A jury has found a farm laborer guilty of murder in the abduction and killing of a University of Iowa student who vanished while out for a run in 2018.
The jury on Friday found Cristhian Bahena Rivera guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Mollie Tibbetts, a friendly and bright 20-year-old who was studying to become a child psychologist.
Bahena Rivera, who came to the U.S. illegally from Mexico as a teenager, will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict comes after a two-week trial at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, in a case that inflamed public anger over illegal immigration and concerns about random violence against women.
One week ago, students across the state of Iowa were allowed to attend class without a mask for the first time this school year, after the Governor of Iowa signed a bill into law banning mask mandates in schools.
The head of Siouxland District Health Kevin Grieme tells Siouxland Public Media anytime there is action that removes a tool that could support the limitation of the spread of a disease at a local level, public health gets concerned.
Full statement from Siouxland District Health’s Kevin Greime.
Anytime there is an action that removes a tool that could support the limitation of the spread of a disease at the local level, public health gets concerned. As we have learned there are times when a statewide action is appropriate, but we need to sustain the ability to respond locally to address local conditions. The ability to require masks in some situations would be one of these potential actions.
Today, the Sioux City Community School District issued its final COVID-19 trend report of the year showing no new cases of COVID-19 and less than fifty students in quarantine.
The Iowa Department of Public Health added three more deaths due to complications of COVID-19. There were 99 new cases. The total case count in Woodbury County feel by one for a total of 15,197.
The seven-day test positivity rate in Iowa is 2.2%, showing lower community spread. One week ago, students across the state of Iowa were allowed to attend class without a mask for the first time this school year, after the Governor of Iowa issues a ban on mask mandates in schools.
Coming up this afternoon during All Things Considered, hear from a local mask advocate about a petition drive condemning Governor Reynolds and some Iowa lawmakers. She says the move is anti-science and directly endangers public health. The interview on the way at 5:44 p.m.
Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse was one of a few Republicans to vote for a bipartisan commission to investigation the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6th. Sixty votes were needed to take up the bill, passed in the House last week. The final vote in the Senate was 54-to-35. Sasse was among six GOP members of congress to support establishing a commission.
Statement from Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska:
“Nebraskans know where I stand on this: For the first time in our history, a mob targeted the Vice President and the Congress for following the Constitution by certifying the Electoral College vote,” he said. “With Congress getting weaker and tribalism getting stronger, we’ve got to rebuild some public trust. Like others in the Nebraska delegation, I think that, if done right, a truly bipartisan commission could complement the work being done in the ongoing criminal investigations. The American people deserve a full account of what happened.”
Although the COVID-19 pandemic hit them disproportionately harder than others, Latino business owners are feeling optimistic as the pandemic subsides. Himar Hernandez is a community development specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. He works with many Latino-owned businesses. He says in a short time, multiple new businesses have opened.
“I would say in terms of last year it’s a nice growth. In terms of pre pandemic, we're not there yet to the levels we were operating before.”
When compared to the 2008 recession, Hernandez says it looks like the businesses he works with are headed toward a speedier recovery than 13 years ago. But one problem they still face, he says, is a labor shortage.
Food Truck Fridays returns to downtown Sioux City next Friday. The season will run through August from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Pearl Street Park at 7th and Pear Streets. This is the 6th year for Food Truck Fridays and this year will start with eight food trucks.
Due to cooler weather this holiday weekend, the opening of the Riverside Family Aquatic Center has been pushed back. The facility will open for the year next Saturday, June 5th. The city’s two other pools, Leif Erickson and Lewis are scheduled to start their seasons Saturday, June 12th through August 8th. The city’s five splash pads are still scheduled to open tomorrow.
News releases from the City of Sioux City:
RIVERSIDE FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER
SEASON OPENING POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER
Due to the low temperatures and rain in the weather forecast for Memorial Day weekend, Riverside Family Aquatic Center (RFAC) will not open Saturday, May 29, 2021 through Monday, May 31, 2021. The pool will open for the season on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Leif Erikson Pool and Lewis Pool are scheduled to be open from Saturday, June 12 through August 8, 2021.
The low temperatures forecasted create a challenge when considering opening the pools. Sioux City Parks & Recreation Supervisor John Byrnes shares, “Since Sioux City public pools are not heated, when the high is in the mid-60s and the low is in the 40s, the water remains extremely cold. This is not an ideal experience for pool patrons or our employees. In addition, these conditions may cause hypothermia, particularly for our youth.”
Sioux City Splash Pads are still scheduled to open on Saturday, May 29, 2021 and will remain open through Labor Day weekend. Splash Pads are located at: Dale Street Park, 913 15th Street (15th & Dale Streets); Rose Hill Park, 1431 Grandview Boulevard; Leeds Park, 3810 41st Street; Cook Park, 505 Market Street; and Cone Park, 3800 Line Drive. Splash Pads are available for use, daily, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Summer Programming
Below is a list of upcoming summer programs from Sioux City Parks and Recreation:
· Urban Scramble
o Saturday June 5th 8am-noon, starts and finishes at the Expo Center
o Think the “Amazing Race” but in Sioux City! Participants don’t know where they are going until the day of the event. Teams of two will test their wayfinding, running and biking skills throughout Sioux City!
· Neighborhood Family Fun Night
o Monday, June 14th 6:00pm-8:00pm Riverside Pool, Lewis Pool, Leif Erikson Pool
o This FREE event at all three public pools will include free food, swimming, and giveaways.
· Summer Park Program
o Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9am-noon at Dale St. Park
o This FREE daily camp that runs June 8th – Aug 5th includes field trips, guest visitors, and a ton of fun activities!
· Upcoming Youth Sports
o Youth Tennis
§ Session I: June 8th- July 1st on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
§ Session II: July 13- Aug 5th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
o Live Healthy Iowa Track Meet
§ Thursday June 3rd at Morningside College Track.
§ Join us for this FREE track meet to compete in various track and filed events.
Exhibit highlights long-time Sioux City non-profit agency
(Sioux City) – The history of one of the Siouxland region’s longest-serving nonprofit organizations is featured in the exhibit, Crittenton Center: Serving children, teens, and families for 125 years, opening Saturday, May 29 at the Sioux City Public Museum.
Originally founded as a maternity home for unwed mothers, the agency is today a multi-disciplinary, family-oriented, nonprofit designed to give children and families the support they need to lead successful self-sufficient lives. Services at the Crittenton Center include family education programs, maternal healthcare, child development centers and supervised apartment living for teens transitioning from the foster care system to independent adulthood.
Today’s Crittenton Center began with the formation of the Sioux City Women’s and Babies’ Home in 1896. The new organization was the result of the merger of Sioux City’s Women’s Home Society, founded in 1894, and the Babies’ Home Society, founded in 1895. Both organizations were formed after police matron Johanna Thurston approached groups of socially conscious Sioux City women on behalf of the region’s unwed mothers and abandoned children. One of these women was Dr. Agnes Eichelberger, Sioux City’s first female physician. Eichelberger was a founding member of the Babies’ Home Association and oversaw the formation of the Women’s and Babies’ Home as an attending physician. She later led the effort to affiliate with the National Florence Crittenton Mission in 1904 and established the Sioux City Maternity Hospital next to the Crittenton Home in 1914.
On display through August 1, the exhibit features vintage baby cribs and other furnishings from the old Crittenton Home at 28th and Court Street. Visitors will see a range of historic photographs and documents relating to Dr. Eichelberger, the Crittenton Home and its antecedent organizations. An accompanying slideshow of images will highlight the Crittenton Center’s history and the range of services it provides today.
The Sioux City Public Museum is located at 607 4th Street in downtown Sioux City. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 712-279-6174 or visit SiouxCityMuseum.org.
Food Truck Fridays news release:
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Sioux City Food Truck Fridays returns for a full 2021 season that kicks off Friday, June 4 downtown at Pearl Street Park.
The region's popular food trucks gather to serve tasty lunch choices during the summer season that runs from June 4 to August 27. The event is 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pearl Street Park, located at 7th and Pearl Streets downtown Sioux City.
Now in its 6th season, Sioux City Food Truck Fridays has grown into a regional destination event and helped launch a thriving food truck scene. The event will start the 2021 season with 8 trucks, including returning favorites and the introduction of new trucks. Additional spots may be added as the season ramps up.
Last season had a delayed start and was a "grab-and-go" format because of COVID. This season, trucks will be parked farther apart around the park to create more space for lines. Guests will be able to stay in the park to enjoy lunch outside or order food to go.
“It’s been incredible to see Siouxland’s food truck scene rapidly develop over the past 6 years,” said Sam Burrish, a volunteer organizer. “This past year has shown us the scene continues to thrive and evolve. Food culture and entrepreneurship are important to our vibrant community. We’re excited to continue highlighting downtown Sioux City with this event.”
Sioux City Food Truck Fridays has facilitated a growing food truck scene across Siouxland. Many new food truck operators have started serving at the event and on their own, in addition to existing operators upgrading their trucks or adding a second truck.
Food Truck Fridays returns to Pearl Street Park. The park offers abundant seating, grassy areas for picnic- style lunches and kid-friendly features.
The volunteer organizers connect partnerships and sponsors to make the event possible. This season is presented by Seaboard Triumph Foods in collaboration with Downtown Partners and the City of Sioux City.
Weekly menus will be posted to the Sioux City Food Truck Fridays Facebook page.
