(KCRG-TV via Radio Iowa) — A woman who competed against and became close friends with Mollie Tibbetts says she hopes people will remember Mollie for how she lived, not how she died. Alexis Morrison told KCRG-TV she first met Mollie in the eighth grade. Both loved running and faced each other on the track. “We ran our whole high school and middle school career together,” Morrison said. “We were always right by each other in every race.”

Mollie ran for BGM and Alexis for Montezuma schools. Alexis said while she always looked forward to races against Mollie, it didn’t matter who won. They encouraged each other to post personal best times. “We prayed together and stuff before every race to help each other,” Morrison said.  The 20-year-old Tibbetts, who was to be a sophomore at the University of Iowa, disappeared on July 18 while on a jog in her hometown of Brooklyn. On Tuesday, authorities announced the arrest of a 24-year-old man who’s accused of killing Tibbetts and leaving her body in a cornfield. Morrison said she’ll focus on her memories of Mollie, but the life-long runner said this situation has changed her routines. She now takes some precautions before heading out on trails through Poweshiek County.

“My husband actually just bought me a taser because I’m training for a half marathon and it’s really scary to be out there,” Morrison said.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Two southeast Iowa women have been accused of not providing enough nutrition to the son of one of them, contributing to his death. Des Moines County District Court records say 36-year-old Amber McIntosh and 41-year-old Bobbie Crear, of West Des Moines, are charged with child endangerment resulting in injury. They’ve denied any wrongdoing. Court records don’t show their attorneys’ names.
The women are accused of not providing enough nutrition to 12-year-old Rylan McIntosh, who died last September. Authorities say the boy’s medical conditions required that he be fed a nutrition drink through a tube to his stomach. An autopsy report lists the cause of his death as undetermined.
A court document says state investigators suspected the women didn’t adequately feed the boy because the pair had been using drugs. The document says the woman tested positive for methamphetamine after a school official reported concerns about the boy’s weight loss over the summer of 2017.

The man charged in the kidnapping and killing of an Iowa college student is expected to make his initial court appearance this (Wednesday) afternoon. 24-year old Cristhian Bahena Rivera is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared July 18 from Brooklyn, Iowa. He’s set to appear at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma at 1 p.m. A criminal complaint alleges Rivera followed Tibbetts while she was out for a run, abducted and killed her, and dumped her body in a cornfield. Investigators say Rivera led them to a body believed to be Tibbetts early Tuesday.

An autopsy is scheduled for today (Wednesday) by the state medical examiner to determine the cause of death. Rivera was being held in the Poweshiek County Jail on a $1 million cash-only bond.

The Mills County Attorney’s Office reports a Pacific Junction man, 39-year old Christopher Lee Irvin, was charged Tuesday with Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, a Class C Felony, and two counts of Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, each an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Irvin was being held in the Mills County Jail pending an initial appearance before the magistrate.

Irvin is an elementary art teacher, head cross country coach, and assistant track coach employed by the East Mills School District, in Mills County. In an interview on August 17th, 2018, a juvenile female disclosed that in late July or early August, Irvin touched her in the groin and buttocks area. The juvenile further disclosed that on or about April 20, 2018, he rubbed his genitalia upon her bare feet.

The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation. Christopher Lee Irvin was arrested by the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Mills County jail without incident on August 21st.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A county attorney in southeast Iowa says she’ll donate fine money her office has collected to help feed schoolchildren. The Hawk Eye reports that Des Moines County Attorney Amy Beavers told county supervisors Tuesday that her office has collected about $120,000 in fines from unpaid court fees, not including portions of the fine collections that go to the county and state.
She says she will provide money this week to superintendents at each school district in the county to help feed students who need the financial help.

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding “Stand Up Paddleboard” (SUP) demonstration this Saturday, August 25th, from 9-a.m. to Noon. The FREE event takes place at Cold Springs Park beach.  After a quick demonstration, you can try out the boards for yourself. If you do not bring a life jacket one will be provided to you. You must weigh less than 250lbs. Children must be 16 years or older. The final paddleboard demonstration event is Sept. 1st, with times available at 1-p.m. and 2:30-p.m. The program will be cancelled is there is unsafe weather or conditions on the lake. Reserve your spot for either date by calling the CCCB at 712-769-2372.

SUP is the fastest growing sport in the paddling community not only across the country, but especially here in land-locked areas like Iowa. It’s described as a fun, healthy as a total body work-out and offers a unique perspective when it comes to being on the water.

Police in Red Oak say a woman suffered suspected serious/incapacitating injuries during a motorcycle accident, Tuesday. Officers responded to the area of N. 6th Street and E. Sunset Avenue at around 1-p.m., and found the motorcycle operator, 51-year old Barbara Darlene Wilson, of Red Oak, laying on the grass in a yard on the west side of the road. Authorities say it was clear the woman suffered a broken leg in the accident, that happened when she was leaving her house, and was turning around to go back home, when the cycle got too close to the curb. The foot peg on the 2000 Honda VT 1100C hit the curb, causing Wilson to fall off the bike. The cycle then landed on her leg. The motorcycle was registered to a woman from Sioux Falls, SD. It sustained about $500 damage.

Authorities said Wilson has a suspended license and that she emitted an odor of alcohol. Wilson was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital by Red Oak Rescue. At the hospital Wilson refused to take a Preliminary Breath (alcohol) Test, and was read the Implied Consent Advisory. She still refused to consent to a sample of her blood and will be charged with Driving Under Suspension and OWI/1st offense. Wilson was later expected to have been transferred to Omaha to be treated for her broken leg.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Lorimor, reported Tuesday, that his vehicle had been taken on Aug. 15th,  and has not been returned. The vehicle is a blue 1994 Geo Prism with license plate AXL955. It was valued at $1000.

Officials with Iowa College Aid today (Wednesday) announced the creation of Iowa’s first and only college and career readiness training program, in partnership with AEA Iowa, the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa School Counselor Association. These online, interactive courses are designed for counselors and other professionals in the college access field. Participants can earn license renewal or graduate credit and a certificate conferred by Iowa College Aid. ISCA president Aimee Hospodarsky said “The Iowa School Counselor Association is pleased to support the new Iowa College and Career Readiness Academy.”

She said also, “These courses will provide tailored professional development for Iowa school counselors on college and career readiness and will be an invaluable tool in our work ensuring every student is prepared for the future.” Registration is now open, and the first course will begin October 1. For course descriptions and schedules, go to IowaCollegeAid.gov/CCR.