DALLAS COUNTY (NOT FOR RACCOON VALLEY RADIO) – An overnight house fire in rural Dallas Center claimed the life of one individual Monday. Firefighters found 80-year-old Dennis Felt inside the home deceased. According to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, 14 fire departments, three emergency crews and four law enforcement entities responded to the structure fire on New Years Day. The State Fire Marshal’s Office believed the blaze to be accidental.

AMES – The FBI has joined an investigation into a missing girl from Ames. KCCI-TV reports five year old Avery Doherty was taken by her non-custodial mother, Esther Bender. Ames Police say it’s been over two months since either have been seen.

FORT DODGE – A man who died from a gunshot wound in Fort Dodge has been identified. WHO-13 says 45 year old Ryan R. Andrews was found suffering from gunshot wounds early Friday morning. He was transported to a nearby hospital and died from his injuries. Fort Dodge police are investigating and no arrests have been made.

ORLANDO – An Iowa Hawkeye punter who has won several national awards has broken a mark that has stood for 85 years. KCRG-TV reports Tory Taylor finished the year with 4,479 yards, a single season high mark for the 10-4 Hawkeyes, breaking a record that stood since 1938. Taylor won the 2023 Ray Guy National Punter of the Year award. Taylor has ended his career with the Hawkeyes in the Citrus Cheez-It Bowl Monday, and will likely land on an NFL Roster before the 2024 season.