FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – An Iowa man who was texting when he crashed his pickup truck into a car has been convicted in the deaths of two people. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports in 2015 21-year-old Colton Bills crashed his pickup into a car near Dayton. Bills was distracted by texting and ignored a stop sign and a sign warning the stop sign was ahead. There was no evidence he braked or swerved to avoid the car.
MAQUOKETA, IA (IRN) – The Maquoketa Police Department has taken three men into custody following a robbery attempt in which a man was shot. KWWL-TV reports the men broke into a home last night and shot a man with a .22 caliber gun.
IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City man is facing multiple charges after police say he strangled a woman until she passed out, stuck a sock in her mouth, and then drove around Iowa City with her in the backseat of his car. KCRG-TV reports 25-year-old Jorden Dannen allegedly screamed at the victim and told her, “You can kiss tomorrow goodbye.” The victim told police she thought she would die, but Dannen later released her.
SUMNER, IA (IRN) – Authorities say a 46-year-old Davenport man shot and killed in rural northeastern Iowa is believed to be the intruder in a home invasion. WQAD-TV reports Steven Anthony died Friday after a man shot him at a home in Sumner, about 150 miles from Davenport. A male resident at the Sumner home was also shot and is recovering.
NORTHWOOD, IA (IRN) – A judge says deputies in northern Iowa didn’t use excessive force when they repeatedly deployed stun guns against a violent suspect who died after their 2013 confrontation. KCCI-TV reports the judge ruled that Worth County deputies were justified in using Tasers because 39-year-old Michael Zubrod actively resisted arrest after using a hammer to severely wound his girlfriend.
BOONE, IA (IRN) – Two women in Boone saw a need to help those less fortunate in their community, and now Lori Beam and Lynn Tilley have opened a store to help combat this problem. WHO-TV reports the women decided to open a free store called Two and a Dream to collect items for families in need. Thanks to generous donations, they have helped over 70 families since September.