Trish Mehaffey

A judge suspended a 10-year sentence for second-degree arson to a Cedar Rapids man and sentenced him to three years probation. Prosecution recommended probation because the man struggles with mental health issues and has been compliant with prescribed medication.

Linn County paid $150,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former legal assistant against the county and initially against two prosecutors for sexual harassment and retaliation. Nearly half of the settlement was paid to the former employee’s lawyer for legal fees.

Seven former Independence Mental Health Institute nurses have filed claims of gross negligence against the state and Iowa Health and Human Services. Some of them have shared stories of assaults that resulted in a miscarriage, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks knew the sex abuse cases usually took longer to move through the system, but when he started looking at the data it was more “compelling” than he thought. There are 80 open cases - four have been pending since 2021 and 12 since 2023. He asked the court if they could work together to speed up the process.

A Cedar Rapids man who was charged in 2022 with multiple charges of sexual abuse of three children pleaded Friday and faces up to 30 years in prison.

The owner and managers of Hawkeye Waste Systems are facing a felony charge after an investigation into the 2024 death of an employee revealed the company did not have workers’ compensation insurance, which is required by Iowa law.

Linn County Board of Supervisors approved a settlement Wednesday in a sex harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by a former legal assistant against the county and initially against Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks. Maybanks and another prosecutor were dismissed from the suit before the settlement was approved.

The mother of Myron Snyder Jr., 21, said her grief is “just as bad” as the night her son was fatally shot while making a DoorDash delivery on Oct. 5, 2023. She said “not everything happens for a reason” because this was a “senseless, horrific and life-changing crime.”

State charges will be dropped against a Nevada man accused of stalking and threatening his ex-fiancee, including to kill her and others during the upcoming ISU graduation ceremony in Ames. A state prosecutor said federal charges will be filed against the man. No indictment or charges have been filed at this time.

The Chauncey among five properties affected by foreclosure

A Hiawatha man was convicted this week on five charges involving molesting and assaulting a female teen. He faces up to 13 years in prison.

A Cedar Rapids woman, who planned to claim self-defense at trial, pleaded to voluntary manslaughter, saying she stabbed him in the “heat of passion” during a fight. She faces up to 20 years with a mandatory minimum of up to 10 years.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said Monday he’s not worried by China’s unusually large purchase of soybeans from Brazil this month because President Donald Trump is working to protect U.S. farmers by reducing tariffs that will benefit them.

Chris Cruz always planned to become a police officer but going to college changed his career path. He decided he wanted to stick around after the crime and help the victims “pick up the pieces.”

A 49-year-old Grimes man was sentenced to 50 years in prison, which is life sentence based on his age, for trying to kill 3 Cedar Rapids police officers in February during a standoff.