Fair Express is being offered to fair guests not only as transportation, but as a buyer’s deal.

A ticket on the Express gives you round-trip transportation, fair admission, a complementary bottle of water, a fair coupon book and a program for the day.

The Windstar charter bus will arrive at the fair at around 10 a.m. and departs the fair around 6 p.m each day.

New for the fair this year, the express will make trips to Cedar Rapids (Aug. 9), Charles City (Aug. 10), Sioux City (Aug. 10) and Ames (Aug. 12).

To register to ride the express and for more information, fair-goers can go to the Iowa State Fair Express website or call 888-494-6378.

Reservations can be made one week in advance.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-cubs-launch-new-social-media-site/6870522

DES MOINES, Iowa —

The Iowa Cubs have launched a new website dedicated to giving their fans a high level of interaction with the team.

The I-Cubs unveiled Monday that they will be launching iCubsDen.com, a new social media site for their fans.

iCubsDen will consolidate all Iowa Cubs tweets, mentions, posts, likes, photos and more from Facebook and Twitter into one fully integrated, site that allows fans to interact with each other and earn rewards.

The site can also be integrated with Facebook and Twitter and can be accessed on mobile devices.

Any posting about the I-Cubs can allow its users to earn points for rewards.

The site is currently live and accessible for fans.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/police-man-assaulted-tied-up-with-electrical-cords/6870511

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Police say a man was found tied up with electrical cords and beaten Sunday after he had been robbed.

Stephen Hamilton, 53, had his jaw broken and had to communicate to police in writing, according to the report.

Hamilton told police that a woman he believed to be named Susan had stopped at his apartment due to car trouble.

The woman claimed to know his roommate, Jessica Cashman, who is currently serving jail time, according to police.

Police say the woman charged her phone at Hamilton’s apartment and called for a ride, and two men showed up at the home.

The men bought Hamilton cigarettes but then proceeded to attack him, according to police.

The report states one suspect choked Hamilton to the point of blacking out, and the other suspect kicked him in the face multiple times, breaking the victim’s jaw.

Hamilton was also pepper sprayed during the attack, police said.

Sheri Slayden, 27, had agreed to stop by Hamilton’s apartment earlier that day and found him tied at the hands, feet and throat by electrical cords, according to police.

Slayden also told police she saw two white men running from the apartment when she arrived, and she called 911.

Hamilton had $700 in his wallet that was not stolen by the attackers, but they did take the victim’s laptop according to the report.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Original Link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/police-man-kicks-pregnant-woman-in-belly/6870313

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Police say a man was arrested and charged after kicking a pregnant woman in the belly.

Officers were dispatched to 1015 E. Sheridan Avenue just after midnight Sunday, according to the report, after a caller told dispatch a pregnant woman was being assaulted in the front yard.

Ashley Mabrey, who is 8 1/2 months pregnant, got into a fight with her boyfriend Xavier Wright, who is also the unborn baby’s father, according to police.

Mabrey told police that Wright was throwing her possessions around the house and was going to leave for the night when Wright kicked her in the abdomen.

Police say she then ran to Tabatha Cyr, who was baby-sitting at the time, to call for an ambulance.

The report says Wright then took the phone away from Mabrey.

Mabrey refused to disclose many details as she didn’t want Wright to be arrested and refused medical treatment, according to police.

Wright was charged with domestic abuse and emergency communication interference and was taken to the Polk County Jail.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/pink-diamond-sells-for-a-world-record-dollar712m/9231650

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Most never stop to look at the twist ties on bread bags, but there’s actually a reason behind the different colors.

Most bread companies use a color coding system to seal their bags.

Each color indicates what day the bread was baked.

Bread deliveries, according to wisebread.com, happen every day except Wednesday and Sunday, so the color scheme lines up like this:  Monday- Blue, Tuesday- green, Thursday- red, Friday- white, Saturday- yellow.

An easy way to remember the order is the color’s names are alphabetical, so the later the day, the later the color.

Most bread makers use this system, but there are some exceptions, so if you’re really curious, call your favorite bread maker to find out which colors they use on what days.

KCCI.com spoke with employees at Hy-Vee, and they mentioned that it’s also still good to look at the sell-by date because they are stocked in that order, not by color tie.

Otherwise, don’t squeeze and poke your bread, just look at the twist tie to know if it’s fresh.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/mother-holding-child-battles-officer-at-dollar-general/15448186

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Police say a Des Moines woman was arrested Saturday after she assaulted a police officer.

Officers say they were dispatched to 1020 E. Army Post Road after a complaint that Cathy Bullock, 26, was involved in a confrontation with a Dollar General manager.

Police say they arrived and asked Bullock for identification, which she claimed not to have.

The report also states Bullock continued to give different names to police, which led to Officer Adam Lemek to search Bullock’s purse for ID.

Bullock, who was holding her daughter according to the report, lunged for the purse and shoved Lemek.

Officers say Lemek kept hold of the purse and officers then attempted to place Bullock in handcuffs.

Bullock was ordered multiple times to surrender but the report states Bullock refused to let go of the purse.

Lemek reported that he had to force Bullock to the ground, causing cuts and bleeding to himself, before Bullock stopped resisting.

Police say they found two plastic baggies full of marijuana, as well as a metal marijuana grinder inside.

Bullock was charged with assaulting a police officer, harassment and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/plea-agreement-expected-in-shooting-case/15232972

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa —

One of three people charged in a February homicide case is planning to accept a plea agreement.

The Marshall County District Court announced Friday that Steven Etzen, one of three men involved in the shooting of Bejamin Benda, is expected to enter a plea agreement for second-degree murder.

According to the district court, the date is set for Friday at 10:30 a.m.  Etzen will be transported by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department for the hearing.

Benda was shot in the head and later died from his injuries at the University of Iowa Hospital on Feb. 6.

Police reported that the three men were going to rob Benda before the shooting occurred.

Shawn Doehler was charged with first-degree murder.

Thomas Vaughn was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/police-former-hawkeye-lineman-assaulted/6869630

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Kansas City Chiefs lineman Rob Bruggeman was assaulted in downtown Des Moines Sunday.

Police did not see Bruggeman provoke the attack.

Erwin was taken into custody shortly after the assault.

Police then said that Juan Sarceno-Barrera approached police and was told multiple times to back away.

According to the police report, both men smelled of alcohol and their speech was slurred.

Bruggeman was cut inside his lip, but did not need medical attention.

Erwin was charged with assault causing bodily injury, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

Juan was charged with interference with official acts and public intoxication.

Both men were taken to Polk County Jail.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/man-tells-police-he-was-robbed-at-machete-point/6869415

DES MOINES, Iowa —

A Des Moines man is claiming he was robbed at machete point at a homeless camp over the weekend.

According to a police report, Galbo offered the men $50 in cash, as well as his debit card and PIN number to buy cigarettes for the three of them.

Galbo told police one of the men pulled a machete and held it to his neck.

According to the report, the men then told him to get on the ground and kicked him, leaving bruises on his abdomen and left arm.

Galbo told police to contact Rob Fritz, another man in the campsite, claiming that he could identify the men responsible, but he did not witness the event.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/police-suspect-attempts-to-disarm-officer/13439164

DES MOINES, Iowa —

A Des Moines man is in custody after police say he assaulted an officer and attempted to take his weapon.

According to a police report, Nathan Kent had just been dropped off at the shelter by the Polk County Sheriff’s department and was acting disorderly and out of control.

Budd said that after he arrived, Kent’s disorderly and paranoid behavior escalated, screaming that the police were going to kill him.

Budd said Kent was placed in handcuffs, but then started to kick the officer repeatedly.

After being pinned to the ground, Kent then attempted to grab Budd’s handgun, according to the report.

Police said Kent eventually had to be hobble tied and taken to the Polk County Jail.

The report states Kent smelled of alcohol and had admitted to drinking that night.

Kent is charged with assaulting a police officer, attempting to disarm a police officer, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication.

Original link:
http://www.kcci.com/article/police-sleeping-child-found-in-mobile-meth-lab/13384890

BOSCOBEL, Wisc. —

An Iowa couple has been charged with child neglect after Wisconsin police said they found a child sleeping in a portable meth lab.

Officials said the couple was pulled over by Wisconsin police officers Saturday at 6:10 p.m. for not wearing their seat belts.

Police said they found an active and portable methamphetamine lab and two semi-automatic handguns in the back seat of their car, next to their 2-year-old daughter, who was sleeping in a car seat.

Patrick Hogan, 30, was arrested on possession of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, and child neglect.

Deanna. Hogan, 29, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and child neglect. Both were transported to the Grant County Jail without incident. The child was released to a family member shortly after the arrest.