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Iowa men out on bond accused of throwing duct-tape bound woman in trunk, killing her, dumping body near lake

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Iowa men out on bond accused of throwing duct-tape bound woman in trunk, killing her, dumping body near lake

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Two Iowa men have been arrested in connection to a woman’s body being found near an Iowa County lake.

According to the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, authorities have identified the victim as Melody Hoffman, 20.

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On Sunday, deputies responded to a report of a body being found near a picnic area at Amana Lily Lake.

On Tuesday, McKinley Louisma, 23, who was allegedly in an intimate relationship with Hoffman, was arrested and charged in connection to her death, according to WHO 13.

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Iowa authorities have two men in custody for the murder of Melody Hoffman, whose body was found near a lake. ( Linn County Sheriff’s Office)

Louisma was also out on bond when investigators reported that he kidnapped Hoffman, according to KCRG. 

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On Wednesday, authorities arrested another suspect in connection to Hoffman’s murder.

Officials announced that Dakota Van Patten, 18, has also been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in the death of Hoffman.

Court records obtained by KCRG indicate that Louisma and Van Patten knew each other beforehand. Both were accused of beating the same man back on January 14, 2024, at an apartment in Cedar Rapids. Both were released on bond in that case.

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During a search warrant, investigators found Hoffman’s phone case, a white Apple Watch band with blood on it, a bungee cord, a towing rope, gloves, and clothes in a bag matching the ones Hoffman was wearing, the affidavit revealed. 

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Court records obtained by Fox News Digital detailed what investigators say happened after Louisma picked Hoffman up at 11:00 p.m. Saturday.

According to court documents, Hoffman was picked up by Louisma on the night of Feb. 17 and remained with him until she died.

Investigators used data from Hoffman’s iPhone and Apple Watch to piece together her last moments.

The data showed that Hoffman was at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County when her Apple Watch recorded her heartbeat intensifying before “it either stopped or the device deactivated.”

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Police have identified the suspects of interest after a Melody Hoffman’s body was found near a lake in Iowa on Sunday.  ( Linn County Sheriff’s Office)

During an interrogation, Louisma told investigators he and another unidentified person bound Hoffman’s wrists with duct tape, put her in the trunk of the car, and drove to several locations until they reached Lily Lake in Amana.

Louisma admitted Hoffman begged to be let go, was beaten, and stabbed and slashed multiple times. 

The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the preliminary cause of death was strangulation.

Court documents show Louisma was part of two previous investigations involving accusations of violence. One was in Manchester involving sexual assault. The other was in Cedar Rapids claiming Louisma attacked a man, causing serious injury.

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Jail records show Louisma was charged with first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit forcible felony. He is being held at the Linn County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 1.

A candlelight vigil in Melody’s memory was being held Thursday evening in Marion. 

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Nebraska

Nebraska quarterback commit named a top prep transfer for 2026 season

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Nebraska quarterback commit named a top prep transfer for 2026 season


A Nebraska quarterback commit is making headlines heading into his senior season. Five-star prospect Trae Taylor has been named by Rivals as one of the ‘five high school football transfers that will make a big impact this 2026 season.’

Taylor heads into 2026 after a strong 2025 season at Carmel Catholic (IL). In 11 games, he threw 3,571 yards, 38 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also ran 77 times for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The five-star quarterback is transferring to Millard South (NE) this offseason and will join a team that went 12-1 this past season and won back-to-back Class A State championships. He is taking over as the starting quarterback, replacing Jett Thomalla, who signed with Alabama.

Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes that the transfer quarterback is well-rounded and one of the stronger arms in the 2027 cycle. He also believes that the development he has shown this late in his career should be seen as a positive.

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“Brings a combination of high-end arm talent and refinement to the table. Has a whippy release that uncoils quickly to generate fast arm action. Added arm strength in the off-season prior to his senior year. Can drive the football to all areas of the field with palpable zip. Rips throws out to the far hash and up the seam. Throws a tight spiral that cuts through the wind. Has proven to be accurate in multiple settings. Hyper-trained and plays with a good level of consistency as a passer.”

Taylor is also the first Cornhusker commit to ever hold the title of Elite 11 MVP. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of The Opening Finals at Nike’s World Headquarters last month.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.





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North Dakota

Berry Survives Restart For North Dakota Prize – SPEED SPORT

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Berry Survives Restart For North Dakota Prize – SPEED SPORT


MINOT, N.D. — Tom Berry Jr. capitalized on late-race misfortune for Ethan Braaksma and survived a frantic restart battle to win the opening round of the 2026 Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric Sunday night at Nodak Speedway.

Braaksma, the two-time defending tour champion from Iowa, quickly established himself as the driver to beat in the 30-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature.

Driving for car owners Danny Meier and Trent Guest, he led from the outset while Wyoming’s Bart Taylor steadily reeled him in during the opening half of the race. Taylor made several bids for the lead, but Braaksma turned each one away before gradually extending his advantage.

Everything changed with seven laps remaining, as Braaksma suffered a flat tire while comfortably out front, bringing out the caution. Taylor inherited the lead, but the restart produced a thrilling three-wide battle as Taylor, 2022 Wisconsin state champion Jayden Schmidt and two-time tour champion Berry all fought for the top spot.

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The two-time series champion and 2020 National title winner, Berry, edged ahead at the stripe to lead lap 25, then quickly opened a comfortable advantage over the remaining laps.

Starting eighth in the Mike Wedelstadt-owned No. 11X, the Marshalltown, Iowa, driver, originally from Medford, Ore., earned his 11th career Dakota Tour victory and third tour triumph at Nodak Speedway. It marked his fifth Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season at five different tracks.

The feature also served as a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, although Berry had already secured eligibility to attempt to qualify for the event earlier in the year.

Cole Czarneski, the 2026 Clash at the Creek winner from Wisconsin, charged from a B Feature transfer to start 15th before rallying to finish second and earn hard charger honors. Schmidt completed the podium, Tanner Black, originally from Arizona and now racing out of Kansas, finished fourth, and two-time Nodak Speedway track champion Travis Hagen advanced from 10th to fifth.

Fifty-three IMCA Modifieds were on hand for the event.

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Brock Beeter turned away late challenges from Kyle Scholpp and Jonny Carter to capture his first career Dakota Classic Tour victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.

The newly crowned Nodak Speedway champion wasted little time taking command and quickly built a comfortable advantage before an early caution erased his lead.

Beeter again pulled away on the restart while the battle for second intensified behind him. Defending North Dakota Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod state champion Gabriel Deschamp climbed into the runner-up position on lap 16 and began chasing the leader before another caution with five laps remaining tightened the field and set up a thrilling finish.

Carter fought to Beeter’s inside while 2025 Estevan Motor Speedway champion Kyle Scholpp charged around the cushion. Despite pressure from both challengers over the closing laps, Beeter never wavered, holding them off to score the victory.

The Minot driver earned his fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, with two of those wins coming at Nodak Speedway.

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The feature was also served as a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, to be held during the IMCA Super Nationals. With the victory, Beeter became eligible to attempt to qualify for the event in September.

 

Scholpp nipped Carter for second at the finish, while 2023 Dakota Tour champion Rob Van Mil crossed the line fourth. Deschamp recovered to finish fifth after starting 14th.

Defending Boone Speedway champion Johnathon Logue raced from a B Feature transfer, starting 22nd before advancing to 12th to earn hard charger honors.

Forty-two IMCA Stock Cars signed in on the registration sheets.

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The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV.

 

 



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Ohio

Northeast Ohio Weather: More thunderstorms today

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Northeast Ohio Weather: More thunderstorms today


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Low pressure is over the area today keeping things unsettled. It will shift east into Pennsylvania tomorrow.

Humid today with thunderstorms. The slow moving nature of the storms will produce locally very heavy rain. Afternoon temperatures 76 to 84 degrees.

Humid tonight with a few evening showers around.

Humid tomorrow with isolated showers. High temperatures around 80 degrees.

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Mostly sunny and humid Wednesday.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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