IOWA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A mother and son died Thursday morning in a crash in Iowa County about five miles west of Marengo. 18-year-old Bethany Clark’s car left the roadway when she lost control on the frost covered road and hit a creek embankment. Her car quickly caught on fire and both perished.
SPIRIT LAKE, IA (IRN) – The use of any form of tobacco products, including smoking and electronic cigarettes or “vaping” devices, may soon be off limits at city parks and outdoor recreational facilities in Spirit Lake, according to KTIV-TV. The city’s recreational trails would also be affected along with associated restrooms and parking lots and shelter houses. The city is considering an ordinance banning the products.
SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Deputies have found a missing Sioux City woman lying in a snow-covered field in rural Woodbury County. KCCI-TV reports 24-year-old Shaniqwa Hayes was found conscious but unresponsive and taken to a hospital. She was last seen Sunday after leaving her job in Dakota City, Nebraska. Relatives reported her missing on Monday. Her cell phone location transmission led two deputies to a farmstead near Moville. The deputies found a faint footprint 15 yards in front of her car and followed footprints to Hayes, who was lying in snow near a grain bin.
CLEAR LAKE, IA (IRN) – A Clear Lake home has suffered extensive damage after a fire early Thursday morning, according to KIMT-TV. Three people were inside at the time, but were able to get out unharmed. Their pets escaped safely as well.
WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A woman is now facing charges following a death at a Waterloo daycare center this past summer, according to KWWL-TV. Amy Hangartner has been charged with Child Endangerment Resulting in Death. The child had been placed in an infant car seat by Hangartner where it died.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A conservative eastern Iowa group is kicking off 2016 with a renewed focus on their right to openly carry weapons in public places. KCRG-TV reports the Iowa Conservative Union is hosting an open carry night at Godfather’s Pizza in Cedar Rapids. At a recent meeting, most members had guns strapped to their side, but others brought rifles to display on tabletops next to pizza plates. The group’s chair, Jim Conklin says, “As you all know, crazy people with guns don’t show up on this night. This is now the safest restaurant in the country.”
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Two Cedar Rapids Police Officers will not be charged for the shooting death of 21-year-old Jonathan Gossman this past October. KGAN-TV reports the two officers conducted a traffic stop as part of a meth investigation, and Gossman fled the scene. They gave chase with a K-9, and Gossman turned and pointed a gun at the officers. They fired 25 shots at the suspect, killing him. An autopsy on Gossman found he had meth and amphetamines in his system at the time of the shooting.
FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A Fort Dodge woman is using her baking skills to try to fight hunger. WHO-TV reports Jodie Tietsort is a recovering alcoholic who wanted to do something to pay back the town that helped her recover. Tietsort is launching Southwest Circle Cafe, a place for people to pay what they can afford to eat. All she asks is that if you can’t afford to pay, you help out.