News

NAMI Expands Services to Epworth

A local resource for mental health care is expanding its reach farther into rural Dubuque County. This month, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Dubuque affiliate is opening a host site in Epworth City Hall to offer programming to more rural residents. NAMI offers a variety of peer support services for those dealing with mental health concerns, and the local affiliate has been growing its reach to Dubuque’s surrounding rural areas. NAMI Dubuque President and CEO Britni Farber said full programming is available for Iowa residents in Delaware, Jones and Dubuque counties. The Epworth host site will have abbreviated programming with the rest offered at the Dubuque office. The Epworth host site is kicking off with a breakfast and learn event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, at Epworth City Hall, 212 N. Center Ave.

Iowa Court of Appeals Upholds Conviction of Delaware County Woman Found Guilty of Murder

The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of a Delaware County woman found guilty of murdering her boyfriend in 2021. The court recently filed its opinion in the case of 37-year-old Danielle Weiner, of Ryan, and affirmed her prior conviction on the charge of second-degree murder in relation to the 2021 death of 27-year-old Devon Hierrezuelo. A Dubuque County jury found Weiner guilty following an April 2023 trial, and she was subsequently sentenced to 50 years in prison. Her attorneys filed a notice of appeal shortly after on the grounds that jurors received a confusing instruction prior to deliberation. The appeals court ruled against Weiner’s appeal, stating that the instruction read to the jury by District Court Judge Michael Shubatt was a correct statement of law that applied to the facts of the case. Prosecutors in the case said Weiner killed Hierrezuelo during a 2021 argument at her Ryan residence and that Weiner’s testimony about the incident was unreliable. The defense said Weiner had been in a physical fight with Hierrezuelo and feared for her life, causing Weiner to fire a gun. Evidence at trial showed a neighbor called 911 at 1:14 a.m. Feb. 8, 2021, after hearing gunshots. Weiner called 911 five minutes later reporting that someone broke into her residence and shot Hierrezuelo. Authorities testified that evidence showed Hierrezuelo’s body had been moved from the bedroom to near the kitchen, and Weiner maintained at the time that the shooter was an unknown man.

Alliant Energy’s Annual Electric Rate to Increase

Alliant Energy’s annual electric rate will increase starting next month. The Iowa Utilities Commission approved the request and will require transparency from Alliant Energy for future investments. Average monthly electric bills will rise from 13 to 15 dollars. Customers will be notified of the bill changes within 30 days. The new rates will take effect on October 1st. On October 12, 2023, Alliant filed with the IUC an application seeking an increase in electric and natural gas rates and requesting a revenue increase of approximately $284 million in electric rates and a revenue increase of approximately $14 million for natural gas rates.

Former Dubuque Police Officer Arrested

A former Dubuque Police officer charged with multiple domestic abuse offenses made false claims against the alleged victim. The TH reports 27-year-old Tyler Breitbach of Peosta, was arrested Tuesday at Dubuque on warrants charging tampering with a witness, making false reports to law enforcement authorities, third-degree harassment and violation of a no-contact order. Breitbach was previously arrested in May on warrants charging two counts of domestic abuse assault and one count of third-degree harassment. Breitbach was an officer with the Dubuque Police Department at the time of the incident. Breitbach is accused of assaulting a woman also employed at the Dubuque Police Department twice during the summer of 2023. Breitbach subsequently lost his job. Police say Breitbach falsely reported that he was a victim of an assault by the woman on Aug. 17, 2023. Breitbach refused to provide the original photos of the injuries and refused to cooperate any further with his assault report. Breitbach also claimed to have been assaulted by the woman on two other occasions in July 2023. Breitbach claimed these assaults injured his right forearm. As police investigated Breitbach’s claims, they discovered inconsistencies. Investigators determined “Breitbach had doctored and altered the photos he had provided to mislead law enforcement into opening an investigation into (the woman), while knowing that the information he was providing was false.” A jury trial for Breitbach’s original charges is scheduled for January 27th.

Jones County Bar and Restaurant Damaged by Fire Early Tuesday Morning

A Jones County bar and restaurant was damaged by fire early Tuesday morning. The Jones County Sheriff’s Office says a passer-by reported seeing smoke coming from the Jones County Local bar and restaurant, located at 22962 County Road E-34, southwest of Anamosa, just before 6 a.m. Tuesday. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and some fire inside the building. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire. The inside of the building had heavy smoke and fire damage. The restaurant was not open and there were no employees inside at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by local officials and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Division.

One Dead in Dubuque Motorcycle Collision

A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday in a Dubuque crash. According to a press release from the Dubuque Police Department, shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday a motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in the 2200 block of Roosevelt Street. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the deceased has not been released. The crash remains under investigation.

Mississippi Bridge at Lansing Closing Intermittently

The Iowa DOT says it’s closing the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing for 30-minutes twice a day each workday, starting Tuesday. It’s to reduce vibration, and limit the chance of damage as crews build a new pier for the new bridge. This will last until October 4th. To see a live cam of the new bridge being built, check out the Iowa DOT website.

Peosta Man Seriously Injured in Single Vehicle Accident

A Peosta man was injured in a single vehicle accident this morning in Epworth. According to a press release from the Dubuque County Sheriff's office, 54-year-old Gregory Mulert was West Bound on Highway 20 at about 4:30 AM, when his vehicle left the roadway and struck the support column for the Bobcat Road overpass. His vehicle then overturned. Mulert was transported to a local hospital by Epworth Ambulance with serious injuries. Peosta Police and Epworth Fire assisted at the scene.

Two Hotels Coming to Dubuque in 2026

Two new hotels are coming to the City of Dubuque by the end of 2026. An agreement approved by the Dubuque City Council Monday night approves the sale of a 13-acre lot in the Port of Dubuque to Kinseth Hospitality Company for $800,000. In turn, the Iowa hotel developer is building a six-story facility to house two connected Marriott hotels. The hotels are differentiated by their design to accommodate short- or long-term visitors across a combined 160 hotel rooms. City Manager Mike Van Milligen believes the facility will boost tourism, as future development in the tri-state area exceeds the community’s hotel capacity. For example, when the Major League Baseball stadium expansion is complete at the Field of Dreams, “it could generate an additional 40,000 hotel room nights” annually in demand. Van Milligen estimates the Dubuque area could be more than 100,000 annual hotel room nights short of demand shortly as other development projects in the community progress. Under Kinseth Hospitality’s agreement with the city, the complex is expected to be finished by December 31, 2026, and could face a $50,000 monthly fine thereafter until its completion.

Pedestrian Injured by a Vehicle’s Mirror in Dubuque County

A pedestrian was injured when he was struck by a vehicle’s mirror in Dubuque County. According to the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department, 23-year-old Tyler Wallace of Cascade, was walking in the northbound lane of Highway 136 near the intersection with Steger Road at about 8:40 p.m. Friday, when he was struck by the passenger side mirror of a vehicle driven north on the highway by 61-year-old Randolph Potter, of Dyersville. Wallace was transported by a deputy to MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. Wallace was arrested on a charge of public intoxication and was cited with walking on the wrong side of the highway.

Three Arrested in Dubuque for Armed Robbery

Three people were arrested after police said they participated in an armed robbery in Dubuque. The TH reports that police responded at about 3:20 a.m. June 30 to the 1500 block of Henion Street and made contact with 28-year-old Logan Wilhelm of Preston. Wilhelm told police he was at a bar earlier that evening and was offered a ride home by a female later identified as 21-year-old Abigail Smith. Smith took Wilhelm to the area of West 16th and Catherine streets. After exiting the vehicle, Wilhelm was approached by a male who struck him in the head, pointed a gun at him and took his phone and wallet. Wilhelm reported that the vehicle he rode in was parked in the area and that the male got into the vehicle after the robbery. Police conducted interviews and examined cellphone records and traffic and private camera footage. They determined that Smith and 23-year-old Tanaveiua Shropshire of Dubuque, were at the same bar as Wilhelm the night of the robbery. Shropshire and 21-year-old Jakobe Jones, both of Dubuque, left the bar and went to their shared residence, while Smith approached Wilhelm and offered him a ride. Smith took Wilhelm to the area of West 16th and Catherine streets. Smith then picked up Shropshire and the other person and took them to the area where Wilhelm was dropped off. The three returned to Smith’s residence shortly after the time the robbery is estimated to have happened, documents state. Shropshire and Smith were arrested at Friday night on a warrant charging first-degree robbery. Jones was arrested Saturday morning at Dubuque Law Enforcement Center on a warrant charging first-degree robbery.

Gas Prices Drop Expected to Last Through Fall

Gas prices are expected to continue falling through the election. Right now, the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.20. That’s down 24 cents from a month ago. Prices are expected to keep dropping, with a national average below three dollars a gallon as soon as next month. Gas prices across Iowa are below the national average. In Cedar Rapids, the average price for a gallon of gas is $2.95 a gallon. In Iowa city, that price is just a little higher at an even $3 a gallon. And in Waterloo, the average is $2.96.

MercyOne Auxiliary Gift Shop Holds 25th Anniversary Sale

The MercyOne Dyersville Auxiliary gift shop is having a 25th Anniversary sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sale hours are 10 til 4 Thursday and Friday and Saturday, 10 to 1. In honor of the anniversary, there will be 25% off everything in the shop including items that are currently on sale. There will be demonstrations of products and cookies on Friday and Saturday. Since the shop is a non-profit, there is no sales tax on items sold. Profits from the shop support MercyOne Dyersville hospital, Senior Care and the Ellen Kennedy Living Center.

One Injured in Plane Crash in Southern Linn County

A rural Mount Vernon pilot escaped serious injury when his plane crashed in a farm field Thursday. A press release states that at 1:20 PM, Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies and Mount Vernon/Lisbon Police, Fire Department and Ambulance responded to a report of an airplane crash south of Highway 30 and east of Cedar River Road in a farm field. Responders arrived and found that a single engine airplane had crashed in a farm field causing no damage to anything other than the plane. The pilot, and only occupant, 65-year-old Mark Anton of rural Mount Vernon, was transported to a local hospital by Lisbon Mount Vernon Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash is unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were contacted and will continue the investigation.

Linn County Law Enforcement has Located Inmate

Linn County law enforcement officials have located an inmate that failed to return jail from furlough. Inmate Ashley Nichole Foster failed to return to the Linn County Correctional Center Sunday as ordered. Foster was released on a Court Ordered Furlough on September 5th and was to return on Sunday at 3:00 PM as required by the order. Foster is currently awaiting trial for revocation of probation. Foster was located and taken into custody by the Cedar Rapids Police Department Thursday and returned to the Linn County Correctional Center. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone who called in with information and details on her whereabouts, which aided in her arrest.

Grassley Presents Congressional Adoption Award to Jones County Family

A Jones County family was given a congressional award for their work in assisting families who adopt. Senator Chuck Grassley presented Chelsey’s Dream Foundation with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption award. Anamosa’s Chuck and Carol Bildstein founded the non-profit to provide financial and emotional support to adoptive families. Chelsey’s Dream Foundation is named after Chuck and Carol’s daughter, who passed away from cancer in 2014. The Bildsteins’ Iowa-based non-profit carries out Chelsey’s mission to help families with their adoption expenses . The foundation manages fundraisers and grants, pairs families with donors and engages with similar organizations.

Former Cascade Employee Returns to City Hall

A former city employee is returning to Cascade City Hall to lead municipal operations. The Telegraph Herald reports that During Cascade City Council’s Monday meeting, Deanna McCusker was appointed as interim city administrator. McCusker previously served as Cascade’s administrator from 2014 through early 2022. McCusker will be compensated $3,269 bi-weekly or the equivalent of an $85,000 annual salary. She begins her duties today. McCusker returns to Cascade after a stint as the city administrator in Washington, Iowa. Following her departure from Cascade in January 2022, she served as Washington’s administrator until resigning in May to be closer to family. While McCusker says she agreed to a six-month contract, she did not rule out returning to Cascade City Hall in a permanent capacity.

Cascade High School Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is Saturday, Sept. 21

The Cascade High School Athletic Hall of Fame 2024 induction ceremony is set for Saturday, September 21, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cascade. This year’s class features former Cougar student-athletes Ann Callahan, Phil Kauder, and Roger Koppes, and contributor Rich Knepper. Tickets for the Hall of Fame ceremony are available for $10 at the Cascade High School main office. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the ceremony. A social hour will begin at 6:00 PM, with the ceremony beginning at 7:00. Drinks will be available for purchase, and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. This year’s Hall of Fame class was chosen by a committee made up of Cascade High School administrators, coaches, and alumni from a pool of nominations submitted on the CHS website. In addition to the induction ceremony the Hall of Fame inductees are also expected to participate in some of Cascade’s Homecoming week activities, including being honored guests in the annual parade and receiving recognition at halftime of the Homecoming football game. Nominations for future Hall of Fame classes can be submitted at any time through a link on the Cascade High School website. The 2025 Hall of Fame class is expected to be announced next spring.

Central City Motorcyclist Dies from Injuries after Striking Deer

A motorcyclist from Central City that suffered severe injuries after hitting a deer has died. According to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday August 28th, a report was received at 8:15 p.m. that a motorcycle had hit a deer on Whittier Road near Prairie Chapel Road. When first responders arrived on the scene, they found a Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by 46-year-old Daniel Nash of Central City had been going north on Whittier Road when he struck a deer. Nash was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and was flown to University of Iowa Health Care for life threatening injuries. Nash was pronounced dead Wednesday at the University of Iowa Hospital from the injuries he sustained in the motorcycle accident.