Tuesday, July 9, 2019

ATALISSA, IA (IRN) – A man died after he was struck in the head by a firework in the eastern Iowa town of Atalissa last week around the July 4 holiday. The Des Moines Register reports first responders were notified of the accident, and when responding, found James Don McMichael, 53, dead. The impact of the firework is the probable cause of death.

TIPTON, IA (IRN) – An Iowa trooper pointed his gun at and knocked down a motorcyclist for no apparent reason during a traffic stop, then falsely charged the man with eluding law enforcement. KGAN-TV reports dash camera video released Monday shows then-Iowa State Patrol officer Robert Smith pulling over motorcyclist Bryce Yakish for speeding. What appears to be a routine stop escalates immediately when Smith runs out of his car with his gun drawn and strikes Yakish in his helmet. The force knocked the 150-pound Yakish backward and onto his motorcycle, and both fell to the ground. Yakish is repeatedly heard complaining of neck pain. Smith now works as an officer in Durant.

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – The search for a missing Marshalltown woman ended in tragedy Monday. KCCI-TV reports search crews found the body of 18-year-old Jazmin Raya in the Iowa River just north of downtown Marshalltown. Raya was 18 but communicated like a child due to autism. It’s not clear if that contributed to her death. An autopsy will be performed.

HUDSON, IA (IRN) – A multi-vehicle accident near Hudson in Black Hawk County left one person dead on Monday, according to KCRG-TV. The SUV attempted to pass two pick-up trucks that had livestock trailers containing live elk attached. While passing, the SUV struck a Tesla S head-on, which caused the SUV to hit the pick-ups and their trailers. The Tesla also collided with one of the pick-up trucks and its trailer. The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene.

ADAMS COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is paying a Red Oak man $10,000 after wrongfully arresting him for criticizing officers on Facebook. WHO-TV reports Jon Goldsmith was arrested last year after he criticized the actions of a deputy at a festival in Corning after the deputy body-slammed a man. Goldsmith and the ACLU sued, and a judge ruled the department must also take part in a free speech training and adopt a social media policy that will be approved by the ACLU.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Former pro football and baseball player Bo Jackson is coming to Cedar Rapids. The star player will join other famous former players for the inaugural “Perfect Game Cares” charity softball game. Proceeds from the game benefit the Perfect Game Cares Underserved Youth Initiative.