DES MOINES (IRN) – Law enforcement and gun dealers say they are seeing a rise in gun sales and applications for carry permits in Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System says Iowa had nearly 26,000 firearm background checks conducted in December 2015, more than in any other month last year. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department says it saw about 1,000 more gun carry permit applications than usual last month.

WHITING, IA (IRN) – A Louisiana man has been killed in a snowmobile accident in western Iowa. KWWL-TV reports David Daigle, of Baton Rouge, struck an irrigation pivot as he tried to cut across a farm field near Whiting. Daigle was pronounced dead at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A Mahaska County man is dead after he crashed into a stalled vehicle on Highway 92 west of Oskaloosa, according to the Iowa State Patrol. Saturday evening an SUV became disabled and stopped in the eastbound lane, where the occupants exited. Sixty-two-year-old Georgie Crews then struck the rear of the SUV with his pickup, pushing it into another vehicle. Crews was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines police are investigating the first homicide of the year. On Sunday officers responded to a home on a welfare check and found the body of 71-year-old Norma Jean McNeeley inside the home. The investigation continues.

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead and another injured following a crash Sunday, according to Iowa State Patrol. A car was traveling eastbound in Johnson County in the third lane of I-80. A second car driven by 20-year-old Kaitlyn Richards of Coralville then rear ended the first car pushing it out of it’s lane into a semi. The name of the deceased, a 54-year-old from Swisher, has not been released.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque library officials have rejected a $6 million offer to buy one of their two paintings by renowned Iowa artist Grant Wood. KCRG-TV reports trustees of the Carnegie-Stout Public Library say they have no intention of selling either painting by Wood, who is best known for his “American Gothic” painting. Official say the paintings are a source of pride for the community. The paintings were acquired in the 1930s for a total of $1,150 with money left to the library for purchasing art.