116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Trish Mehaffey
Reporter covering state and federal courts, and whatever legal issues come my way. I also provide live coverage of criminal trials on Twitter @tmehaffey and welcome comments and questions from readers during the trials. Outside of work I love movies, tennis and my Kansas State Wildcats! Go Cats! Stay informed with the Public Safety newsletter.
Latest Articles by Trish Mehaffey
Crime & Courts Aug. 23, 2022 3:06 pm1172d ago
A Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to three years probation after firing multiple shots at another man during a fight last year. Originally charged with attempted murder, he pleaded to two gun-related charges.
Crime & Courts Jul. 31, 2023 12:11 pm830d ago
A retired University of Iowa music professor has been indicted in federal court on charges of distributing methamphetamine that resulted in a death and of possessing child pornography.
Crime & Courts Aug. 22, 2022 3:27 pm1173d ago
A judge won’t dismiss charges against a Chicago man accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old Iowa girl in 2015. The man argued the teen’s parents consented to their relationship, so he shouldn’t be charged.
Crime & Courts Aug. 19, 2022 3:19 pm1176d ago
One of the Fairfield teens accused of killing a Spanish teacher last year is asking a judge to delay his Nov. 1 trial. His lawyer wants more time to complete pretrial work.
Crime & Courts Aug. 19, 2022 5:53 pm1176d ago
A 67-year-old Allamakee County man is charged with killing his roommate in May. Investigators say he strangled the 83-year-old roommate to death.
Environmental News Aug. 19, 2022 6:00 am1176d ago
Jim Walters has been growing trees from acorn seedlings for many years and has planted about 40 in his College Hill neighborhood in Iowa City. Take his tree canopy tour Aug. 21.
Crime & Courts Aug. 14, 2022 6:00 am1181d ago
An Oelwein man who testified against a meth dealer was brutally beaten in the Linn County Jail 12 days before the trial by convicted murderer Drew Blahnik and another cellmate. Federal and state authorities are investigating
Crime & Courts Aug. 11, 2022 3:46 pm1184d ago
Police previously said they had surveillance video of the area where demonstrators gathered about 7:17 p.m. to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against abortion rights earlier that day.
Crime & Courts Aug. 7, 2022 8:19 am1188d ago
Timothy Rush, who is already charged with killing his girlfriend at a club in April, will face more charges because a man seriously injured that night died in July from his injuries.
Crime & Courts Aug. 5, 2022 2:11 pm1190d ago
A Marion man being retried for killing his ex-girlfriend in 2017 asks the judge to recuse himself, questioning his impartiality
Crime & Courts Aug. 5, 2022 11:19 am1190d ago
Property Holders rental permit for northeast house deemed nuisance is suspended for one year. The city made that decision following an administrative hearing officer’s ruling which upheld the city’s nuisance designation.
Crime & Courts Aug. 4, 2022 4:26 pm1191d ago
A state medical examiner ruled the death of three Cedar Falls family last month at Maquoketa Caves State Park were homicides and the suspect died by suicide. "As far as what we think happened, Anthony Sherwin entered the Schmidt family’s tent and there was an immediate attack and struggle that resulted in the three members of the Schmidt family dying as a result of the attack," Mitch Mortvedt said.
Crime & Courts Aug. 4, 2022 10:00 am1191d ago
A parents group is suing the Linn-Mar school district, superintendant and board members for policies that protect transgender students from discrimination. The petition claims the policies violate parents’ right to consent and students’ rights to express a different opinion.
Crime & Courts Aug. 1, 2022 3:14 pm1194d ago
A Cedar Rapids man accused in the Capitol attack Jan. 6 will be tried in a Washington D.C. court Jan. 16.
Crime & Courts Jul. 30, 2022 4:17 pm1196d ago
A federal class-action suit brought by youth basketball players who were potential sex abuse victims of former Barnstormers coach Greg Stephen reached a settlement Friday to set up over $1 million fund to benefit the victims. The organization also agreed to set up youth protection protocols and policies to keep players safe.

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